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Billy Fury
Ronald Wycherley (17 April 1940 – 28 January 1983), better known as Billy Fury, was an English singer, musician, songwriter, and actor. An early star of rock and roll, he equalled the Beatles' record of 24 hits in the 1960s and spent 332 weeks on the UK chart. His hit singles include " Wondrous Place", " Halfway to Paradise" and " Jealousy". Fury also maintained a film career, notably playing rock performers in '' Play It Cool'' in 1962 and '' That'll Be the Day'' in 1973. AllMusic journalist Bruce Eder stated that Fury's "mix of rough-hewn good looks and unassuming masculinity, coupled with an underlying vulnerability, all presented with a good voice and some serious musical talent, helped turn iminto a major rock and roll star in short order". Others have suggested that his rapid rise to prominence was due to his " Elvis-influenced hip swivelling and, at times, highly suggestive stage act". Early years Fury was born Ronald Wycherley at Smithdown Hospital (later Sefton Gen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Allan Warren
Michael Allan Warren (born 26 October 1948) is an English portrait photographer, primarily known for his images of members of high society. An actor and talent manager in his youth, he rose to prominence for portraits of British nobility, politicians, and celebrities. His subjects include Alec Douglas-Home, Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Charles III, Louis Mountbatten and Laurence Olivier. Early life and education After growing up in post-war London with his mother, Warren attended Terry's Juveniles, a stage school based in the Drury Lane Theatre. It was during this period that he attended auditions through which he received several assignments. One such piece of work was as a child presenter in "The Five O'clock Club", which afforded him the opportunity to associate with individuals such as Marc Bolan (then performing as "Toby Tyler"), who would later employ Warren as his first manager. Career Warren started his photographic career at the age of 20, when he was acting in Ala ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Billy J
Billy may refer to: * Billy (name), a name (and list of people with the name) Animals * Billy (dog), a dog breed * Billy (pigeon), awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945 * Billy (pygmy hippo), a pet of U.S. President Calvin Coolidge * Billy, a young male domestic goat Film * Billy (''Black Christmas''), a character from ''Black Christmas'' * Billy (''Saw''), a puppet from ''Saw'' * '' Billy: The Early Years'', a 2008 biographical film about Billy Graham Literature * ''Billy'' (novel), a 1990 novel by Whitley Strieber * ''Billy'', a 2002 biography of Billy Connolly by Pamela Stephenson Music Musicals * ''Billy'' (musical), a musical based on Billy Liar * ''Billy'', a 1969 Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Gene Allen and Ron Dante Albums * ''Billy'' (Samiam album) (1992) * ''Billy'' (Feedtime album) Songs * "Billy" (Kathy Linden song), a 1958 song by Kathy Linden * "Billy", a 1986 song by Céline Dion from ''The Best of Celine Dion'' * "Billy", a 1973 son ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Smithdown Road, Liverpool
Smithdown Road is a historic street in Liverpool, England, which now forms part of the A562. The area was previously known as Smithdown (Esmedune or Smeedon in Olde English) and dates back to 1086 when it was listed in the Domesday Book. The causeway that actually became what is now Smithdown Road emerges in documentation around 1775. It is currently the location of Toxteth Park Cemetery, Wavertree Playground and was previously the location of Sefton General Hospital, known as the Smithdown Hospital and before that the ''Old Workhouse.'' Demographics Smithdown Road, a long-established student quarter, is home to a large percentage of Liverpool's 55,000-plus university student population (alongside the city centre and Kensington). The upper part of the street separates Toxteth (L8) and Wavertree (L15), two of Liverpool's most ethnically diverse districts; Smithdown Road itself is the hub of Merseyside's Afro-Caribbean community. The area surrounding Smithdown Road is also h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a civil rights movement, transformative era in race relations, led him to both great success and Cultural impact of Elvis Presley#Danger to American culture, initial controversy. Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African-American music to a wider audience. Presley, on rhythm acoustic guitar, and accompanied by lead ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
That'll Be The Day (film)
''That'll Be the Day'' is a 1973 British coming of age drama film directed by Claude Whatham, written by Ray Connolly, and starring David Essex, Rosemary Leach and Ringo Starr. Set primarily in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the film tells the story of Jim MacLaine (Essex), a British teenager raised by his single mother (Leach). Jim rejects society's conventions and pursues a hedonistic and sexually loose lifestyle, harming others and damaging his close relationships in the process. The cast also featured several prominent musicians who had lived through the era portrayed, including Starr, Billy Fury, Keith Moon, and John Hawken. The success of ''That'll Be the Day'' led to a sequel, ''Stardust'', that followed the life of Jim MacLaine through the 1960s and 1970s. Plot In an urban area in early 1940s England, a young child, Jim MacLaine, lives with his mother Mary and his grandfather. Jim's seaman father returns, spends time with him, and works in the family's grocery shop ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Play It Cool (film)
''Play It Cool'' is a 1962 British musical film directed by Michael Winner and starring Billy Fury, Michael Anderson Jr., Helen Shapiro, Bobby Vee, Shane Fenton, Danny Williams, Dennis Price, Richard Wattis, Maurice Kaufmann and Anna Palk. It was one of several pop musicals released around this time. Plot Struggling singer Billy Universe (Billy Fury) and his band befriend an heiress who, against the wishes of her father (Dennis Price), is searching for her lover whom she has been forbidden to see and with whom she is hoping to elope. The main characters visit a succession of nightclubs where other stars are performing. There are guest appearances by Lionel Blair and Bernie Winters, as well as by record producer Norrie Paramor. The only hit from the songs featured in the film was Fury's rendition of " Once Upon a Dream". Cast *Billy Fury - Billy Universe * Michael Anderson, Jr. - Alvin *Helen Shapiro - Herself *Bobby Vee - Himself *Dennis Price - Sir Charles Bryant ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jalousie (Gade)
''Jalousie'' is a tango written by Danish composer Jacob Gade in 1925. Its full title is ''Jalousie "Tango Tzigane" '' (''Jealousy "Gypsy Tango"''). It soon became popular around the world and is today a classic in the modern songbook. Music The work consists of two themes – the first "a temperamental theme in D minor", followed by a "lyrical section in D major", both with a typical tango rhythm. Although it became Gade's most popular and successful work, he wrote successor tangos, such as the ''Romanesca, Tango'' in 1933. Composition The composer claimed that the mood of the piece had been inspired by his reading a sensational news report of a crime of passion, and "jealousy" became fixed in his mind.History of Tango Jalousie at the Jacob Gade's Legat website accessed 6 January 2015.< ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Halfway To Paradise
"Halfway to Paradise" is a popular song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. In the United States, the song was originally recorded in 1961 by Tony Orlando where it peaked at No. 39 on the Hot 100. In Canada, the song reached No. 3 in the CHUM Charts. Billy Fury version "Halfway to Paradise" was much more successful in the United Kingdom when it was recorded by Billy Fury. Fury's version reached No.3 on the British Charts in 1961 and stayed on the charts for 23 weeks, becoming the tenth best-selling single of 1961 in the UK in the process. "Halfway to Paradise" became known as Fury's theme tune and was one of his most popular singles. Fury's single was a big production for both Fury and Decca and involved a whole orchestra, directed by Ivor Raymonde. Its success made Fury known for his big ballad numbers, although he began in rock and roll and was always thought of more as a rock musician. The song also marked the beginning of Fury's burst at the top of the charts that ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wondrous Place
"Wondrous Place" is a song written by Jeff Lewis and Bill Giant and first released by American singer Jimmy Jones on his debut album Good Timin' in May 1960. English singer Billy Fury released a version as a single in September 1960. Fury's version peaked at number 25 on the ''Record Retailer'' Top 50, now seen as the UK Singles Chart, in October 1960 and the song gained further recognition nearly forty years later in 1999 when Fury's version was used on a UK television advertisement for the Toyota Yaris. Two versions were then re-released as singles: a 1983 re-recording by K-tel (as the official advert release), which peaked at number 83 on the singles chart, and the original single version by Deram Records (who had released ''The 40th Anniversary Anthology'' six months earlier), which peaked at number 98. Track listing 7": Decca / F 11267 # "Wondrous Place" – 2:26 # "Alright, Goodbye" – 2:04 CD: K-tel / TOY9051-2 (1999) # "Wondrous Place" # " It's Only Make Believe" # ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music's recognition as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock 'n' roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band also explored music styles ranging from folk and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionised many aspects of the music industry and were often publicised as leaders of the era's youth and sociocultural movements. Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles evolved from Lennon's previous group, the Quarrymen, and built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 196 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Marty Wilde
Marty Wilde, (born Reginald Leonard Smith; 15 April 1939) is an English singer and songwriter. He was among the first generation of British pop stars to emulate American rock and roll, scoring several 1950s hit singles including " Endless Sleep", " Sea of Love" and " Bad Boy". During the 1960s and 1970s, Wilde continued to record and, with Ronnie Scott, co-wrote hit singles for others including the Casuals' " Jesamine" and Status Quo's " Ice in the Sun". He is the father of pop singer Kim Wilde and co-wrote many of her hit singles including " Kids in America" with his son Ricky. He continues to perform and record. Career Wilde was born in Blackheath, London. He was performing under the name Reg Patterson at London's Condor Club in 1957, when he was spotted by impresario Larry Parnes. Parnes gave his protégés stage names such as Billy Fury, Duffy Power and Dickie Pride, hence the change to Wilde. The 'Marty' came from the acclaimed 1955 film of the same name. Wilde w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Tornados
The Tornados (The Tornadoes in North America) were an English instrumental rock group of the 1960s that acted as backing group for many of record producer Joe Meek's productions and also for singer Billy Fury. They enjoyed several chart hits in their own right, including the UK and US No. 1 "Telstar (instrumental), Telstar" (named after the satellite and composed and produced by Meek), the first US No. 1 single by a British group. Today Dave Watts has his own version of the band. History The Tornados were formed in 1961 as a session band for Joe Meek, although the name did not come until early 1962. In 1961 they provided the instrumentals for the film short ''The Johnny Leyton Touch'', including a jazzed up version of "Taboo", originally by Margarita Lecuona. From January 1962 to August 1963, The Tornados were the backing band for Billy Fury (as well as recording and performing as an act in their own right); they toured and recorded with Fury as ''The Tornados''. Their reco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
