Hall, Mike – The boy who tackled the mighty Compton

Mike Hall (b1954)

Mike Hall was born to musical parents on New Years’ Day, 1954 at Sharpe Road.  His father, Cyril, played saxophone in local bands.

At the age of three he was picking out melodies on the family piano and it wasn’t long before he was having piano lessons with a local music teacher.

A few years on and Mike had moved on to organ lessons – making weekly trips to Nottingham for many years of tuition. He travelled to Watford for his last music and organ teacher, the famous Lowrey organ exponent Jerry Allen.

He even played on the mighty Compton organ at the Grantham Granada when he was only 12 years old and a [pupil at the Boys’ Central School. Admittedly he had difficulty reaching the foot pedals and reaching the music to turn over.

He gave the last performance on the Compton before it was removed, being surplus to requirements when the Granada moved to bingo.

After an association with several organ manufacturers, Mike joined Italian makers Elka in 1978 and it proved a fruitful liaison. Several times a year he travelled to the factory near Ancona to put the players’ viewpoint to the developers.

The rest of the time, he spent travelling around Britain giving recitals coupled with appearances on BBC’s The Organist Entertains.

Now living in Barrowby, Mike continues to tour the UK entertaining organ society audiences.

THE Compton organ at the Granada cinema was legendary. For many films it appeared from below stage with its full lighting. It was a great favourite on Saturday mornings too, for the Granadiers children’s cinema club. It was played here by Mike Hall, of the Boys’ Central School ,who played it to celebrate his 13th birthday in 1967.