He said: "I'm officially a non-resident [of the UK], although I will always be British and proud of it. ", "Cliff Richard hopes Miley Cyrus 'grows out of' controversial behaviour", "I'll tell you something about Cliff Richard I would love to get stoned with him", "Cliff Richard: The first straight-edge icon? My 'freedom' allows me to continue my career. To the Shadows' chagrin, "Apache" reached No. Cliff Richard was born in Lucknow, United Provinces, British India on October 14, 1940. [75], Richard was scheduled to open for Morrissey at a live concert at New York's 19,000-capacity Barclays Center on 21 June 2014. It was reported that Richard was seeking "very substantial" damages. [62] Richard took it to an independent label, Papillon, which released the charity recording (in aid of Children's Promise). In 1964, he became an active Christian and his faith has become an important aspect of his life. [85], In 1998, Chris Evans, the then breakfast show host on Virgin Radio, vowed he would never again play a record by Richard, stating that he was "too old". The campaign was initially unsuccessful and the UK copyright on many of Richard's early recordings expired in 2008. Singer Cliff Richard still hurt by accusation of child molestation Singer Cliff Richard said the 2014 allegations against him has made him so paranoid that he now makes sure that he does. 7 in the US. The BBC repeated an apology for the distress that Richard had been through. In the letter he goes on to say, "I couldn't give up my career, besides the fact that my mother and sisters, since my father's death, rely on me completely. Richard has said: "Playing a part in relieving poverty is, as I see it, the responsibility of us all. Sir Cliff also . That year, they released three singles, two of which featured double-sided vocals and one of which had instrumental A and B sides. In 1959, the Shadows (then still the Drifters) landed an EMI recording contract of their own, for independent recordings. As a member of the top stream, he stayed on beyond the minimum leaving age to take GCE Ordinary Level examinations and gained a pass in English literature. On more than one occasion, a Shadows instrumental replaced a Richard song at the top of the British charts. O'Connor, John Kennedy. [71] On 30 June 2012, Richard helped to carry the Olympic torch from Derby to Birmingham as part of the torch relay for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. These films created their own genre, known as the "Cliff Richard musical", and led to Richard's being named the No. This industry can be very destructive. 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. When my father was sick, we became very close. It peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart. The charity has encouraged thousands of primary schools in the UK to introduce the sport, with over 200,000 children taking part in the tennis sessions which tour the country. (1969) "The Joy of Living". "[95], In an article for The Guardian in 2011, the journalist Sam Leith wrote of Richard's lack of commercial support among radio stations: "His uncompromising Christianity, his clean-living ways, and his connoisseurship of the fruits of his Portuguese winery have made him an object of incomprehension, even ridicule, for the uncultured, alcopop-drinking younger generation. He missed the best parts of my career. How can there be evidence for something that never took place? In November 2010, he achieved his third consecutive UK No. ", "Mistletoe and Wine's political beginnings", "Sir Cliff Richard chose music over love, letter shows", "Sir Cliff Richard picked music over love", "Sir Cliff Richard talks of ex-priest companion", "Cliff Richard, the pop world's greatest survivor, says", "Sir Cliff Richard: Evergreen entertainer", "The Sun Hasn't Set on Cliff Richard in 20 Years, and Now He's Conquered the U.S. with 'We Don't Talk Anymore, "Book Review: Well, is he or isn't he? Soon after, Richard re-emerged, performing with Christian groups and recording some Christian material. Although baptised as an Anglican, Richard did not practise the faith in his early years. [129] Richard finished No. Sir Cliff was born on October 14, 1940. CLIFF RICHARD is the beloved singer and songwriter who has been able to dominate the music industry since late 1950. Released along with the singles "I Just Don't Have the Heart" (UK No. At the age of 81, the star has been through numerous ups and downs in both. The 1950s entrepreneur Harry Greatorex wanted the up-and-coming rock 'n' roll singer to change his name. [161] South Yorkshire Police later "apologised wholeheartedly" to Richard after its investigation into the singer was dropped on 16 June 2016. Richard's next album, in 2001, was a covers project, Wanted, followed by another top ten album, Cliff at Christmas. They had three children together. Meanwhile, the Shadows later re-formed (and again split). In 1968, he sang the UK's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, "Congratulations", written and composed by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter; it lost, however, by one point to Spain's "La La La". [123], Richard has spoken of his friendship with John McElynn, an American former missionary whom he met in 2001 on a visit to New York City. The man claimed he had been sexually assaulted by Sir Cliff when he was a child in 1985. Sir. Sir Cliff Richard has admitted that he never wanted children because starting a family would have got in the way of his career. At the age of 22, a year after his relationship with Delia Wicks ended, Richard had a brief romance with the actress Una Stubbs. 3 on the UK music charts. "[140] In 1990, Richard said: "Those of us who have something to offer have to be prepared to give all the time. [152] Subsequently, David Crompton, chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, was criticised for his interactions with the BBC, and publicly apologised to Richard. It was also the lead single from the UK top ten album Stronger. That year, Bruce Welch relaunched Cliff's career and produced the landmark album I'm Nearly Famous, which included the successful but controversial guitar-driven track "Devil Woman", which became Richard's first true hit in the United States, and the ballad "Miss You Nights". Typically, the Shadows closed the first half of the show with a 30-minute set of their own, then backed Richard on his show-closing 45-minute stint as exemplified by the retrospective CD album release of Live at the ABC Kingston 1962. In the early years, particularly on album and EP releases, Richard also recorded ballads backed by the Norrie Paramor Orchestra with Tony Meehan (and later Brian Bennett) as a session drummer. [38] Richard's fans were excited about this revival of a performer who had been a part of British rock from its early days. [99] Sting also defended Richard, stating: "Cliff Richard is in my opinion one of Britain's finest singers technically and emotionally. He has British and Barbadian citizenship. 1 singles,[10] and is the only singer to have had a No. He has also become a companion, which is great because I don't like living alone, even now. Cliff Richard is an English pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist. 2. His late 1958 and early 1959 follow-up singles, "High Class Baby" and "Livin' Lovin' Doll", were followed by "Mean Streak", which carried a rocker's sense of speed and passion, and Lionel Bart's "Living Doll". [105] Irving went on to marry Adam Faith. 6 in the UK charts in its opening week and peaked at No. It was on "Living Doll" that the Drifters began to back Richard on record. Mirror had reported that Cliff has purchased a new apartment in New York. [149] Richard pulled out of a visit to the US Open tennis championships, turned down the freedom of his adopted Portuguese home city of Albufeira, and cancelled a scheduled appearance at Canterbury Cathedral because he did not want the event to be "overshadowed by the false allegation". Standing up publicly as a Christian affected his career in several ways. [18] Dorothy's mother served as the dormitory matron at the La Martiniere Girls' School. Richard and the band appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, which was crucial for the Beatles, but these performances did not help them gain sustained success in North America. "[93] Richard expressed concern about the sexually explicit public image of singer Miley Cyrus, following controversy surrounding a semi-naked video for her song "Wrecking Ball". When queried on it, his spokesperson said: "There will not be any comment on what is essentially a private matter other than to confirm Cliff's main home is in Barbados, as it has been for many years." "[101][self-published source] Richard's mother, Dorothy, died in October 2007, aged 87, after a decade with Alzheimer's disease. The group was obliged to change its name to "The Shadows" after legal complications with the American group the Drifters as "Living Doll" entered the American top 40, licensed by ABC-Paramount. 2008, Richard's 51st year in the music business saw the release of the eight-CD box set And They Said It Wouldn't Last (My 50 Years in Music). On 17 June 1995, Richard was appointed a Knight Bachelor (invested on 25 October 1995),[56] becoming the first rock star to be so honoured. [90] In 2009, Richard said he was the "most radical rock-and-roll singer Britain has ever seen" as he did not indulge in drugs or sexual promiscuity. Sir Cliff Richard was born Harry Rodger Webb on October 14, 1940, in Lucknow, India. "[109] In September 1983, Richard said that he had no immediate plans to marry Barker. [21] A development of retirement flats, Cliff Richard Court, has been named after him in Cheshunt. [138], Since March 1966, Richard has followed the practice of giving away at least one-tenth of his income to charity. "[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. The Shadows had decided to re-form for another tour of the UK. [69] He was to record fourteen tracks in a week. "[105], Richard first met Barker in 1982, when she was aged 25. He is the son of Rodger Oscar Webb and Dorothy Marie Dazely. Richard concluded his thirtieth year in music by achieving a UK Christmas No. Sir Cliff Richard bio. Richard performed a selection of hits and tracks from the Bold As Brass album. It was his first time at the top of the UK singles chart in over ten years, and the song would become his biggest-selling single worldwide, selling almost five million copies throughout the world. [176], Cliff Richard's 1958 hit "Move It" is widely regarded as the first authentic British rock and roll record, and "laid the foundations" for the Beatles and Merseybeat music. In the early 1960s, he had a prosperous screen career with films including The Young Ones, Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life and his own television show at the BBC. In October 2011, Richard released his Soulicious album, containing duets with American soul singers including Percy Sledge, Ashford and Simpson, Roberta Flack, Freda Payne and Candi Staton. His parents also spent some years in Howrah, West Bengal. [9] He holds the record, with Presley, as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its first six decades (1950s2000s). In 2008, Richard said of his relationship with Barker: "I seriously contemplated asking her to marry me, but in the end I realised that I didn't love her quite enough to commit the rest of my life to her. In 1986, Richard reached No. He has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing. A month later they performed at the Royal Variety Performance. [47] The album was certified quadruple platinum, becoming Richard's first to be certified multi-platinum by the BPI since it introduced multi-platinum awards in February 1987.[48][49]. "[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. The unnamed man in his forties contacted Richard's aides and threatened to spread "false stories" unless he received a sum of money. In 1998, Richard demonstrated that radio stations were refusing to play his music when he released a dance remix of his forthcoming single "Can't Keep This Feeling In" on a white label using the alias Blacknight. In November 2013, he said: "The music industry has changed drastically and that damages young artists. Sadly, his sister, Donna died in 2016. The Daily Telegraph said that Richard and Black looked at properties together in Miami and were regularly seen together in Barbados, where they both owned villas. 5 in 2003. Following the Direct Action Day violence, his family moved to England permanently. In his 2008 autobiography, Richard wrote that his views on certain issues are less judgemental than when he was younger. Cliff Richard has never been married and hence does not have any children. "[163] It was subsequently reported that during the 22-month police investigation a man was arrested over a plot to blackmail Richard. The singer, 81, who was never arrested or found guilty and denied the . He said: "She was a very special person, and I have lost a very wonderful friend. [57] In 1996, he led the Wimbledon Centre Court crowd in singing during a rain delay when asked by Wimbledon officials to entertain the crowd. [90][142][143], In August 2014, Richard was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue. Cliff Richard singles chronology. [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. Richard and the Shadows appeared in six feature films including a debut in the 1959 film Serious Charge but most notably in The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, Wonderful Life, and Finders Keepers. This means Richard's recordings between 1958 and 1962 are out of copyright in the UK, but those from 1963 will be in copyright until 2034. The National Education Union, for example, wants to . The concert in aid of charity was televised around the world and helped to raise $10.5million for disabled children and young musicians. Secondly, to be good and responsible stewards of what was entrusted to us. As time progressed, Richard balanced his faith and work, enabling him to remain one of the most popular singers in Britain as well as one of its best-known Christians. EMI agreed to his demand despite the fact the single was expected to sell well. [5], Before their first large-scale appearance, at the Regal Ballroom in Ripley, Derbyshire in 1958, they adopted the name "Cliff Richard and the Drifters". What the people outside think, I have no control over. Hostages To India: OR The Life Story of the Anglo Indian Race, London: The Simon Wallenberg Press: Vol 2: Anglo Indian Heritage Books, Richard himself stated that the latter theory is correct; interviewed for the first episode of the. "I was never suicidal but I thought a couple of times I might die I'm thinking, 'I don't want . Richard and Black reportedly enjoyed each other's company dining together in Marbella and watching tennis in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. Legal papers were filed at the High Court in London on 6 October 2016. [91] Richard said he is proud that he never adopted the hedonistic lifestyle of a typical rock star. Cliff Richard, in full Sir Cliff Richard, original name Harry Roger Webb, (born October 14, 1940, Lucknow, India), British singer whose "Move It" (1958) was the first great British rock-and-roll song. 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 . [105], In the 1980s, Richard considered asking Sue Barker,[105] a former French Open tennis champion and Wimbledon semi-finalist,[106] if she would agree to marry him. Richard said that his run with the Olympic torch would be one of his top-10 memories. 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. Richard's fifth single "Living Doll" triggered a softer, more relaxed, sound. This time, Richard took Valium to overcome his nerves and his manager was almost unable to wake him for the performance. It was claimed that Spanish TVE television executives offered to buy programmes in exchange for votes, as well as contract unknown-artists. [35] However, the allegations turned out to be untrue as it was a widely repeated rumour instigated by TVE. [32] In May 2008, a Reuters news report claimed that voting in the competition had been fixed by the Spanish dictator leader, Francisco Franco, to ensure that the Spanish entry won, allowing them to host the contest the following year (1969). "Mistletoe and Wine" was Richard's 99th UK single and spent four weeks at the top of the chart. 38; the album peaked at No. Police raided Richard's home in 2014 as part of an investigation into a sex assault claim 8. [145] Richard was not arrested, and strongly denied the 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. 14), the album become Richard's first studio album to amass four UK top twenty hits. During the 1970s, Richard took part in several television shows and fronted his own show It's Cliff Richard from 1970 to 1976. [55] The album itself reached No. [164], On 21 June 2016, the BBC apologised publicly to Richard for causing distress after the controversial broadcast. Richard's car was a write-off as another car swerved and braked hard. In February 2013 Cliff Richard confirmed to the He said: "I'm seeing Sue, the only girl I want to see at the moment and if marriage comes on the horizon, I shall relish it. O'Connor, John Kennedy. [162] Richard commented: "My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS's policy is to only say something general about there being 'insufficient' evidence. 1 singles, two of which were as a solo artist; "Mistletoe and Wine" and "Saviour's Day". The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Thursday there was . Caption: Cliff Richard (Source: Fabiosa) There are various stories about why the A-side was replaced by the intended B-side. "Sag 'no' Zu Ihm" ("Don't talk to him"), 1961: Royal Variety Club: Show Business Personality, 1974: Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Committee: Silver Clef: Outstanding Services to the Music Industry, 1977: The Songwriters' Guild of Great Britain: Golden Badge Award, 1980: National Pop And Rock Awards: Best Family Entertainer, 1989: The Lifetime Achievement Diamond Award (Antwerp), 1995: The formal investiture of Richard as, 1998: Dutch Edison: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2000: South Bank Awards: Outstanding Achievement Award, 2004: Ultimate Pop Star (No. [43] At the same time, he received, from the Queen, the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to music and charity.[44]. 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. In reviewing the new album in Melody Maker, Geoff Brown heralded it the renaissance of Richard. 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. khiry abdulsamad wife, andale high school football coach,