When he was fourteen years old the school drama society produced Wind in the Williows. Harry was given the part of Ratty. This called for him to sing a couple of simple songs, and it was after the performance that his English teacher came up to him and said that he had a nice voice and 'had he thought of taking up singing?'
Infact he had, endlessly. he had been passionately interested in pop music - especially the new Elvis beat style. Once he had looked at a picture of Elvis receiving some show-business award and had remarked to his friends, 'I'll do that one day'. One significant step in the growth of the ambition was the day he went to see a stage show by Bill Haley and the Comets. Harry and a few of his friends even got to the extend of skipping school just to attend the show. Harry would never forget that special night. That was the night he and his friends were overwhelmed with excitement. The electrifying performance and the fantastic acceptance of the teen-agers convinced him to pursue an ambition in singing.
The first group he had joined had been called the 'Quintones", they became quite popular at school concerts and other local events, with Harry contributing the occasional solo. The second group he was in was called the Dick Teague Skiffle Group. At sixteen he began to take the rostrum at weddings, children's parties, twenty-first brithdays, badminton club suppers and the like. And it was then he learned to play the guitar. Later he was offered an audition (his first ever). He mastered enough expertise to qualify as a singer at last.
Together with Terry, Norman and Ian Samwell, they acquired a new name - The Drifters. One night when they were playing at the music room of the Five Horseshoes a man by the name of Johnny Foster came up to them and offered to be their manager. He turned out to be a determined and persuasive person and things began to change for the better. Following Johnny Foster's suggestion, Harry changed his name to 'Cliff Richard'.
His early records include 'Schoolboy Crush' & 'Move It'. It was the tour, 'Move It and 'Oh Boy!' that put Cliff and the the Drifters into the limelight. The next turning point in his career came with the making of the film Serious Charge. He sang 'Living Doll' which later became a big hit till this day. In 1959 the group changed their name to 'The Shadows'.
By mid-1961 his name had appeared in Top Twenty charts, he had earned two Golden Discs, for records selling over a million copies. Made three pictures, including The Young Ones, an outstanding British-made musical.
Though there were hundreds of rock 'n roll singers and groups in 1958, yet out of the ruck emerged this one young man to survive a series of changes in public taste and to be still one of the most popular and highest-paid entertainers in the land. For him, success meant endless practice, driving enthusiasm, and hour upon hour of financially ill-rewarded grind in dance halls and bars, denying oneself all sorts of minor luxuries in order to finance a chosen career. His upbringing equipped with superbly for coping with the fickle world of pop music.
The result is that Cliff has always been known as 'the modest star'. He is completely unspoilt and natural, and takes success and praise in his stride.
His voice
Truly, where Cliff is concerned, his three vital qualities are his voice, his looks
and his personality. Cliff's voice is light baritone to tenor in pitch, comfortable
in the octave below middle E. In effect he has two voice. His 'ballad" voice
is soft and confidential, lingering over certain phrases and employing an occasional
glissando with great effect.
On the other hand, his 'beat' voice is full-throated, exciting and spontaneous.
Like great jazz singer, he appears to improvise runs and inserts ejaculations
and shouts in response to the music itself. There is also a quality of clarity about
his voice, you can actually follow the lyrics, and it retains today a remarkable youthful
quality of tone.
His Looks
Cliff's looks have been the subject of female admiration. He is, of course, extremely good
looking, in a dark, boyish way. His eyes are alert and expressive. His natural ease of movement
which is a trememdous asset on stage.
His Personality
Yet when all is said and done it is 'personality' that makes a star, those
distinct characteristics and qualities of humanity which are his alone. His confidence and
ease of manner, his ability to relate to people. Cliff on stage is able to establish a rapport
with the audience-whatever their age or background.
Sir Cliff Richard has certainly found success. He has more money than he could spend. He was not morose, or depressed, or desperate, by any means. Yet he knew that there was something missing, and the search for that something brought him to God. Life for the genuine Christian has direction. What more natural, then, that real fulfilment should be discovered, not in a philosophy or theory, but in living relationship with Jesus Christ.
As we are amazed and still smittened by his songs, here are the following links for die-hard fans out there.
The Hit List
Song Lyrics
Controversial album - Heathcliff
His movies
Links
Sign my Guest Book here
Learn more of
Cliff here
A message from Cliff
Go to the
Music Store
Chesterhopkins - A store where you can find
Cliff's stuff
Get your latest news on
Cliff Give Cliff a
KISS
More Lyrics
Nice Past & Present Photographs
Information compiled from Mr. David Winter, a former school teacher,
is a journalist and close friend of Sir Cliff Richard.
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