THE childhood guitar teacher of popstar Sam Ryder has recounted the “daunting but fantastic experience” of joining him on stage in front of thousands of fans.
Kelvin Pratt, 66, was “born and bred” in Maldon and now lives in Kent after moving ten years ago.
Mr Pratt, a guitar teacher and musician with years of experience, has worked at Thurstable School and surrounding primary schools whilst also offering private tutoring and playing in bands.
He taught Sam, who was born in Maldon, at a studio in Heybridge when he was a youngster.
The songwriter and previous Eurovision contestant headlined Wembley Arena in London, last Thursday.
And Mr Pratt joined Sam on stage to play the guitar solo for his song Go Steady.
He said: “It was daunting to start with, I’ve played lots of gigs over the years, to be honest I was a little nervous but as soon as he called me up, my years of experience kicked in, and I played.
“It was a fantastic experience, I felt wonderful, I wasn’t hell bent with nerves, I got on with the job.
“There is no way I can deny the fact it was fabulous, I will never forget, I am very privileged.”
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The musician was invited by Sam to play the concert after reuniting with him at his concert with McFly at Dreamland, in Margate, back in August.
It had been 22 years since he last saw Sam, and the Margate meeting only came about after his daughter shared a clip of Sam on ITV’s This Morning speaking about Mr Pratt.
From that moment on, Mr Pratt tried to send emails to his team, he said: “His management team got back to me and asked if I wanted to meet him as a surprise.
“I spent the afternoon with him and watched the show, he asked if I would come to Wembley Arena.
“I thought he was joking, so I said of course I would.
“I am a bit too old to be a popstar nowadays, but it was a lovely thought of him to think of me after all these years.”
For Mr Pratt, his passion for the guitar has not waned, he still teaches people who “really want to learn", plays pub gigs around Kent, puts on open mic nights, and even helps tune church organs.
He originally wanted to pick up a guitar after hearing the 1950s hit Bill Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets.
Mr Pratt added: “A black and white video came on for it, and I was 10 at the time.
“I said to my mum 'one day I’m going to play guitar like that'.”
Mr Pratt looked back on his time teaching Sam and he believes the Space Man singer’s star will continue to rise.
He said: “He liked the punk stuff like Green Day, Sum 41.
“What I will say, he was a lovely kid, and he is such a nice man.
“At Wembley I was behind the stage and he even went and thanked the lorry drivers for delivering the gear.
“He’s now going to be doing Jesus Christ Superstar, and I am absolutely convinced he is going to be a national treasure, if he’s not already one now.
“I can’t speak more highly of him as a character.”
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