Frank Holder has been around the block. He taught Dame Shirley Bassey to sing and he sang at the wedding reception of Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland. Not only could he spend the rest of his life dining out on his career anecdotes, but he could also be taking it easy after a career spanning seven decades. But at 90, when others are easing into their third decade of retirement, Frank’s still playing gigs around the country.

Don’t you get tried gigging at the age of 90?

Even if I do say so myself, I am rather good for my age. I have the energy; it just happens when I’m up there on stage. I have always had a lot of energy. Music is the thing that keeps me breathing.

Was music always what you wanted to do?

It was a natural thing for me. I always had an interest in it. My father was a music promoter in his spare time although he was a motor mechanic for his No.1 job. My brother was also a singer but I had something extra. I wanted to be up there and in front of people. I just love giving people the enjoyment.

So how did you get into teaching Shirley Bassey singing techniques?

She was a young girl and was quite a nice person. She came to me to learn things and I managed to help her a lot in those days. I showed her how to use her voice properly; how to get the best out of yourself and to give the best to the audience. Look where she is now, she has done very well. She was willing to learn then.

You also performed on the same bill as Nat King Cole – what was he like?

He was a very nice man. I was playing with the John Dankworth Band at the Albert Hall. I remember he smoked quite a bit in his dressing room – there was clouds of it. That was something I didn’t like, for me it wasn’t good for the voice. You get all the smoke in your throat. But everybody must do their own thing and I wouldn’t have dreamt of saying anything.

What was John Dankworth like?

He was also a very nice person, I got on really well with him. He had a great sense of humour which made doing things with him quite amusing.

You performed at the wedding party of Peter Sellers and Britt Ekland in 1964 – that must have been amazing.

It was in a very splendid place – the Tiberio restaurant in Mayfair. Everyone went there at the time. Peter O’Toole once danced on the table there.

What did you do to prepare for a show?

I used to do weights in my dressing room. I used to be very fit. I didn’t just go on and just sing a song like some people do, I’d do things like somersaults, although it’s been a while since I’ve done one! I come alight on stage when I am performing because I love it so much. I just make it happen.

You and your wife Irene have been together 60 years.

Yes, I am so happy in my life. It is how I have always been, but you have got to have that somebody in your life who believes in you. I was signing autographs when I first saw her and that was it for me.

* He performed at 144Club in New Road, Rochester on Wednesday, December 2. There will be a Christmas lunch special with Roan Kearsey-Lawson and musical guests performing on Sunday, December 20. For details, visit the website.