He went on to have success as a singer-pianist and entertainer, sometimes collaborating with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band in recordings, on television and on stage.
In 2004 he was the featured soloist in Grimethorpe Colliery Band's recording "History of Brass Band Music - The Salvation Army Connection" in Eric Leidzen's Concertino for Trombone and Band.
Grimethorpe is known for its past as a mining village, its brass band, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and was used as the location for the film Brassed Off - a black comedy which tells the plight of the village and the effect on its band.
The colliery played a starring role in the moving bitter-sweet 1996 film comedy Brassed Off based on the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, filmed in 1995.
In 1978 Skellern had a minor hit with the 1930s song "Love is the Sweetest Thing" (which featured backing by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band), winning the Music Trades Association award for best middle of the road song.
The piano was gradually pushed aside as he progressed with the cornet at Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band.
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Many of his works are recorded, most notably by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the Eikanger-Bjørsvik band.
Featuring Harper's 12-string acoustic guitar backed by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, it was arranged by David Bedford.
His legacy continues today as the River City Brass Band (now River City Brass) plays nationally and internationally under the direction of conductor and artistic director, James Gourlay, an internationally renowned tuba player and former conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.