I am an American who attended his first RFH event on May 30, 1956--Joseph Kripps conducting, Claude [Claudio] Arrau piano, in an all-Beethoven program (Piano Concerto #1, Symphonies #2 & 5.  It was basically my introduction the UK, on the first of my subsequent 44 tips [trips] to the UK.  My late wife and I sat just below the Queen in the Royal Box in 1997 when the various bands of the Guard performed.  I attended my last (but not my last) RFH performmance two weeks before the reconstruction began.  I am eagerly awaiting the new RFH.  All my memories of the UK begin and end with RFH.