New Patron Franci Rossi?
- 14 November 2008 11:279179I am highly amused by the news that our potential new patron of the town Francis Rossi was just an imposter. I would be interested to know the extent to which our district council entertained him and just how much he looked like the real rocker...especially without his pony tail and septum intact!
First of all Status Quo are hardly anything to get star struck by and why was so much hype placed on their (non)appearance at events in the town, I really don't know?! Its one thing being star-struck by z-listers but another being sucked in by them (and their fakes!)
I would like to know the real dealings, rather than the media reports that have made Dover Councillors (some more than others) look a bit dim!
Just Realised I missed the 's' on Francis, dim I know....but it could be worse! - 14 November 2008 11:539181I've just had a call from Joss Stone saying she wants to play live at the new Centre Spot.
Well, she SAID she was Joss Stone, so I guess it must be true.
Just off to pick her up in the limo... - 14 November 2008 12:039182I remember a certain forumite introducing 'someone famous' under a false name to me, whos identity was hush hush. He later whispered the name 'Francis Rossi' - to be honest I was still in the dark and had to ask someone else who he was, I was never a Quo fan! Now we know, it was a fantasist...
- 14 November 2008 12:329184Lol, I actually met Status Quo including Francis when I worked in a government building which also housed a tax office, they had come to see a tax inspector!
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
14 November 2008 12:359186doh,they will be telling us that elvis and marilyn munro will be opening asdas next.
- 14 November 2008 13:599187DDC had nothing to do with this,I remember Mary Graham ex reporter on the Dover Mercury and I being introduced to 'Francis Rossi' at Crabble when he was judging the Carnival floats,and we were not convinced.
He looked like him,but there was something not right,the thing that struck me was I always imagined him to be tall,and this bloke was tiny,I am not going to blame Vic because he was convinced it was the real man,but questions should be asked.
On the Joss Stone comment I know Graham Tuthill knows her well and I know some of her relatives and is it beyond the realms of realism to bring Joss home to Dover.
Of Course the current Mayor would not be taken in by it as her Husband Brian is a acomplished guitarist who has played with some of the best.If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble! - 14 November 2008 15:449191It was DEFINITELY Joss Stone who spoke to me earlier about a potential gig at the Centre Spot. I'm sure it was. She spoke in a Californian drawl, had a whiff of patchouli oil about her, no shoes on and said she was from 'Dover' (or was that 'Devon'?). And no, I'm not some gullible fantasist who couldn't clock a mucker of the lesser-spotted Rick Parfitt from 20 paces.
All good fun, innit?
Andy - 14 November 2008 15:499193This is not the first time the people of Dover have been duped. The Wombles were allgedly apearing in Pencester Gardens when I was a kid, and they didn't.
Guess what. I cried for hours whith at least 50 other kids!
- 14 November 2008 17:089198Hi Paul - I will be in Brighton in mid-December - let's hook up for a beer or seven. I'll call you to arrange.
Hope you've got over the crushing blow of the Wombles' non-appearance. Things like that can be damaging to a young mind. But there again so can over-exposure to Mike Batt.
White Army!
Andy - 14 November 2008 19:199214Well done John for letting them know it wasn't DDC, but DTC.
I wonder how much he cost the Town Council (and us) with his con-tricks ??
Roger - 14 November 2008 20:159225he did not cost the D,T,C, anything in fact he gave out in Dover £1000 in cash and I was there so in some ways he was a great help at that time and I hold nothing against him.
- 14 November 2008 20:219227on the news chris precious was quoted as saying something along of the lines of" he had few glasses of wine at the town council do/event, then got sussed.
mind you, it is funny when a fantasist gets one over.
sounds like no council tax payers money was spent. - 14 November 2008 20:239228After a glass or two this evening I am half-sussed....does that count?
- 14 November 2008 20:259229he did not cost the D,T,C, anything in fact he gave out in Dover £1000 in cash and I was there so in some ways he was a great help at that time and I hold nothing against him.
Who did he give the money to then Vic? - 15 November 2008 07:349246For those who haven't read the article, here it is in full - from the Sun web-site:
By NEIL SYSON
Published: 14 Nov 2008
A CONMAN was wined and dined by councillors after convincing them he was Status Quo rock legend Francis Rossi.
He promised Dover Town Council he would perform free at their festival.
He said "pals" Brian May of Queen, Sir Paul McCartney and Charlotte Church would be there.
For a year he was treated to rides in the Mayor's limousine, slap-up meals and even a VIP opening of Dover Castle in Kent.
He even called himself Graham, saying it was an alias to remain incognito.
The trickster first duped Councillor Vic Matcham, 67, who later lost his seat on the council.
"Graham" always had an answer when questioned.
Asked why Rossi's trademark ponytail was missing, he said: "I can't grow my hair long any more. A fake one is stuck on three hours before a gig."
When asked to play Quo's hit Rockin' All Over The World on guitar he said he had arthritis — but sang it.
But he was rumbled after his star "friends" didn't turn up for the gig.
The conman then fled the town.
The real Rossi, 59 — whose hits also include Whatever You Want — joked last night: "I'll never know how he knew the secret about my ponytail."
n.syson@the-sun.co.uk
Roger - 15 November 2008 09:329251It is in the Mail today!
- 15 November 2008 09:509253I will ask the question again Vic
Who did he give the money to then Vic?
An answer would be appreciated.
Sun newspaper cover the story again today, although some of my quotes are not quite right.
Great picture of the 2007 DCAL girls though - 15 November 2008 11:079257Mandie, all what has been said and done is ok with me.
But again I do not tell lies, but my eyes are bad,
- 15 November 2008 11:139259If there is nothing to hide. Who was the money given to???
This is not a TOP SECRET thing.
According to today's Sun, he left behind unpaid debts. - 15 November 2008 11:309261Hi Mandie,
I'm with you 100% in your questions but I don't think you'll get an answer because he can't give you one. The reason - he knows he's in the wrong but won't admit it.
Anyone remember Walter Mitty?
I rest my case!There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".