Ricky Valance
Encyclopedia
Ricky Valance is a Welsh
singer. He is best known for the number one single
, "Tell Laura I Love Her
", which sold over a million copies in 1960.
, Monmouthshire
, near Wattsville
, South Wales
, he is the eldest of seven children. After leaving school he held various jobs, before electing to join the RAF
at the age of 17.
After being discharged
, he decided to try to pursue a career in singing. After performing in local clubs
for a couple of years, Valance was discovered by an A&R
representative from EMI
, placed with the record producer
Norrie Paramor
and signed to EMI's Columbia
label. At the first recording
session, Valance was given the chance to cover
Ray Peterson
's American
hit
, "Tell Laura I Love Her". He was rewarded with a number 1 hit in September 1960, thanks to airplay on Radio Luxembourg
. The Guinness Book of Hit Singles stated that his name was changed to Ricky Valance to remind fans
of Ritchie Valens
, who had died with Buddy Holly
and The Big Bopper
in the Iowa
snow a year and a half earlier. However, this information is incorrect, and the author who wrote the listing for the GBHS did not do research into his submission, nor contact Valance directly about the connection. Valance chose the name himself, after hearing a racehorse trainer's name, and there is no connection to any other artist.
At the launch party of the 20th edition of The Guinness Book of Hit Singles, Valance confronted David Roberts about this matter, but it has yet to be changed in future editions.
He bucked the trend prevailing at the time by the BBC
to almost automatically deny airplay to teen death rock songs like "Tell Laura I Love Her." Mark Dinning
's "Teen Angel
" had already sunk without a trace, whilst other American
death rock records were simply never released in the United Kingdom
.
's original version of "Tell Laura I Love Her" was considered for release in the United Kingdom
. Thousands of copies were pressed but someone at Decca Records
decided that the song was in "bad taste", and the records were ordered to be destroyed. EMI subsequently arranged for Valance to cover the song, which was co-written by Jeff Barry
. Valance thus became the first Welshman
to reach the top spot - Shirley Bassey
being the first Welsh person.
After topping the UK Singles Chart, Valance appeared in the 1961 A Song For Europe competition, hoping to represent the UK in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest
. His song, "Why Can't We?", placed third out of the nine entries; the winner was "Are You Sure?" performed by The Allisons.
He released several more singles, including "Movin' Away", "Jimmy's Girl" and "Six Boys", but none of them were UK hits. However, over 100,000 copies sold of "Jimmy´s Girl", and "Moving Away" made it to number one in Australia and Scandinavia, with 150,000 copies sold. Valance changed to a career on the cabaret
and nostalgia circuit. Following a bout of severe depression and a nervous breakdown
, Valance became a born-again Christian.
In being unable to replicate his initial UK Chart chart
success, he thus remains a one-hit wonder
.
Valance now lives in Cabo Roig on the outskirts of Torrevieja
on the Costa Blanca
in Spain
, where he still performs on a regular basis. He also has a home in Risca
in Wales.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
singer. He is best known for the number one single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Tell Laura I Love Her
Tell Laura I Love Her
"Tell Laura I Love Her," a teenage tragedy song written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh, was an American Top Ten popular music hit for singer Ray Peterson in 1960 on RCA Victor Records, reaching #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart...
", which sold over a million copies in 1960.
Life and career
Born David Spencer in YnysdduYnysddu
Ynysddu is a small village in the Sirhowy valley of south-east Wales. It is part of the district of Caerphilly within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It is next to Cwmfelinfach, 4.3 miles north of the town of Risca and 4 miles south of the market town of Blackwood, about 10 minutes by...
, Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
, near Wattsville
Wattsville
Wattsville is a small South Wales Valleys village in the Sirhowy valley, 8 miles north west of Newport, the county capital, in south-east Wales, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire.- Amenities :...
, South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
, he is the eldest of seven children. After leaving school he held various jobs, before electing to join the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
at the age of 17.
After being discharged
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
, he decided to try to pursue a career in singing. After performing in local clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
for a couple of years, Valance was discovered by an A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
representative from EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, placed with the record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Norrie Paramor
Norrie Paramor
Norrie Paramor was a British record producer, composer, arranger, and orchestral conductor.Although the term "producer" was not in circulation at the time Paramor started producing records , he effectively began this role in 1952 when he became Recording Director for EMI's Columbia...
and signed to EMI's Columbia
Columbia Graphophone Company
The Columbia Graphophone Company was one of the earliest gramophone companies in the United Kingdom. Under EMI, as Columbia Records, it became a very successful label in the 1950s and 1960s...
label. At the first recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
session, Valance was given the chance to cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
Ray Peterson
Ray Peterson
Ray Peterson was an American pop music singer who was best remembered for singing "Tell Laura I Love Her" and "Corrine, Corrina" in the 1960s.-Career:...
's American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
, "Tell Laura I Love Her". He was rewarded with a number 1 hit in September 1960, thanks to airplay on Radio Luxembourg
Radio Luxembourg (English)
Radio Luxembourg is a commercial broadcaster in many languages from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is nowadays known in most non-English languages as RTL ....
. The Guinness Book of Hit Singles stated that his name was changed to Ricky Valance to remind fans
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
of Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist....
, who had died with Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
and The Big Bopper
The Big Bopper
Jiles Perry "J. P." Richardson, Jr. also commonly known as The Big Bopper, was an American disc jockey, singer, and songwriter whose big voice and exuberant personality made him an early rock and roll star...
in the Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
snow a year and a half earlier. However, this information is incorrect, and the author who wrote the listing for the GBHS did not do research into his submission, nor contact Valance directly about the connection. Valance chose the name himself, after hearing a racehorse trainer's name, and there is no connection to any other artist.
At the launch party of the 20th edition of The Guinness Book of Hit Singles, Valance confronted David Roberts about this matter, but it has yet to be changed in future editions.
He bucked the trend prevailing at the time by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to almost automatically deny airplay to teen death rock songs like "Tell Laura I Love Her." Mark Dinning
Mark Dinning
Max Edward Dinning was an American pop music singer. In February 1960, the song "Teen Angel", written by his sister Jean and her husband Red Surrey, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Charts...
's "Teen Angel
Teen Angel (song)
"Teen Angel" is a teenage tragedy song written by Jean Dinning and her husband, Red Surrey, and performed by both Jean's brother, Mark Dinning, and Alex Murray in 1959....
" had already sunk without a trace, whilst other American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
death rock records were simply never released in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
First Welshman at number one
Ray PetersonRay Peterson
Ray Peterson was an American pop music singer who was best remembered for singing "Tell Laura I Love Her" and "Corrine, Corrina" in the 1960s.-Career:...
's original version of "Tell Laura I Love Her" was considered for release in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Thousands of copies were pressed but someone at Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
decided that the song was in "bad taste", and the records were ordered to be destroyed. EMI subsequently arranged for Valance to cover the song, which was co-written by Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
. Valance thus became the first Welshman
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
to reach the top spot - Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
being the first Welsh person.
After topping the UK Singles Chart, Valance appeared in the 1961 A Song For Europe competition, hoping to represent the UK in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1961
The United Kingdom held a national preselection to choose the song that would go to the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest. It was held on February 15, 1961 and presented by Katie Boyle. The songs were voted on by a total of 120 jurors aged between 19 and 40...
. His song, "Why Can't We?", placed third out of the nine entries; the winner was "Are You Sure?" performed by The Allisons.
He released several more singles, including "Movin' Away", "Jimmy's Girl" and "Six Boys", but none of them were UK hits. However, over 100,000 copies sold of "Jimmy´s Girl", and "Moving Away" made it to number one in Australia and Scandinavia, with 150,000 copies sold. Valance changed to a career on the cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
and nostalgia circuit. Following a bout of severe depression and a nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
, Valance became a born-again Christian.
In being unable to replicate his initial UK Chart chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
success, he thus remains a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonders in the UK
This is a list of artists who have achieved one #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart and no other entry whatsoever on the chart. The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles uses this definition of "one-hit wonder", which is a controversial term with various other proposed definitions.-Methodology:A hit is...
.
Valance now lives in Cabo Roig on the outskirts of Torrevieja
Torrevieja
Torrevieja is a seaside city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, in south-eastern Spain.Torrevieja lies about 30 miles south of the city of Alicante and has a population of 104,000...
on the Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca refers to the over 200 kilometres of coastline belonging to the province of Alicante in Spain. The name "Costa Blanca" was devised as a promotional name used by BEA when they launched their air service between London and Valencia in 1957. It has a well-developed tourism industry...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where he still performs on a regular basis. He also has a home in Risca
Risca
Risca is a town of approximately 11,500 people in South Wales, within the Caerphilly County Borough and the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It is today part of the Newport conurbation , though it is not a Ward of Newport City Council...
in Wales.
Columbia
- DB4493 - "Tell Laura I Love HerTell Laura I Love Her"Tell Laura I Love Her," a teenage tragedy song written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh, was an American Top Ten popular music hit for singer Ray Peterson in 1960 on RCA Victor Records, reaching #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" / "Once Upon a Time" (1960) - DB4543 - "Movin' Away" / "Lipstick on Your Lips" (1960)
- DB4586 - "Jimmy's Girl" / "Only the Young" (1961)
- DB4592 - "Why Can't We" / "Fisherboy" (1961)
- DB4680 - "Bobby" / "I Want to Fall in Love" (1961)
- DB4725 - "I Never Had a Chance" / "It's Not True" (1961)
- DB4787 - "Try to Forget Her" / "At Times Like These" (1962)
- DB4864 - "Don't Play No.9" / "Till the Final Curtain Falls" (1962)
See also
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
- List of Eurovision: Your Decision contestants