Rhyl Life proudly presents the Internet debut of 1960s sensation The Melo-Maids, left to right: right: June Turner (soprano), Margaret McMinn (mezzo soprano) and Gillian Phillips (contralto). June and Margaret were stalwarts of Rita Landi’s Ladies Choir, and Gillian popped up here last month in a photograph of Rhyl Liberty Players’ Christmas Party c.1957. All three were members of the Operatic Society and were lead singers their own right.The Melo-Maids were formed in early '60s and operated for a couple of years as a cabaret act when the Operatic Society put on concerts and shows for charities or held their own dinner dances. In the photo above (TOP) the maids are doing the Frank Loesser song ‘Take Back Your Mink’ from the show ‘Guys and Dolls’, which they performed at their first ever appearance.
They learned songs that the Kaye Sisters and Beverly Sisters performed such as ‘Mr. Wonderful’ and ‘Sisters’. Their accompanist was the late Mrs. Howard of Butterton Road. They played at the Amphitheatre (Gaiety), Derbyshire Miners’ Club, Queens Ballroom and at Rhyl Pavilion with star names. “We were busy young mums at the time, so going professional was not really an option. It was just for charity and fun,” says June.
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