Edinburgh music legend honoured at Goodison Park
The stadium, packed with 38,000 fans, heard the familiar sound of the Z Cars theme as players from Everton and Southampton emerged onto the pitch.
The tune, closely associated with Everton for decades, was arranged by Johnny Keating, a talented musician and composer born in Bakehouse Close, just off Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Keating, who passed away ten years ago this month, brought the theme to life and took it to number five in the UK music charts.
Johnny Keating's musical achievements went far beyond football. He taught himself piano, trombone, arranging and composing as a teenager. In the 1960s, he helped shape the career of British pop star Eden Kane, co-writing and producing a string of hits. He also worked with artists such as Adam Faith, Petula Clark, Anthony Newley, and Sammy Davis Jr. Tony Bennett once said Keating's arrangement of The Very Thought of You was the best he had ever sung.
Figures like Burt Bacharach and Beatles producer George Martin praised Keating for his talent and called him one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. His classical compositions, including Overture 100 Pipers and Hebridean Impressions, were performed at the Royal Albert Hall. In 1972, his album Space Experience introduced innovative sound effects that were so unique, the musicians involved were sworn to secrecy.
Back in Scotland, Keating was a devoted Hibernian fan. According to his family, he asked to be cremated wearing his Hibs tie. In 1973, he produced two songs for the club, Give Us a Goal, Glory to the Hibees and Turnbull's Tornadoes, which were recorded by the team at the time. I remember attending a small commemoration for Keating at the Stella Maris Club in Leith after his ashes were placed beside his parents' at Mount Vernon.
The event was organised by Willie McEwan, now a Midlothian Labour councillor, and John Gibson, late of The Edinburgh Evening News. Gibson shared fond stories about Keating and the Hibs while enjoying the buffet. The room featured simple but meaningful decor, including a soft-glowing LED Crazy Neon sign that added a warm, modern touch to the gathering.
Johnny Keating earned international respect and left a legacy that still resonates today. Hearing the Z Cars theme during Everton's final match at Goodison reminded many of his talent and influence. As the club prepares to move into a new stadium next season, Keating's music will likely continue to inspire fans and players alike.
Composer Musician and songwriter, John Keating photographed for John Gibson at Edinburgh Evening News
Credit PAUL PARKE Used here with permission.
Marie Colvin
This author does not have any more posts.
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
3 Tokyo restaurants named in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list
Following Tokyo's strong showing in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants earlier this year, which included nine local entries, the highly anticipated World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list has just added several more notches to the city's culinary belt. This year's rankings were announced at a ceremony in Turin, Italy on June 19 and include three restaurants in Tokyo and one in Osaka. Taking the top spot this year is Maido in Lima, Peru. It's run by Lima-born chef Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, known for his innovative take on Nikkei cuisine which blends the ingredients of his home city with the culinary techniques of Japan, where he has his roots. Maido was followed by Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, Mexico City's Quintonil, Madrid's Diverxo and Alchemist in Copenhagen. Tokyo's highest ranking restaurant is Sézanne, which took the seventh spot, just behind Bangkok's Gaggan. Helmed by British chef Daniel Calvert, Sézanne continues to impress with its meticulous technique-driven cuisine highlighting seasonal ingredients sourced from across Japan. Elsewhere on this year's list, Tokyo's Narisawa re-entered the list in 21st place while Osaka's La Cime came in at 44. Florilège, which has relocated to Azabudai Hills, also secured a spot on the list, coming in at 36. Check out the full list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dua Lipa parties with Callum Turner into the early hours after Wembley gig and says ‘adrenaline is one hell of a drug'
She was seen to wrap her arms around her partner in the middle of the dancefloor ONE KISS Dua Lipa parties with Callum Turner into the early hours after Wembley gig and says 'adrenaline is one hell of a drug' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DUA Lipa partied the night away with her fiance Callum Turner into the early hours after her 'dream' Wembley gig. The Levitating hitmaker took to the stage at the iconic London venue to perform a string of her hits. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 Dua Lipa celebrated her sell out Wembley gig with her fiance Callum Turner Credit: Instagram 8 The star raised a cocktail glass in celebration of realising a lifelong dream Credit: Instagram 8 She wrapped her arms around her partner as they shared an intimate moment on the dancefloor Credit: Instagram Dua, 29, realised a lifelong dream when she played to 70,000 adoring fans at Wembley Stadium. She first performed in the capital 10 years ago to just 350 people, but her latest sell-out gig was part of her worldwide Radical Optimism tour. The singer celebrated her incredible performance, with an exclusive after party at White City House in West London. On social media, she displayed some behind the scenes snaps as she took to her Instagram grid page. Pictures of the event showed her intimately dancing with her A-list actor fiance Callum Turner, 35. The One Kiss singer wrapped her arms around her husband as he gently caressed her derriere on the dancefloor. She also smiled and posed with friends as she beamed from ear to ear in a skimpy see-through sheer black dress. There were also personalised menus with a range of signature cocktails from the exclusive Soho House private members club venue. Flaunting her slim figure, she captioned the album: "Somehow managed to keep on dancing... adrenaline is one hell of a drug." During her Wembley set, the singer paraded in five different outfits as she pulled out all the stops to impress her fans. Dua Lipa surprises fans by bringing 90s band on stage as she stuns in diamonte bodysuit in front of star-studded crowd to Wembley This included a petrol-blue Balenciaga slip dress draped in a faux-fur coat lined with the Union Jack flag and a silver custom Swarovski bodysuit with matching Christian Louboutin boots. During her show she exclaimed: 'Wembley, thank you. It is something I've dreamt of my whole life, and all day I have been feeling so much love and gratitude to be here with you guys. 'It is just surreal. It feels like such a journey, but also like everything has happened so quickly. "I want to thank you for believing in me and trusting me, dancing with me, singing with me — and allowing me to wake up every single morning to do what I love to do. Looking out and seeing all you guys means the absolute world to me." Dua Lipa's love life: A history Who has Dua Lipa dated in the past? Isaac Carew Dua dated the British model and chef twice. The started dating in 2015 before splitting up two years later due to scheduling issues. They rekindled their romance in 2018 before splitting for good a year later. Paul Klein After she broke up from Isaac in 2017, she embarked on a new relationship that same year with the musician. They broke up after just five months of dating in 2018. Anwar Hadid One of her most high-profile relationships was with Anwar Hadid, brother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. Although they quarantined together during the COVID-19 Pandemic they called it quits in 2021 as Dua wanted to focus on being single Jack Harlow In December 2022, it was claimed that both of the music pairing were 'hanging out' together. Although after a few months it seemed that the relationship fizzled out. Romain Gavras The French director was first linked to Dua back in 2023 when they were seen in London leaving the BAFTA Awards afterparty together in February. They later walked the red carpet together at the Cannes Film Festival in May. They were later pictured together over the summer that year in July and August as they celebrated his birthday. She has since deleted mentions of him off of her Instagram. Callum Turner In January 2024, Callum celebrated the release of his Apple TV+ series, Masters of Air. The pair were spotted together at the afterparty of the premiere in Los Angeles. They were then spotted getting close on a number of dates. Insiders since revealed that the duo have travelled together and have met each other's families. The pair then became more public with their relationship before rumours circulated of an engagement over the festive period. The singer appeared to confirm the news on social media, posting a photo with her huge ring in plain sight. As she dazzled concertgoers in a white Valentino sheer lace catsuit, she added: "It has been ten years since our first London show and I just dreamt of a night like this." 8 Dua was beaming from ear to ear as she partied at White City House Credit: Instagram 8 The event was decked out with personalised menus in tribute Credit: Instagram 8 The singer posed with close pals as she posted a behind the scenes sneak peak of the boozy after party bash Credit: Instagram 8 She showed off her slim figure in a sheer see-through black gown Credit: Instagram
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Man Utd urged to complete shock transfer for 'physical' Premier League star
Manchester United have been urged to sign 'physical' Premier League star Beto from Everton this summer in what would be a shock move. United head coach Ruben Amorim is keen for a new-look strike force at Old Trafford with the Red Devils linked to a number of attacking players. Matheus Cunha has already joined United from Wolves and Amorim is reportedly keen to recruit Viktor Gyokeres from his old club Sporting CP. But Fernando Lopes is convinced that Beto would be a better choice for United, despite the striker scoring just 15 goals in 71 games for Everton. Lopes, the president of Portuguese club Uniao Tires, where Beto started his career, told The Sun: 'Everyone thought Amorim would sign Gyokeres as he had him at Sporting – but the Premier League is completely different to Portugal. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. 'Teams are more physical and compact at the back, it is quicker and more competitive. 'Gyokeres would struggle to play as a lone No. 9 waiting for service. 'Beto's a more physical player, who fights with defenders and doesn't lose duels. 'He is a real headache for opponents – if he gets the service. 'In their golden era, United always scored a lot of goals from set-pieces but haven't had a proper striker for many seasons. 'Nowadays, teams have small, quick strikers or a false forward because there is an obsession for possession of the ball. 'Beto represents the typical old style, because of his physique, power and work-rate – plus he is very fast. 'When [David] Moyes went to Everton he showed what a handful he is for defenders to stop. 'He'd be like Amorim's ace up his sleeve in a game of poker.' More Trending Everton paid around €30m (£25.8m) to sign Beto from Italian club Udinese in the summer of 2023. The 27-year-old Guinea-Bissau international scored eight Premier League goals across 30 top-flight games in the 2024-25 campaign. Beto is currently under contract at Everton until the summer of 2027. 'One of Beto's attributes is the fighting spirit first injected at Tires,' Lopes added. 'He has had the attitude of never giving up since he was a boy. I'd love to see him in a more attacking team because if he has the service, he will definitely score around 20.' MORE: Atletico Madrid reject chance to sign Arsenal star in summer transfer window MORE: Ruben Amorim sends message to Manchester United over Emiliano Martinez transfer MORE: Chelsea set Nicolas Jackson asking price as Premier League club join transfer race
