![]() ![]() In this latter film, probably his best known appearance in the movies, he co-starred with Petula Clark and Fred Astaire. On film, he recreated his London and Broadway stage role in Half A Sixpence, and played character roles in The Happiest Millionaire and Finian's Rainbow, although many critics found his personality to be somewhat overwhelming on screen. In the West End he appeared in the title role of Hans Christian Andersen. With Petula Clark in Finian's RainbowThe increase in home-grown musical talent during the 1960s allowed Steele to progress to a career in stage and film musicals, leaving behind his pop idol identity. Singing the Blues/ Come On, Let’s Go (Old Gold 1985) Half A Sixpence/ If the Rain’s Got to Fall (Safari 1984) ![]() King’s New Clothes/ Wonderful Copenhagen (Pye 1974) Half A Sixpence/ If the Rain’s Got to Fall (RCA 1965)įortuosity/ I’m a Brass Band (Vista 1967) Where Have All the Flowers Gone?/ Butter Wouldn’t Melt in Your Mouth (Decca 1963)įlash Bang Wallop/ She’s Too Far Above Me (Decca 1963)Įgg and Chips/ The Dream Maker (Columbia 1963) Hit Record/ What A Little Darling (Decca 1962) Writing on the Wall/ Drunken Guitar - UK charts no.30. My Big Best Shoes/ The Dit Dit Song (Decca 1961) Happy Go Lucky Blues/ Girl with the Long Black Hair (Decca 1960) Tallahassee Lassie/ Give, Give, Give - UK. UK charts no.10 (Decca 1958)Ī Lovely Night/ Marriage Type Love (Decca 1958) It’s All Happening/ What Do You Do? (Decca 1958 )Ĭome On, Let’s Go/ Put a Ring on Her Finger. Only Man on the Island/ I Puts the Lightie On. Happy Guitar/ Princess - UK charts no.20 (Decca 1958) Hey You!/ Plant A Kiss - UK charts no.28 (Decca 1957) Shiralee/ Grandad’s Rock - UK charts no.11 (Decca 1957) UK charts no.15 (Decca 1957)īutterfingers/ Cannibal Pot - UK charts no. Singing The Blues/ Rebel Rock - UK charts no. Rock With the Caveman/ Rock Around the Town - UK charts no.13 (Decca 1956)ĭoomsday Rock/ Elevator Rock (Decca 1956) 1 with "Singing the Blues" on 7/12/56 and Tommy Steele on 14/12/56. Although Steele never proved a serious threat to Elvis's popularity in the UK, he did admirably well on the 1950s British pop charts and "Singing the Blues" got to Number 1. Most of Steele's 1950s recordings were covers of American hits, such as "Singin' the Blues" and "Knee Deep in the Blues". Steele and other British singers would pick known hits from the United States, record their cover versions of these songs and release them in the UK before the American versions could enter the charts. Steele shot quickly to fame in the UK as the frontman for a skiffle band, The Steelmen. Parnes is widely credited with creating the stage name 'Tommy Steele.' He was discovered by manager Larry Parnes, who believed Steele could be Britain's answer to Elvis Presley. While on leave or during Dock strikes, he played guitar and banjo and sang in The 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho, both as a solo performer and with Wally Whyton's Vipers Skiffle Group. Like many singers of his era he never did National Service, having failed the medical examination because, at 18 years old, he was diagnosed as suffering with Cardiomyopathy. Born Thomas Willam Hicks in Mason Street Bermondsey, London, his cheeky Cockney image and boy-next-door looks won him success as a musician, singer and actor.īefore landing a singing career, Steele tried his hand at a number of odd jobs and had a brief spell as a merchant seaman. Steele is widely regarded as Britain's first pop idol. Tommy Steele OBE (born Decemin London, England) is an English entertainer. ![]()
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