[103] In a three-page letter written in October 1961 to "his first serious girlfriend",[104] Australian dancer Delia Wicks, made public in April 2010 after her death from cancer, Richard wrote, "Being a pop singer I have to give up one priceless thing the right to any lasting relationship with any special girl. One of the most electrifying of all Cliff Richard's recordings. Nor did doors open to him in the US market; he was not considered part of the British Invasion, and despite four Hot 100 hits (including the top 25 "It's All in the Game") between August 1963 and August 1964, the American public had little awareness of him. These films created their own genre, known as the "Cliff Richard musical", and led to Richard's being named the No. "[113], In 1988, Richard's nephew Philip Harrison spent the first four months of his life in a children's hospital suffering from serious breathing problems. "[95], Richard said that his faith in God was tested in 1999 after the murder of his close friend, the British television presenter Jill Dando. Sir Cliff faced child abuse allegations that dated all the way back to 1958 and spanned across three decades. Throughout the early 1960s, his hits were consistently in the top five. Standing up publicly as a Christian affected his career in several ways. 1 singles recording artist in UK), 2005: Rose D'or Music Festival (Paris): Golden Rose, Note: Entries scored out signify where the United Kingdom did not compete, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 23:11. He has helped to raise funds and awareness of the disease by speaking publicly about his mother's condition. 2 in the US through a cover version by Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann which was almost unchanged from their worldwide hit. "[90] In 1997, he said: "People who are single shouldn't have to be second-class citizens we needn't be embarrassed or feel guilty about it, we all have a role to play. It was "Move It" writer Ian Samwell who suggested the surname "Richard" as a tribute to Webb's musical hero Little Richard. [159] The following month, the CPS announced that after reviewing "evidence relating to claims of non-recent sexual offences dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men", there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Richard with an offence, and that no further action against him would be taken. 12 hit "On My Word" ended a run of 23 consecutive top ten UK hits between "A Voice in the Wilderness" in 1960 to "The Minute You're Gone" in 1965, which, to date, is still a record number of consecutive top ten UK hits for a male artist. In his autobiography, Richard stressed that "sex is not one of the things that drives me", but he also wrote of his seduction by Carol Costa, who at the time was the estranged wife of Jet Harris. Sir Cliff Richard has revealed the devastating impact of his four-year legal battle with the BBC after it finally came to an end today, saying he 'won't go anywhere near children' again. Source: www.ghgossip.com ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT LYRICS: KiDi - I Lied In 1981, the single "Wired for Sound" hit No. 19) for Christmas. He always goes the extra mile. The song was quickly added onto the end of his latest album Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile, which was re-titled We Don't Talk Anymore for its release in the United States. Also in 1989, Richard received the Brits highest award: "The Outstanding Contribution award". "[120] Later in 1996, Richard said: "I'm aware of the rumours, but I am not gay. Released along with the singles "I Just Don't Have the Heart" (UK No. What is the birth name of Cliff Richard? Artist: Cliff Richard | SecondHandSongs Cliff Richard facts: Pop legend's age, net worth, partner and more People are very unfair with their criticism and their judgements. [36] Nevertheless, "Congratulations" was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia, and yet another No. Police called for a cab from the accident scene so that he was able to perform that night in the "Time" musical. [88], In 2011, digital station Absolute Radio '60s, dedicated to playing popular music from the 1960s, announced they would not be playing any of Richard's records because they said they did not fit "the cool sound we're trying to create". When not touring, he divides his time between Barbados and Portugal. In May 1989, Richard released his 100th single, "The Best of Me", becoming the first British artist to achieve the feat. 56 in the 2002 100 Greatest Britons list, sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public. The BBC has paid out about 2m in legal costs to Sir Cliff Richard, ending one of the most expensive and embarrassing legal cases in the broadcaster's recent history, though the singer has . [84], Richard has openly complained about the lack of commercial support he receives from radio stations and record labels. "Throw Down a Line". His first such single without the Shadows was When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart in 1961, and he continued to release one or two per year, including covers of "It's All in the Game" in 1963 and "Constantly" in 1964, a revival of a popular Italian hit. Richard said: "At the time when I and many of us were in love with Olivia she was engaged to someone else. [11] He also had four UK Christmas No. In 1949, his father obtained employment in the credit control office of Thorn Electrical Industries and the family moved in with other relatives in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, where he attended Kings Road Junior Mixed Infants School, until a three-bedroom council house in nearby Cheshunt was allocated to them in 1950, at 12 Hargreaves Close. [99] In 1993, Bill Latham said of Richard's bachelor status: "His freedom has meant that he has been able to do much more than if he had a family. [46] 1987 saw the release of his Always Guaranteed album, which became his best-selling album of all-new material, and included the two top-10 hit singles "My Pretty One" and "Some People". On the singles chart, Richard was having his most consistent period of top twenty hits since the mid-1960s. He said: "My three sisters have children, and it's been wonderful to watch them grow up, get married and start families of their own. Richard concluded his thirtieth year in music by achieving a UK Christmas No. [17], The Webb family lived in a modest home in Maqbara, near the main shopping centre of Hazratganj. After many years of limited success in the US, three of his singles simultaneously charted on the last Hot 100 of 1980 ("A Little in Love", "Dreamin'", and "Suddenly"). Cliff Richard feared dying of heart attack after child sexual assault I'm afraid I lost the chance. Review", "And They Said It Wouldn't Last (My 50 Years in Music)", "Cliff Richard Soulicious: Review by Jon O'Brien", "Cliff Richard 'thrilled' with Diamond Jubilee gig", "Congratulations to Sir Cliff after Olympic torch relay", "Sir Cliff Richard to release 100th album", "Sir Tom Jones and Sir Cliff Richard to support Morrissey at major US shows", "Morrissey reveals Cliff Richard and Tom Jones as live gig special guests", "Cliff Richard Treating New Yorkers To Free Show After Morrissey Cancellation", "Sir Cliff Richard Cliff Richard To Tour For 75th Birthday", "In pictures: Sir Cliff Richard's memorable moments at the Royal Albert Hall", "Cliff Richard review funny, poignant show from pop's performing genius", "Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40, 1925 October 2018", "Sir Cliff Richard leaves Wimbledon fans 'cringing' with surprise performance", "Cliff Richard blames radio ban for ending his recording career", "Cliff Richard's 100th album: a testament to naff appeal", "Sir Cliff Richard hits back over radio airplay snub", "Sir Cliff Richard: 'I'm the real rock rebel', "Cliff Richard: What difference would it make if I was gay? Many music names such as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Elton John were seen sporting I'm Nearly Famous badges, pleased that their boyhood idol was getting back into the heavier rock, in which he had begun his career. When the suggestions were first put to him in the late 1970s, Richard responded by saying: "It's untrue. 24) and "Healing Love" (No. [40], With "We Don't Talk Anymore" in 1979, Richard finally began to receive some extended success in the United States to follow on from the success of "Devil Woman" in 1976. So because his commitments have been his career, his faith, and more latterly, tennis, he has given himself wholeheartedly to those three activities. 1 spot again with "We Should Be Together" was unsuccessful (making No. 1 single in the UK in each of five consecutive decades. 1s. Cliff Richard: We Have It Made: Cliff Richard and The Shadows: October 7, 1960: Pete Votrian: We Kiss in a Shadow: Cliff Richard and The Norrie Paramor Orchestra: April 14, 1961: Doretta Morrow and Larry Douglas: Wenn du lachst, lacht das Glck: Cliff Richard: March 1971: Miki Antony: What a Friend We Have in Jesus: Cliff Richard: October 21 . Initially, he believed that he should quit rock 'n' roll, feeling he could no longer be the rocker who had been called a "crude exhibitionist" and "too sexy for TV". In 1960 they toured the United States and were well-received, but lacklustre support and distribution from a revolving door of American record labels proved an obstacle to long-term success there despite several chart records by Richard including the aforementioned "It's All in the Game" on Epic, via a renewed linking of the worldwide Columbia labels after Philips ended its distribution deal with CBS. During the 1970s, Richard took part in several television shows and fronted his own show It's Cliff Richard from 1970 to 1976. A new album, titled Reunited, by Richard and the Shadows was released in September 2009. 1s "Travellin' Light" and "I Love You" and also "A Voice in the Wilderness", lifted from his film Expresso Bongo, and "Theme for a Dream" cemented Richard's status as a mainstream pop entertainer along with contemporaries such as Adam Faith and Billy Fury. My 'freedom' allows me to continue my career. He is the son of Rodger Oscar Webb and Dorothy Marie Dazely. He said that his seatbelt had prevented him from flying through the windscreen.[45]. (1970) " With the Eyes of a Child " is a song by British singer Cliff Richard, released as a single in November 1969. In mid-1963, Cliff and the Shadows appeared for a season in Blackpool, where Richard had his portrait modelled by Victor Heyfron. 2 in the UK. The campaign was initially unsuccessful and the UK copyright on many of Richard's early recordings expired in 2008. 7) released as his Christmas single, while 1993 saw Richard's first new music studio album for over three years released. "I couldn't stand up and I found myself absolutely weeping like a child," he says. [102], Richard is a lifelong bachelor. 8) was the second lead single, followed by "Human Work of Art" (No. Sir Cliff Richard has said he thought he was "going to die of a heart attack" after he faced child sexual assault allegations. With Richard's succession of hit songs and albums from the late 1970s into the early 1980s, followed by another strong run in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a strong fan base had been reestablished and Richard remained one of the best-known music artists in the country. 3 on the UK music charts. [165] On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the decision not to prosecute Richard over claims of historical sex offences had been upheld. To accompany the concerts, a new album of cover versions of swing standards, Bold as Brass, was released on 11 October. [125] Richard has been a family friend of the Northern Irish broadcaster Gloria Hunniford for over forty years. Jacqui was born on November 21, 1947, and Joan was born in 1950. "[105], In an interview with David Frost in 2002, Richard said that his many good friends have prevented him from feeling lonely and he has always got someone he can talk to. It compiled highlights of the previous year's "The Event" show, and provided two live tracks as singles, "Silhouettes" (UK No. In one of his interviews, he indicated that not being a father has 'never bothered him. He then started work as a filing clerk for Atlas Lamps. The 1950s entrepreneur Harry Greatorex wanted the up-and-coming rock 'n' roll singer to change his name. "[100], Richard's father, Rodger Webb, died in 1961, aged 56, and that had a great impact on Richard. Marriage is a very special thing to me. In 1986, Richard reached No. [72], Richard was involved in a campaign to extend copyright on sound recordings in the UK from 50 to 95 years, and extend the number of years on which a musician can receive royalties. Cliff Richard and the sex abuse claims - Married Biography [86][87] In June 2004, British disc jockey Tony Blackburn was suspended from his radio job at Classic Gold Digital for playing records by Richard against station policy. Tony Meehan and Jet Harris left the group in 1961 and 1962 respectively and later had their own chart successes for Decca. Sir Cliff Richard: Singer feared dying of heart attack after facing [65][66] Richard went to Nashville, Tennessee for his next album project in 2004, employing a writers' conclave to give him the pick of all new songs for the album Something's Goin' On. "Peace in Our Time" (No. [129] Richard finished No. In the BBC Radio 2 documentary Cliff Take Another Look, he pointed out that many documentaries charting the history of British music (e.g. For the "Move It" session, Paramor used the session guitarist Ernie Shears on lead guitar and Frank Clark on bass. Richard's passion for tennis, which was encouraged by his former girlfriend Sue Barker, also led him in 1991 to establish the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation. Following the success of the recent Christmas singles, Richard released his first Christmas album Together with Cliff Richard in 1991, but his bid for the UK Christmas No. Richard responded to this by saying: "They're lying to themselves, and more importantly they're lying to the public. The name Cliff was adopted as it sounded like "cliff face", which suggested "Rock". Police raided Richard's home in 2014 as part of an investigation into a sex assault claim Richard's fifth single "Living Doll" triggered a softer, more relaxed, sound. Cliff Richard - Ethnicity of Celebs | EthniCelebs.com [152] Subsequently, David Crompton, chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, was criticised for his interactions with the BBC, and publicly apologised to Richard. Advertisement Sir Cliff Richard OBE was born Harry Rodger Webb on October 14, 1940. [68] In September, a single celebrating his 50 years in pop music, titled "Thank You for a Lifetime" was released. The official party celebrating Richard's 70th birthday was held on 23 October 2010, with guests including Cilla Black, Elaine Paige and Daniel O'Donnell. In June 2009, it was reported by Sound Kitchen Studios in Nashville that Richard was to return there shortly to record a new album of original recordings of jazz songs. Sir. 1 in the UK and No. [144], In August 2014, Richard's apartment in Berkshire was searched after a complaint to the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree, which investigated sexual misconduct allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. 2007. the best-selling music artists of all time, When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, And They Said It Wouldn't Last (My 50 Years in Music), 32 Minutes and 17 Seconds with Cliff Richard, List of Cliff Richard television appearances, National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards, "Sir Cliff Richard: Why Barbados beats Britain", "Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine", "The Official Singles Charts' biggest selling artists of all time revealed! [112], When asked in 1992 if he had ever considered the possibility that he might be gay, he responded: "No. 10. [39] Later in 1979, Richard performed with Kate Bush at the London Symphony Orchestra's 75th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. In 1999, controversy again arose regarding radio stations refusing to play his releases when EMI, Richard's label since 1958, refused to release his song, "The Millennium Prayer", having judged that the song did not have commercial potential. "[135], In 1971, Richard was a leading supporter of the Nationwide Festival of Light, a movement formed by British Christians who were concerned about the development of the permissive society. How can there be evidence for something that never took place? He said: "I'm officially a non-resident [of the UK], although I will always be British and proud of it. [33][34] The story was widely covered and featured on UK's Channel 4 News as a main story on 7 May 2008, with Jon Snow interviewing author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor about the matter. To that point Richard had released 47 studio albums, 35 compilations, 11 live albums and 7 film soundtracks. On 4 July 2022, Richard sang his 1963 hit "Summer Holiday" at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, as part of the Centenary Celebration. His parents were Rodger Oscar Webb, a manager for a catering contractor that serviced the Indian Railways, and the former Dorothy Marie Dazely.