I HAVE never found it necessary to buy a national newspaper - daily or Sunday - relying solely on television and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to provide a selection of national and international news items.

However, numerous readers of a mature generation are extremely angry and disappointed at the failure to report the death of Guy Mitchell, the famous singer of the 1950s, who died on July 1, aged 72. What a discourteous snub to his memory and the fans of that golden oldies era.

Reports nationally have been somewhat fragmented. The Daily Mail had a half page obituary on July 6 and a full page the next day - but not in this region. Many will still not know. Who remembers seeing Guy at the Starlight Club, Little Harwood in 1969, Manchester or Blackpool etc?

Guy appeared at the London Palladium for two weeks in 1952 and in a Royal Command Performance in 1954. The fan club, based in Hampshire, has members worldwide, phone/fax 01252 844206.

Many of the recordings by Guy, 1947-1997, are available on CD with more than 20 top 10 records. There were four number ones - 'She Wears Red Feathers' and 'Look At That Girl,' both 1953, 'Singing The Blues,' 1956, and 'Rock-a-Billy,' 1957. 'Heartaches By The Number' was Number One in the USA in 1959.

Many will remember 'My Heart Cries For You' and 'The Roving Kind,' both 1950 and many, many more.

J MARSDEN (Mr), Scarborough Road, Blackburn.

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