BBC RADIO 2: LOVE SONGS WITH MICHAEL BALL
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2024
What a fabulous week it was for Michael Ball. After enjoying a well-deserved holiday, he came home to learn he had indeed been granted a DJ set for BBC Radio 2 in the Park. He will open the Sunday, September 8th, festivities with “Broadway Bangars.” What a treat, 2 hours of gregarious Michael introducing Broadway hits to an enormous crowd, wowing them with his passion and his vast knowledge of this genre and infusing the broadcast with his sense of humor and heart. Mark your calendars – This is an event NOT to be missed. For those able to attend, here’s the link for tickets and more information:
“Hello, my lovelies and welcome to Love Songs with me, Michael Ball. Thanks for joining me. Have you had your breakfast yet? What are you having? All right. Here’s Madonna.” Michael opens the show with “True Blue.”
Today is Sarah’s “special day” and it’s no wonder because she’s in Corfu (such a beautiful Greek island!). As Michael says (tongue-in-cheek), she’s missing out on all the ‘beautiful’ weather in the U.K! Sarah describes her partner Carrie in the most glowing terms. When she first met Carrie’s family, she was nervous. Sarah had been out and gay her entire adult life, but for Carrie it was all new. In the end, it turned out fine. ‘The special day’ was when they both told Carrie’s son, who was quite ill, the truth about their relationship. They were quite thrilled when it went beautifully, the boy so happy for them. Michael ends the segment by playing Adele’s “Someone Like You.”
Love Songs: Craig David “Walking Away”; China Black “Searching”; Chappell Roan “Good Luck Babe”; Beyoncé “Love on Top”; Whitney Houston “Saving All My Love For You”; Alison Moyet “Such Small Ale”; Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever”; Pixie Lott “Somebody’s Daughter”; Kelly Clarkson “Breakaway”; Lewis Capaldi “Hold Me While You Wait”; Cyndi Lauper “True Colors.”; Coldplay “feelslikeI’mfallinginlove”; Fleetwood Mac “Dreams”;
Michael at last brings up his Radio 2 DJ set in the Park. He admits he shamelessly pushed this idea on anyone who would listen, including getting Scott Mills to start a campaign. “Well, be careful what you wish for,” Michael says with a giggle. “It’s worked.” Another joyous giggle. “Yea. That’s right. On Sunday the 8th of September I’m going to be in that tent on the decks for ‘Michael Ball’s Broadway Bangars.’ Oh, hold on to your hats! What am I going to be playing? Haven’t got a clue yet. I’m working out a set list in my mind. It’s going to be Broadway and West End Bangars. I do know that’s what’s going to be happening.” This man is over the moon about this gig! It’s wonderful to hear Michael this happy.
On the Love Line Michael speaks to Andy who recently celebrated his wife’s sixtieth birthday. “I know that one well,” Michael responds with a laugh. Married for 32 years, Andy and Chris were part of the RAF for 22 years. Chris belongs to “The Can’t Sing Choir,” a group who loves to sing but can’t carry a tune, which absolutely enchants Michael! He plays for them Jack Johnson’s “Better Together.”
“Right, my lovelies,” Michael says warmly, returning for the second hour. “This is Love Songs of course with me, Michael Ball. How’s your Sunday going so far?” And he serves up Elton John’s “Are You Ready For Love?”
Michael reads some emails in that smooth and silky voice we love so much. He does this with such clarity and emotion and always kicks these segments up to a new level.
Back on the Love Line, Michael speaks to Mark. On his 18th birthday, he turned his back on his mates and asked a young girl out. Thirty five years later they’re still together. His wife Gill just retired from nursing. With a hearty giggle, Michael commends her on her years of service, both as a nurse and as the mother of 5 boys. Michael plays George Michael’s “Careless Whisper.” Such a great song!
Love Letters. Michael speaks with Wendy who feels she’s been lucky in life, especially when it comes to her mum. Wendy is 70 and her mum is 96, and her mother has always been there, giving her advice and sometimes just listening. Michael calls Wendy’s mum, Renie, who is surprised to hear from Michael Ball, of course. Wendy reads her letter, so honest and moving. Such a beautiful segment, hearing the love of a daughter for her mother. And I learned a new word: lossucking (which means ‘lounging around’)! Michael plays The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” for these 2 delightful ladies. Fabulous! Michael wraps the segment with, “I’ve got to tell you I LOVE doing Love Letters. It’s a reminder of all the good things in life that we don’t hear enough about. So if it’s soppy and gushy and sentimental and even a little bit cheesy – good. I’m totally here for it. Because we need to take those moments to tell those people who are special to us just why they are special.
The Last Dance. Michael plays Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry. Be Happy” for Sheila and John. I haven’t heard this song in years!
And that’s it for this week. To be honest, I found today’s broadcast missing those personal touches Michael brought to the show the past 2 weeks. I missed the Michael Ball who says what he thinks at any given moment. Today seemed a bit scripted again. Still, it was definitely an entertaining 2 hours, and I always delight in listening to Michael on the radio.
Michael Ball is currently celebrating 40 years in the business. Quite an accomplishment, considering how many years he still has ahead of him. In recent months people have asked me how I seem to know Michael Ball so well. After my own decades in the business, I understand actors, and I’ve had my share of friends who became mega-stars. I saw firsthand how they changed as their fame rose. Michael is a rare celebrity for 2 important reasons: First, he knows his talent and capabilities and will always stand up for them when necessary. Yes, he has an ego, a requirement for every actor, but there is another side to him that is unusual. I know of no other actor on either side of the pond who goes out of his way to help those who are just starting out as vigorously as Michael Ball does (ie: Tom Ball). Or who uses his well-known voice as a megaphone to promote fresh new talent on the rise (ie: Sam Tutty); Secondly, while Michael adores his work, he also cherishes his private life. I think one of the reasons Michael loves the radio is because it’s where both sides of him can come together. Listeners see both the West End legend who is revered (I get such a kick out of Michael’s reaction when a listener gets a ‘Call from Ball’ and they’re starstruck), and then they see the regular guy who cleans up after his dogs and cares passionately about his garden. Whose idea of a perfect Sunday is cooking a delicious roast for his family. Who is still so humble as to gush at a star he’s admired for decades (ie: Barbra Streisand). I am in awe of this infinitely talented star, of this good and decent man, and I will continue to do my best to describe him as I see him.
The Love Song of the Week is Elton John’s 1979 “Are You Ready for Love? Yes, I Am, Are You?” Video link below:
©DeborahFezelle2024 This material is the exclusive property of Deborah Fezelle, Michael Ball & the MBFC