Hundreds of people braved the wind and rain brought by Storm Ashley last night to attend a celebration of the late Robbie Shepherd at a sold-out His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen.
The much-loved north-east broadcaster died last August, and friends, family and colleagues came together for A Toast Tae Robbie Shepherd, an event that showcased the best of Scots music, song and comedy.
Hosted by Robert Lovie, a close friend of Robbie’s, the show managed to cram 160 performers into three-and-a-half hours of entertainment that featured such luminaries as Karen Matheson, Duncan Chisholm and Jamie MacDougall.
We start with a young Dunecht loon…
As the lights dimmed and the audience hushed, the curtain was raised to reveal a young Dunecht loon shining shoes, playing the mouth organ and practising with a cricket bat, before breaking into a traditional Highland dance. This was impressive dancer Cody Pyper representing a young Robbie Shepherd and his early pastimes.
It was then the turn of Fiddlers Galore – a range of performers of all ages from The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and Aberdeen and Banchory Strathspey & Reel Societies, conducted by the energetic Raemond Jappy – to get the music offering started with three songs including the haunting Leaving Lerwick Harbour.
No fewer than six bothy ballad champions then had the audience laughing and clapping along to their colourful Doric ditties before some fantastic comedy was served up courtesy of four members of The Flying Pigs.
Craig Pike’s A to Z of Doric was a particular highlight, as was the hilarious MTV – Meikle Wartle TV – sketch about “pimping up” a Massey Ferguson tractor. A rendition of Dull in Kintore, to the tune of Mull of Kintyre, also had the audience in stitches.
Big names turn out for Robbie Shepherd tribute
Host and event organiser Robert Lovie paid tribute to Robbie throughout the night and also performed in a number of sketches and songs.
He was thrilled to introduce Capercaillie’s Karen Matheson and Donald Shaw to the stage, both of whom had travelled from an international tour to be able to perform at the special show.
Karen sang beautifully in both English and Gaelic and was accompanied on one song by, in her words, “the best fiddler on the planet”, Duncan Chisholm.
A surprise guest on the evening was musician and broadcaster Gary Innes, who has made such a good job of following in Robbie’s footsteps in his hosting of BBC Radio Scotland’s Take The Floor.
Gary spoke about the daunting task of taking over from Robbie after the legendary broadcaster had presented the show for so many years, and spoke fondly about Robbie’s advice to always be himself, and not to worry about having big shoes to fill as Robbie was only a size seven.
Gary then ended part one of the show by hosting a mini version of his radio show with the help of the Dunecht Loon’s All Star Scottish Dance Band who were ably assisted by members of the Royal Scottish Dance Society demonstration team who drew whoops and yee-euchs from the audience and really brought a ceilidh feel to HMT.
Massed pipe bands and Doric verse bring special flair to the show, and a very special tribute…
After the interval the audience seemed even more enthusiastic as they cheered the huge sound brought by the massed pipe bands.
This was followed by some fantastic Doric verse read by the Laird of Fettercairn, Jim Brown MBE – one of the best lines being about Robbie’s “Doric tales helping P&J sales”.
Then came the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, David Cameron, who delivered a message from none other than King Charles himself, describing last night’s show as “a fitting tribute to an outstanding individual”. This was followed by three cheers for Robbie.
At certain points in proceedings a big screen at the back of the stage showed photographs of Robbie through the years and I am sure a tear was shed at those and at the kind words spoken by many of the performers.
Robbie Shepherd’s family were in attendance
It must have been a bittersweet evening for members of Robbie’s family who were in attendance, including Robbie’s wife Esma, their son Gordon and his wife Lucy, grandchildren Dougie and Rose, as well as Robbie’s brother, Harry. But what a wonderful way to see Robbie remembered by so many and to know how highly he was regarded.
Duncan Chisholm returned with a fine selection of songs including A Precious Place and Calum’s Road, accompanied wonderfully on piano by Donald Shaw. This was a real treat and the auditorium was transfixed and utterly silent watching two masters of their craft.
More comedy came courtesy of Craig Pike and Robert Lovie delivering a Scotland The What sketch of The Auchterturra Band, which brought one of the biggest cheers of the evening.
And the entertainment didn’t end there as well-known Scottish singers Jamie MacDougall and Siobhan Miller delivered excellent renditions of My Ain Folk and The Rambling Rover respectively.
P&J Doric columnists Gordon Hay and Sheena Blackhall then recited some clever poetry and song before a grand finale featuring the full cast took to the stage and led the audience in a singalong that included the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen before the pipe bands gave a rousing rendition of Scotland the Brave.
A final “a the best” from the man himself
After a number of thank yous, the last word was left to the great man himself by way of a recording of Robbie wishing us “a the best” in that unmistakeable voice of his.
The evening was a fitting celebration of a true north-east legend. A wonderful man who is still very much missed, but whose legacy will undoubtedly be carried on for many years to come. Especially in the form of the legacy trust that has been set up in Robbie’s name and has already raised more than £100,000. You can learn more about the fund’s goals here and can still contribute here.
It was a night no one in the audience will forget, and Storm Ashley simply couldn’t compete with the power of the north-east’s very own force of nature, Robbie Shepherd.
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