Jackie Dennis (8 October 1942 – 28 September 2020) was a Scottish singer. He was discovered by the comedians

Mike and Bernie Winters Mike and Bernie Winters were an English comedy double act, consisting of brothers Mike Winters, born Michael Weinstein (15 November 1926 – 24 August 2013) and Bernie Winters, born Bernard Weinstein (6 September 1930 – 4 May 1991). The act ...

in 1958. The brothers brought him to the attention of the show business agent Eve Taylor, and he appeared on the

television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication Media (communication), medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of Transmission (telecommunications), television tra ...

me, '' Six-Five Special'', at the age of 15, and in a subsequent

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

spin-off.

Chart success

The

kilt A kilt ( gd, fèileadh ; Irish: ''féileadh'') is a garment resembling a wrap-around knee-length skirt, made of twill woven worsted wool with heavy pleats at the sides and back and traditionally a tartan pattern. Originating in the Scottish ...

-wearing, spiky-haired

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop!, a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Albums * ''Pop'' ( ...

singer enjoyed seven successful years in the show business and toured the world. "La Dee Dah" was his biggest UK

hit Hit means to strike someone or something. Hit or HIT may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super'' * Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...

, reaching number 4 in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

in 1958, whilst his

cover Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of copy ...

of Sheb Wooley's "

Purple People Eater Purple is any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. In the RGB color model used in computer and television screens, purples are produced by mixing red and blue light. In the RYB color model historically used by painters, p ...

" was his second and final UK hit, peaking at number 29. Dennis appeared on

Perry Como Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (; May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an Italian-American singer, actor and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, after signin ...

's US television show, where he was introduced as 'Britain's Ricky Nelson' performing the song "Linton Addie". He latterly worked as a nursing home carer, before retiring and living in Pilton, Edinburgh, with wife Irene, to whom he was married for over 30 years. He died in September 2020 at the age of 77.

Discography

Singles

*"La Dee Dah" / "You're the Greatest" (1958) (

Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, a record label * Decca Gold, a classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, a musical theater record label * Decca Studios, a recording facility in We ...

F 10992) *"Miss Valerie" / "My Dream" (1958) (Decca F 11011) *" The Purple People Eater" / "You-oo" (1958) (Decca F 11033) *"More Than Ever" / "Linton Addie" (1958) (Decca F 11060) *"Lucky Ladybug" / "Gingerbread" (1958) (Decca F 11090) *"The Wee Cooper O' Fife" / "Come Along" (1959) (Decca F 11120) *"Summer Snow" / "Night Bird" (1959) (Top Rank JAR 129)

References

External links

*
Entry at 45cat.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dennis, Jackie 1942 births 2020 deaths Musicians from Edinburgh 20th-century Scottish male singers Scottish pop singers