BRITISH ELVIS PRESLEY CLIFF RICHARD 21 TODAY LP

$

50

A COLLECTIBLE ALBUM IN VG++ CONDITION!

Harry Roger Webb, 14 October 1940, Lucknow, India. One of the most popular and enduring talents in the history of UK showbusiness, Webb began his career as a rock 'n' roll performer in 1957. His fascination for Elvis Presley encouraged him to join the Dick Teague Skiffle Group and several months later he teamed up with drummer Terry Smart and guitarist Norman Mitham to form the Drifters. They played at various clubs in the Cheshunt/Hoddesdon area of Hertfordshire before descending on the famous 2I's coffee bar in London's Soho. There, they were approached by lead guitarist Ian Samwell and developed their act as a quartet. In 1958, they secured their big break in the unlikely setting of a Saturday morning talent show at the Gaumont cinema in Shepherd's Bush. It was there that the senatorial theatrical agent George Ganyou recognized Webb's sexual appeal and singing abilities and duly financed the recording of a demonstration tape of "Breathless" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". A copy reached the hands of EMI Records producer Norrie Paramor who was impressed enough to grant the ensemble an audition. Initially, he intended to record the newly christened Cliff Richard as a solo artist backed by an orchestra, but the persuasive performer insisted upon retaining his own backing group.

Throughout his six decades in the pop charts, Richard has displayed a valiant longevity. He parodied one of his earliest hits with comedy quartet the Young Ones and registered yet another number 1, while still singing religious songs on gospel tours. He appeared in Time and in John Farrar and Tim Rice's hugely successful Heathcliff (his own Songs From Heathcliff was drawn from the show). He sued the New Musical Express for an appallingly libellous review, far more vicious than their acerbic comments back in 1958. He celebrated his 50th birthday with a move into social commentary with the anti-war hit "From A Distance". He was nominated to perform at the celebrations for VE day in 1995, appearing with Vera Lynn, and has now been adopted as her male equivalent. It was no surprise, therefore, to learn that he was to be knighted for his services to popular music in May 1995. Richard's long-held belief that most UK pop radio stations have an official veto on his tracks seemed to be proven in September 1998, when he distributed a heavily remixed promo of his soon-to-be-released single, "Can't Keep This Feeling In", under the pseudonym Blacknight. It was instantly playlisted by youth-orientated stations all over the country, and went to number 10 in the singles chart the following month. The singer was further angered when DJ Chris Evans, owner of Virgin Radio, announced that he wanted the station's entire stock of Richard's records "thrown out". In an unprecedented move, BBC Radio 1 responded by clearing its morning schedules for a four-hour tribute "Stand Up For Cliff Day" hosted by Jill Dando. Such was the demand for tickets to his November/December 1998 Royal Albert Hall concerts celebrating 40 years in show business, that a further 12 performances were scheduled for March 1999. At the end of the year he was criticised for being opportunistic when he combined the "Lord's Prayer" and "Auld Lang Syne" into "The Millennium Prayer". Tacky though it was it still reached number 1 in the UK. So he goes on - Sir Cliff Richard has outlasted every musical trend of the past four decades with a sincerity and commitment that may well be unmatched in his field. He is British pop's most celebrated survivor.

THERE ARE NO TEARS ON THE COVER

NO CREASES OR OTHER DAMAGE

LAST TIME I PLAYED THIS ALBUM IT PLAYED TERRIFIC!

COLUMBIA 33SX 1368

ORIGINAL SLEEVE

VERY VERY GOOD CONDITON!

THE ALBUM COVER STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL GLOSS!

YOU WON'T FIND A BETTER ONE TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION!

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