JOHN SIMPSON TRIBUTE PAGE
JOHN SIMPSON (1924-2008)
Veteran broadcaster and radio actor dies in Durban at the age of 84 after suffering a
stroke.
Veteran broadcaster and radio actor John Simpson died in Durban this morning at the
age of 84, after suffering a severe stroke yesterday morning.
Born in 1924 in the North of England near Manchester, he served in the Royal Air Force
as a bomber pilot. After the war he came out to South Africa with his wife Beulah and they
settled in Durban.
He ran a small but well-organised business called Simpson & Lawrence, selling
answering machines and public address systems. Many long-established businesses in
Durban today could still be using equipment that he installed.
He started working for radio at least 55 years ago when the SABC studios were still
situated in Aliwal Street, reading the news and presenting programmes. As he was an
excellent actor and had strong versatility skills, he was much in demand for radio plays,
serials such as the long-running “From Crystal, With Love” and series in which he played
hundreds of different roles over the years.
In the heyday of Springbok Radio, Durban was always acknowledged as the home of
radio comedy with programmes produced by Tom Meehan Productions and his son Barry
of Sound Ideas. John was much in demand for many Springbok Radio comedies but he
will always be remembered best for his part as Roland Lennox-Brown (No.1), appearing
with Roger Service as the bungling duo from the General Assistance Department in the
long-running series, “The Men from the Ministry”.
“It was my privilege to work alongside John Simpson on radio from the late 60's onwards,
in the “The Men From The Ministry” and “The Navy Lark”, to mention just two of the many
productions in which John took leading roles,” says Barry Meehan. “He was one of radio's
true gentlemen, in that I never once saw him "lose it" in what was sometimes a pretty
stressful entertainment medium. His sharp wit and wonderful turn of phrase were his tools
of the trade, along with the deep, rich voice so well known to millions of listeners. He was
also wonderfully adept at various accents and used to love playing characters, his
favourite probably being "Scrotum, the wrinkled retainer" in any number of plays, serials
and the like.
“I believe that the secret to his longevity was his cast-iron stomach, as he used to love
devouring a packet of chillies from Snappy Snacks before a recording. He used to knock
back a whole packet, shake himself, wipe his eyes, and be ready to record. I tried half a
chilli one day, and could barely talk for hours afterwards! John will be sorely missed, and
as he joins so many others in that great recording studio in the sky, his immortal “The
Navy Lark” phrase rings true in a way that his passing has affected so many of us ....
"Everybody down!"”
John Simpson also presented a very popular gardening programme for many years titled
“In Your Garden” and his last radio series was titled “The Inner Ear”.
From years of scribbling on scripts in radio studios to while away the time between
appearances, he had built up strong drawing skills and while on holiday in the UK several
years back, he was inspired by a television programme to take up watercolour painting.
Experimenting with the Japanese style of painting, he created a series of charming
greeting cards and for a couple of years was invited to work on his cards as artist in
resident at the Bonisa Private Gallery in Kloof.
A highly articulate man who imposed high standards on himself, his professional attitude
towards his work remains a shining example to the new generation of radio actors in
Durban.
John Simpson is survived by his three children, three grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
Article provided by Caroline Smart
Veteran broadcaster and radio actor dies in Durban at the age of 84 after suffering a
stroke.
Veteran broadcaster and radio actor John Simpson died in Durban this morning at the
age of 84, after suffering a severe stroke yesterday morning.
Born in 1924 in the North of England near Manchester, he served in the Royal Air Force
as a bomber pilot. After the war he came out to South Africa with his wife Beulah and they
settled in Durban.
He ran a small but well-organised business called Simpson & Lawrence, selling
answering machines and public address systems. Many long-established businesses in
Durban today could still be using equipment that he installed.
He started working for radio at least 55 years ago when the SABC studios were still
situated in Aliwal Street, reading the news and presenting programmes. As he was an
excellent actor and had strong versatility skills, he was much in demand for radio plays,
serials such as the long-running “From Crystal, With Love” and series in which he played
hundreds of different roles over the years.
In the heyday of Springbok Radio, Durban was always acknowledged as the home of
radio comedy with programmes produced by Tom Meehan Productions and his son Barry
of Sound Ideas. John was much in demand for many Springbok Radio comedies but he
will always be remembered best for his part as Roland Lennox-Brown (No.1), appearing
with Roger Service as the bungling duo from the General Assistance Department in the
long-running series, “The Men from the Ministry”.
“It was my privilege to work alongside John Simpson on radio from the late 60's onwards,
in the “The Men From The Ministry” and “The Navy Lark”, to mention just two of the many
productions in which John took leading roles,” says Barry Meehan. “He was one of radio's
true gentlemen, in that I never once saw him "lose it" in what was sometimes a pretty
stressful entertainment medium. His sharp wit and wonderful turn of phrase were his tools
of the trade, along with the deep, rich voice so well known to millions of listeners. He was
also wonderfully adept at various accents and used to love playing characters, his
favourite probably being "Scrotum, the wrinkled retainer" in any number of plays, serials
and the like.
“I believe that the secret to his longevity was his cast-iron stomach, as he used to love
devouring a packet of chillies from Snappy Snacks before a recording. He used to knock
back a whole packet, shake himself, wipe his eyes, and be ready to record. I tried half a
chilli one day, and could barely talk for hours afterwards! John will be sorely missed, and
as he joins so many others in that great recording studio in the sky, his immortal “The
Navy Lark” phrase rings true in a way that his passing has affected so many of us ....
"Everybody down!"”
John Simpson also presented a very popular gardening programme for many years titled
“In Your Garden” and his last radio series was titled “The Inner Ear”.
From years of scribbling on scripts in radio studios to while away the time between
appearances, he had built up strong drawing skills and while on holiday in the UK several
years back, he was inspired by a television programme to take up watercolour painting.
Experimenting with the Japanese style of painting, he created a series of charming
greeting cards and for a couple of years was invited to work on his cards as artist in
resident at the Bonisa Private Gallery in Kloof.
A highly articulate man who imposed high standards on himself, his professional attitude
towards his work remains a shining example to the new generation of radio actors in
Durban.
John Simpson is survived by his three children, three grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
Article provided by Caroline Smart
HENRY DIFFENTHAL RECALLS:
(Producer, Olympia Recording Studios)
I came to Durban in 1954 to open a recording studio for a company called Herrick Merrill
Radio Productions. We started to record radio drama programmes for Springbok Radio
and that was when I first met John Simpson. He was a regular visitor and actor to work
with us on a regular basis.
I opened my own studio, Olympia Recording Studios, in 1956 and used John in many
productions over the years until Springbok Radio closed down in 1985. John was an
excellent radio actor and could do any accent that the play called for. He was always on
time and very professional in his approach to radio acting.
I did not work with him on radio comedy shows that he did and he recorded many
hundreds of them. Comedy is the toughest and most difficult form of radio acting but
John was excellent in any part or situation. He played in many morning housewives’
serials as well as heavy dramatic plays. John was a very reliable person to work with
and I enjoyed my productions with him.
When he retired, he displayed another very interesting talent of Oriental painting. And
he did a lot of exhibitions and teachings at various functions. I always spoke to him
about painting and found him to be very knowledgeable about it. The last time I saw
John was at the Oyster Box Hotel about nine months ago. We went to meet an old acting
friend of ours, Bob Holness, and we had lunch together. What a lovely afternoon we had
reminiscing about old and pleasant times in the recording studios.
(Producer, Olympia Recording Studios)
I came to Durban in 1954 to open a recording studio for a company called Herrick Merrill
Radio Productions. We started to record radio drama programmes for Springbok Radio
and that was when I first met John Simpson. He was a regular visitor and actor to work
with us on a regular basis.
I opened my own studio, Olympia Recording Studios, in 1956 and used John in many
productions over the years until Springbok Radio closed down in 1985. John was an
excellent radio actor and could do any accent that the play called for. He was always on
time and very professional in his approach to radio acting.
I did not work with him on radio comedy shows that he did and he recorded many
hundreds of them. Comedy is the toughest and most difficult form of radio acting but
John was excellent in any part or situation. He played in many morning housewives’
serials as well as heavy dramatic plays. John was a very reliable person to work with
and I enjoyed my productions with him.
When he retired, he displayed another very interesting talent of Oriental painting. And
he did a lot of exhibitions and teachings at various functions. I always spoke to him
about painting and found him to be very knowledgeable about it. The last time I saw
John was at the Oyster Box Hotel about nine months ago. We went to meet an old acting
friend of ours, Bob Holness, and we had lunch together. What a lovely afternoon we had
reminiscing about old and pleasant times in the recording studios.
The passing of yet another Springbok Radio great. Do enjoy with us this special audio
tribute in memory of the late John Simpson.Through the efforts of many, John's voice
will always remain with us in the countless recordings that have survived and that
forms part of the Springbok Radio restoration project. On behalf of the Springbok
Radio Preservation Society of S.A., our deepest sympathy to his family and all that
knew him.
tribute in memory of the late John Simpson.Through the efforts of many, John's voice
will always remain with us in the countless recordings that have survived and that
forms part of the Springbok Radio restoration project. On behalf of the Springbok
Radio Preservation Society of S.A., our deepest sympathy to his family and all that
knew him.
