Biography "In 1963, Cilla Black turned professional as a singer and since then she has triumphed in the mediums of pop, comedy & television..."
As a
singer Cilla has released 15 studio albums and during the 1960s and 70s charted an impressive 19 singles in the UK 'Top 40' charts. Over the last 5 decades she has also established herself as the first lady of
British television with countless hit shows to her name
such as the variety-entertainment series "Cilla" (1968-76),
sitcom "Cilla's Comedy Six" (1975), people show "Surprise!,
Surprise!" (1984-2002) and dating game "Blind Date" (1985-2003).
Born Priscilla Maria Veronica
White, on the 27th May 1943, she grew up in a very musically
oriented household in one of the toughest parts of Liverpool.
Living with her parents and three brothers she was often
encouraged to practice her innate singing talent by performing
to the rest of her family.
During her late teens a sheer drive to become famous made her
adamant that she would not be labelled as just another girl
"suitable for office work". Understandably, she wanted more from
life and could regularly be found escaping to the trendy haunts
of the Cavern club where she'd hang coats earning five bob an
hour. Perfectly placed amongst the up-and-coming stars of the
day she wowed them with her singing and confidently convinced
the powers that be to let her share the spotlight on stage! She
also served coffee at the Zodiac (Duke Street) another clubbers'
haven, where, incidentally, she met her husband to be, Bobby
Willis.
Thanks to a lot of support from her friends she quickly became a
mini-celebrity in her own neighbourhood, performing alongside so
many legendary acts that were fundamental in establishing the
Mersey Sound, such as The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The
Fourmost and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
Then, due to a twist of fate, Priscilla, known to friends as
Cilla, almost overnight received a new stage name, when the
music paper the "Mersey Beat" misprinted it. So, as if by magic,
she became Cilla Black, a name that she favoured and happily
kept.
It wasn't long until Cilla came to the attention of Brian
Epstein, a local talent scout and manager of The Beatles.
Epstein was introduced to her by none other than John Lennon,
who persuaded him to arrange an audition at The Majestic
Ballroom in Birkenhead. Unfortunately, the combination of nerves
and singing to The Beatles, who played in their key, made the
audition a flop. No matter, all was not lost, as to her surprise
she was later spotted by Epstein while singing "Bye, Bye
Blackbird" in the jazzy surroundings of the Blue Angel club.
This performance finally convinced him to sign her, so on the
6th September 1963, she became his only female vocalist!
There was an immediate bond between Cilla and Epstein. From the
moment he met his starlet he wanted to nurture the 'Judy
Garland' qualities he believed she possessed, having high
aspirations of creating a British icon who, in his prophetic
words, would be "...one of the biggest stars in this country for
thirty or forty years". His faith, combined with Cilla's talent,
effortlessly convinced George Martin, the renowned producer of
Matt Monro, Shirley Bassey and The Beatles, that she was worthy
of signing to Parlophone Records (a subsidiary label of the EMI
Group).
Shortly afterwards, Cilla Black made her debut on the British
singles charts with one of the first of many songs given to her
by her peers John Lennon and Paul McCartney. "Love of the
Loved", a song she'd often heard The Beatles perform at the
Cavern, made a modest impression on the British charts when it
was released on the 27th September 1963.
This was soon to be overshadowed by her next release, which
Epstein discovered on a trip to the USA. "Anyone Who Had a
Heart", a song by Burt Bacharach, had already proved to be a
massive hit for Dionne Warwick which Cilla, as a keen follower
of the US Top 100, had already admired prior to it being
suggested. Her knockout rendition recorded in January 1964 went
on to become not only her first 1 but still, to this day, the
biggest selling single of all time by a British female recording
artist.
As luck would have it, George Martin then acquired the perfect
follow up, an Italian ballad, "Il Mio Mondo", which he had
translated - becoming, "You're My World". This epic "torch" song
went on to become her second 1, paving the way for an influx of
other Italian songs such as Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have
To Say You Love Me". Furthermore, it broke her into the tough US
market as well as gaining her massive support across Europe and
Australasia, culminating in hundreds of sell-out concert dates
throughout her time at EMI (1963-78).
During the sixties Cilla managed to sustain her place at the
forefront of the Brit-Pop music scene, with one of the most
impressive starts for a British female recording artist,
including 20 consecutive Top 40 triumphs on the singles and EP
charts. To place this unprecedented success into perspective, it
happened during a decade when achieving a Top 20 single meant
that you had to sell 100,000 copies a day in the UK alone!
By August 1967, only days before his premature death, Epstein
had engineered Cilla's switch to television. It proved to be a
shrewd move as, through her own variety show for the BBC, she
regularly commanded a staggering audience of 22 million. This
popularity has continued over
subsequent decades with in more recent years shows such as "Surprise!,
Surprise!" (1984-2002) and "Blind Date" (1985-2003) having established her as the first lady of British television attaining her
record breaking viewing figures and many industry awards.
Cilla may nowadays be best known for her work on television but she ultimately
would like people to remember her for her singing as music remains her first love. It was therefore poignant that on her 40th showbiz year (2003) her
original record label EMI released a definitive 80-track set "The Best of 1963-78" and re-signed her to record her
15th studio album "Beginnings". Cilla also that year published her very
revealing autobiography "What's It All
About?" which became a 'Top 5' British best-seller.
Hi Cilla Just heard the news about the Liverpool panto. i wish you all the success in the show. I know you will rock as always. will be there to support you. Love Chris xx
Thank you! Burt Baccharach couldn't find a better singer for "Alfie", your voice is unique! You made a great work and I wish you the best to come. Love. NatK
thanks for the add i soooooo love la la la lu also Baby we cant go wrong,Like a song.....need i go on .....dreamy vocals have a listen people ....La La La Lu WE LOVE YOU !!!
You’re fab, Cilla! Your voice is great, and I loved your TV shows! I wish they would release the Cilla shows from the 60s on DVD. I remember seeing one when it was your 30th anniversary in show business; it was brilliant, but I haven’t seen one since then and of course, I wasn’t around in the 60s, sadly. You should do some more concerts … I see you have 608 fans, on here alone, and that number is going up and up, so if everyone on here came to watch your concert, which I’m sure they would, you would be half way to filling a stadium. You should do a new album for your 45th anniversary … Record Walk on By - to my knowledge you haven’t recorded it yet, it would sound great! Everyone loves ya! All the best, love!
Thanks for add. I was a fan club member in the 70s, and remember those pink scented newsletters! Your recordings thrill me as much today as they did back then. My all time favourite voice. Think when I saw you in my home city of Edinburgh it was on your 40th birthday, or likely the day after. I seem to recall you mentioning having a hangover! And thanks for the kiss in the lobby of the Caledonian Hotel!
WELL HELLO Cilla, and thank you so very much for accepting my request to join me here in myspace page, I love all your songs, always have done, HECK, I used to sing them when I was in a band many years ago,but even now when I hear a song of your being played I just have to sing along with you, your a wonderful Lady,hope all is well for you, and that your enjoying a wonderful day, hope we can stay in touch, but for now you take care and stay safe, be well, and God bless you always hugs Lady Carol, [x][x][x][x][x]
Hello, Miss Black. Thanks for the add. YOU ROCK! Thankyou for all the hours of pleasure you've given me over the years. Good luck and best wishes from Australia. :) M xx
