Loudly promoting prostate cancer awareness at The Lens

There are never enough opportunities to raise awareness on the need for men, specifically, but not exclusively, aged 50 and over, to raise their awareness to try and help prevent al illness that in the UK in 2026 is about ‘8’: 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point (double that for black men), a new diagnosis is made every 8 minutes and, the “ripple” effect, means that for any one person diagnosed, you will be lucky if less than 8 others are directly, sometimes permanently, affected (starting of course with spouse/partners, children etc).

What to do, contact Prostate Cancer UK for guidance, contact your GP to discuss having a PSA test and of any symptoms detected that are not normal (an individual will know their own body the best), remembering, there are not always symptoms.

At the Lens, Portsmouth Guildhall, on 11 September, an evening was put together by The Flash radio station, Curtain Call Productions (thank you, Charlotte) and Fine Voice Academy/FVA (thank you, Pam) to raise awareness with a definite mix for all tastes from 1960s to 1980s covers (Prostate Gland Band/PGB, choir music (FVA chorus), easy listening (Karen Barnett) and then hard mod rock (Maximum Who).

As with all events things never go smooth, Max Who parted company with their drummer a fortnight before; anyone who plays in a band/group will know it is pretty difficult to “just get another drummer”, but, with huge thanks to Justin, that is exactly what they did to honour the event.

Then, original artist Loulu V had laryngitis, a tad difficult for a singer, so FVA chorus conductor Karen, a very well regarded singer as well, filled the gap brilliantly.

A lovely atmosphere, audience seated around cabaret tables, began with PGB, who have created a new rock sub-genre, Gland Rock, sounding great, getting audience members up and jigging around, for a 60-mnute set including great renditions of Free Electric Band, Mr Tambourine Man, Folsom Prison Blues, Ever Fallen in Love, Sorrow, Hotel California finishing with Wagon Wheel. The band also between songs, told their stories about the need to really improve awareness. Thank you Gary, Richard, Pat, Norman and Dave.

A chilled out next hour with the FVA chorus provided lovely harmonies and arrangement of pop songs (Count On Me, Somewhere Only We Know and Hallelujah), Disney (Circle of Life) but also the Portsmouth 100 song (credit Portsmouth Music Service/Hub) On Shining Waters.

In the middle of this, Karen did a lovely set that fully involved the audience, including Obla Di Obla Da, Top of the World, Proud Mary and her first ever self-penned, just released on all the usual platforms, song Empty Coffee Cups, which was received with huge applause, arranged and produced by Sam Carter-Brazier. Well done Karen.

Then to headliners and boy, did they produce. I have to state that it was a real pleasure to witness, 6 years post-retirement, Paul Moonie Kemp doing a fabulous job in real Keith Moon-style on the drums, boy he can play.

Justin (guitar), Anthony (vocals) and Vernon (bass) did a wonderful job providing a first class 100-minute (two) set(s) at the same time getting used to a new drummer, the first time the trio had ever played with Paul, well done guys.

A blistering performance full of classics (Substitute, The Kids are Alright, I Can See  For Miles, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Baba O’Reilly, 5:15 and Who Are You) but also lesser known (Bargain, Drowned and Bell Boy, great vocals from Paul on this), leaving the encore (Won’t Get Fooled Again) but I will mention lastly my favourite Who song, Behind Blue Eyes, excellent vocals from Anthony.

If you get chance, go see Maximum Who next time they come close by, well worth it.

So, with huge thank yous to all the artists, their time and patience, but also to the Guildhall for making this happen for me (Gilly, Jess, Millie, Kelly, Chloe and the box office staff, and security team) but also Toby and Will sound technicians, a real pleasure working with you.

Lots of awareness and £350+ raised for Prostate Cancer UK.

So, men, talk to your loved ones, talk to your GP, get tested, look for any symptoms….you know it makes sense.

Ken Ebbens

Presenter with The Flash radio