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Billy Fury was one of the UK's most underestimated performers. People that knew him well claim that Billy was a naturally quiet introvert who took on a completely different personality when he walked on stage. Although he has usually been portrayed as a rock and roller because of his beginnings, and his association with Larry Parnes, Billy Fury was an exceptional ballad singer. His soft style exuded a sexuality which even managed to find its way on to his vinyl and can be traced on many of his best recordings- like 'Halfway To Paradise' and 'Jealousy'. Ronald Wycherley's professional singing career began after a brief audition for Parnes who immediately signed up the youngster and renamed him. Billy had brought his own songs to the audition- unusual for the time- and used one of these for his first single. Larry Parnes was very aware of how valuable Billy was to his 'stable' and made sure that he was always backed by competent musicians. These included the 'Blue Flames' (with pianist Georgie Fame), and the 'Tornados' who became famous for the Joe Meek instrumental 'Telstar'. |
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The EP displayed here is probably Billy's most successful. Unlike many of his others it contains none of his hits. The songs on it were taken from the 1962 movie "Play It Cool", of which Billy was the star. However, the title track has Billy Fury in superb rocking form and would doubtless have been a best seller had it been issued as a single. |
| Billy Fury was Decca's most charted recording star of the 1960s and only three of the 45 rpm singles that he recorded with Decca failed to reach the chart, although he never actually got a #1. However, he was unable to repeat this success with EMI; none of his Parlophone releases succeeded although they were of good quality. Unfortunately, Billy Fury was plagued by poor health- the result of a childhood illness that left him with a weakened heart. He was given major heart surgery in 1971 and his career slowed down during that decade and even included a couple of 'retirements'. Sadly, Billy Fury suffered a fatal heart attack during 1983 and Britain lost one of its most original and talented performers who would otherwise surely have gone on to further musical success. | |
