I had the rare and exciting opportunity on the 18th of November, 2013 to spend "An Evening With Petula Clark" at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

While waiting to go into the theater, the attendees were in line amongst The RINGO Exhibit. So while we waited, we were entertained with costumes, props and other memorabilia from Ringo's Beatle years and on into his solo career. There was even the famous Ludwig drum set that Ringo played on the Ed Sullivan Show. Photos were prohibited inside the museum, but I couldn't resist sneaking a photo with my cell phone, when Petula came out to take some pictures (in front of "The Yellow Submarine")

Finally, it was time to go into the Clive Davis Theater to see Pet. The venue is a cozy and intimate 200 seat setting. It had the feel of a very large living room, where friends have gathered to talk and sing some songs. On the stage were two comfortable chairs, a small table between them, with bottled water and off to the side was a piano and two microphones. The seats in the front filled in very fast, but having the advantage of being a "party of one" I was able to snag a single seat in the second row - 10 feet away from where Petula would be speaking and singing.

While waiting for the 8:00 pm start of the program, we were treated to a big screen montage of Petula in television clips from the 60's. They showed her singing with Dean Martin, Herb Alpert, Roger Williams, Glen Campbell, Peggy Lee and Andy Williams.

The Emcee and host for the evening was Mr. Bob Santelli, Executive Director of the Grammy Museum. A video was shown, highlighting Pet's long and storied career and featuring more clips from her television specials and appearances on other shows. These Included Pet singing with Bob Hope and her then controversial duet with Harry Belafonte singing "Path of Glory." Mr. Santelli then introduced some celebrities in the audience: Musician, Richard Carpenter, actress, Diane Baker and Steve Binder who produced Pet's television special, Portrait of Petula, and also the Elvis's 68 Comeback Special. [More photos HERE.]

Pet had a seat in one of the chairs and was interviewed by Mr. Santelli. The interview and Pet's later performance were being taped for the Grammy Archives. I was hoping that the recording would be for sale, through the Grammy Museum website, but alas, it is only for the archives. The only way to see it is to physically go to the Grammy Museum next time you are in Los Angeles and ask to watch it there.

The interview began with the host asking about her newest CD, "Lost in You" and mentioning how great she sounds on it. Pet talked about the songs "Cut Copy Me" (She got the song from a very young singer - liked it very much and made it her own). "Downtown" (She did not want to re -record the song again, but when she heard the new arrangement and sang along with it, she liked it and felt that it gave the song, "A very different take"). "Reflections" (She went way back to her early childhood days in Wales, for inspiration in writing the lyrics). When she began talking about why she selected "Imagine" for the album, it led to her recollections about John Lennon. Pet had a great rapport with the late Beatle. It was 1969 and Petula was in Montreal to do a series of concerts. Since she was performing in a French -Canadian province, Pet thought she would do a bi-lingual show with half of the songs in French and half in English. "The audience wasn't happy", she related. "When I sang in French the English weren't pleased and when I sang in English, the French weren't pleased" She heard that John was in town. He and Yoko were at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, doing their Famous "Bed- In for Peace". She decided to visit him for some advice on the matter. When she got to the hotel, there was no security to be seen. She was told what room they were in and went right up to see them. The door was open and she walked right into the room where John and Yoko were in bed. When Petula explained her quandary with the Montreal audiences, John put it all in perspective by telling her, "Just f*** um!". After the "advice", she went into the living room part of the suite, where some others were hanging out including Dr. Timothy Leary and Tom Smothers. They began jamming and singing together to a new song John had written entitled, "Give Peace A Chance". The session in the hotel room was being recorded and is included on the record that was released.

The conversation then went on to Petula's childhood, singing on the radio during WWII. Petula remarked about how it was a difficult time to be a child. Instead of being in school, children were hanging out in bomb shelters. Pet talked about her radio show and her early career as an actress starring in old B&W British dramas. Pet remarked that she is equally comfortable, singlng or acting - live on stage or on television or in movies. She remarked that when she acts, in her mind she is "singing the characters song" and when she sings, in her mind she is "acting out the song".

During the interview I was impressed by Petula's modesty. With all of her success, she remarked, "I'm not a great singer". She talked about Karen Carpenter as "a great singer with a natural, beautiful voice." Pet explained that her one of her biggest influences was Edith Piaf. Pet was impressed with how when Edith sang, it came from deep emotions inside of her. Petula learned this way as well. We in the audience let her know that we all thought that she is a great singer.

When asked how she prepares for a performance, Petula stated that she does not do any special vocal exercises or anything. "I don't warm up. I just go out and sing". She also talked about how she loves performing. "Even if I don't feel that great, or I'm dealing with a problem - as soon as I go on stage, it is magic and all that goes away when I connect with the audience". She also explained that US audiences are much more gracious and accepting that English or French audiences. This brought up the story of her first appearance before a US audience. Petula was living in France and her song , "Downtown" was climbing the charts in the US. Ed Sullivan kept calling her, trying to get her to come to the US to be on his show. Pet's husband Claude, would say, "Who is this Ed Sullivan that keeps calling?" Finally, Petula found time in her busy schedule to do the show. Most performers would arrive on Saturday in New York, because the show was broadcast live on Sunday. Due to Pet's busy schedule, she arrived on Sunday and barely made it to the show on time. She was thrown out onto the stage with the dress she had on and no make-up - all hurried and frazzled. Although the tempo started a bit fast, she sang "Downtown" and the crowd went crazy. This was Petula's first experience with an American audience and she thought, "Boy, they sure are easy to please".

Petula talked about starring in the 1968 film "Finian's Rainbow". She remarked about how wonderful it was to work with Fred Astare and Frances Ford Coppola. She said that she "absolutely loved" making that movie. "It was a wonderful time in my life" she said. She relished the beautiful locations and songs and had great fun singing and dancing with the multi-racial cast.

Pet also talked about the 1969 film, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." She loved starring with "The wonderful, Peter O'Toole". What Petula enjoyed most about the film was the locations. First, she was happy to spend time again in her native England. Since "falling in love with a Frenchman", and moving to France, she had not been home in quite a while. She also loved filming in Greece, doing scenes in the ruins of Pompeii.

Bob Santelli mentioned that "Downtown" is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. He mentioned that the song won the 1965 Grammy for "Best Rock & Roll Song" - beating out, the Rolling Stones, The Animals, and The Beatles.

After the interview, the floor was opened to questions from the audience. Pet was asked if she had creative control during the hit years in selecting the songs she sang and deciding what to release. Pet said that "Yes, I did have a say on what songs we did".

She was asked what her favorite and least favorite albums or songs were. Pet said that her favorite album was "The Pink Album". She couldn't remember the name of it. We knowing Pet fans yelled out, "Petula" which created a laugh. She said that her least favorite song was "My Love". She said that Tony Hatch wrote the song on the plane on the way to the recording studio. Petula recorded 3 songs and then had to leave to go on tour. She told the producer, "Promise me you won't release "My Love" as the next single. (She preferred "Life and Soul of The Party" which she thought was a much better song). But after she left, he put out "My Love" anyway, and the song went to #1. When asked what she enjoys the most doing now, she replied that she enjoys nature's beauty. "I have a home in the Alps and I love just being there", she replied.

When asked about what she had in the works, Petula stated that she will soon be touring Australia and that next year she will begin work on a new album.

Throughout the entire interview and questions, Petula was very modest about her accomplishments, but also charming and funny.

At this point, Pet's musical director came out to play the piano and we were treated to some wonderful songs. Petula was in great voice and sounded fantastic. She began with "Don't Sleep in The Subway", followed by "Lost In You", "Reflections", "How Are Things In Glocca Morra", "I Know A Place" and of course she capped the evening with a rendition of "Downtown" Which led to an enthusiastic standing ovation. Hearing Pet sing in this setting , I felt like I was in the living room of her home with her singing and telling stories. When Petula was about to sing "Reflections" she told a story about how her producer, John Williams, wanted her to write personal lyrics to a Johann Sebastian Bach melody. Then when she started to sing it, she messed up the words and said, "Who wrote these ***** lyrics anyway!" This got a great laugh and then she started over. It was all so cozy, relaxed and informal - like a family get together.

When the program ended, Petula went to the lobby to meet her fans and sign autographs. I could only get one item signed. Since I had already had Petula's autograph (3x's) I decided to have her sign my copy of the program for all of her IPCS fans. When I talked to Petula, I gave her greetings from all of you. On behalf of us all, I thanked her, squeezed her hand and told her how much we love her.

I personally want to thank fellow IPCS members Bonnie Miller and Laurie Zenobio for wrangling me up a ticket to this sold out event. The evening was a Petula Clark fan's dream. I enjoyed one of the most wonderful evenings of my life and I know that all the others that attended had a marvelous time as well