Cherry Wainer rocks the Hammond in Stilettos. It’s as simple, or as complicated, as that.This South African born musician came to London to be discovered, in a way reminiscent of Fanny Brice. She was witty, adorable and unflappable. Arriving in London in the 1950’s, Wainer received her first break playing piano at The Windmill Theater. Wainer was also an award winning dancer, and joined a group of paid performers at the Theater, happily agreeing to do it for half of what she was making as a pianist.
Later, Wainer became a member of the group Lord Rockingham Xl, which was an ensemble specifically put together to be the house band for the British teenage music TV show, OH BOY! , produced by Jack Good andairing 1958-1959.
Cherry could also cook on the organ and did it in gowns and heels. In addition to backing many acts booked on OH BOY!, Rockingham Xl toured in support of their hit record “HOOTS MON”, which rose to #1 for 3 weeks with the aid of the weekly TV exposure.
There’s not much to be seen in recent decades on Cherry Wainer, but I am doing more intense investigations and will let you know if I get some more information.
