Born Free
Frank Sinatra called Matt Monro irreplaceable and listed him as one of his favourite singers. Ian has certainly long been a fan of London’s most famous baritone and has great fondness and respect for his work.
He was honored to be in the front row of the Barbican Theatre for one of Matt’s last and most legendary performances. The evening had a tremendous effect on the young man. Indeed, when Matt had finished his concert on that night after over an hour of perfect singing, young Ian was the first person in the Barbican to rise immediately to his feet and give Matt a much deserved ovation.
Ian encouraged the other people to stand and led a 7 minute standing ovation which he later found out had meant so much to Matt, it was one of his proudest moments.
He was also honored to be invited to a tribute to Matt Monro organised by his daughter, Michelle, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on February 22nd 1987 two years after his passing.
Matt’s wife, Mickie Monro, a lovely lady who Ian got know, confided in him shortly after Matt’s death and explained that Matt felt hurt at the thought he may not be remembered as one of the greats. Ian confidently reassured Mickie that Matt was indeed the greatest British singer there has ever been! He also said he would become a much bigger star as the years passed, with his work being appreciated in the fullness of time.
Ian has always tried to mirror Matt’s style in his work and was delighted when Matt’s old friend and Manager, Don Black, invited Ian to sing for him. Ian didn’t know until he arrived at the venue that he was in fact working for one of the true legends of British music. Don was Matt’s best friend and had written many of Matt’s greatest hits including ‘Walk Away’, ‘On Days Like These’ and the first British song ever to win an academy award, the immortal ‘Born Free’. As Matt said, at the time when Don received his Oscar, ‘from ‘ackney to ‘ollywood, not bad for an east end boy’.
Don enjoyed Ian’s singing immensely and called him “a great singer”. At the end of one of his concerts, Don Black, to Ian’s surprise, shook Ian’s hand, congratulated him on his performance and said ‘you have done Matt proud, you have the gift of not over singing and understand the value of understatement in music’.
Ian is delighted to present this important Matt Monro Tribute Show to the great man and invites you to take a journey with him through some of greatest songs that have ever been written.
Born Free
The Story Of
Born Free
Born Free
Matt Monro’s brilliant rendering of Born Free in 1966 has become his signature song and a classic requested song of all time. With music by the great John Barry and Lyric by the Evergreen Sir Don Black, this song became the first British song ever to win the academy award. Don Black was in the auditorium that night and received the gold statue from Dean Martin. Many great artists have recorded this great song including Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams and a host of other great singers.
Matt at the Movies
Bring a point of view, but be flexible. Be truthful when you sing and when you speak. Mean what you say and always do what you say you will. An audience can sense sincerity, be worthy of your goals, your heroes and mentors. Be courageous in your musical choices, surprise the audience and never settle for less. Never break your word, it is your most precious asset. Find a path you love and the work becomes your passion. I will do everything I can to make your event the best I can, and this is my promise to you.
Quality can always be improved; preparation is quality’s best friend. Always buy the best musical equipment, the best is always the cheapest. There is no shortcut to quality. 
There is something sacred about music, be generous in your musical choices. Every time you walk on stage you have the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently. Be articulate, flexible and expressive. Be passionate, don’t take yourself too seriously, music is the shorthand of emotion. Be truthful when you sing and when you speak. Try to be nice to everyone. Be grateful, be kind, be sincere.
Be brave, be positive, never negative. Represent your values and encapsulate them. Know one becomes a singer because of the money, be dedicated, don’t give up, you have to respect yourself, only then can you learn to respect others. Always pay attention and always find the joy. Your profession is not what brings home your pay cheque, it’s what you were put on earth to do, so do it with such passion and integrity that it becomes spiritual in its calling.
Be 100% present, always. Remember that your profession is not what you do, it is who you are. When you sing, earn the privilege of your audience’s time. You are what you do so do it with enthusiasm. If you don’t take risks, you risk even more. Be early, be ready and say thank you. Remember opportunity is missed by many people because it is often dressed in overalls and looks like hard work. A professional always finds his truth in the work. You already buy yourself energy and creativity if you come prepared and are early