David Whitfield
David Whitfield | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England | 2 February 1925
Origin | England |
Died | 15 January 1980 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | (aged 54)
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1952–1980 |
Labels | Decca Records |
David Whitfield (2 February 1925 – 15 January 1980)[1] was a popular British male tenor vocalist from Hull. He became the first British artist to have a UK No.1 single in the UK and in the United States with "Cara Mia", featuring Mantovani and his orchestra.[2] He died from a brain haemorrhage in Sydney, Australia, while on tour at the age of 54.
Life and career
Whitfield was born in
His first
.Whitfield had other
All of his hits were released by the
His most popular recordings were:
- "Answer Me" – his first UK chart topper.
- "UK Singles Chart.
- "My September Love".
- "I'll Find You" – the theme music to the 1957 film, Sea Wife,[10] starring Joan Collins and Richard Burton.
- "William Tell" – the theme music to the TV series, The Adventures of William Tell.
"Cara Mia" spent ten weeks at the pole position in the UK, making it one of the biggest selling British records in the pre-rock days. That recording co-credits Mantovani and his Orchestra and Chorus. Whitfield appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and the 1954 Royal Command Performance.[1] He continued to perform regularly across the globe, while living in Hull in the UK.
Many of his singles were issued on LP and have been reissued in recent years on CD compilations under licence. There were three 45rpm
He died from a
A statue in the memory of Whitfield was unveiled outside of the New Theatre in Hull on 31 August 2012, before the opening night of a show celebrating the life and music of Whitfield.
Discography
See also
- Early British popular music
- List of artists under the Decca Records label
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
References
- ^ a b c d e "David Whitfield | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Hull Daily Mail". Hull Daily Mail: 6. 28 April 1950.
- ^ "Hull Daily Mail". Hull Daily Mail: 4. 20 May 1950.
- ^ "The Stage". The Stage: 5. 15 June 1950.
- ^ "The Stage". The Stage: 3. 22 January 1953.
- ^ "Portsmouth Evening News". Portsmouth Evening News: 11. 8 May 1953.
- ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 17. CN 5585.
- ^ "Sea Wife (1957)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ISBN 0-85112-250-7.