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Cliff Richard

Sir Cliff Richard OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is a British singer and actor. He has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the United Kingdom and, as of 2012, was the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley.[4]

For the Brazilian comic book artist, see Cliff Richards. For the Welsh rugby union player, see Cliff Richards (rugby player).


Cliff Richard

Harry Rodger Webb

(1940-10-14) 14 October 1940[1]

  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor

1958–present

London, England

Richard was originally marketed as a rebellious rock and roll singer in the style of Presley and Little Richard.[5] With his backing group, the Shadows, he dominated the British popular music scene in the pre-Beatles period of the late 1950s to early 1960s.[6] His 1958 hit single "Move It" is often described as Britain's first authentic rock and roll song. In the early 1960s, he had a successful screen career with films including The Young Ones, Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life and his own television show at the BBC. Increased focus on his Christian faith and subsequent softening of his music led to a more middle-of-the-road image, and he sometimes ventured into contemporary Christian music.


In a career spanning over 65 years,[7] Richard has amassed several gold and platinum discs and awards, including two Ivor Novello Awards and three Brit Awards. More than 130 of his singles, albums, and EPs have reached the UK Top 20, more than any other artist.[8] Richard has had 67 UK top ten singles, the second highest total for an artist (behind Presley).[9] He holds the record, with Presley, as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its first six decades (1950s–2000s). He has achieved 14 UK No. 1 singles,[10] and is the only singer to have had a No. 1 single in the UK in each of five consecutive decades.[11] He also had four UK Christmas No. 1 singles, two of which were as a solo artist; "Mistletoe and Wine" and "Saviour's Day".


By the late-1990s, Richard had sold more than 250 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.[12] He has never achieved the same popularity in the United States despite eight US Top 40 singles, including the million-selling "Devil Woman" and "We Don't Talk Anymore". In Canada, he had a successful period in the early 1960s, the late 1970s and early 1980s, with some releases certified gold and platinum.[13] He has remained a popular music, film, and television personality at home in the UK as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Northern Europe and Asia, and retains a following in other countries. When not touring, he divides his time between Barbados and Portugal.[14] In 2019, he relocated to New York.[15]

Biography

1940–1958: Childhood and adolescence

Cliff Richard was born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940 at King George's Hospital (now King George's Medical University), Victoria Street, in Lucknow, which was then part of British India. His parents were Rodger Oscar Webb, a manager for a catering contractor that serviced the Indian Railways, and the former Dorothy Marie Dazely. His parents also spent some years in Howrah, West Bengal. After the violence of Direct Action Day, they decided to relocate to Britain permanently.[16] Richard is primarily of English heritage, but he had one great-grandmother who was of half Welsh and half Spanish descent, born of a Spanish great-great-grandmother named Emiline Joseph Rebeiro.[17]


The Webb family lived in a modest home in Maqbara, near the main shopping centre of Hazratganj.[18] Dorothy's mother served as the dormitory matron at the La Martiniere Girls' School. Richard had three sisters, Joan and Jacqui, plus Donna (1942–2016).[19][20]


In 1948, following Indian independence, the family embarked on a three-week sea voyage to Tilbury, Essex, England aboard the SS Ranchi. The Webbs moved from comparative wealth in India, where they lived in a company-supplied flat at Howrah near Calcutta, to a semi-detached house in Carshalton, north Surrey. Harry Webb attended a local primary school, Stanley Park Juniors, in Carshalton. In 1949, his father obtained employment in the credit control office of Thorn Electrical Industries and the family moved in with other relatives in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, where he attended Kings Road Junior Mixed Infants School, until a three-bedroom council house in nearby Cheshunt was allocated to them in 1950, at 12 Hargreaves Close.


He then attended Cheshunt Secondary Modern School from 1952 to 1957. (The school was later renamed Riversmead School before being rebuilt and renamed Bishopslea School.) As a member of the top stream, he stayed on beyond the minimum leaving age to take GCE Ordinary Level examinations and gained a pass in English literature. He then started work as a filing clerk for Atlas Lamps.[21] A development of retirement flats, Cliff Richard Court, has been named after him in Cheshunt.[22]


Harry Webb became interested in skiffle. When he was 16, his father bought him a guitar, and in 1957, he formed the school vocal harmony group The Quintones,[23] before singing in the Dick Teague Skiffle Group.[24]

Criticism of the music industry and commercial support

Richard has openly complained about the lack of commercial support he receives from radio stations and record labels. He spoke about this on The Alan Titchmarsh Show on ITV in December 2007, pointing out that while new bands needed airplay for promotion and sales, long-established artists such as himself also relied upon airplay for the same reasons. He also noted that 1980s radio stations did play his records and that this went some way to help sales and maintain his media presence. In the BBC Radio 2 documentary Cliff – Take Another Look, he pointed out that many documentaries charting the history of British music (e.g. I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band!) fail to mention him (or the Shadows).[85]


In 1998, Chris Evans, the then breakfast show host on Virgin Radio, vowed he would never again play a record by Richard, stating that he was "too old".[86][87] In June 2004, British disc jockey Tony Blackburn was suspended from his radio job at Classic Gold Digital for playing records by Richard against station policy. The head of programmes, Paul Baker, sent an e-mail to Blackburn stating that Richard "doesn't match our brand values. He's not on the playlist, and you must stop playing him." On Blackburn's next morning breakfast show, he read a print-out of the e-mail live on air to the show's 400,000 listeners and went on to play two songs by Richard. Classic Gold managing director John Baish later confirmed Blackburn's suspension from the show.[88]


In 2011, digital station Absolute Radio '60s, dedicated to playing popular music from the 1960s, announced they would not be playing any of Richard's records because they said they did not fit "the cool sound... we're trying to create". DJ Pete Mitchell said: "Timeless acts of the decade that remain relevant today are the Beatles, the Stones, the Doors and the Who, not Sir Cliff." Richard responded to this by saying: "They're lying to themselves, and more importantly they're lying to the public."[89]


Richard has spoken of his irritation about other stars who are praised after taking drugs.[90] In 2009, Richard said he was the "most radical rock-and-roll singer Britain has ever seen" as he did not indulge in drugs or sexual promiscuity.[91] Richard said he is proud that he never adopted the hedonistic lifestyle of a typical rock star. He said: "I've never wanted to trash a hotel room."[92]


Richard has criticised the music industry for encouraging artists to court controversy. In November 2013, he said: "The music industry has changed drastically and that damages young artists. This industry can be very destructive."[93] Richard expressed concern about the sexually explicit public image of singer Miley Cyrus, following controversy surrounding a semi-naked video for her song "Wrecking Ball".[93] In the 1970s, Richard said that he was disturbed by the visual imagery and mock horror of singer Alice Cooper.[94] In 1997, Richard said of the rock band Oasis: "It's just a shame that part of what gives them their kick is their self-destructive impulse."[95]


In an article for The Guardian in 2011, the journalist Sam Leith wrote of Richard's lack of commercial support among radio stations: "His uncompromising Christianity, his clean-living ways, and his connoisseurship of the fruits of his Portuguese winery have made him an object of incomprehension, even ridicule, for the uncultured, alcopop-drinking younger generation."[96] Also writing in The Guardian, John Robb opined that because Richard has rebelled against the drink and drugs culture of typical rock stars, this "rebelling against rebellion" has made Richard something of a countercultural icon.[97]


In December 2013, Richard said that he felt two of his singles, "Mistletoe and Wine" and "The Millennium Prayer", had created a negative reaction against him. He said: "Airplay is vital for single hits. The only way I can have a fair competition is if your records are on the radio. There is an ageism in the radio industry. If you ask me to record a new song, I'm not sure it would get the support it needs."[98]


Author and rock music critic Tony Parsons said: "If you don't like at least some Cliff Richard, then you don't like pop music".[99] Sting also defended Richard, stating: "Cliff Richard is in my opinion one of Britain's finest singers technically and emotionally."[100]

Property search, investigation and BBC litigation

In August 2014, Richard's apartment in Berkshire was searched after a complaint to the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree, which investigated sexual misconduct allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.[145] Richard was not arrested, and strongly denied the allegations.[146][147] The BBC was criticised for its coverage of the search.[148] The former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven, QC, criticised the police force for its "completely disreputable conduct" and said its action could make the warrant unlawful.[149] Richard pulled out of a visit to the US Open tennis championships, turned down the freedom of his adopted Portuguese home city of Albufeira, and cancelled a scheduled appearance at Canterbury Cathedral because he did not want the event to be "overshadowed by the false allegation".[150] He subsequently returned to the UK and voluntarily met with and was interviewed by members of South Yorkshire Police.[151] He was never arrested or criminally charged.[152] Subsequently, David Crompton, chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, was criticised for his interactions with the BBC, and publicly apologised to Richard.[153]


In February 2015, South Yorkshire Police announced that the inquiry into the alleged offences had increased, and would be continuing. Richard subsequently released a statement maintaining that the allegations were "absurd and untrue".[154][155][156] The development came a day after an independent report had concluded that South Yorkshire Police had "interfered with the singer's privacy" by telling the BBC about the August 2014 property search. A review by former chief constable Andy Trotter said South Yorkshire Police had breached police guidance on protecting the identity of those under investigation and the handling of the search had dented the force's reputation.[157] The BBC's tip-off regarding the search reportedly came from within Operation Yewtree, although Crompton said he could not be certain that the leak originated from there.[158]


In May 2016, South Yorkshire Police sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.[159] The following month, the CPS announced that after reviewing "evidence relating to claims of non-recent sexual offences dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men", there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Richard with an offence, and that no further action against him would be taken.[160][161] Richard said he was "obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close". But he said his naming by the media, despite not being charged, meant he had been "hung out like live bait".[161] South Yorkshire Police later "apologised wholeheartedly" to Richard after its investigation into the singer was dropped on 16 June 2016.[162] Richard commented: "My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS's policy is to only say something general about there being 'insufficient' evidence. How can there be evidence for something that never took place?"[163] It was subsequently reported that during the 22-month police investigation a man was arrested over a plot to blackmail Richard. The unnamed man in his forties contacted Richard's aides and threatened to spread "false stories" unless he received a sum of money.[164]


On 21 June 2016, the BBC apologised publicly to Richard for causing distress after the controversial broadcast.[165] On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the decision not to prosecute Richard over claims of historical sex offences had been upheld. The CPS reviewed the evidence following applications by two of his accusers,[166] and concluded that the decision not to charge Richard was correct.[167] In October 2016, it was reported that Richard was suing the BBC and South Yorkshire Police. Legal papers were filed at the High Court in London on 6 October 2016.[168] South Yorkshire Police later agreed to pay Richard £400,000 after settling a claim he brought against the force.[169]


On 12 April 2018, the case against the BBC opened in the High Court. It was reported that Richard was seeking "very substantial" damages.[170] On 13 April, Richard gave evidence for more than an hour, describing the television coverage as "shocking and upsetting".[171] His written statement was made available online by his lawyers, Simkins LLP.[172][173] On 18 July 2018, Richard won his High Court case against the BBC and was awarded £210,000 in damages.[174][175] On 15 August 2018, the BBC stated they would not appeal against the judgment. The BBC repeated an apology for the distress that Richard had been through.[176] The Guardian estimated that the BBC's costs for legal fees and damages had reached £1.9 million after losing the case.[176]

Cultural significance and impact

Cliff Richard's 1958 hit "Move It" is widely regarded as the first authentic British rock and roll record, and "laid the foundations" for the Beatles and Merseybeat music.[177] John Lennon reportedly said of Richard that before Cliff and the Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British music.[178][179] His successful performing and recording career in the UK has extended over six decades.[180]

2020: The Dreamer: An Autobiography

2023: A Head Full Of Music (scheduled release October 2023)

[185]

: music by the Shadows and Norrie Paramor

Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp

: music by the Shadows and Norrie Paramor

Cinderella

by Peter Shaffer

Five Finger Exercise

by Graham Greene

The Potting Shed

: music by Dave Clark

Time

: music by John Farrar and lyrics by Sir Tim Rice

Heathcliff

(pre-recorded) guest appearance as the Magic Mirror[186]

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

1977: Best British male solo artist

[51]

1982: Best British male solo artist

[51]

1989: Lifetime achievement: Outstanding contribution to music (excluded )[51]

the Shadows

Best selling music artists

List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards

Cliff – The Musical

(12 September 1975). The Cliff Richard Story. London, England: Futura Publications Limited. ISBN 978-0-86007-232-4.

Tremlett, George

Lewry, Peter; Goodall, Nigel (12 September 1991). Cliff Richard: The Complete Recording Sessions, 1958–90. London: Blandford Press.  978-0-7137-2242-0.

ISBN

Richard, Cliff (4 October 1990). Which One's Cliff?. London: Hodder & Stoughton.  978-0-340-27159-9.

ISBN

Richard, Cliff; Latham, Bill (1 September 1983). You, Me and Jesus. London: Hodder & Stoughton.  978-0340346280.

ISBN

(1 January 2008). Cliff Richard: The Biography. Oxford, England, UK: Lion Books. ISBN 978-0-7459-5279-6.

Turner, Steve

Turner, Steve (3 August 2009). Cliff Richard: The Bachelor Boy. London: Carlton Books Ltd.  978-1-84442-037-7.

ISBN

Read, Mike (8 September 1983). The Story of the Shadows. London: Elm Tree books.  978-0-241-10861-1.

ISBN

Frame, Pete (1 December 1993). The Complete Rock Family Rock Trees. London: Omnibus.  978-0-7119-6879-0.

ISBN

Roberts, David (17 June 2006). Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles and Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited.  978-1-904994-10-7.

ISBN

Warwick, Neil; Kutner, Jon; Brown, Tony (10 April 2004). The Complete Book of the British Charts (3rd ed.). London: Music Sales Ltd.  978-1-84449-058-5.

ISBN

Nicolson, Dave (30 April 2011). Jet Harris: In Spite of Everything. , UK: Music Mentor Books. ISBN 978-0-9562679-0-0.

York

Official website

on film – British Film Institute database

Cliff Richard

discography at Discogs

Cliff Richard

at IMDb

Cliff Richard

at the National Portrait Gallery, London

Portraits of Sir Cliff Richard

collection of scrapbooks, held by the Victoria and Albert Museum Theatre and Performance Department.

Cliff Richard

– site listing his tracks

Cliff Richard Songs