Ronnie Hilton
Encyclopedia
Ronnie Hilton was an English
singer and radio presenter
. According to his obituary
in The Guardian
newspaper
, "Hilton was one of those 1950s vocalists whose career coincided with rock and roll
's 1956 onslaught on the ballad
dominated hit parade
. But for a time Hilton was a star
- strictly for home consumption - with nine Top 20 hits
between 1954 and 1957, that transitional era between 78 and 45rpm records
. A quarter of a century later he became the voice of BBC Radio 2
's 'Sounds of the Fifties
' series".
, East Riding of Yorkshire
, Hilton left school at 14 and worked in an aircraft
factory at the beginning of the Second World War
, before being called up into the Highland Light Infantry
. Following demobilisation
in 1947, he became a fitter
in a Leeds
sewing plant.
. He composed, sang and recorded several anthems as tribute to the football club he loved.
He came to fame by supplying smoothly delivered cover version
s, of popular American
song
s during the 1950s. His most enduring recordings
were "No Other Love
"; and his very last chart
entry in 1965 which took him away from the romantic ballads of his earlier years - "Windmill in Old Amsterdam" - which eventually sold a million, and became a fixture across decades of Children's Favourites
. Hilton was a favourite 1950s balladeer in the UK
. Despite the prominence of rock and roll
in his recording career, he amassed a formidable array of best-sellers in the UK Singles Chart
, albeit mainly with cover versions of U.S. hit
records
. It must be pointed out that this was common practice at the time, and many British
recording artistes
followed this trend. His chart single
recording
career alone spanned from 1954 to 1965, which flew in the face of the rapidly changing trends of pop music
.
Nevertheless, Hilton's light operatic style, similar to fellow Hullensian
, David Whitfield
, was already by the mid 1950s being overtaken by events. By the time "No Other Love" dropped off the UK Singles Chart, Elvis Presley
had clocked up his first three UK hit singles. Hilton also performed in three Royal Variety Performance
s. He also took part in the inaugural A Song For Europe contest in 1957, failing in his attempt to be the UK's first representative in the Eurovision Song Contest
.
Hilton kept on performing well into the 1960s, in summer seasons and Christmas shows, but knew that his number was up. In 1967 he released a single with covers of "If I Were a Rich Man
" and "The Laughing Gnome
" on the A-side
and B-side respectively. It did not chart
. He appeared as a guest on the BBC's Morecambe & Wise Show
in June 1971. Hilton suffered a stroke
in 1976, which hindered his progress for a time. He also encountered financial problems. Following his recovery, he presented 'Sounds of the Fifties' a nostalgic radio series for BBC Radio 2
. The British Academy of Song Composers and Authors honoured him with its gold medal for services to popular music
in 1989. He died in Hailsham
, East Sussex
from another stroke, aged 75.
musical
, "Me and Juliet
" written in 1953, Ronnie Hilton took the hit tune "No Other Love", and scored his one and only UK Number One hit in 1956.
2. In securing the Number One, Hilton fought off competition from the UK
based Canadian Edmund Hockridge
, and from The Johnston Brothers
. Oddly, no American
versions of "No Other Love" reached the UK Singles Chart at the time. Perry Como
had been very successful with the song in America
, but his version was released much earlier in 1953, when "Me and Juliet" first opened on Broadway
.
3. There is a link between Elvis Presley
and Ronnie Hilton. Hilton's last chart hit for almost five years, in 1959, was "The Wonder of You
"; the same song that Presley topped the UK chart with in 1970.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer and radio presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
. According to his obituary
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, "Hilton was one of those 1950s vocalists whose career coincided with rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
's 1956 onslaught on the ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
dominated hit parade
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. But for a time Hilton was a star
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
- strictly for home consumption - with nine Top 20 hits
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...
between 1954 and 1957, that transitional era between 78 and 45rpm records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. A quarter of a century later he became the voice of BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
's 'Sounds of the Fifties
Sounds of the 60s
Sounds of the 60s is a long-running Saturday morning programme on BBC Radio 2 that features recordings of popular music made in the 1960s. It was first broadcast on 12 February 1983 and introduced by Keith Fordyce who had been the first presenter of the TV show Ready Steady Go! in 1963...
' series".
Biography
Born Adrian Hill in Kingston upon HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
, East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
, Hilton left school at 14 and worked in an aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
factory at the beginning of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, before being called up into the Highland Light Infantry
Highland Light Infantry
The Highland Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1959. In 1923 the regimental title was expanded to the Highland Light Infantry ...
. Following demobilisation
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
in 1947, he became a fitter
Fitter
Fitter may refer to:* Fitter , a Soviet attack aircraft* Fitter , a person who uses machine tools to make or modify parts* Comparative of the adjective "fit"-People named Fitter:* Alastair Fitter, British ecologist...
in a Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
sewing plant.
Career
Ronnie Hilton seems to be almost forgotten by today's music industry but he was one of Britain's most popular singers of the 1950s. He started singing professionally under his adopted name during 1954 after leaving his safe job in a Leeds engineering factory. A true Yorkshireman, Hilton always remained loyal to his roots - especially to Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He composed, sang and recorded several anthems as tribute to the football club he loved.
He came to fame by supplying smoothly delivered cover version
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...
s, of popular American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s during the 1950s. His most enduring recordings
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...
were "No Other Love
No Other Love (1953 song)
"No Other Love" is a show tune from the 1953 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Me and Juliet.Richard Rodgers originally composed this tune for the NBC television series Victory at Sea...
"; and his very last 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....
entry in 1965 which took him away from the romantic ballads of his earlier years - "Windmill in Old Amsterdam" - which eventually sold a million, and became a fixture across decades of Children's Favourites
Children's Favourites
Children's Favourites was a BBC Radio programme from 1954 broadcast on the Light Programme on Saturday mornings from 9:00. A precursor had been called Children's Choice after the style of Housewives' Choice....
. Hilton was a favourite 1950s balladeer in the UK
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...
. Despite the prominence of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
in his recording career, he amassed a formidable array of best-sellers in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, albeit mainly with cover versions of U.S. 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...
records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. It must be pointed out that this was common practice at the time, and many British
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...
recording artistes
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
followed this trend. His chart 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...
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...
career alone spanned from 1954 to 1965, which flew in the face of the rapidly changing trends of pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
.
Nevertheless, Hilton's light operatic style, similar to fellow Hullensian
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
, David Whitfield
David Whitfield
David Whitfield was a popular British male tenor vocalist. This operatic-style tenor had a formidable and predominantly female fan base in the 1950s.-Life and career:...
, was already by the mid 1950s being overtaken by events. By the time "No Other Love" dropped off the UK Singles Chart, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
had clocked up his first three UK hit singles. Hilton also performed in three Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
s. He also took part in the inaugural A Song For Europe contest in 1957, failing in his attempt to be the UK's first representative in the Eurovision Song Contest
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1957
The United Kingdom took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1957. The country was represented by Patricia Bredin with the song “All” written by Reynell Wreford and Alan Stranks. The entry was chosen during a national final called A song for Europe...
.
Hilton kept on performing well into the 1960s, in summer seasons and Christmas shows, but knew that his number was up. In 1967 he released a single with covers of "If I Were a Rich Man
If I Were a Rich Man (song)
"If I Were a Rich Man" is a song from the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. It was written by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. The song is performed by Tevye, the main character in the musical, and reflects his dreams of glory....
" and "The Laughing Gnome
The Laughing Gnome
"The Laughing Gnome" is a song by David Bowie. A pastiche of songs by one of Bowie's early influences, Anthony Newley, it was originally released as a novelty single on Deram Records in 1967, the track consisted of the singer meeting and conversing with the creature of the title, whose sped-up...
" on the A-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
and B-side respectively. It did not 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....
. He appeared as a guest on the BBC's Morecambe & Wise Show
Morecambe & Wise Show (1968) Episodes
This is an episode summary of British TV comedy show The Morecambe & Wise Show.The nine series of 50 minute programmes produced between 1968 and 1976 by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are generally considered to be their best output; From series two all are penned by Eddie Braben these programmes...
in June 1971. Hilton suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1976, which hindered his progress for a time. He also encountered financial problems. Following his recovery, he presented 'Sounds of the Fifties' a nostalgic radio series for BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
. The British Academy of Song Composers and Authors honoured him with its gold medal for services to popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
in 1989. He died in Hailsham
Hailsham
Hailsham is a civil parish and the largest of the five main towns in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the town of Hailsham has had a long history of industry and agriculture...
, East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
from another stroke, aged 75.
- He was twice married:
- 1) Joan (died 1985); three children - Geraldine, who has a daughter called Cheyenne; Jane, who has a daughter called Lili; and Derry, who has two daughters, Georgette and Sophia Hill.
- 2) Chrissy (1989–2001); one child - Simon.
Discography
- "I Still Believe" - (1954) - UK ChartUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
High - Number 3 - "Veni Vidi Vici" (coverCover versionIn 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...
of The Gaylords) - (1954) - Number 12 - "A Blossom FellA Blossom Fell"A Blossom Fell" is a popular song.It was written by Howard Barnes, Harold Cornelius, and Dominic John and published in 1954.The best-known version was recorded by Nat King Cole. The recording was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 3095...
" (cover of Nat King ColeNat King ColeNathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
) - (1955) - Number 10 - "Stars Shine In Your Eyes" - (1955) - Number 13
- "The Yellow Rose Of TexasThe Yellow Rose of Texas"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is a traditional folk song. The original love song has become associated with the legend of how an indentured servant named Emily Morgan "helped win the battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in the Texas Revolution."...
" (cover of Mitch MillerMitch MillerMitchell William "Mitch" Miller was an American musician, singer, conductor, record producer, A&R man and record company executive...
/Johnny DesmondJohnny DesmondJohnny Desmond , born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone, was a popular American singer.-Early years:...
) - (1955) - Number 15 - "Young And FoolishYoung and Foolish"Young and Foolish" is a popular song with music by Albert Hague and lyrics by Arnold B. Horwitt, published in 1954.The song was introduced in the musical Plain and Fancy.It has been recorded by many singers...
" - (1956) - Number 17 - "No Other LoveNo Other Love (1953 song)"No Other Love" is a show tune from the 1953 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Me and Juliet.Richard Rodgers originally composed this tune for the NBC television series Victory at Sea...
" (cover of Perry ComoPerry ComoPierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
) - (1956) - Number 1 - "Who Are We" (cover of Gogi GrantGogi GrantGogi Grant is an American popular singer.-Life and career:Grant was born Myrtle Audrey Arinsberg in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of 12, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she attended Venice High School. In California, she won a teenage singing contest and appeared on television...
) - (1956) - Number 6 - "A Woman in LoveA Woman in Love"A Woman in Love" is a popular song. It was written by Frank Loesser and was published in 1955, introduced in Samuel Goldwyn's cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls.-Recorded versions:...
" - (1956) (cover of The Four AcesThe Four AcesThe Four Aces is an American male traditional pop music quartet, popular since the 1950s. Over the last half-century, the group amassed many gold records. Its million-selling signature tunes include "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", "Three Coins in the Fountain", "Stranger in Paradise", "Tell Me...
) - Number 30 - "Two Different WorldsTwo Different Worlds (1956 song)"Two Different Worlds" is a popular song with music by Al Frisch and the lyrics by Sid Wayne, published in 1956.The biggest U.S. hit version was recorded by Don Rondo. It reached #11 on the Billboard chart and #12 on the Cash Box chart...
" (cover of Jane MorganJane MorganJane Morgan is an American popular singer, specializing in traditional pop music. Her first broad fame came in Europe....
) - (1956) - Number 13 - "Around The WorldAround the World (1956 song)"Around the World" was the theme tune from the 1956 movie Around the World in 80 Days It never actually featured with the lyrics in the Around the World in Eighty Days film, but it is the vocal version which has by far become the better known...
" (cover of Bing CrosbyBing CrosbyHarry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
) - (1957) - Number 4 - "Wonderful! Wonderful!Wonderful! Wonderful!"Wonderful! Wonderful!" is a popular music song written by Sherman Edwards, with lyrics by Ben Raleigh. The song was first published in 1957....
" (cover of Johnny MathisJohnny MathisJohn Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
) - (1957) - Number 27 - "Magic MomentsMagic Moments"Magic Moments" is a popular song with music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, one of the first compositions by that duo. The song was published in 1957....
" (cover of Perry ComoPerry ComoPierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
) - (1958) - Number 22 - "I May Never Pass This Way Again" (cover of Perry ComoPerry ComoPierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
) - (1958) - Number 27 (with the Michael Sammes SingersMike SammesMichael William "Mike" Sammes was an English musician and vocal session arranger, performing backing vocals on pop music recorded in the UK from 1955 to the 1970s.-Career:...
) - "The World Outside" (based on The Warsaw ConcertoWarsaw ConcertoThe Warsaw Concerto is a single-movement piano concerto written for the 1941 film Dangerous Moonlight . It was written by British composer Richard Addinsell...
) - (1959) - Number 18 (with the Michael Sammes Singers) - "The Wonder of YouThe Wonder of You"The Wonder of You" is a song written by Baker Knight. In 1959, Ray Peterson released it as a single. The song became a Top 40 hit for him on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #25. That same year it was recorded by Ronnie Hilton in the United Kingdom, his version reaching #22 on the UK Singles...
" (cover of Ray PetersonRay PetersonRay 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:...
) - (1959) - Number 22 - "Don't Let the Rain Come Down" - (1964) - Number 21
- "A Windmill in Old Amsterdam" - (1965) - Number 23
Career facts
1. From a comparatively unknown Rodgers and HammersteinRodgers and Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were a well-known American songwriting duo, usually referred to as Rodgers and Hammerstein. They created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s during what is considered the golden age of the medium...
musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
, "Me and Juliet
Me and Juliet
Me and Juliet is a musical comedy by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and their sixth stage collaboration. The work tells a story of romance backstage at a long-running musical: assistant stage manager Larry woos chorus girl Jeanie behind the back of her electrician boyfriend, Bob...
" written in 1953, Ronnie Hilton took the hit tune "No Other Love", and scored his one and only UK Number One hit in 1956.
2. In securing the Number One, Hilton fought off competition from the UK
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...
based Canadian Edmund Hockridge
Edmund Hockridge
Edmund Hockridge was a Canadian baritone and actor who had an active performance career in musicals, operas, concerts, plays, and on radio...
, and from The Johnston Brothers
The Johnston Brothers
The Johnston Brothers were a vocal group who had a #1 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1955 with their cover version of "Hernando's Hideaway".The group was formed by Johnny Johnston...
. Oddly, no American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
versions of "No Other Love" reached the UK Singles Chart at the time. Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
had been very successful with the song in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but his version was released much earlier in 1953, when "Me and Juliet" first opened on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
.
3. There is a link between Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Ronnie Hilton. Hilton's last chart hit for almost five years, in 1959, was "The Wonder of You
The Wonder of You
"The Wonder of You" is a song written by Baker Knight. In 1959, Ray Peterson released it as a single. The song became a Top 40 hit for him on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #25. That same year it was recorded by Ronnie Hilton in the United Kingdom, his version reaching #22 on the UK Singles...
"; the same song that Presley topped the UK chart with in 1970.
See also
- List of Eurovision: Your Decision contestants
- Early British popular musicEarly British popular musicEarly British popular music, in the sense of commercial music enjoyed by the people, can be seen to originate in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with the arrival of the broadside ballad as a result of the print revolution, which were sold cheaply and in great numbers until the nineteenth...
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
- Bands and musicians from Yorkshire and North East EnglandBands and musicians from Yorkshire and North East EnglandThe following is a list of towns and cities in Yorkshire and the north east of England, each with the bands and musicians to have charted in them included...
External links
- Ronnie Hilton Obituary
- [ Ronnie Hilton biography @ Allmusic.com]