Questions for Ruth Pearson

Was it your decision to leave Pan's People as the last original Pan's Person, that prompted Flick to dispand Pan's People, & move on to something new?

Hi Ruth and thankyou so much for doing this interview and answering are many questions....

Why did you leave Pan's? You said in a BBC documentry that is was because you were 'getting on' but I have to say you still looked good and could give the other four girls a run for their money?

Did you do any of the choreography for Pan's, Ruby Flipper or Leg's and Co on Top Of The Pop's if Flick was away?

How did it feel dancing to your last Pan's number, Sliver Star, esp your long solo.

Could you tell us more about your own group Tomorrows People?

Did you keep your fan mail and if so do you still read them?

How did you get into dancing? Did you always want to be a dancer? Was there any other areas of showbiz you were interested in?

What kind of music did you enjoy dancing to while you were in Pan's and what kind of music do you enjoy these days?

Did you help put together Zoo?

You girls are gay icons by the way x

I'm so pleased you have contacted the site. As you can see, you have lots of fans and I'm sure you'll be inundated with questions.

I'd like to ask you about the Beat Girls and Tomorrow's People please.

In her interview, Jo Cook says she auditioned for the Beat Girls at the same time as Babs and that they signed their contracts on the same day. As you were one of the original Beat Girls, I wondered if you auditioned on the same day as Babs and Jo?

Lyn Wolseley and Jenny Ferle were also in the original Beat Girls line-up. I know they both joined you in Tomorrows People and that Lyn remained with them after you and Jenny left. You left Tomorrows People to join Pan's People but why did Jenny leave?

I know Lyn did some of the choreography for Tomorrows People when the group worked in Holland, but did you also choreograph for them? 

Do you still keep in touch with Lyn and Jenny. If so, what are they doing now?

Thanks for taking the time to read these questions. 

Gary x

Ruth, of all your years as a member of Pans People, I think you looked your most beautiful during 1975 & 76, I love your Disco era hairstyle and all I can say is - you looked stunning and I love the emotion in your face as you did the routines, Ive said it many times to Dee Dee and Im pleased to say it to you....Thank You for all you gave us, like many others, I love Pans People and always will.

LMF

xxxx

Hi Ruth, we do appreciate that you are giving your time to this site.

I'm a couple of years older than you and in 1963 worked at County Hall , Kingston, so you were one of the lovely mini-skirted local girls. Trad Jazz was dying and the  pub band in Richmond was the Stones. The Yardbirds replaced the jazz club at the rugby club. Eel Pie Island was popular with the skip jive dancers as it had a sprung floor . Did you visit any of these venues ? What was your taste in music at that time?  The London music scene was brilliant , I saw everything from Ellington to Muddy Waters, Beethoven, the Stones  and Ray Charles.  Who did you go to see ?

On a different point, was there a change in costume policy when Legs were formed?  Pans People always had a delightful variety of outfits, including some very stylish gowns but my memory suggests that the new group concentrated more on showing lovely legs .  Did you volunteer to take daft outfits like the gorilla suit , or were you just told what you would wear.  By the way, I recall an interview where you wanted to wear the pillow dance outfits in In Concert. Oddly enough , I retained a very clear memory of the brilliant solo that you did, wearing a far larger costume , which was very subtle and wildly attractive. The same applies to your John Denver Show solo, lots of hints from under a large dress.

Thank you for providing so many people with something to smile about, over many years. You look well in the recent photos , long may it continue

John (mojo )

Me again,

I know I am becoming a bit of a pest, lol, but could you tell us the story behind Flick's solo to Bridge Over Troubled Water? What a number dropped at the very last second?

Dave

ps, your FAB

Many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for this website dedicated to Pans People...

So heres a few questions for my-admittedly- favourite Pans Person..I'll try not to replicate any asked before for this 'website interview':

1.  Where did you get your 'dark exotic looks' from ! ?

2. You seemed to be the one Pans member to -if it was to happen- end up with hair across your face!! Would you agree with that? And was it a nuisance to you particularly?

3. Your last actual appearance -seen (a glimpse) dancing on TOTP..was it actually as a 'floor member' dancing in the days of Ruby Flipper, rather than the 'silver star' routine where you had a final solo spot?

4. Do you ever visit this website at all? If so..have you ever read the polls, discussions etc? I think all of the website members try to be fairly respectful and not overstep any marks..but.. interesting to know if you ever find some things amusing, hilarious, interesting, surprising, or anything else ??

5. When you left Pans and worked outside showbusiness, were there ever any difficulties associated with that- in terms of being recognised or colleagues and clients finding out you had been a member of the iconic Pans People?

6. There's still alot of interest and many Pans people videos available for people to see on youtube etc, and I've always thought that while great, there should be some way for Pans members to benefit somehow from all that work they did -performances still providing entertainment for many people. To that end- is there anything at all being looked into, by the Pans members themselves, or is it simply 'past history' for everyone concerned ?

7. Suppose  you hear Aretha Franklin playing, or some other Tamla Motown number...do you ever get the 'urge' to throw a few dance steps still? If so could you recall any moves from the routines at all ? Also, do you ever dance on any occasions ?

Great to be able to put these questions to you, many thanks for taking the time, and thanks for all the magic !

luv n peace!

-Ian (pastpanfan)

Hi again Ruth

we know that the hit came first, and Flick had to create an appropriate dance in very little time. Where did your outfits come in ? Were they created once the music and dance was settled, or were the dance moves dictated by the costumes?  Was there a wardrobe from which Flick took ready made outfits ? It all sounds a wonderful creative process

all the best

John  

Hello again Ruth, once again thanks for agreeing to be interviewed.  By the way I just saw your appearance on Tales of the Television Centre and you were great with Dee Dee and Babs if I may say so.  I wanted to ask if you think there is any chance that more information about Pans People's routines might come to light later on from anything Flilck kept such as diaries or memorabilia?  Thanks Ruth and thanks for all the great work you did with all the Dance Troupes

In true Columbo style..
A. The colours...unless Im going totally gaga...there seemed to be a colour code..generally you got yellow or gold....costumes wise..is that right. Was that your preference or was it kindof 'assigned' to you!

B. How much, or what, would it take...and would you be willing...one MORE. performance..for old times sake..from the remaining Pans members ?!?

Luv n peace,
Ian

Hi Ruth

Do you remember the Simon Says routine?

I think all 6 of you appeared to this one as bottle tops?

What a waste the BBC didn't keep the edition and that we have no TOTP Pan's People routines at all from 1968 or 1969, but it must have been a fun routine to do.

What lovely news also that some Pan's People routines have turned up including Get Dancing, I Wanna Dance Wit Choo, Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right, The Love You Save and Jimmy Mack, to name but a few of the fantastic routines you all danced to.