Philip Julian Kelsall MBE ALCM (born 13 July 1956) is an English theatre organist who has been principal organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom since 1977.[1] Born in Warrington, Lancashire, he was inspired to learn the instrument by Reginald Dixon (“Mr Blackpool”), and was initially appointed as organist for the Tower Circus band aged 18 in 1975; he also deputised for Ernest Broadbent in the Ballroom itself. This followed his attending Rossall School in Fleetwood, an independent day and boarding school where he was taught by Robin Proctor, who subsequently became Director of Music at Cheltenham College. After Ernest Broadbent's retirement, he was appointed Tower organist in 1977.[1][2]
Noted for his distinctive Dixon-inspired "Blackpool style"[3] of playing, he has made numerous appearances on television and radio playing the Tower's 1935 Wurlitzer organ, especially on the long-running BBC Radio 2 programme The Organist Entertains, which he has occasionally guest presented.[1] He has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, Sam on Sunday, Friday Night is Music Night and Play It Again. During the Tower's closed season, Kelsall plays the Thursford Collection's Wurlitzer for their annual Christmas Spectacular shows.[1][4] He was appointed MBE in the June 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours list.[2]
In 2013, he released his 59th album on the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer. On 18 June 2017, a special concert hosted by theatre organist Nigel Ogden was held to celebrate Kelsall's 40th year as Tower Ballroom Organist.
^ abcdBiography Archived 23 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine, philkelsall.co.uk, Retrieved 13 November 2010.
^ abOrganists, blackpooltower.co.uk, Retrieved 13 November 2010.
^British organists, girdwood.co.uk, Retrieved 13 November 2010.
^Douglas McPherson, Thursford Christmas Spectacular, The Stage, 17 November 2008
Philip Julian Kelsall MBE ALCM (born 13 July 1956) is an English theatre organist who has been principal organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom since...
resident organist is PhilKelsall who has been playing the organ at the Tower since 1975, when he started in the circus. Kelsall became resident in the...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Tower organist Reg Dixon set to be unveiled today". Blackpool Gazette. "PhilKelsall MBE – The Cinema Organ Society". Retrieved 22 November 2023. "Novelty...
Warrington 1955), rock musician, songwriter and a stage and screenwriter PhilKelsall MBE (born 1956 in Warrington), principal organist at the Blackpool Tower...
occurs in the next series). The closing theme is played on organ by PhilKelsall recorded at Tower Ballroom. Audience of 6.27m – 44th most watched programme...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Bradshaw Guide" to the accompaniment of the Wurlitzer organ played by PhilKelsall in the Tower Ballroom. Blackpool was a resort made by the railways. Portillo...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
the magnificent Blackpool Tower Ballroom, guided by resident organist, PhilKelsall ("From Russia with Love") where she does not perform well, She also accompanies...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
programme was occasionally guest presented by Blackpool Tower organist PhilKelsall. The programme's introductory music was "From This Moment On" by Cole...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...
freelance engineer. This included location recordings with organist PhilKelsall in Blackpool,[citation needed] and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo...
Horace Finch Reginald Foort Graham W. Jackson, Sr. Dennis James Stan Kann PhilKelsall Edwin Lemare Arnold Loxam Leonard MacClain Sandy MacPherson Al Melgard...