The Pink Singers: a potted history

Philip
Philip

The Pink Singers were formed in May 1983 by singer/songwriter Mark Bunyan and the late Brian Kennedy, publisher of Kennedy’s Gay Guide to London, to sing at the London Pride Festival. This makes us the oldest established lesbian and gay chorus in Europe. The “Pinkies” have never missed a Gay Pride march or festival since (it’s hard work being gay!). In 1991 we celebrated Pride by singing on the roof of the BBC for Ned Sherrin’s Radio 4 show “Loose Ends”. Thanks goodness it didn’t rain.
In 1993 we appeared in the Pride Cabaret tent with Lily Savage, not yet a superstar. She even joined in when we sang the protest song We Shall Not Give Up The Fight, although she may have had a different fight in mind. In May 2001 we appeared at the Mardi Gras Festival in Finsbury Park on both the main stage (closing the Festival with pop group A1 singing Take On Me) and the classical stage. When the organisers introduced a Pride rally in Trafalgar Square in 2004 it was the Pink Singers who opened and closed it (a great way to celebrate 21 years as a choir). We returned in 2005 leading a packed Trafalgar Square audience in the singing of our unofficial theme song Hand in Hand. Continue reading “The Pink Singers: a potted history”

Pinkie spotlight – Johnathon

Johnathon
Johnathon

My name is Johnathon.
My section is Tenor.
I joined the Pink Singers in October 2003.
Had you performed in choirs before? I had been in school musicals, and performed in an accapella choir in Toulouse, France..
I joined the Pink Singers because my then flatmate was going, and I wanted to do something else with my Sunday than resist alcohol-induced vomiting.
What do you like most about being a Pinkie? I like singing, and socialising, and going to events. And being part of such a vibrant, fun bunch of people. Most of us are decent sorts, you know…
Which songs do you most like performing? My favourite song was the Madonna medley we did, Pink Ambition, only enhanced by the ladies crawling around on the floor during the choreography. Ooh and Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Which rocks. (Diamonds > Rocks > see what I did there?) Continue reading “Pinkie spotlight – Johnathon”

World aids day 2007

 

Ben

Raising funds for Positive Rainbow
I’ve only very recently become a Pinkie, and was keen to get a performance under my belt before we all dash off on the Eurostar to Paris. So I eagerly signed up to the World Aids Day evening concert last week on Wednesday 28th November. Being a true South East Londoner I rarely go further North than Kings Cross, and so I was very pleased to arrive at Tottenham Hale Tube to find the lovely Lynne who could guide us all on our way to the venue. When we arrived I was pleased to see lots of other new pinkies, who like me were looking slightly pale and nervous.
Continue reading “World aids day 2007”

Pink! its the colour of the season.

Mikki
Mikki

Pink really was the colour of the season.
Far too early one Friday morning, I found myself in Heathrow airport about to get on a plane for the first time in a decade. I was alternating between nervousness and excitement. Just as I was starting to panic, Lynne and Michael arrived and we checked in and got through security in record time. I really enjoyed the flight. I love looking out of the window at the clouds below. At Helsinki airport we were met by a group from Out’n Loud, including my host for the weekend, Mathias. We got our weekend travel cards from Mikko and then Mathias drove Lynne and I back to his flat.
Continue reading “Pink! its the colour of the season.”

New Pinkie’s view – Andrew F

Andrew F
Andrew F

Jukebox Saturday NIGHHHHT! Sorry, I can’t stop myself from singing the Pinkies songs! Actually, I cant stop singing in anyway… In fact, you can find me singing everywhere, from the stereotypical singing sessions in the shower – though I try to avoid it during the early hours as I don’t think my housemates would appreciate it! – to even singing while walking in the street. Yeah, if you see a handsome Mediterranean bloke singing, its me!
Back home I used to sing in all sorts of stuff, from fundraising choirs, to musicals, to bands, to weddings and even as a soloist. Hence I couldn’t imagine myself moving to London and not sing at all. I tried different activities including a local musical group and a church choir, but they were too boring for my liking. Continue reading “New Pinkie’s view – Andrew F”