bhowells

We were very priveleged in both these decades to have some superb singers, . I wasnt around in the fifties being born in 1960 and I ineirted my love of these singers from my parents and elder brother.

Here are my favourites.

Malcolm Vaughan

David Hughes
Michael Holiday
Alma Cogan

Frankie Vaughan(didnt like him for years but have warmed to hime now)

Matt Monro

Marion Ryan
Ruby Murray

Ronnie Hilton(superb)
Gary Miller

Vince Hill

I would be interesting in your feedback and if anyobody has worked with any of these artistes any anecodes would be great. I am sure Earl B can oblige.

hankoler

Dicky Valentine

samkydd

The very first famous pop star I ever saw was when I was taken to a pantomime in the 1960s and yodelling Frank Ifield was the star member of the cast.

He tried to revive his chart career in the 1976 punk era with a re-released punk version of his famous hit, I Remember You Yah Bastard!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

earlb

From your list bhowells, here are the ones I worked with:-
Michael Holiday (had a series on 208)
Alma Cogan (had a series on 208)
Matt Monro (had a series on 208)
Marion Ryan (Not worked with her but edited some of her sons records).
Ruby Murray (had a series on 208) Her MD was Ray Martin in later years he
wrote a series of 208 jingles.
Ronnie Hilton ( Not as a singer but he was a DJ for EMI records.)

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

bhowells

Still singing today I looked at his website a while ago.

I love that moment in One Foot In The Grave when Victor and Margaret are staying in an attic room at a bed and breakast and they discover a copy of Frank Ifields,"She Taught Me How To Yodel." in the bed.

jch

Matt Monro was simply the best, I am a huge fan of his even though I don't actually remember him when he was around, as I am only in my late 30's.
Ronnie Hilton is another favourite, also Dickie Valentine, Michael Holliday and Vince Hill.
Hard to find videos of the above, although there are 3 dvd's of Matt Monro available, plus a few tv appearances I have as well.

bhowells

Yes I must get hold of the dvds of Matt Monro. Did you see the documentary about Matt on BBC 4,which was shown last year.

I first heard him as a child in 1962 when my brother had his recording of "Softly As I leave you."

jch

Yes, it has been shown several times on BBC4 plus once on BBC2. I believe there were plans to perhaps release this on dvd. The other dvd's are brilliant as well.

billy bentley

Billy Fury was England's best singer (post Elvis pre Beatles) by a mile ! Although often thought of as a rock'n'roller, he was really a balladeer. In a class by himself. Anyone interested should track down Ian Dury's obituary/tribute to Billy.