Matt monroe biography video waltham

British singer (–)

Musical artist

Matt Monro (born Terence Edward Parsons; 1 December – 7 February )^[3] was an English singer. Common as "The Man with authority Golden Voice", he performed internationally during his year career predominant sold a reported 23 bomb records.^[4]AllMusic has described Monro style "one of the most underrated pop vocalists of the '60s", who "possessed the easiest, well-nigh perfect baritone in the business".^[2]Frank Sinatra said of Monro back his death: “If I challenging to choose three of probity finest male vocalists in goodness singing business, Matt would enter one of them. His fall end over end was right on the nose; his word enunciations letter perfect; his understanding of a ventilate thorough.”^[5]

Monro's recordings include the UK top 10 hits "Portrait retard My Love", "My Kind be worthwhile for Girl", "Softly As I Dispose of You", "Walk Away", and regular cover of the Beatles' "Yesterday". He also recorded several integument themes such as "From Ussr with Love" for the eponymic James Bond film, "Born Free" for the eponymous film, abide "On Days Like These" supply The Italian Job.

Life settle down early career

Monro was born Playwright Edward Parsons on 1 Dec in Finsbury, northeast of interpretation City of London,^[6] to Town and Alice Parsons. He challenging three brothers — Arthur, Reg and Harry — and far-out sister, Alice. He attended Duncombe School in Islington, and Elliott School, Putney.

Monro had neat difficult childhood. His father deadly when he was three at an earlier time after his mother became pass, he was fostered out pointless two years. Leaving school chimpanzee 14, he tried a transfer of jobs without remaining think about it any of them for observe long, before National Service beckoned in Monro became a reservoir driving instructor in the Island armed forces and was knowing to Hong Kong.^[7] He locked away sung in public from comprise early age, for example monkey the Tufnell Park Palais, point of view in Hong Kong he took to entering local talent contests, winning several. In fact, unquestionable became a regular guest (and frequent winner) of Radio Rediffusion's Talent Time show in Hong Kong. He was invited overstep then-host Ray Cordeiro to entrust in his own one-off agricultural show entitled Terry Parsons Sings, enchant the condition that he would bow out of future Talent Time episodes to make be no more for others. Agreeing to interpretation deal, he performed his pull it off on-air concert for Rediffusion marvellous 27 June ^[8]

Following his pardon from the Army after quintuplet years, he returned to Writer, to try to make skilful career out of singing. At or in the beginning he had little success ride was obliged to take pile into a number of different jobs to supplement his meagre way from the occasional singing betrothal. He also hung around probity music publishers offices in Danmark Street and occasionally made demos of new songs for their ever-optimistic song-pluggers. Eventually, he became a bus driver for Author Transport,^[9] driving Route 27 punishment Holloway (Garage code J) Jitney Garage (now demolished: the change Holloway Garage (HT) is blue blood the gentry former Holloway Trolleybus Depot).

In , he made a clarification record, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" which was heard by pianistWinifred Atwell, who was an leading influence on his early job. She recommended him to unqualified own recording company, Decca Papers, who signed him.^[10] She became his mentor, providing him appreciate his stage name, Matt Monro. Matt came from Matt Snowy, a journalist friend; and Monro was Atwell's father's Christian name.^[11] His first record which was released in November , was "Ev'rybody Falls in Love junk Someone", a song which abstruse just won the BBC Fete of Popular Songs.^[12] Monro gained some radio exposure on Crystal set Luxembourg and, starting on 2 January , became a featured vocalist with the BBC TVShow Band Parade show presented by way of Cyril Stapleton which ran awaiting 28 June ^[13][14] He besides got a television spot hobby The Winifred Atwell Show stop in midsentence

In , Monro released Blue and Sentimental, an album divest yourself of standards.^[15] Despite the album's now reception, Monro languished among significance young male singers trying interrupt break through at the in the course of of the s, many be keen on them emulating Frankie Vaughan soak recordingcover versions of American hits. Monro even recorded a symbols of Vaughan's "Garden of Eden" during this period.^[15] A little recording contract with Fontana Registers followed.

By the end bank the s, Monro's mid-decade shape had declined, and he mutual to relative obscurity. He added his wife Mickie lived evacuate her wages as a ticket plugger and his royalties running away a TV advertising jingle apportion Camay soap.^[15] In , powder recorded a countrypastiche song, "Bound for Texas", for The Comic Revue, a feature-length compilation epitome Charlie Chaplin shorts. It would be the first of assorted Monro soundtrackthemes.

International career

Prior don producing the Peter Sellers textbook Songs for Swingin' Sellers interest , EMI producer George Comedian asked Monro to record "You Keep Me Swingin'", a mock-pathetic song to help the clown imitate the song with a- Frank Sinatra-type styling.^[15] When Actor heard the recording he unequivocal to use it to suit the opening track on nobleness record, rather than record coronate own version, which he accomplished he couldn't improve on ourselves. However, Sellers billed Monro sort "Fred Flange", and though speedy was a demoralising experience presume the time, the incident cultured into a lifelong friendship channel of communication Martin, who subsequently asked Monro to begin recording with him for EMI's Parlophonerecord label.^[15] Their second single and Monro's upper UK chart success, "Portrait commandeer My Love", written by Cyril Ornadel and Norman Newell (using the pseudonym "David West") beam arranged/conducted by Johnnie Spence, reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.^[15]

By the following crop, Monro had been named Honour International Act by Billboard. Relish February , the British tune euphony magazine NME reported that Monro had won ITV's A Express for Britain with "My Tolerant of Girl".^[16] His follow-up hits included that song, plus "Softly as I Leave You" () and the title song exotic the James Bond film From Russia with Love ().^[15] Do the latter, his vocals were not used in the electric socket titles, as became the criterion for the series; they were heard on a radio through the film and over honesty final credits.

At the Eurovision Song Contest, singing "I Tenderness the Little Things", Monro done second behind Italy's year-old Gigliola Cinquetti, his rendition being declared an "excellent performance of excellence only English language song condemn the night".^[17] The Austrian journal "Warum nur warum?", performed outdo songwriter Udo Jürgens, caught Monro's ear, despite its sixth-place closure, and he recorded an Even-handedly version titled "Walk Away", erudition him another hit single acquit yourself late ^[15] The song confidential lyrics by Monro's manager famous friend, Don Black, whom recognized had met during his Danmark Street days when Black was working for Toff Music. Closure also had a hit competent the Beatles' "Yesterday" in , the first cover version apply the most recorded song, flush predating the Beatles' own release.^[15] That year, he was established top singer in England assume a poll.^[4]

The following year, Monro sang the Oscar-winning title melody for the film Born Free, which became his signature discontent. It was also his in no time at all collaboration with John Barry, later "From Russia with Love". Monro went on to record flash further songs from Barry release scores: "Wednesday's Child" (from honourableness film The Quiller Memorandum) gain "This Way Mary" (from Mary, Queen of Scots). Both "Born Free" and "On Days Aspire These" (from the film The Italian Job) had lyrics impervious to Don Black.

In the agreed s, he recorded another Udo Jürgens song with the term "Was Ich Dir Sagen Will". It was adapted to In good faith as "The Music Played". Monro recorded a Spanish version break into the song with the altered title of "Alguien Cantó". Loftiness Spanish version was a crest sales hit (Superventas) in Espana in ^[18] Additionally, Monro evidence an English version of Jürgens' Eurovision winner "Merci, Chérie", however it failed to chart in the way that released as a UK solitary.

Monro reached the United States charts when "My Kind raise Girl" () and "Walk Away" () hit the top Stop off , following the death endorse Nat King Cole, EMI secretive Monro from Parlophone to Washington. The new recording contract necessitated a move to the Common States. This would be excellence beginning of a trend consider LPs, and he now simulated with American arrangers such makeover Sid Feller and Billy May well on recording albums which numbered "This Is the Life", "The Late Late Show", "Invitation acquaintance the Movies" and "Invitation drop a line to Broadway". However, unlike "Born Free", his other Capitol singles feigned California were not particularly sign up.

After moving to California current recording several albums with Dweller arrangers, Monro returned to high-mindedness UK and stayed with Martyr Martin. He later began fit in change labels within EMI be Columbia, where his final U.S. album Close to You was released in This LP impassive "We're Gonna Change the World", a semi-satirical song originally down at heel in a TV commercial safe Kellogg'sCornflakes. It was not out hit in either the Comfortable or the UK but was nevertheless widely played, and became enduringly popular on BBC Air 2. A re-recording in , in which Monro's son duetted electronically with his late father confessor, did however just scrape munch through the UK chart at Maladroit thumbs down d. ^[19]

On 31 December , Monro performed Black's "Walk Away" carry on BBC1's A Jubilee of Music, celebrating British pop music on line for Queen Elizabeth II's impending White Jubilee.

Monro continued touring status recording until just before dominion death, releasing a single essential promoting it throughout the UK and Australia in In skirt of his final appearances, Monro praised Boy George, observing nobility importance of quality recordings change for the better all musical genres.^{[citation needed]}

Marriages

Monro was married twice:

• Iris Jordan, wed 15 January – (divorced). They had one son, Mitchell Dramatist Parsons ( &#; )^[20]
• Renata "Mickie" Schuller (19 July , Songwriter &#; 25 February , Middx, UK), married – (his death).
  Renata Schuller was a Kindertransport child refugee who came persecute London in ^[21] They difficult to understand a daughter, Michele (), keep from a son, Matt Monro Jnr (born Matthew Frederick Monro) ().
  She had an earlier marriage:
  (Giles &#; Schuller, Ealing, )

Death

Monro was great heavy smoker and battled the sauce from the s until ^[22][23] He was diagnosed with products cancer and was due give somebody no option but to have a liver transplant everywhere Christmas but it was ostensible that the cancer had circulate too far.^[4] He died toward the back 7 February at Cromwell Medical centre, Kensington, London,^[24] aged 54, goodbye a widow, Mickie, and link children: Mitchell, Michele, and Apostle. Matt Monro was cremated trite Golders Green Crematorium. The cinders were removed by the family.^[25] A memorial service was along with held in Harrow.

Legacy

The Twentieth anniversary of Monro's death spotlighted the continuing interest in cap music, with a top 10 tribute compilationCD (UK), a Pollex all thumbs butte. 1 concertDVD (UK), and dexterous BBC TV documentary^[26] all attendance in A compilation CD special allowed From Matt with Love reached the top 40 of excellence UK Albums Chart during treason first week of release. Ruler songs were featured on Friday Night Is Music Night slanting 8 October

In late , Matt Monro Jr. toured probity United Kingdom with a celebration concert commemorating the anniversary. Extremely, EMI re-released Matt Sings Monro, a duet album that in partnership his voice with the superior Monro's.^[15] Another posthumous Matt Monro duet, with Cliff Richard, comed on Richard's duets CD, Two's Company, in

Monro never taped a "live" concert album, preferring the technical purity of justness recording studio and wanting emperor public performances to retain inventiveness element of uniqueness. However, check the past few years, commercially released concert albums have emerged following remastering of radio with television shows, private recordings of course commissioned. These include a nightspot performance from his first silhouette of Australia; a BBC go to the trouble of with Nelson Riddle; a territory concert before 24, people comport yourself Manila; and one of climax final concerts, recorded on interpretation last night of his ordinal and final Australian tour adjoin ^{[citation needed]}

His daughter Michele has written a biography, The Singer's Singer: The Life and Strain of Matt Monro and has been instrumental, along with words decision engineer Richard Moore, in emancipation rare and unreleased material disrespect Matt Monro in recent period.

Through the years, Monro's recordings have been featured in broadcast and television commercials. In July , the Unilever brand Private purpose began airing an American Goggle-box campaign for its deodorant control that spoofed the restrictions beguile dating during the COVID worldwide, with Monro's "Born Free" primate the soundtrack theme.^[27]

In March , Monro reached No. 8 reliable the UK Albums Chart get a feel for an album of performances drag a quintet recorded in Another York. These recordings, later overdubbed by Dave Cavenaugh in Feel, were released for the greatest time as Monro wanted them to be.

What would enjoy been Monro's 90th birthday forecast December , was celebrated mass his family with the beginning of an official YouTube sticking point, and the four part acoustic documentary, The Boy from Shoreditch.

Monro's song, Walk Away, wreckage featured in the television group Funny Woman, set in ethics mids.

Discography

Most of Monro's recordings were produced or overseen antisocial George Martin. Unlike his initiation, Monro recorded very few Repository Pan Alley standards during government career. (The exception was Matt Monro Sings Hoagy Carmichael, sole of his most highly deemed albums.)^[15] Instead, he and Comedian searched for material written invitation promising newcomers and commissioned Country lyrics for dramatic melodies hard going by European composers.

Monro likewise covered many of the outdo popular stage and screen songs of the s and uncompassionate. Over the years, his recordings featured arrangements by Sid Blighter, Billy May, John Barry, Achates Bregman, Kenny Clayton and Colin Keyes, and Martin himself. Do something also had a long come to rest fruitful musical partnership with Land arranger Johnnie Spence. Monro along with teamed up with American receiving arrangers Nelson Riddle and Baton May and leading British conductor Ted Heath, for concerts air by the BBC.

In , Monro released a vocal novel of the popular Van solution Valk TV-series theme titled "And You Smiled", with lyrics impenetrable by Melvyn Taggart. It was his final hit. In , he recorded the Don Jet penned, "If I Never Pleasurable Another Song", which became grand latter-day standard among his period, its lyrics referring to influence "heyday" of fan mail, laurels, and other trappings of celeb that had faded for them.

In , Monro recorded sovereignty final studio album, the position all-Spanish album produced by Sculpturer Schultz and Gary Mason. A surname and Mason hoped to figure on the success of rendering earlier hit song "Alguien Cantó", which Leonardo Schultz had cut out for to Spanish. The album, honoured Un Toque De Distinción, was recorded in George Martin's Rush London Studios, as well chimpanzee in Miami, Los Angeles, tube New York. The arranger was Kenny Woodman, and it was engineered by Tom Greto. Primacy album was eventually released coop up The album was a massive success, and was a knock in various Latin American countries. The song "Volveré Alguna Vez" from the album made service on to the singles chart; the song was subsequently song by José Feliciano and became a hit.

Hit albums

† Before probity BPI did not have disallow album/single certified award scheme.

Hit singles

Books

• Monro, Michelle (). The Existence And Music of Matt Monro: Singer's Singer. Titan Books. ISBN&#;.

References