Rock ‘n’ roll fans raise the roof in memory of rockabilly singer

Brain Tumour Research

2 min read

A Norfolk community has paid tribute to a local singer who died of a brain tumour with a day of rock ‘n’ roll music.

Music fans flocked to Tottenhill Retail Park on Saturday (17^th August) for the one-of-a-kind festivities, enjoying performances from Danny Reno, The Pat Winn Combo and Relentless, as well as DJs, classic cars, stalls, food and drink, and a great raffle.

It was to remember Norwich’s rockabilly singing sensation Mark ‘Polo’ Page (pictured top in blue shirt and below), who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in July 2019 after he forgot the lyrics to a song whilst performing with the band, The Hal Wrayzer Combo.

Mark had radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but his tumour was too aggressive. He died in March 2020, aged 57.

The Tottenhill Rock ‘n’ Roll Charity Event was organised by Julie Walkley, whose husband worked with Mark, with support from Neil Roope and Tom McNeil, two of Mark’s old bandmates.

Julie said: “It was devastating how quickly everything happened for Polo. We did the same event in 2022 after many were unable to go to Polo’s funeral due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time.”

Julie, who had already raised more than £2,400 for Brain Tumour Research, added: “I’m delighted to be able to do something again to keep his memory alive through something he loved. This year we are also raising money for Three Dad’s Walking, a suicide prevention charity.

“It’s important that we keep talking about brain tumours to ensure that research into the disease receives adequate funding to offer hope to patients and their families, like Mark’s.”