Hull’s Musical Heritage
David Whitfield
D
avid Whitfield was born in the Drypool area of Hull in 1926, a year that saw John Logie Baird demonstrate his television. It was also the year in which John Coltrane and Dame Joan Sutherland were born. 1926 was a great year for the musical industry. His family lived on Albert’s Terrace, which was located just off Clarence Street. Sadly the house and street no longer exist.
HMS Ramillies - A Battleship on which David Whitfield served during the D-Day Landings.
David Whitfield in an early promotional photograph.
During his formative years, the Whitfield’s also lived in Harcourt Street, and Beaumont Street. David attended St. Peter’s School on Church Street, and it was there, that he gained links to St. Peter’s Church where his love of singing started. After leaving school, he joined the Royal Navy. Aged 17, serving in the Far East, and also on HMS Ramillies during the Second World War. As a seaman gunner on the Ramillies, David was part of the D-Day Landings, protecting the area known as Sword Beach.
David was unable to complete his because the audience applauded so loudly, and therefore the judges were unable to hear the last part of his song.
David Whitfield, in a more relaxed promotional photograph.
A major turing point in David’s career was being persuaded to enter a heat of the popular talent show, Opportunity Knocks.
At the end of 1945, David relocated to the Far East, and was part of the Entertainment Division that performed for the soldiers based overseas, and he left the Royal Navy in 1949, Decca Records with whom David Whitfield released all of his singles and albums. a process known as being The show was hosted Demobbed. by Hughie Green, and broadcast on Radio During this time, David Luxembourg, a commercial entered a talent show in station broadcasting on Southampton, but he was disqualified because within Long Wave and based in London, after it’s relocation the rules it stated that the after the war, and in the act had to complete their days of BBC radio having act in it’s entirety. complete control of broadcasting.
David was offered the opportunity to tour with Opportunity Knocks, and he also broadcast regularily on Radio Luxembourg, but at the end of his 8 month contract, David unfortunately found himself without work. David returned north to Hull, and worked as a coalman’s assistant, before moving into the world of concrete preparation, where he spent his working life loading cement onto lorries to be dispatched out to the new housing and infrastructure contracts that were so prevalent in post-war Britain.
Cara Mia - David Whitfield’s biggest hit, at Number 1 for 10 consecutive weeks.
During that time, singing was still a huge part of David’s life, and he continued to perform in Working Men’s Clubs around Hull and the East Riding, earning around 30 shillings, or around £2 per performance, a figure that would equate to around £80 in 2015’s money. Thanks to his links to Radio Luxembourg, and his contact with Hughie Green, David was invited to a one off performance at the Criterion Hotel, London in December 1951.
The statue of David Whitfield, located in Kingston Square, outside Hull New Theatre.
The start of 1953 saw David recording his first platter in the Decca Studios. “Marta” was recorded together with Nat Temple and his orchestra.
Hughie Green, the host of Opportunity Knocks on Radio Luxembourg.
After this show, David was offered a regular singing role by Cecil Landau, a local impresario, at the Washington Hotel in London’s West End, where he was earning in the region of £10 per week. During his time at the Washington, one of the executives at the Decca Recording Company was in the audience. Impressed with what he had heard he approached David to offer him a test recording. After this session had taken place, Decca offered David a full recording contract.
Within it’s first month of release, vinyl single sales had reached 20,000, which was considered at the time to be very good, considering that it was the first record released by a relatively unknown artist.
David Whitfield, a powerful tenor, with a worldwide following of loyal fans.
David’s second release, “I Believe”, achieved better figures than the first single, and, despite strong competition from Frankie Laine, it sold 75,000 copies. However, this single didn’t enter the chart until 1960. After the chart success with “I Believe”, David entered and won the International Song Festival, which was a forerunner to the present day competition, the Eurovision Song Contest”, and which took place in Knokke-le-Zoute, in Belgium.
One of David Whitfield’s many albums, that sold all across the world.
Throughout 1953, David continued to tour all around the United Kingdom, and, in many of his venues, was given top billing, through his recording links to Decca, and the quality and clarity of his voice. The next track released, “Answer Me”, beat Frankie Laine to the top spot in the charts, and went on to sell over 700,000 copies.
“Answer Me”, a track banned by the BBC, but sold 700,000 copies in the UK.
This was despite the BBC initially banning it from their playlist, due to the religious context of some of the lyrics, before recinding their decision after complaints from listeners.
Above - David, in a promotional photo for “My September Love�. Below - David casually posing with his car, complete with personalised number plate.
1954, saw David increase his profile in the UK, with further appearances in Variety Theatre, this saw him fly to Belfast to appear in the Songwriters Guild Concert, performing with the orchestra and company of London’s Victoria Palace Theatre. The year would also see David record his most successful track in terms of sales, and the track that would become his trademark signature tune, Cara Mia.
Cara Mia, released on Decca Records in July 1954, and sold 2.5 million copies.
In addition to vinyl sales, Cara Mia was also available to buy in sheet music form.
It was first performed on 26 June 1954, in Blackpool, and at each of the performances, it was received with acclaim and a standing ovation. It was put on general sale by Decca on 1 July. Cara Mia, reached Number 1 by the middle of July, and sold 300,000 copies by the end of July. It stayed at Number 1 position for 10 consecutive weeks, the first track to ever achieve this, and it is a feat that has only been equalled or bettered on 5 other occasions since the UK singles chart started in 1952.
After the success of Cara Mia in the UK, the success continued across the Atlantic, and David was invited to perform on Ed Sullivan’s Toast of the Town. America was then, and David and Sabrina at the 1956 Royal Variety continues to be, a difficult Perfomance before it was cancelled. market to break for British The track eventually went on to sell 2.5 million copies, Artists. and for that achievement David’s first performance received a gold disc. Gold on the show was just two discs in the 1950’s had songs, but that was enough to sell one million copies, to jam the switchboard of rather than the 400,000 CBS, the show’s maker, all that artists have to sell to wanting more information receive one today. about this talented singer. He performed on a show a David continued to tour the United Kingdom, and he was invited to perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance on 3 separate occasions. Other performers on the bills with David included Noel Coward, Bob Hope, Howard Keel, and Frankie Laine.
David Whitfield performing on the Toast of the Town show, hosted by Ed Sullivan.
further 6 times, and on the 7th and final appearance, the US audience rating for the programme was over 65 million people. After his appearances in America, David was invited for a film test by Joe Pasternak, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated producers. David passed this audition, and was offered a contract, meaning that the boy from Hull, would be moving over the Atlantic.
Joe Pasternak, a man who wanted to take David Whitfield to Hollywood.
David decided not to take up this offer, and there are various reasons that have been mooted for this, from home sickness, to causing problems on the Variety Circuit back in the UK. Whatever the reason, Hollywood called, but it couldn’t tempt David to move away.
The bright lights and fame of Hollywood were offered to David, but he declined.
Towards the end of 1954, the razzle dazzle of America, was replaced with the calming influences of Switzerland. David was suffering with throat problems, and a period of convalescence followed.
The ballad style was proving harder to sell in the large numbers that were required to make an impact on the chart.
A rare colour promotional photo taken of David Whitfield.
After David returned to England, he returned to more chart success with 4 more releases, all of which reached the Top 20. “Beyond the Stars”, “Mama”, and “When You Lose The One You Love” all sold well, but the track “Everywhere” was the most successful of the quartet, reaching Number 3. Throughout the 1950’s, David continued to have hits that reached the Top 10, but a new sound was starting to muscle in, with the “new” Rock and Roll style now having more of an influence over music charts.
The last release to make the Top 10 was “The Adoration Waltz” which reached Number 9 in March 1957. After this, the only major success was the theme song to the film “Sea Wife”, starring Richard Burton, and Joan Collins, which gave great exposure in cinemas, but only reached Number 27 in the chart.
David Whitfield provided the theme song “Sea Wife” in 1957.
As the sales declined, David returned to his touring roots all over the country, performing in stage performances, and roles in pantomimes. The first pantomime role came at the end of 1957, as Robinson Crusoe opposite Arthur Askey and Tommy Cooper. Other pantomimes included Humpty Dumpty and Sleeping Beauty at venues across the North of England, Sheffield and Leeds being two of the cities visited.
Grand Theatre, Leeds, where David Whitfield performed stage shows and pantomimes.
Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre, another performance venue for David Whitfield.
After his final chart success, a re-release of his second single, “I Believe” in 1960, David toured with various stage shows. The first of which being, “Rose Marie”, which started in London’s Victoria Palace, before hitting the road and touring around the country taking in venues such as the Bristol Hippodrome, and Sheffield Lyceum and Nottingham’s Theatre Royal. Whilst touring the UK, David toured the world, adding to the global following he had gained through his single releases and radio airplay.
David was transferred to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, where on admission he fell into a coma and was pronounced dead just over 2 hours after he was admitted into hospital.
David Whitfield sitting in his dressing room, preparing for another performance.
He was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium in Sydney, and his ashes were then returned back to Hull.
Between 1954 and 1980, his travels took him to places such as the Far East, South Africa, New Zealand David’s ashes were carried on the frigate, HMS Sirius and Australia. out into the North Sea, and scattered at a point 5 miles David also returned to south-west of Spurn Point, North America, where his at the mouth of the River worldwide career started, and there was also a Forces Humber. tour taking in Malta, Libya and Cyprus. It was on one of these tours, that David became unwell. On 15 January 1980, part way through his 13th tour of Australia, that he suffered a cerebral haemorrage.
HMS Sirius, named after the brightest star in the sky, took David Whitfield’s ashes to sea.
Looking back over David’s career, there were certainly high and low points, but his legacy is that of a major recording artist, who entertained and wowed audiences in the United Kingdom and all around the world. The release of Cara Mia in 1954, and it’s run of 10 consecutive weeks at Number 1 is the standout highlight. The fact that is was the first track to ever achieve this, is something that any recording artiste would be proud of.
A rare feat that has not been equalled or beaten since Rhianna achieved it in 2007, with “Umbrella”, and only 6 times in total. His untimely death in January 1980, robbed the music industry of one of it’s earliest stars, but his music lives on in audio recordings, early video footage and photos from around the world. He is remembered in his home city of Hull, by a statue that sits proudly in Kingston Square, just outside Hull’s New Theatre.
David Whitfield performing on stage, wowed audiences around the world, and still has a loyal following today, 35 years after his death.
Over the years, Hull has certainly developed a rich and varied heritage of culture, and has produced acts that have had varying levels of chart success.
David Whitfield’s statue, located in Kingston Square, Hull.
The bronze statue, sculpted by Graham Ibbeson, and commissioned at a cost of £50,000, features David in a pose in front of a period microphone. A image that perfectly encapsulates a man who performed and shared his music with millions across the world. The statue was unveiled in August 2012 before fans who travelled from far and wide, by David’s widow, Sheila, and local television presenter, Peter Levy, before a show celebrating his life was held at Hull New Theatre.
It all started back in 1953 with David Whitfield, and his relationship with Decca. Fondly remembered as a working class gentleman, from humble roots in the Drypool area of the city, David entertained his audiences with his rich, dulcet, tenor tones, right up to his sad passing 35 years ago.
David Whitfield, Hull’s first major recording artist, with 11 Top 10 singles, over 7 years.
Who Followed In David
Mick Ronson Mick Ronson was a The most successful of musician who played as a Ronson’s albums was session artist with David Slaughter on 10th Avenue, Bowie, Lou Reed, Bob which reached Number 9 on Dylan, Elton John, and John the Album Chart in 1974. Mellencamp. His last major shows was at As a child, he trained the Freddie Mercury tribute classically to play the concert, where he played recorder, piano, and the guitar on Mott the Hoople’s violin, and later mastered “All The Young Dudes” and the harmonium David Bowie’s “Heroes” although diagnosed with Ronson released five singles terminal liver cancer. He and six albums in his own died in 1993, aged 46. right, and also released albums in conjunction with The Mick Ronson memorial David Bowie, Ian Hunter, stage was constructed in and Bob Dylan. his honour, and is located in Queens Gardens, Hull.
d Whitfield’s Footsteps?
Joe Longthorne Joe Longthorne’s career A glittering career that started early, as he was could have been cut short, born into a show business as in 1989, Joe was first family, with his parents diagnosed with Lymphoma, both being travelling show which then degenerated artistes. into leukemia, which necessitated a bone marrow Aged 14, he landed a place transplant. in, Yorkshire Television’s Junior Showtime, and Despite his treatment, Joe from there, he started to continued to perform at perform professionally in high profile venues across the Northern club scene. the world, with shows at the Royal Albert Hall, In 1981, Joe worked on the Sydney Opera House, and London Weekend Television the London Palladium. show, Search for a Star, which led to roles at the He has released 11 albums, London Palladium, and The but is more noted for his Talk of the Town. live shows across the world,
Who Followed In David
Everything Formed in 1982, Everything But The Girl comprised of lead singer Tracey Thorn, and guitarist and keyboard player Ben Watt. Although not originally from Hull, they met at the University of Hull, and performed as solo artists signed to Cherry Red Records in 1982, before forming the duo. The band name came from the slogan for a shop, Turner’s Furniture, that advertised that they sold “Everything But The Girl”.
But The Girl They had chart success from 1983 until 2002, but have not performed publicly since 2000. As a duo, they released 31 singles, 4 of which reached the UK Top 10. The 2 most successful hits were “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” and Todd Terry’s remix of a previously released track “Missing”, both of which reached Number 3. They have released 11 albums, with “Walking Wounded”, reaching number 3 in the Album Chart.
d Whitfield’s Footsteps?
Sade The band Sade were formed Active from 1984, they in 1982 in London, but 3 of have released 23 singles, the original band members, the most successful of Stuart Matthewman, Paul which was their debut Denman, and Paul Cook, single “Your Love Is King”, were born and raised in and which reached Number 6 in around Hull. the UK. The eponymous name of the band is taken from the shortened form of the name of the lead singer, Helen Folasade Adu, and is pronounced “Shah-Day”
They have also released 6 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 2 compilation albums, and have also performed on 6 live tours.
Since being formed, there have also been two other notable members of the band, Andrew Hale, and Dave Early.
Their debut album, Diamond Life, released in 1984, sold 1.2 million copies in the UK, and 6 million copies worldwide.
Who Followed In David
The Housemartins The band formed in 1983, The Housemartins had 2 initially as a duo with Paul Top Ten hits, “Happy Hour” Heaton as the singer, Stan reaching Number 3, and Cullimore on Guitar. “Caravan of Love”, which reached Number 1, both Throughout the bands released in 1986. active period, 1983-1988, there were various other Their discography was members of the group, completed by 7 other including Chris Lang, Ted singles, and 2 studio Key, and Norman Cook, albums, “London 0 Hull 4” and “The People Who The latter going on to have Grinned Themselves to chart success with Beats Death”. International and as a solo artist, performing as Fatboy In 2009, the band Slim. assembled for a photoshoot for Mojo Magazine and stated they were not interested in reforming.
d Whitfield’s Footsteps?
The Beautiful South After the breakup of The The band released 34 Housemartins, two band singles, of which 5 reached members, Paul Heaton, the Top 10, and the most and David Hemingway successful of those was, A got together with Dave Little Time, which received Rotheray and David Stead a gold award on it’s way to to form the Beautiful South Number 1 in 1990. They in 1988. also released 10 studio albums, and 5 compilation As with The Housemartins, albums. the band lineup changed throughout the active years In January 2007, the between 1988 and 2007. band split citing “Musical Other band members Similarities”, which was a included Briana Corrigan, play on a usual phrase used Jacqui Abbott and Alison by bands splitting, “Musical Wheeler Differences”.
Who Who Followed Followed In In David David
Roland Gift Roland Gift, originally from Between 1985 and 1997, Birmingham, moved to Hull the band released 14 aged 11, where he studied singles, 5 of which, reached at Kelvin Hall School, the top 10 in the UK before moving to The singles chart. Hull School of Art, whilst there he was a member The most successful of of ska band, Akrylykz, these was “She Drives as the saxophonist. After Me Crazy”, which reached unsuccessful chart releases, number 5 in the UK, but got Gift was approached by to number 1 in Australia, two members of “The New Zealand, Canada, Beat”, who Akrylykz had and most importantly, in supported on tour. terms of kudos, the US, where it topped the Dance Andy Cox and David Steele chart, and the prestigious spoke to Gift, asking him Billboard Top 100. to join a new band, Fine Young Cannibals, as the lead singer.
Whitfield’s Footsteps? Footsteps? d Whitfield’s
The Paddingtons The Paddingtons were a In addition to the single 5 piece indie-rock band releases, the band have from Hull that were active released 2 studio albums, between 2004 and 2008. First Comes First and No Mundane Options. The band comprised of Tom Atkin, Stuee Bevan, Two compilation albums Josh Hubbard, and followed, “Bring Your brothers Lloyd and Grant Own Poison - The Rhythm Dobbs, they toured across Factory Sessions”, and the UK, and supported “Back To The Bus”. Babyshambles on their tour in 2005. In February 2010, the band released a 5 track EP, The They released 6 singles, Lady Boy Tapes, through with the track “Panic Mama Bear Records. Attack” being the most successful, reaching Number 25 in May 2005.
David Whitfield’s Number One Successes
Cara Mia
Cara Mia why, must we say goodbye? Each time we part, my heart wants to die My darling hear my prayer Cara Mia fair Here are my arms, you alone will share All I want is you forever more To have, to hold, to love above all Cara Mia mine, say those words devine I’ll be your love, till the end of time All I want is you forever more To have, to hold, to love above all Cara Mia mine say those words devine I’ll be your love till the end of time
Answer Me
Answer me, oh my love Just what sin have I been guilty of Tell me how I came to lose my love Please answer me my love She was mine yesterday I believed that love was here to stay Won’t you tell me where I’ve gone astray Please answer me my love Is she happier without me Or does she still care If she thinks at all about me Please let her hear my prayer Let her know I’ve been true Send her back so we can start anew In my sorrow may I turn to you Please answer me my love Is she happier without me Or does she still care If she thinks at all about me Please let her hear my prayer Let her know I’ve been true Send her back so we can start anew In my sorrow may I turn to you Please answer me my love Please answer me my love