As we welcome Sir Michael Parkinson to the Waterfront Hall on 18 April 2020, we’d like to take the opportunity to look back on some of his most famous interviews with sporting legends, Hollywood greats and music icons.
For a change, Sir Michael will be in the interviewee seat with his son Mike asking the questions. This will be a unique chance to gain insight into Sir Michael’s career in an intimate setting and hear about some of the world’s favourite celebrities.
Sir Michael Parkinson and Muhammad Ali, 1971 – 1981
Parkinson and Ali met on four separate occasions for interviews that became legendary in the world of entertainment. The larger than life sports legend took to our screens with Parkinson where he sprouted his controversial beliefs. Over the years Parkinson grew a better understanding for “The Greatest” but in later years found it difficult to view the “once glorious man now wrecked by a terrible illness”.
Sir Michael Parkinson and George Best, 1971 - 2001
As a talk show host, Parkinson went on to interview Best more than a dozen times, the pair became great friends, Parkinson even went on write two books about their special friendship. When speaking of Best during the promotion of his new book, Parkinson described him as the best footballer he'd ever watched and a most extraordinary man. When George arrived in Manchester as a 17-year-old from Belfast, Parkinson said he knew he was special from the first time he saw him playing for Manchester United.
Sir Michael Parkinson and Billy Connolly, 1975 - 2007
Billy Connolly made his debut on Parkinson’s show in 1975 with an interview that changed the stand-up comic’s life forever. Connolly made the most of the opportunity and despite protests from his manager, Connolly executed his infamous “bike” joke that made such an impact on his career. The comic lamented that when he returned from his interview the crowds of people in the airport at Glasgow “applauded him”. Connolly holds the record for most appearances on the programme, having been a guest on fifteen occasions.
In what Parkinson describes as a “marvellous moment”, he watched the icons beauty team arrive with miner lights on their heads to touch up the star’s makeup, hair and clothes.
Sir Michael Parkinson and Madonna, 2005
Madonna’s icon stature allowed for a landmark interview with Parkinson. The Queen of Pop took to the purple stage, years after Parkinson asking her to be on the show. It was a one-woman show that Parkinson described as being “absolutely brilliant”. In speaking of the encounter, Parkinson lamented that during Madonna’s performance of some of her hits, the studio descended into darkness due to a technical glitch. And in what Parkinson describes as a “marvellous moment”, he watched the icons beauty team arrive with miner lights on their heads to touch up the star’s makeup, hair and clothes – that’s the special treatment we deserve!
This is just a flavour of what is to expect from An Evening with Sir Michael Parkinson, the legendary broadcaster has had intimate conversations with a wealth of guests over his life-spanning career. This event is one not to be missed, take a journey down memory lane with the man who has interviewed the world.
If you enjoy a bit of nostalgia and entertainment, then this is the show for you have your “I Was There When” moment with Sir Michael Parkinson in the Waterfront Hall this April!
