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Posted by Roger Rettig on October 18, 2009, 3:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Lonnie's Home's"
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Dave,
Nothing more to add, except that the Fan Star Library booklet (#12) had several photographs taken in the Donegan's flat in St Margaret's Road. While nothing can be inferred from this location, it's possible that Manor Park may not be too far from his earliest London origins - there are vague references here and there to London's East End and Manor Park could loosely qualify.
If you have that FSL booklet, it's worth another look. The photographer has persauded LD to take a stroll with Maureen and the pram containing (presumably!) their first-born daughter. Evidenced by photos from other sources (Harry Hammond's excellent portfolio) showing Lonnie taking delivery of the new Riley 2.6 saloon outside his St Margaret's Rd home, we can see that the FSL pics are also in the same road - the style of the houses' gables are unmistakable.
Other snaps in the booklet show the Donegans wending their carefree way through a London park - I'm willing to bet that this is nearby Wanstead Park, which has a couple of lakes or ponds that could be the ones we see in the booklet; it's hard to imagine that the family and the FSL photographer strayed too far from Chez Donegan for a casual photo-session.
I'd go farther and say that it would appear that they lived in an upstairs flat. Other photos can be seen showing a kitchenette/diner arrangement, and LD taking a 'phone call at the top of a flight of stairs....
Fairly humble surroundings for a man who, by that time, had enjoyed a run of several big hit records! I suppose it was a different world back then, but the glimpses we were allowed did not reveal a lavish rock'n'roll life-style!!!
I know - I need to get out more.....
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