Billy Fury

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Billy Fury bigraphy, stories - English singer from the late-1950s to the mid-1960s, and remained an active songwriter until the 1980s

Billy Fury : biography

17 April 1940 – 28 January 1983

Billy Fury (17 April 1940 – 28 January 1983) born Ronald Wycherley, was an internationally successful English singer from the late-1950s to the mid-1960s, and remained an active songwriter until the 1980s. Rheumatic fever, which he first contracted as a child, damaged his heart and ultimately contributed to his death. An early British rock and roll (and film) star, he equalled the Beatles’ record of 24 hits in the 1960s, and spent 332 weeks on the UK chart, without a chart-topping single or album. Allmusic journalist, Bruce Eder, stated, "His mix of rough-hewn good looks and unassuming masculinity, coupled with an underlying vulnerability, all presented with a good voice and some serious musical talent, helped turn Fury into a major rock and roll star in short order". Others have suggested that Fury’s rapid rise to prominence was due to his "Elvis Presley-influenced, hip-swivelling, and at times highly suggestive stage act."Goldman, Lawrence et al. (editors) (2009) "Fury, Billy" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press, Oxford, England, requires subscription,

Quotation

NME – May 1963

Legacy

In 2003 a bronze statue of Fury was unveiled at the National Museum of Liverpool Life. The sculpture, by Tom Murphy, a Liverpool sculptor, was donated by ‘The Sound of Fury’ fan club after the money was raised by fans.

In 1999 and 2000 the song "Wondrous Place", a favourite of Fury’s (he re-recorded it at least three times during his career) later received wide airplay on British television when it was used as the theme for a Toyota Yaris car advertisement.

In 2007 a biographical documentary film Billy Fury His Wondrous Story was released on DVD.

Eight of his EMI recordings remained unreleased on mainstream CD until June 2010, when they appeared on a 29-track issue, The Complete Parlophone Singles, released by Peaksoft (PEA009). The singer’s estate licensed the tracks to benefit his memorial fund, which finances equipment purchases for hospital heart units.

In November 2011, further co-operation between the estate and Peaksoft resulted in the issuing of a second CD, The Lost Album (PEA014), which attempted to construct the format of an album recorded by Fury in 1967-71, but which was never released.

Later years

In 1973, Fury emerged from a period of semi-retirement to star as ‘Stormy Tempest’ in the film That’ll Be the Day. Also starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, it was roughly based on the early days of the Beatles. Starr was from the Dingle area of Liverpool as was also Fury, and had originally played drums for Rory Storm & the Hurricanes, whom the Stormy Tempest group were said to be modelled upon.

In the mid-1970s Fury went out on the road with Marty Wilde. Away from the spotlight, he focused on wildlife preservation. Fury’s health deteriorated and he underwent heart surgery notably in 1976. In 1978 he was declared bankrupt. A new release, "Be Mine Tonight" (1981), failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart. Worse was to follow in March 1981 when Fury, working on his own farm, collapsed and almost perished. He returned to touring later that year and his next two singles, "Love or Money" and "Devil or Angel", just dented the UK chart. In 1981 and 1982, Fury was signed to Polydor Records by A&R man Frank Neilson and recorded a comeback album, The One And Only (released posthumously) with Shakin’ Stevens’ producer Stuart Colman. Due to his health, Fury did little touring to promote the new album. His last public appearance was at the Sunnyside, Northampton, in December 1982, where the website, billyfury.com, now sponsors a charity show every March. Fury recorded a live performance for the television show, Unforgettable, featuring six of his old hits although, at the request of his mother, only four of these were broadcast.

References in popular culture