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Cliff Richard

March 17, 2023

For the Brazilian comic book artist, see Cliff Richards. For the Welsh rugby player, see Cliff Richards (rugby player).

Sir Cliff Richard OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an English singer who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship.[2] He has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the United Kingdom and is the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley.[4]

Sir

Cliff Richard

OBE
Richard performing in 2021
Born
Harry Rodger Webb

(1940-10-14) 14 October 1940 (age 82)[1]
Lucknow, United Provinces, British India
Citizenship
Occupation(s)Musician, actor
Years active1958–present
Musical career
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Labels
Websitecliffrichard.org

Richard was originally marketed as a rebellious rock and roll singer in the style of Presley and Little Richard.[5] With his backing group, the Shadows, he dominated the British popular music scene in the pre-Beatles period of the late 1950s to early 1960s.[6] His 1958 hit single "Move It" is often described as Britain's first authentic rock and roll song. In the early 1960s, he had a prosperous screen career with films including The Young Ones, Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life and his own television show at the BBC. Increased focus on his Christian faith and subsequent softening of his music led to a more middle-of-the-road image, and he sometimes ventured into contemporary Christian music.

In a career spanning nearly 65 years,[7] Richard has amassed several gold and platinum discs and awards, including two Ivor Novello Awards and three Brit Awards. More than 130 of his singles, albums, and EPs have reached the UK Top 20, more than any other artist.[8] Richard has had 67 UK top ten singles, the second highest total for an artist (behind Presley).[9] He holds the record, with Presley, as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its first six decades (1950s–2000s). He has achieved 14 UK No. 1 singles,[10] and is the only singer to have had a No. 1 single in the UK in each of five consecutive decades.[11] He also had four UK Christmas No. 1 singles, two of which were as a solo artist; "Mistletoe and Wine" and "Saviour's Day".

Richard has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.[12] He has never achieved the same popularity in the United States despite eight US Top 40 singles, including the million-selling "Devil Woman" and "We Don't Talk Anymore". In Canada, he had a successful period in the early 1960s, the late 1970s and early 1980s, with some releases certified gold and platinum.[13] He has remained a popular music, film, and television personality at home in the UK as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Northern Europe and Asia, and retains a following in other countries. When not touring, he divides his time between Barbados and Portugal.[14] In 2019, he relocated to New York.[15]

Biography

1940–1958: Childhood and adolescence

Cliff Richard was born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940 at King George's Hospital (now KGMU Hospital), Victoria Street, in Lucknow, which was then part of British India. His parents were Rodger Oscar Webb, a manager for a catering contractor that serviced the Indian Railways, and the former Dorothy Marie Dazely. His parents also spent some years in Howrah, West Bengal. After the violence of Direct Action Day, they decided to relocate to England permanently.[16] Richard is primarily of English heritage, but he had one great-grandmother who was of half Welsh and half Spanish descent, born of a Spanish great-great-grandmother named Emiline Joseph Rebeiro.[17]

The Webb family lived in a modest home in Maqbara, near the main shopping centre of Hazratganj.[18] Dorothy's mother served as the dormitory matron at the La Martiniere Girls' School. Richard has three sisters, Joan, Jacqui and Donna (1942–2016).[19][20]

In 1948, following Indian independence, the family embarked on a three-week sea voyage to Tilbury, Essex, England aboard the SS Ranchi. The Webbs moved from comparative wealth in India, where they lived in a company-supplied flat at Howrah near Calcutta, to a semi-detached house in Carshalton, north Surrey. Harry Webb attended a local primary school, Stanley Park Juniors, in Carshalton. In 1949, his father obtained employment in the credit control office of Thorn Electrical Industries and the family moved in with other relatives in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, where he attended Kings Road Junior Mixed Infants School, until a three-bedroom council house in nearby Cheshunt was allocated to them in 1950, at 12 Hargreaves Close.

He then attended Cheshunt Secondary Modern School from 1952 to 1957. (The school was later renamed Riversmead School before being rebuilt and renamed Bishopslea School.) As a member of the top stream, he stayed on beyond the minimum leaving age to take GCE Ordinary Level examinations and gained a pass in English literature. He then started work as a filing clerk for Atlas Lamps.[21] A development of retirement flats, Cliff Richard Court, has been named after him in Cheshunt.[22]

Harry Webb became interested in skiffle. When he was 16, his father bought him a guitar, and in 1957, he formed the school vocal harmony group The Quintones,[23] before singing in the Dick Teague Skiffle Group.[24]

1958–1963: Success and stardom

 
Richard at a press conference in the Netherlands in 1962

Harry Webb became lead singer of a rock and roll group, the Drifters (distinct from the US group of the same name). The 1950s entrepreneur Harry Greatorex wanted the up-and-coming rock 'n' roll singer to change his name. The name Cliff was adopted as it sounded like "cliff face", which suggested "Rock". It was "Move It" writer Ian Samwell who suggested the surname "Richard" as a tribute to Webb's musical hero Little Richard.[5]

Before their first large-scale appearance, at the Regal Ballroom in Ripley, Derbyshire in 1958, they adopted the name "Cliff Richard and the Drifters". The four members were Harry Webb (by then going under the stage name "Cliff Richard"), Ian Samwell on guitar, Terry Smart on drums and Norman Mitham on guitar. None of the other three played with the later and better known Shadows, although Samwell wrote songs for Richard's later career. Agent George Ganjou saw the group perform in London, and recommended them to Norrie Paramor for an audition.[25]

For Richard's debut session, Paramor provided him with "Schoolboy Crush", a song previously recorded by American Bobby Helms. Richard was permitted to record one of his own songs for the B-side; this was "Move It", written and composed by the Drifters' Samwell while he was on board a number 715 Green Line bus on the way to Richard's house for a rehearsal. For the "Move It" session, Paramor used the session guitarist Ernie Shears on lead guitar and Frank Clark on bass.

There are various stories about why the A-side was replaced by the intended B-side. One is that Norrie Paramor's young daughter raved about the B-side; another was that influential TV producer Jack Good, who used the act for his TV show Oh Boy!, wanted the only song on his show to be "Move It" as opposed to "Schoolboy Crush".[26] Richard was quoted as saying:

It's wonderful to be going on TV for the first time, but I feel so nervous that I don't know what to do. I shaved my sideburns off last night... Jack Good said it would make me look more original.

— NME, September 1958[27]
 
Richard with the Shadows in 1962

The single went to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. John Lennon credited "Move It" as being the first British rock record.[28]

In the early days, Richard was marketed as the British equivalent of Elvis. Like previous British rockers such as Tommy Steele and Marty Wilde, Richard adopted Elvis-like dress and hairstyle. In performance he struck a pose of rock attitude, rarely smiling or looking at the audience or camera. His late 1958 and early 1959 follow-up singles, "High Class Baby" and "Livin' Lovin' Doll", were followed by "Mean Streak", which carried a rocker's sense of speed and passion, and Lionel Bart's "Living Doll".

It was on "Living Doll" that the Drifters began to back Richard on record. It was his fifth record and became his first No. 1 single. By that time, the group's line-up had changed with the arrival of Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch. The group was obliged to change its name to "The Shadows" after legal complications with the American group the Drifters as "Living Doll" entered the American top 40, licensed by ABC-Paramount. "Living Doll" was used in Richard's début film Serious Charge, but it was arranged as a country standard, rather than a rock and roll standard.

The Shadows were not a typical backing group. They became contractually separate from Richard, and the group received no royalties for records backing Richard. In 1959, the Shadows (then still the Drifters) landed an EMI recording contract of their own, for independent recordings. That year, they released three singles, two of which featured double-sided vocals and one of which had instrumental A and B sides. They thereafter had several major hits, including five UK No. 1s. The band also continued to appear and record with Richard and wrote many of his hits. On more than one occasion, a Shadows instrumental replaced a Richard song at the top of the British charts.

Richard's fifth single "Living Doll" triggered a softer, more relaxed, sound. Subsequent hits, the No. 1s "Travellin' Light" and "I Love You" and also "A Voice in the Wilderness", lifted from his film Expresso Bongo, and "Theme for a Dream" cemented Richard's status as a mainstream pop entertainer along with contemporaries such as Adam Faith and Billy Fury. Throughout the early 1960s, his hits were consistently in the top five.

 
Princess Margaret (left) and Richard at the 59 Club, London in 1962

In 1961, EMI records organised Richard's 21st birthday party at its London headquarters in Manchester Square led by his producer Norrie Paramor. Photographs of the celebrations were incorporated into Richard's next album "21 Today" in which Tony Meehan joined in despite, then, having very recently left the Shadows to be replaced by Brian Bennett.

Typically, the Shadows closed the first half of the show with a 30-minute set of their own, then backed Richard on his show-closing 45-minute stint as exemplified by the retrospective CD album release of Live at the ABC Kingston 1962. Tony Meehan and Jet Harris left the group in 1961 and 1962 respectively and later had their own chart successes for Decca. The Shadows added bass players Brian Locking (1962–63) and then John Rostill (1963–68) and took on Brian Bennett permanently on drums.

In the early years, particularly on album and EP releases, Richard also recorded ballads backed by the Norrie Paramor Orchestra with Tony Meehan (and later Brian Bennett) as a session drummer. His first such single without the Shadows was When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart in 1961, and he continued to release one or two per year, including covers of "It's All in the Game" in 1963 and "Constantly" in 1964, a revival of a popular Italian hit. In 1965, sessions under the direction of Billy Sherrill in Nashville, Tennessee were particularly successful, yielding "The Minute You're Gone", which topped the UK singles chart and "Wind Me Up (Let Me Go)" which made No. 2.

Richard, and the Shadows in particular, however, never achieved star status in the United States. In 1960 they toured the United States and were well-received, but lacklustre support and distribution from a revolving door of American record labels proved an obstacle to long-term success there despite several chart records by Richard including the aforementioned "It's All in the Game" on Epic, via a renewed linking of the worldwide Columbia labels after Philips ended its distribution deal with CBS. To the Shadows' chagrin, "Apache" reached No. 2 in the US through a cover version by Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann which was almost unchanged from their worldwide hit. Richard and the band appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, which was crucial for the Beatles, but these performances did not help them gain sustained success in North America.

Richard and the Shadows appeared in six feature films including a debut in the 1959 film Serious Charge but most notably in The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, Wonderful Life, and Finders Keepers. These films created their own genre, known as the "Cliff Richard musical", and led to Richard's being named the No. 1 cinema box office attraction in Britain for both 1962 and 1963, beating that of even James Bond.[29] The title song of The Young Ones became his biggest-selling single in the United Kingdom, selling over one million copies in the UK.[30] The irreverent 1980s TV sitcom The Young Ones took its name from Richard's 1962 film. In mid-1963, Cliff and the Shadows appeared for a season in Blackpool, where Richard had his portrait modelled by Victor Heyfron.

1964–1975: Changing circumstances

As with the other existing rock acts in Britain, Richard's career was affected by the advent of the Beatles and the Mersey sound in 1963 and 1964. He continued to be popular, and have hits in the charts throughout the 1960s, though not at the level that he had enjoyed before. Nor did doors open to him in the US market; he was not considered part of the British Invasion, and despite four Hot 100 hits (including the top 25 "It's All in the Game") between August 1963 and August 1964, the American public had little awareness of him.

Although baptised as an Anglican, Richard did not practise the faith in his early years. In 1964, he became an active Christian and his faith has become an important aspect of his life. Standing up publicly as a Christian affected his career in several ways. Initially, he believed that he should quit rock 'n' roll, feeling he could no longer be the rocker who had been called a "crude exhibitionist" and "too sexy for TV". Richard intended at first to "reform his ways" and become a teacher, but Christian friends advised him not to abandon his career just because he had become an active Christian. Soon after, Richard re-emerged, performing with Christian groups and recording some Christian material. He still recorded secular songs with the Shadows, but devoted a lot of his time to Christian work, including appearances with the Billy Graham crusades. As time progressed, Richard balanced his faith and work, enabling him to remain one of the most popular singers in Britain as well as one of its best-known Christians.

Richard's 1965 UK No. 12 hit "On My Word" ended a run of 23 consecutive top ten UK hits between "A Voice in the Wilderness" in 1960 to "The Minute You're Gone" in 1965, which, to date, is still a record number of consecutive top ten UK hits for a male artist.[9] Richard continued having international hits, including 1967's "The Day I Met Marie", which reached No. 10 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 5 in the Australian charts.

Richard acted in the 1967 film Two a Penny, released by Billy Graham's World Wide Pictures,[31] in which he played Jamie Hopkins, a young man who gets involved in drug dealing while questioning his life after his girlfriend changes her attitude. He released the live album Cliff in Japan in 1967.

In 1968, he sang the UK's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, "Congratulations", written and composed by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter; it lost, however, by one point to Spain's "La La La". According to John Kennedy O'Connor's The Eurovision Song Contest—The Official History, this was the closest result yet in the contest and Richard locked himself in the toilet to avoid the nerves of the voting.[32] In May 2008, a Reuters news report claimed that voting in the competition had been fixed by the Spanish dictator leader, Francisco Franco, to ensure that the Spanish entry won, allowing them to host the contest the following year (1969). It was claimed that Spanish TVE television executives offered to buy programmes in exchange for votes, as well as contract unknown-artists.[33][34] The story was widely covered and featured on UK's Channel 4 News as a main story on 7 May 2008, with Jon Snow interviewing author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor about the matter.[35] However, the allegations turned out to be untrue as it was a widely repeated rumour instigated by TVE.[36] Nevertheless, "Congratulations" was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia, and yet another No. 1 in April 1968.

 
Portrait of Richard by Allan Warren (1973)

After the Shadows split in 1968, Richard continued to record. During the 1970s, Richard took part in several television shows and fronted his own show It's Cliff Richard from 1970 to 1976. It starred Olivia Newton-John, Hank Marvin and Una Stubbs, and included A Song for Europe. He began 1970 by appearing live on the BBC's review of the sixties music scene, Pop Go The Sixties, which was broadcast across Britain and Europe on 31 December 1969. He performed "Bachelor Boy" with the Shadows and "Congratulations" solo. In 1972, he made a short BBC television comedy film called The Case with appearances from comedians and his first ever duets with a woman—Newton-John. He went on to release a double live album, Cliff Live in Japan 1972, which featured Newton-John.

His final acting role on the silver screen to date was in 1973, when he starred in the film Take Me High.

In 1973, he sang the British Eurovision entry "Power to All Our Friends;" the song finished third, close behind Luxembourg's "Tu Te Reconnaîtras" and Spain's "Eres Tú". This time, Richard took Valium to overcome his nerves and his manager was almost unable to wake him for the performance.[37] Richard also hosted the BBC's qualifying heat for the Eurovision Song Contest, A Song for Europe, in 1970, 1971 and 1972 as part of his BBCTV variety series. He presented the Eurovision Song Contest Previews for the BBC in 1971 and 1972.

In 1975, he released the single "Honky Tonk Angel", produced by Hank Marvin and John Farrar, oblivious to its connotations or hidden meanings. As soon as he was notified that a "honky-tonk angel" was southern US slang for a prostitute, the horrified Richard ordered EMI to withdraw it and refused to promote it despite making a video for it. EMI agreed to his demand despite the fact the single was expected to sell well. About 1,000 copies are known to exist on vinyl.

1976–1994: Renaissance

In 1976, the decision was made to repackage Richard as a rock artist. That year, Bruce Welch relaunched Cliff's career and produced the landmark album I'm Nearly Famous, which included the successful but controversial guitar-driven track "Devil Woman", which became Richard's first true hit in the United States, and the ballad "Miss You Nights". In reviewing the new album in Melody Maker, Geoff Brown heralded it the renaissance of Richard.[38] Richard's fans were excited about this revival of a performer who had been a part of British rock from its early days. Many music names such as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Elton John were seen sporting I'm Nearly Famous badges, pleased that their boyhood idol was getting back into the heavier rock, in which he had begun his career.

Notwithstanding this, Richard continued to release albums with contemporary Christian music content in parallel with his rock and pop albums, for example: Small Corners from 1978 contained the single "Yes He Lives". On 31 December 1976, he performed his latest single, "Hey, Mr. Dream Maker", on BBC1's A Jubilee of Music, celebrating British pop music for Queen Elizabeth II's impending Silver Jubilee.

In 1979, Richard teamed up once again with producer Bruce Welch for the pop hit single "We Don't Talk Anymore", written and composed by Alan Tarney, which hit No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the US. Bryan Ferry added hummed backing vocals to the song. The record made Richard the first act to reach the Hot 100's top 40 in the 1980s who had also been there in each of the three previous decades. The song was quickly added onto the end of his latest album Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile, which was re-titled We Don't Talk Anymore for its release in the United States. It was his first time at the top of the UK singles chart in over ten years, and the song would become his biggest-selling single worldwide, selling almost five million copies throughout the world.[39] Later in 1979, Richard performed with Kate Bush at the London Symphony Orchestra's 75th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall.[40]

With "We Don't Talk Anymore" in 1979, Richard finally began to receive some extended success in the United States to follow on from the success of "Devil Woman" in 1976. In 1980, "Carrie" broke into the US top 40, followed by "Dreamin'", which reached No. 10. His 1980 duet "Suddenly" with Olivia Newton-John, from the film Xanadu, peaked at No. 20, followed by "A Little in Love" (No. 17) and "Daddy's Home" (No. 23) in 1981. After many years of limited success in the US, three of his singles simultaneously charted on the last Hot 100 of 1980 ("A Little in Love", "Dreamin'", and "Suddenly").[41] The videos for "We Don't Talk Anymore", "A Little in Love", and "Dreamin'" were among the first to be played by MTV upon its launch in 1981.[citation needed]

In the UK meanwhile, "Carrie" reached No. 4 and "Dreamin'" peaked at No. 8. In a retrospective review of "Carrie", AllMusic journalist Dave Thompson praised "Carrie" as being "an enthrallingly atmospheric number. One of the most electrifying of all Cliff Richard's recordings."[42]

In 1980, Richard officially changed his name, by deed poll, from Harry Rodger Webb to Cliff Richard.[43] At the same time, he received, from the Queen, the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to music and charity.[44]

In 1981, the single "Wired for Sound" hit No. 4 in the UK and also became Richard's biggest hit in Australia since the early 1960s. To finish the year, "Daddy's Home" hit No. 2 in the UK. On the singles chart, Richard was having his most consistent period of top twenty hits since the mid-1960s. He also was amassing a string of top ten albums, including I'm No Hero, Wired for Sound, Now You See Me, Now You Don't, a live album he recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra titled Dressed for the Occasion, and Silver, marking his 25th year in show business in 1983.

In 1986, Richard reached No. 1 by teaming up with The Young Ones to re-record his smash hit "Living Doll" for the charity Comic Relief. Along with the song, the recording contained comedy dialogue between Richard and the Young Ones. That same year Richard opened in the West End as a rock musician called upon to defend Earth in a trial set in the Andromeda Galaxy in the multi-media Dave Clark musical Time. Three Richard singles, "She's So Beautiful", which reached No. 17 in the UK, "It's in Every One of Us" and "Born To Rock 'n Roll", were released over 1985 and 1986 from the concept album recorded for Time.

In August 1986, Richard was involved in a five-car crash in torrential rain on the M4 motorway in West London. Richard's car was a write-off as another car swerved and braked hard. Richard hurt his back in the accident but was not seriously injured. Police called for a cab from the accident scene so that he was able to perform that night in the "Time" musical. After the show, Richard said: "I'm lucky to be here". He said that his seatbelt had prevented him from flying through the windscreen.[45]

In October 1986, "All I Ask of You", a duet that Richard recorded with Sarah Brightman from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical version of The Phantom of the Opera reached No. 3 in the UK singles chart.[46] 1987 saw the release of his Always Guaranteed album, which became his best-selling album of all-new material, and included the two top-10 hit singles "My Pretty One" and "Some People".

Richard concluded his thirtieth year in music by achieving a UK Christmas No. 1 single in 1988 with "Mistletoe and Wine", while simultaneously holding the No. 1 positions on the album and video charts with the compilation Private Collection, which summed up his biggest hits from 1979 to 1988. "Mistletoe and Wine" was Richard's 99th UK single and spent four weeks at the top of the chart. It was the best-selling UK single of 1988, shifting 750,000 copies.[47] The album was certified quadruple platinum, becoming Richard's first to be certified multi-platinum by the BPI since it introduced multi-platinum awards in February 1987.[48][49]

In May 1989, Richard released his 100th single, "The Best of Me", becoming the first British artist to achieve the feat.[50] The single peaked at No. 2 in the UK. It was also the lead single from the UK top ten album Stronger. Released along with the singles "I Just Don't Have the Heart" (UK No. 3), "Lean On You" (No. 17) and "Stronger Than That" (No. 14), the album become Richard's first studio album to amass four UK top twenty hits.

Also in 1989, Richard received the Brits highest award: "The Outstanding Contribution award".[51] In June, he filled London's Wembley Stadium for two nights with a spectacular titled "The Event" in front of a combined audience of 144,000 people.[52]

On 30 June 1990, Richard performed to an estimated 120,000 people at England's Knebworth Park as part of an all-star concert line-up that also included Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Elton John and Tears for Fears. The concert in aid of charity was televised around the world and helped to raise $10.5 million for disabled children and young musicians.[53][54]

Later in 1990, a live album titled From a Distance: The Event was released. It compiled highlights of the previous year's "The Event" show, and provided two live tracks as singles, "Silhouettes" (UK No. 10) and "From a Distance" (No. 11). However, it was with the Christmas single "Saviour's Day" that Richard scored his 13th UK No. 1 single and his 100th top 40 hit.[55] The album itself reached No. 3 over the Christmas period and was certified double platinum by the BPI.[48]

Following the success of the recent Christmas singles, Richard released his first Christmas album Together with Cliff Richard in 1991, but his bid for the UK Christmas No. 1 spot again with "We Should Be Together" was unsuccessful (making No. 10). 1992 saw "I Still Believe in You" (No. 7) released as his Christmas single, while 1993 saw Richard's first new music studio album for over three years released. Simply titled The Album, it debuted at No.1 on the UK album chart. "Peace in Our Time" (No. 8) was the second lead single, followed by "Human Work of Art" (No. 24) and "Healing Love" (No. 19) for Christmas. In 1994, the compilation The Hit List was released; meanwhile in the background, Richard was concentrating on bringing the musical Heathcliff to the stage.

With Richard's succession of hit songs and albums from the late 1970s into the early 1980s, followed by another strong run in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a strong fan base had been reestablished and Richard remained one of the best-known music artists in the country. Over the decade of the 1980s he recorded with Olivia Newton-John, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Phil Everly, Janet Jackson, Sheila Walsh and Van Morrison. Meanwhile, the Shadows later re-formed (and again split). They recorded on their own, but also reunited with Richard in 1978, 1984 and 1989–90.

1995–2007: Knighthood

On 17 June 1995, Richard was appointed a Knight Bachelor (invested on 25 October 1995),[56] becoming the first rock star to be so honoured.[57] In 1996, he led the Wimbledon Centre Court crowd in singing during a rain delay when asked by Wimbledon officials to entertain the crowd.[58][59] In late 1990s, Richard and former EMI UK managing director Clive Black established the record label "Blacknight". In 1998, Richard demonstrated that radio stations were refusing to play his music when he released a dance remix of his forthcoming single "Can't Keep This Feeling In" on a white label using the alias Blacknight. The single was featured on playlists until the true artist was revealed.[60][61] Richard then released the single under his own name as the lead single for his album Real as I Wanna Be, with each reaching No. 10 in the UK on their respective charts.

In 1999, controversy again arose regarding radio stations refusing to play his releases when EMI, Richard's label since 1958, refused to release his song, "The Millennium Prayer", having judged that the song did not have commercial potential.[62] Richard took it to an independent label, Papillon, which released the charity recording (in aid of Children's Promise). The single went on to top the UK chart for three weeks, becoming his fourteenth and, as of December 2022, most recent No.1 single.[63][64]

Richard's next album, in 2001, was a covers project, Wanted, followed by another top ten album, Cliff at Christmas. The holiday album contained both new and older recordings, including the single "Santa's List", which reached No. 5 in 2003.[65][66] Richard went to Nashville, Tennessee for his next album project in 2004, employing a writers' conclave to give him the pick of all new songs for the album Something's Goin' On. It was another top-10 album, and produced three UK top-20 singles: "Something's Goin' On", "I Cannot Give You My Love", with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, and "What Car".

 
Richard performing in London during the 50th anniversary tour in 2008

On 14 June 2004, Richard joined the Shadows on-stage at the London Palladium. The Shadows had decided to re-form for another tour of the UK. It was not to be their last tour together though, as they would re-form once again for a final tour five years later in 2009.

Two's Company, an album of duets released in 2006, was another top-10 success for Richard and included newly recorded material with Brian May, Dionne Warwick, Anne Murray, Barry Gibb and Daniel O'Donnell, plus some previously recorded duets with artists such as Phil Everly, Elton John and Olivia Newton-John. Two's Company was released to coincide with the UK leg of his latest world tour, "Here and Now", which included lesser known songs such as "My Kinda Life", "How Did She Get Here", "Hey Mr. Dream Maker", "For Life", "A Matter of Moments", "When The Girl in Your Arms" and the Christmas single "21st Century Christmas", which debuted at No. 2 on the UK singles chart.

Another compilation album, Love... The Album was released on 12 November 2007. Like Two's Company before it, this album includes both previously released material and newly recorded songs, namely "Waiting for a Girl Like You", "When You Say Nothing at All", "All Out of Love", "If You're Not the One" and "When I Need You" (the last was released as a single, reaching No. 38; the album peaked at No. 13).[67]

2008–present: 50th anniversary and Shadows reunion

 
L–R: Bruce Welch, Richard, Brian Bennett and Hank Marvin, 2009

2008, Richard's 51st year in the music business saw the release of the eight-CD box set And They Said It Wouldn't Last (My 50 Years in Music).[68] In September, a single celebrating his 50 years in pop music, titled "Thank You for a Lifetime" was released. On 14 September 2008 it reached No. 3 on the UK music charts.

On 11 November 2008, Richard's official website announced that Cliff and the Shadows would reunite to celebrate their 50th anniversary in the music business. A month later they performed at the Royal Variety Performance. In 2009, Cliff and the Shadows brought their partnership to an end with the "Golden Anniversary concert tour of the UK".

A new album, titled Reunited, by Richard and the Shadows was released in September 2009. It was their first studio project in forty years. The 28 tracks recorded comprise 25 re-recordings of their earlier work, with three "new" tracks, originally from that era (and earlier), the single "Singing the Blues", along with Eddie Cochran's "C'mon Everybody" and the Frankie Ford hit "Sea Cruise". The album charted at No. 6 in the UK charts in its opening week and peaked at No. 4. The reunion tour continued into Europe in 2010. In June 2009, it was reported by Sound Kitchen Studios in Nashville that Richard was to return there shortly to record a new album of original recordings of jazz songs.[69] He was to record fourteen tracks in a week.

 
Richard performing at the State Theatre, Sydney in 2013

Richard performed "Congratulations" at the 70th birthday celebrations of Queen Margrethe II in Denmark on 13 April 2010. On 14 October 2010, Richard celebrated his 70th birthday and to mark the occasion, he performed a series of six concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, London. To accompany the concerts, a new album of cover versions of swing standards, Bold as Brass, was released on 11 October. The official party celebrating Richard's 70th birthday was held on 23 October 2010, with guests including Cilla Black, Elaine Paige and Daniel O'Donnell.

After a week of promotion, Richard flew out to rehearse for the German Night of the Proms concerts in Belgium at the end of October. He made a surprise appearance at the Antwerp concert of the Night of the Proms on Thursday, 28 October 2010 and sang "We Don't Talk Anymore" to a great reaction from the surprised 20,000 fans at Sportpaleis Antwerp. In all, he toured 12 German cities in November and December 2010, during the Night of the Proms concerts, as the headline act. The total of 18 concerts were attended by over 300,000 fans. Richard performed a selection of hits and tracks from the Bold As Brass album. In November 2010, he achieved his third consecutive UK No. 1 music DVD in three years with the DVD release of Bold as Brass.

 
Richard performing in 2017

In October 2011, Richard released his Soulicious album, containing duets with American soul singers including Percy Sledge, Ashford and Simpson, Roberta Flack, Freda Payne and Candi Staton.[70] The album was produced by Lamont Dozier and was supported by a short UK arena tour. Soulicious became Richard's 41st top-10 UK hit album.

He was among the performers at the Diamond Jubilee concert held outside Buckingham Palace in June 2012.[71] On 30 June 2012, Richard helped to carry the Olympic torch from Derby to Birmingham as part of the torch relay for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Richard said that his run with the Olympic torch would be one of his top-10 memories.[72]

Richard was involved in a campaign to extend copyright on sound recordings in the UK from 50 to 95 years, and extend the number of years on which a musician can receive royalties. The campaign was initially unsuccessful and the UK copyright on many of Richard's early recordings expired in 2008.[73] In 2013, following another campaign, copyright on sound recordings was extended to 70 years after first publication to the public for works still in copyright at that point. This means Richard's recordings between 1958 and 1962 are out of copyright in the UK, but those from 1963 will be in copyright until 2034.[74] In November 2013, Richard released the 100th album of his career, The Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll Songbook. To that point Richard had released 47 studio albums, 35 compilations, 11 live albums and 7 film soundtracks.[75]

Richard was scheduled to open for Morrissey at a live concert at New York's 19,000-capacity Barclays Center on 21 June 2014.[76][77] Morrissey said that he was "honoured and thrilled" to have Richard on the bill.[78] It was reported on 16 June 2014 that Morrissey had cancelled the concert after collapsing with an "acute fever". Richard announced that he would stage a free show for fans in New York on the same night the cancelled concert was due to take place.[79]

In October 2015, Richard performed on tour to mark his 75th birthday. He took to the stage across seven cities in the UK, including six nights at London's Royal Albert Hall, where he has performed on over 100 occasions during his career.[80][81] Richard's 2015 tour received a positive review from The Guardian's rock music critic Dave Simpson.[82]

 
Richard performing in 2021

In August 2018 Richard announced the release of the album Rise Up, which includes new material. The first single of the album, "Rise Up", was released in vinyl format and reached No. 1 on the UK Vinyl Singles Chart in October 2018.[83] He performed a duet with Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler on "Taking Control" that appeared on her 2019 studio album, Between the Earth and the Stars. In 2020 Richard released the album Music... The Air That I Breathe. On 4 July 2022, Richard sang his 1963 hit "Summer Holiday" at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, as part of the Centenary Celebration.[84]

Criticism of the music industry and commercial support

Richard has openly complained about the lack of commercial support he receives from radio stations and record labels. He spoke about this on The Alan Titchmarsh Show on ITV in December 2007, pointing out that while new bands needed airplay for promotion and sales, long-established artists such as himself also relied upon airplay for the same reasons. He also noted that 1980s radio stations did play his records and that this went some way to help sales and maintain his media presence. In the BBC Radio 2 documentary Cliff – Take Another Look, he pointed out that many documentaries charting the history of British music (e.g. I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band!) fail to mention him (or the Shadows).[85]

In 1998, Chris Evans, the then breakfast show host on Virgin Radio, vowed he would never again play a record by Richard, stating that he was "too old".[86][87] In June 2004, British disc jockey Tony Blackburn was suspended from his radio job at Classic Gold Digital for playing records by Richard against station policy. The head of programmes, Paul Baker, sent an e-mail to Blackburn stating that Richard "doesn't match our brand values. He's not on the playlist, and you must stop playing him." On Blackburn's next morning breakfast show, he read a print-out of the e-mail live on air to the show's 400,000 listeners and went on to play two songs by Richard. Classic Gold managing director John Baish later confirmed Blackburn's suspension from the show.[88]

In 2011, digital station Absolute Radio '60s, dedicated to playing popular music from the 1960s, announced they would not be playing any of Richard's records because they said they did not fit "the cool sound... we're trying to create". DJ Pete Mitchell said: "Timeless acts of the decade that remain relevant today are the Beatles, the Stones, the Doors and the Who, not Sir Cliff." Richard responded to this by saying: "They're lying to themselves, and more importantly they're lying to the public."[89]

Richard has spoken of his irritation about other stars who are praised after taking drugs.[90] In 2009, Richard said he was the "most radical rock-and-roll singer Britain has ever seen" as he did not indulge in drugs or sexual promiscuity.[91] Richard said he is proud that he never adopted the hedonistic lifestyle of a typical rock star. He said: "I've never wanted to trash a hotel room."[92]

Richard has criticised the music industry for encouraging artists to court controversy. In November 2013, he said: "The music industry has changed drastically and that damages young artists. This industry can be very destructive."[93] Richard expressed concern about the sexually explicit public image of singer Miley Cyrus, following controversy surrounding a semi-naked video for her song "Wrecking Ball".[93] In the 1970s, Richard said that he was disturbed by the visual imagery and mock horror of singer Alice Cooper.[94] In 1997, Richard said of the rock band Oasis: "It's just a shame that part of what gives them their kick is their self-destructive impulse."[95]

In an article for The Guardian in 2011, the journalist Sam Leith wrote of Richard's lack of commercial support among radio stations: "His uncompromising Christianity, his clean-living ways, and his connoisseurship of the fruits of his Portuguese winery have made him an object of incomprehension, even ridicule, for the uncultured, alcopop-drinking younger generation."[96] Also writing in The Guardian, John Robb opined that because Richard has rebelled against the drink and drugs culture of typical rock stars, this "rebelling against rebellion" has made Richard something of a countercultural icon.[97]

In December 2013, Richard said that he felt two of his singles, "Mistletoe and Wine" and "The Millennium Prayer", had created a negative reaction against him. He said: "Airplay is vital for single hits. The only way I can have a fair competition is if your records are on the radio. There is an ageism in the radio industry. If you ask me to record a new song, I'm not sure it would get the support it needs."[98]

Author and rock music critic Tony Parsons said: "If you don't like at least some Cliff Richard, then you don't like pop music".[99] Sting also defended Richard, stating: "Cliff Richard is in my opinion one of Britain's finest singers technically and emotionally."[100]

Personal life

Richard's father, Rodger Webb, died in 1961, aged 56, and that had a great impact on Richard. He later said: "My father died very young. He missed the best parts of my career. When my father was sick, we became very close."[101][self-published source] Richard's mother, Dorothy, died in October 2007, aged 87, after a decade with Alzheimer's disease. In a 2006 interview, he spoke about the difficulties he and his sisters had in dealing with their mother's condition.[102]

Richard is a lifelong bachelor.[103] In a three-page letter written in October 1961 to "his first serious girlfriend",[104] Australian dancer Delia Wicks, made public in April 2010 after her death from cancer, Richard wrote, "Being a pop singer I have to give up one priceless thing – the right to any lasting relationship with any special girl. I've just had to make, probably, one of the biggest decisions I'm ever going to make and I'm hoping that it won't hurt you too much."[103] The couple had been dating for 18 months. In the letter he goes on to say, "I couldn't give up my career, besides the fact that my mother and sisters, since my father's death, rely on me completely. I have showbiz in my blood now and I would be lost without it." Richard urged her to "find someone who is free to love you as you deserve to be loved" and who "is able to marry you".[104]

After Delia Wicks died in 2010, aged 71, her brother Graham Wicks said that she had been "devastated" by Richard's decision to end their relationship, describing Richard as "a very pleasant man".[103]

At the age of 22, a year after his relationship with Delia Wicks ended, Richard had a brief romance with the actress Una Stubbs.[99] Later in the 1960s, Richard considered marriage to the dancer Jackie Irving. Richard described Irving as "utterly beautiful" and says for a time they were "inseparable".[105] Irving went on to marry Adam Faith.

In his autobiography, Richard stressed that "sex is not one of the things that drives me", but he also wrote of his seduction by Carol Costa, who at the time was the estranged wife of Jet Harris.[105]

In the 1980s, Richard considered asking Sue Barker,[105] a former French Open tennis champion and Wimbledon semi-finalist,[106] if she would agree to marry him. In 2008, Richard said of his relationship with Barker: "I seriously contemplated asking her to marry me, but in the end I realised that I didn't love her quite enough to commit the rest of my life to her."[105]

Richard first met Barker in 1982, when she was aged 25. Their romance attracted considerable media attention after Richard flew to Denmark to watch her play in a tennis match and they were later photographed cuddling and holding hands at Wimbledon.[107][108] In an interview in February 1983, Richard spoke of the possibility of marriage with her. He said: "I'm seeing Sue, the only girl I want to see at the moment and if marriage comes on the horizon, I shall relish it."[109] In September 1983, Richard said that he had no immediate plans to marry Barker. He said: "It's not vital to get married and it's not vital to be a father. But I would like to settle down and have a family one day."[110] In July 1984, Barker said of her romance with Richard: "I love him, he's great and I'm sure we love each other."[111]

In 1986, after Richard's romance with Barker had ended and she began dating tennis player Stephen Shaw, Richard said that he was still a friend of Barker. He said: "We have a mutual respect for each other and that means a lot to me."[112]

When later asked why he has never married, Richard said: "I've had a few false alarms. I've been in love, but marriage is a big commitment and being an artist consumes a great deal of time."[113] He said that in the early 1970s he was in love with the singer and actress Olivia Newton-John. Richard said: "At the time when I and many of us were in love with Olivia she was engaged to someone else. I'm afraid I lost the chance."[113]

In 1988, Richard's nephew Philip Harrison spent the first four months of his life in a children's hospital suffering from serious breathing problems. Richard later helped to raise money for the hospital in East London and said that his nephew "had a terrible time but the hospital saved his life."[114][115]

Although he has never married, Richard has rarely lived alone. For many years he shared his main home with his charity and promotion schedules manager, Bill Latham and Latham's mother.[116][117] In 1982, Richard described them as his "second family".[118] Latham's girlfriend, Jill, also lived at the house in Weybridge, Surrey, with them for a time.[99] In 1993, Bill Latham said of Richard's bachelor status: "His freedom has meant that he has been able to do much more than if he had a family. He always goes the extra mile. If he was to have a relationship, he would give it everything. So because his commitments have been his career, his faith, and more latterly, tennis, he has given himself wholeheartedly to those three activities."[119]

Richard often declines discussion about close relationships and when asked about suggestions that he may be homosexual has stated categorically that he is not. When the suggestions were first put to him in the late 1970s, Richard responded by saying: "It's untrue. People are very unfair with their criticism and their judgements. I've had girlfriends. But people seem to think that if a bloke doesn't sleep around he must be gay. Marriage is a very special thing to me. I'm certainly not going to do it just to make other people feel satisfied."[118] In 1986, Richard said that rumours about his being homosexual had previously been "very painful" to him.[112]

When asked in 1992 if he had ever considered the possibility that he might be gay, he responded: "No."[120] Richard said: "Even if I got married tomorrow there would be a group of people who would believe what they wanted to believe. All that counts is what your family and friends know and they all trust and respect me. What the people outside think, I have no control over."[120] Later in 1996, Richard said: "I'm aware of the rumours, but I am not gay."[90] In 1997, he said: "People who are single shouldn't have to be second-class citizens – we needn't be embarrassed or feel guilty about it, we all have a role to play."[95]

Richard said that his faith in God was tested in 1999 after the murder of his close friend, the British television presenter Jill Dando. He said: "I was really angry with God. It shook me rigid that someone as beautiful, talented and harmless could have been killed."[121] Richard said that Dando had many likeable qualities and described her as "a very genuine person". He said of Dando's murder: "It is very difficult to understand and I find it all very confusing."[122] He attended her funeral in May 1999 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.[123]

Richard has spoken of his friendship with John McElynn, an American former missionary whom he met in 2001 on a visit to New York City.[124] In 2008, Richard said: "John now spends most of his time looking after my properties, which means I don't have to. John and I have over time struck up a close friendship. He has also become a companion, which is great because I don't like living alone, even now."[105]

In an interview with David Frost in 2002, Richard said that his many good friends have prevented him from feeling lonely and he has always got someone he can talk to.[125] Richard has been a family friend of the Northern Irish broadcaster Gloria Hunniford for over forty years. When Hunniford's daughter Caron Keating was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to keep her illness private from the public, Richard was among a small close circle of friends who knew of Keating's condition. When Keating died in April 2004, Richard attended her funeral in Kent and performed his song "Miss You Nights" in tribute to her.[126][127]

In 2006, Richard received a Portuguese Order in which he was appointed Commander of the Order of Prince Henry (ComIH),[128] this in recognition of his forty years of personal and business involvement in that country which included investments in winemaking and a house in Algarve where he has spent part of the year throughout the decades.[129] Richard finished No. 56 in the 2002 100 Greatest Britons list, sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public.

In his 2008 autobiography, Richard wrote that his views on certain issues are less judgemental than when he was younger.[130] He called on the Church of England to affirm people's commitment in same-sex marriage.[131] He wrote: "In the end, I believe, people are going to be judged for what they are. It seems to me that commitment is the issue, and if anyone comes to me and says: 'This is my partner – we are committed to each other,' then I don't care what their sexuality is. I'm not going to judge – I'll leave that to God."[105]

In 2009, the British media reported on a growing friendship between Richard and Cilla Black. The Daily Telegraph said that Richard and Black looked at properties together in Miami and were regularly seen together in Barbados, where they both owned villas. Richard and Black reportedly enjoyed each other's company dining together in Marbella and watching tennis in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.[132] After Black died in August 2015, Richard described her as "incredibly gifted" and "full of heart". He said: "She was a very special person, and I have lost a very wonderful friend. I will miss her dearly."[133] Richard performed the song "Faithful One" in tribute to Black at her funeral in Liverpool.[134]

In 2010, Richard confirmed that he is no longer a resident of the United Kingdom and had been granted citizenship by Barbados. He said: "I'm officially a non-resident [of the UK], although I will always be British and proud of it."[2] He currently divides his time between living in Barbados and Portugal.[14] When asked in February 2013 if he had regrets about not starting a family, Richard said that if he had been married with children he could not have devoted so much time to his career. He said: "My three sisters have children, and it's been wonderful to watch them grow up, get married and start families of their own. I've made sure I've always played a part in their lives. So while I think I would have been a good father, I've given myself to my family and I wouldn't have it any other way. My 'freedom' allows me to continue my career. Had I been married, with children, I wouldn't be able to do what I do now."[135]

Nationwide Festival of Light

In 1971, Richard was a leading supporter of the Nationwide Festival of Light, a movement formed by British Christians who were concerned about the development of the permissive society. Richard joined public figures such as Malcolm Muggeridge, Mary Whitehouse and Bishop Trevor Huddleston to demonstrate in London "for love and family life, against pornography and moral pollution". Muggeridge criticised the media as being "largely in the hands of those who for one reason or another favour the present Gadarene slide into decadence and Godlessness."[136]

One of the targets for the Festival of Light's campaign was the growth of sexually explicit films.[137] Richard was one of approximately 30,000 people who gathered at London's Trafalgar Square for a demonstration. One focus of their protest was against the Swedish sex education film Language of Love, which was showing at a nearby cinema.[138]

Philanthropy

 
Richard promoting his wine in Denmark, 2015

Since March 1966, Richard has followed the practice of giving away at least one-tenth of his income to charity.[139] Richard has stated that two biblical principles have guided him in how to use his money. He said: "Firstly, it was the love of money (not money itself) that was the root of all evil. Secondly, to be good and responsible stewards of what was entrusted to us."[140] In 1990, Richard said: "Those of us who have something to offer have to be prepared to give all the time."[114]

For over forty years Richard has been a supporter of Tearfund, a Christian charity that aims to tackle poverty in many countries across the world. He has made overseas visits to see their work in Uganda, Bangladesh and Brazil. Richard has said: "Playing a part in relieving poverty is, as I see it, the responsibility of us all."[141]

Richard has donated to the dementia research charity, Alzheimer's Research UK. He has helped to raise funds and awareness of the disease by speaking publicly about his mother's condition.[102]

Richard has also supported numerous UK charities over many years through the Cliff Richard Charitable Trust, both through donations and by making personal visits to schools, churches, hospitals and homes for special needs children. Richard's passion for tennis, which was encouraged by his former girlfriend Sue Barker, also led him in 1991 to establish the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation. The charity has encouraged thousands of primary schools in the UK to introduce the sport, with over 200,000 children taking part in the tennis sessions which tour the country. The Foundation has since become part of the charitable wing of the Lawn Tennis Association.[90][142][143]

Scottish independence referendum

In August 2014, Richard was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue.[144]

Property search, investigation and BBC litigation

In August 2014, Richard's apartment in Berkshire was searched after a complaint to the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree, which investigated sexual misconduct allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.[145] Richard was not arrested, and strongly denied the allegations.[146][147] The BBC was criticised for its coverage of the search.[148] The former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven, QC, criticised the police force for its "completely disreputable conduct" and said its action could make the warrant unlawful.[149] Richard pulled out of a visit to the US Open tennis championships, turned down the freedom of his adopted Portuguese home city of Albufeira, and cancelled a scheduled appearance at Canterbury Cathedral because he did not want the event to be "overshadowed by the false allegation".[150] He subsequently returned to the UK and voluntarily met with and was interviewed by members of South Yorkshire Police.[151] He was never arrested or criminally charged.[152] Subsequently, David Crompton, chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, was criticised for his interactions with the BBC, and publicly apologised to Richard.[153]

In February 2015, South Yorkshire Police announced that the inquiry into the alleged offences had increased, and would be continuing. Richard subsequently released a statement maintaining that the allegations were "absurd and untrue".[154][155][156] The development came a day after an independent report had concluded that South Yorkshire Police had "interfered with the singer's privacy" by telling the BBC about the August 2014 property search. A review by former chief constable Andy Trotter said South Yorkshire Police had breached police guidance on protecting the identity of those under investigation and the handling of the search had dented the force's reputation.[157] The BBC's tip-off regarding the search reportedly came from within Operation Yewtree, although Crompton said he could not be certain that the leak originated from there.[158]

In May 2016, South Yorkshire Police sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.[159] The following month, the CPS announced that after reviewing "evidence relating to claims of non-recent sexual offences dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men", there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Richard with an offence, and that no further action against him would be taken.[160][161] Richard said he was "obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close". But he said his naming by the media, despite not being charged, meant he had been "hung out like live bait".[161] South Yorkshire Police later "apologised wholeheartedly" to Richard after its investigation into the singer was dropped on 16 June 2016.[162] Richard commented: "My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS's policy is to only say something general about there being 'insufficient' evidence. How can there be evidence for something that never took place?"[163] It was subsequently reported that during the 22-month police investigation a man was arrested over a plot to blackmail Richard. The unnamed man in his forties contacted Richard's aides and threatened to spread "false stories" unless he received a sum of money.[164]

On 21 June 2016, the BBC apologised publicly to Richard for causing distress after the controversial broadcast.[165] On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the decision not to prosecute Richard over claims of historical sex offences had been upheld. The CPS reviewed the evidence following applications by two of his accusers,[166] and concluded that the decision not to charge Richard was correct.[167] In October 2016, it was reported that Richard was suing the BBC and South Yorkshire Police. Legal papers were filed at the High Court in London on 6 October 2016.[168] South Yorkshire Police later agreed to pay Richard £400,000 after settling a claim he brought against the force.[169]

On 12 April 2018, the case against the BBC opened in the High Court. It was reported that Richard was seeking "very substantial" damages.[170] On 13 April, Richard gave evidence for more than an hour, describing the television coverage as "shocking and upsetting".[171] His written statement was made available online by his lawyers, Simkins LLP.[172][173] On 18 July 2018, Richard won his High Court case against the BBC and was awarded £210,000 in damages.[174][175] On 15 August 2018, the BBC stated they would not appeal against the judgment. The BBC repeated an apology for the distress that Richard had been through.[176] The Guardian estimated that the BBC's costs for legal fees and damages had reached £1.9 million after losing the case.[176]

Cultural significance and impact

Cliff Richard's 1958 hit "Move It" is widely regarded as the first authentic British rock and roll record, and "laid the foundations" for the Beatles and Merseybeat music.[177] John Lennon reportedly said of Richard that before Cliff and the Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British music.[178][179] In contrast to contemporaries that include: Marty Wilde, Billy Fury and Adam Faith, his successful performing and recording career in the UK has extended over six decades.[180]

Discography

Main articles: Cliff Richard albums discography, Cliff Richard singles discography, and Cliff Richard videography

Filmography

Film

Television series

  • 1960–63: The Cliff Richard Show (ATV Television)
  • 1964–67: Cliff (ATV Television)
  • 1965: Cliff and the Shadows (ATV Television)
  • 1970–74: It's Cliff Richard featuring Hank Marvin, Una Stubbs and Olivia Newton-John (BBC Television)
  • 1975–76: It's Cliff and Friends (BBC Television)

Selected television specials

Year Title Total viewers[183] Channel
1971 Getaway with Cliff 5.2 million BBC
1972 The Case 5 million BBC
1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament BBC1
1999 An Audience with Cliff Richard 11 million ITV
2001 The Hits I Missed 6.5 million ITV
2008 When Piers Met Sir Cliff 5.5 million ITV
2022 Cliff at Christmas BBC2

Television appearances

Main article: List of Cliff Richard television appearances

Publications

  • 2020: The Dreamer: An Autobiography

Theatre work

Awards

Brit Awards
  • 1977: Best British male solo artist[51]
  • 1982: Best British male solo artist[51]
  • 1989: Lifetime achievement: Outstanding contribution to music (excluded the Shadows)[51]
TV Times
  • 1980: Most Exciting Male Singer on TV
  • 1987: Best Male Singer
  • 1989: Favourite Singer
The Sun Reader Polls
  • 1970: Male Pop Personality
  • 1971: Top Male Pop Personality
  • 1972: Top Male Pop Personality
NME Reader Polls[185]
  • 1958: Best New Disc or TV Singer
  • 1959: UK Male Singer
  • 1959: Best Single: "Living Doll"
  • 1960: Best UK Single: "Living Doll"
  • 1961: UK Male Singer
  • 1962: UK Male Singer
  • 1963: UK Male Singer
  • 1963: Best World Male Singer
  • 1964: UK Male Singer
  • 1964: UK Vocal Personality
  • 1965: UK Male Singer
  • 1966: UK Male Singer
  • 1966: UK Vocal Personality
  • 1967: UK Vocal Personality
  • 1968: UK Vocal Personality
  • 1969: British Vocal Personality
  • 1970: UK Male Singer
  • 1970: UK Vocal Personality
  • 1970: World's Best Recording Artist of the '60s
  • 1971: UK Male Singer
  • 1971: British Vocal Personality
  • 1972: UK Male Singer
  • 1972: British Vocal Personality
Ivor Novello
  • 1968: Most Performed Work: "Congratulations" by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter
  • 1970: Outstanding Services to Music
Melody Maker
  • 1959: Best Male Singer
  • 1960: Top British Male Singer
  • 1962: The Emen Award: Top male singer
  • 1962: Top British Male Singer
  • 1962: Top single of the year: "The Young Ones"
  • 1963: Best Male Singer
  • 1964: Best Male Singer
  • 1965: Best UK Male Singer
  • 1967: Top Male Singer
Disc & Music Echo
  • 1967: Best-Dressed Male
  • 1968: Best-Dressed Male
  • 1969: Best-Dressed Male
  • 1970: Top British Male Singer
  • 1970: Best-Dressed Male
  • 1970: Mr. Valentine
  • 1971: Mr. Valentine
Bravo Magazine (West Germany)
  • 1964: Best Male Singer: Gold
  • 1964: Year End Singles Charts: 1. "Sag 'no' Zu Ihm" ("Don't talk to him")
  • 1965: Best Male Singer: Gold
  • 1980: Top International Male Singer
Record Mirror
  • 1961: Record Mirror Survey: Most successful chart records 1958–1961: No. 1: Cliff Richard, "Living Doll" (Richard had three of the top five records and a further two in the Top 50)
  • 1964: Record Mirror Poll: Best-Dressed Singer in the World
1960s
  • 1961: Royal Variety Club: Show Business Personality
  • 1961: Weekend Magazine: Star of Stars
  • 1962: Motion Picture Herald Box-Office Survey of 1962: Most Popular Male Film Actor
  • 1963: Motion Picture Herald Box-Office Survey of 1963: Most Popular Male Film Actor
  • 1963: 16 (US Magazine): Most Promising Singer
  • 1964: Billboard (US magazine): Best Recording Artist UK
  • 1969: Valentine Magazine: Mr Valentine
1970s
  • 1970: National Viewers' and Listeners' Association: Outstanding Contribution to Religious Broadcasting and Light Entertainment
  • 1971: Record Mirror: UK Male Singer
  • 1974: Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Committee: Silver Clef: Outstanding Services to the Music Industry
  • 1977: The Songwriters' Guild of Great Britain: Golden Badge Award
  • 1979: Music Week: Special Award for 21 years as successful recording artistes: Cliff Richard and the Shadows
  • 1979: EMI Records: Gold Clock and Gold Key award: EMI celebrates 21-year partnership with Richard
1980s
  • 1980: Richard receives O.B.E. from the Queen
  • 1980: BBC TV Multi-Coloured Swap Shop: Best UK Male Vocalist
  • 1980: National Pop And Rock Awards: Best Family Entertainer
  • 1980: Nationwide, in conjunction with Radio 1 and the Daily Mirror: Best Family Entertainer
  • 1981: Sunday Telegraph Readers Poll: Top Pop Star
  • 1981: Daily Mirror Readers Award: Outstanding Music Personality of the Year
  • 1989: The Lifetime Achievement Diamond Award (Antwerp)
1990s
2000s
2010s

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c d Walker, Tim (23 September 2010). . The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  4. ^ Lauren, Kreisler (4 June 2012). "The Official Singles Charts' biggest selling artists of all time revealed!". Official Charts Company. from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
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  6. ^ Glenn, Johsua (2012). Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun. Bloomsbury. p. 91. ISBN 978-1608196418. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
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  8. ^ "Top Hits from". EveryHit. 16 March 2000. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Record-Breakers and Trivia". everyHit.com. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Cliff Richard | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
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  13. ^ "Canadian certifications – Cliff Richard". Music Canada.
  14. ^ a b Boyle, Danny (14 April 2016). "Sir Cliff Richard's beloved Algarve winery goes on sale for £7.5million". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  15. ^ Mapstone, Lucy (25 May 2019). "'Disillusioned' Cliff Richard leaves UK". Perth Now. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  16. ^ Turner, Steve (2008). Cliff Richard : the biography (50th ed.). Oxford: Lion. ISBN 978-0-7459-5279-6. OCLC 174130052.
  17. ^ Turner, Steve (2008). Cliff Richard: The Biography. Oxford: Lion. p. 21. ISBN 9780745952796.
  18. ^ Stark, Herbert Alick. Hostages To India: OR The Life Story of the Anglo Indian Race, London: The Simon Wallenberg Press: Vol 2: Anglo Indian Heritage Books
  19. ^ "Sir Cliff Richard's sister Donna Goulden dies age 73". 9 August 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  20. ^ When Piers Met Sir Cliff, ITV1
  21. ^ Richard, Cliff; Junor, Penny (2008). My Life, My Way. Headline Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-7553-1588-8.
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Bibliography

  • Tremlett, George (12 September 1975). The Cliff Richard Story. London, England: Futura Publications Limited. ISBN 978-0-86007-232-4.
  • Lewry, Peter; Goodall, Nigel (12 September 1991). Cliff Richard: The Complete Recording Sessions, 1958–90. London: Blandford Press. ISBN 978-0-7137-2242-0.
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  • Richard, Cliff; Latham, Bill (1 September 1983). You, Me and Jesus. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0340346280.
  • Turner, Steve (1 January 2008). Cliff Richard: The Biography. Oxford, England, UK: Lion Books. ISBN 978-0-7459-5279-6.
  • Turner, Steve (3 August 2009). Cliff Richard: The Bachelor Boy. London: Carlton Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84442-037-7.
  • Read, Mike (8 September 1983). The Story of the Shadows. London: Elm Tree books. ISBN 978-0-241-10861-1.
  • Frame, Pete (1 December 1993). The Complete Rock Family Rock Trees. London: Omnibus. ISBN 978-0-7119-6879-0.
  • Roberts, David (17 June 2006). Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles and Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7.
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  • Nicolson, Dave (30 April 2011). Jet Harris: In Spite of Everything. York, UK: Music Mentor Books. ISBN 978-0-9562679-0-0.

External links

March 17, 2023
cliff, richard, brazilian, comic, book, artist, welsh, rugby, player, rugby, player, born, harry, rodger, webb, october, 1940, english, singer, holds, both, british, barbadian, citizenship, total, sales, over, million, singles, united, kingdom, third, selling,. For the Brazilian comic book artist see Cliff Richards For the Welsh rugby player see Cliff Richards rugby player Sir Cliff Richard OBE born Harry Rodger Webb 14 October 1940 is an English singer who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship 2 He has total sales of over 21 5 million singles in the United Kingdom and is the third top selling artist in UK Singles Chart history behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley 4 SirCliff RichardOBERichard performing in 2021BornHarry Rodger Webb 1940 10 14 14 October 1940 age 82 1 Lucknow United Provinces British IndiaCitizenshipUnited Kingdom 2 Barbados 2 Occupation s Musician actorYears active1958 presentMusical careerOriginLondon EnglandGenresRock and roll pop rockabilly 3 pop rock CCMLabelsEMI s Columbia EMI Epic Decca Rocket Papillon Venture3MediaWebsitecliffrichard wbr orgRichard was originally marketed as a rebellious rock and roll singer in the style of Presley and Little Richard 5 With his backing group the Shadows he dominated the British popular music scene in the pre Beatles period of the late 1950s to early 1960s 6 His 1958 hit single Move It is often described as Britain s first authentic rock and roll song In the early 1960s he had a prosperous screen career with films including The Young Ones Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life and his own television show at the BBC Increased focus on his Christian faith and subsequent softening of his music led to a more middle of the road image and he sometimes ventured into contemporary Christian music In a career spanning nearly 65 years 7 Richard has amassed several gold and platinum discs and awards including two Ivor Novello Awards and three Brit Awards More than 130 of his singles albums and EPs have reached the UK Top 20 more than any other artist 8 Richard has had 67 UK top ten singles the second highest total for an artist behind Presley 9 He holds the record with Presley as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its first six decades 1950s 2000s He has achieved 14 UK No 1 singles 10 and is the only singer to have had a No 1 single in the UK in each of five consecutive decades 11 He also had four UK Christmas No 1 singles two of which were as a solo artist Mistletoe and Wine and Saviour s Day Richard has sold more than 250 million records worldwide making him one of the best selling music artists of all time 12 He has never achieved the same popularity in the United States despite eight US Top 40 singles including the million selling Devil Woman and We Don t Talk Anymore In Canada he had a successful period in the early 1960s the late 1970s and early 1980s with some releases certified gold and platinum 13 He has remained a popular music film and television personality at home in the UK as well as Australia New Zealand South Africa Northern Europe and Asia and retains a following in other countries When not touring he divides his time between Barbados and Portugal 14 In 2019 he relocated to New York 15 Contents 1 Biography 1 1 1940 1958 Childhood and adolescence 1 2 1958 1963 Success and stardom 1 3 1964 1975 Changing circumstances 1 4 1976 1994 Renaissance 1 5 1995 2007 Knighthood 1 6 2008 present 50th anniversary and Shadows reunion 2 Criticism of the music industry and commercial support 3 Personal life 3 1 Nationwide Festival of Light 3 2 Philanthropy 3 3 Scottish independence referendum 4 Property search investigation and BBC litigation 5 Cultural significance and impact 6 Discography 7 Filmography 7 1 Film 7 2 Television series 7 3 Selected television specials 8 Television appearances 9 Publications 10 Theatre work 11 Awards 12 See also 13 References 14 Bibliography 15 External linksBiography Edit1940 1958 Childhood and adolescence Edit Cliff Richard was born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940 at King George s Hospital now KGMU Hospital Victoria Street in Lucknow which was then part of British India His parents were Rodger Oscar Webb a manager for a catering contractor that serviced the Indian Railways and the former Dorothy Marie Dazely His parents also spent some years in Howrah West Bengal After the violence of Direct Action Day they decided to relocate to England permanently 16 Richard is primarily of English heritage but he had one great grandmother who was of half Welsh and half Spanish descent born of a Spanish great great grandmother named Emiline Joseph Rebeiro 17 The Webb family lived in a modest home in Maqbara near the main shopping centre of Hazratganj 18 Dorothy s mother served as the dormitory matron at the La Martiniere Girls School Richard has three sisters Joan Jacqui and Donna 1942 2016 19 20 In 1948 following Indian independence the family embarked on a three week sea voyage to Tilbury Essex England aboard the SS Ranchi The Webbs moved from comparative wealth in India where they lived in a company supplied flat at Howrah near Calcutta to a semi detached house in Carshalton north Surrey Harry Webb attended a local primary school Stanley Park Juniors in Carshalton In 1949 his father obtained employment in the credit control office of Thorn Electrical Industries and the family moved in with other relatives in Waltham Cross Hertfordshire where he attended Kings Road Junior Mixed Infants School until a three bedroom council house in nearby Cheshunt was allocated to them in 1950 at 12 Hargreaves Close He then attended Cheshunt Secondary Modern School from 1952 to 1957 The school was later renamed Riversmead School before being rebuilt and renamed Bishopslea School As a member of the top stream he stayed on beyond the minimum leaving age to take GCE Ordinary Level examinations and gained a pass in English literature He then started work as a filing clerk for Atlas Lamps 21 A development of retirement flats Cliff Richard Court has been named after him in Cheshunt 22 Harry Webb became interested in skiffle When he was 16 his father bought him a guitar and in 1957 he formed the school vocal harmony group The Quintones 23 before singing in the Dick Teague Skiffle Group 24 1958 1963 Success and stardom Edit Richard at a press conference in the Netherlands in 1962 Harry Webb became lead singer of a rock and roll group the Drifters distinct from the US group of the same name The 1950s entrepreneur Harry Greatorex wanted the up and coming rock n roll singer to change his name The name Cliff was adopted as it sounded like cliff face which suggested Rock It was Move It writer Ian Samwell who suggested the surname Richard as a tribute to Webb s musical hero Little Richard 5 Before their first large scale appearance at the Regal Ballroom in Ripley Derbyshire in 1958 they adopted the name Cliff Richard and the Drifters The four members were Harry Webb by then going under the stage name Cliff Richard Ian Samwell on guitar Terry Smart on drums and Norman Mitham on guitar None of the other three played with the later and better known Shadows although Samwell wrote songs for Richard s later career Agent George Ganjou saw the group perform in London and recommended them to Norrie Paramor for an audition 25 For Richard s debut session Paramor provided him with Schoolboy Crush a song previously recorded by American Bobby Helms Richard was permitted to record one of his own songs for the B side this was Move It written and composed by the Drifters Samwell while he was on board a number 715 Green Line bus on the way to Richard s house for a rehearsal For the Move It session Paramor used the session guitarist Ernie Shears on lead guitar and Frank Clark on bass There are various stories about why the A side was replaced by the intended B side One is that Norrie Paramor s young daughter raved about the B side another was that influential TV producer Jack Good who used the act for his TV show Oh Boy wanted the only song on his show to be Move It as opposed to Schoolboy Crush 26 Richard was quoted as saying It s wonderful to be going on TV for the first time but I feel so nervous that I don t know what to do I shaved my sideburns off last night Jack Good said it would make me look more original NME September 1958 27 Richard with the Shadows in 1962The single went to No 2 on the UK Singles Chart John Lennon credited Move It as being the first British rock record 28 In the early days Richard was marketed as the British equivalent of Elvis Like previous British rockers such as Tommy Steele and Marty Wilde Richard adopted Elvis like dress and hairstyle In performance he struck a pose of rock attitude rarely smiling or looking at the audience or camera His late 1958 and early 1959 follow up singles High Class Baby and Livin Lovin Doll were followed by Mean Streak which carried a rocker s sense of speed and passion and Lionel Bart s Living Doll It was on Living Doll that the Drifters began to back Richard on record It was his fifth record and became his first No 1 single By that time the group s line up had changed with the arrival of Jet Harris Tony Meehan Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch The group was obliged to change its name to The Shadows after legal complications with the American group the Drifters as Living Doll entered the American top 40 licensed by ABC Paramount Living Doll was used in Richard s debut film Serious Charge but it was arranged as a country standard rather than a rock and roll standard The Shadows were not a typical backing group They became contractually separate from Richard and the group received no royalties for records backing Richard In 1959 the Shadows then still the Drifters landed an EMI recording contract of their own for independent recordings That year they released three singles two of which featured double sided vocals and one of which had instrumental A and B sides They thereafter had several major hits including five UK No 1s The band also continued to appear and record with Richard and wrote many of his hits On more than one occasion a Shadows instrumental replaced a Richard song at the top of the British charts Richard s fifth single Living Doll triggered a softer more relaxed sound Subsequent hits the No 1s Travellin Light and I Love You and also A Voice in the Wilderness lifted from his film Expresso Bongo and Theme for a Dream cemented Richard s status as a mainstream pop entertainer along with contemporaries such as Adam Faith and Billy Fury Throughout the early 1960s his hits were consistently in the top five Princess Margaret left and Richard at the 59 Club London in 1962 In 1961 EMI records organised Richard s 21st birthday party at its London headquarters in Manchester Square led by his producer Norrie Paramor Photographs of the celebrations were incorporated into Richard s next album 21 Today in which Tony Meehan joined in despite then having very recently left the Shadows to be replaced by Brian Bennett Typically the Shadows closed the first half of the show with a 30 minute set of their own then backed Richard on his show closing 45 minute stint as exemplified by the retrospective CD album release of Live at the ABC Kingston 1962 Tony Meehan and Jet Harris left the group in 1961 and 1962 respectively and later had their own chart successes for Decca The Shadows added bass players Brian Locking 1962 63 and then John Rostill 1963 68 and took on Brian Bennett permanently on drums In the early years particularly on album and EP releases Richard also recorded ballads backed by the Norrie Paramor Orchestra with Tony Meehan and later Brian Bennett as a session drummer His first such single without the Shadows was When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart in 1961 and he continued to release one or two per year including covers of It s All in the Game in 1963 and Constantly in 1964 a revival of a popular Italian hit In 1965 sessions under the direction of Billy Sherrill in Nashville Tennessee were particularly successful yielding The Minute You re Gone which topped the UK singles chart and Wind Me Up Let Me Go which made No 2 Richard and the Shadows in particular however never achieved star status in the United States In 1960 they toured the United States and were well received but lacklustre support and distribution from a revolving door of American record labels proved an obstacle to long term success there despite several chart records by Richard including the aforementioned It s All in the Game on Epic via a renewed linking of the worldwide Columbia labels after Philips ended its distribution deal with CBS To the Shadows chagrin Apache reached No 2 in the US through a cover version by Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann which was almost unchanged from their worldwide hit Richard and the band appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show which was crucial for the Beatles but these performances did not help them gain sustained success in North America Richard and the Shadows appeared in six feature films including a debut in the 1959 film Serious Charge but most notably in The Young Ones Summer Holiday Wonderful Life and Finders Keepers These films created their own genre known as the Cliff Richard musical and led to Richard s being named the No 1 cinema box office attraction in Britain for both 1962 and 1963 beating that of even James Bond 29 The title song of The Young Ones became his biggest selling single in the United Kingdom selling over one million copies in the UK 30 The irreverent 1980s TV sitcom The Young Ones took its name from Richard s 1962 film In mid 1963 Cliff and the Shadows appeared for a season in Blackpool where Richard had his portrait modelled by Victor Heyfron 1964 1975 Changing circumstances Edit As with the other existing rock acts in Britain Richard s career was affected by the advent of the Beatles and the Mersey sound in 1963 and 1964 He continued to be popular and have hits in the charts throughout the 1960s though not at the level that he had enjoyed before Nor did doors open to him in the US market he was not considered part of the British Invasion and despite four Hot 100 hits including the top 25 It s All in the Game between August 1963 and August 1964 the American public had little awareness of him Although baptised as an Anglican Richard did not practise the faith in his early years In 1964 he became an active Christian and his faith has become an important aspect of his life Standing up publicly as a Christian affected his career in several ways Initially he believed that he should quit rock n roll feeling he could no longer be the rocker who had been called a crude exhibitionist and too sexy for TV Richard intended at first to reform his ways and become a teacher but Christian friends advised him not to abandon his career just because he had become an active Christian Soon after Richard re emerged performing with Christian groups and recording some Christian material He still recorded secular songs with the Shadows but devoted a lot of his time to Christian work including appearances with the Billy Graham crusades As time progressed Richard balanced his faith and work enabling him to remain one of the most popular singers in Britain as well as one of its best known Christians Richard s 1965 UK No 12 hit On My Word ended a run of 23 consecutive top ten UK hits between A Voice in the Wilderness in 1960 to The Minute You re Gone in 1965 which to date is still a record number of consecutive top ten UK hits for a male artist 9 Richard continued having international hits including 1967 s The Day I Met Marie which reached No 10 in the UK Singles Chart and No 5 in the Australian charts Richard acted in the 1967 film Two a Penny released by Billy Graham s World Wide Pictures 31 in which he played Jamie Hopkins a young man who gets involved in drug dealing while questioning his life after his girlfriend changes her attitude He released the live album Cliff in Japan in 1967 In 1968 he sang the UK s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest Congratulations written and composed by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter it lost however by one point to Spain s La La La According to John Kennedy O Connor s The Eurovision Song Contest The Official History this was the closest result yet in the contest and Richard locked himself in the toilet to avoid the nerves of the voting 32 In May 2008 a Reuters news report claimed that voting in the competition had been fixed by the Spanish dictator leader Francisco Franco to ensure that the Spanish entry won allowing them to host the contest the following year 1969 It was claimed that Spanish TVE television executives offered to buy programmes in exchange for votes as well as contract unknown artists 33 34 The story was widely covered and featured on UK s Channel 4 News as a main story on 7 May 2008 with Jon Snow interviewing author and historian John Kennedy O Connor about the matter 35 However the allegations turned out to be untrue as it was a widely repeated rumour instigated by TVE 36 Nevertheless Congratulations was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia and yet another No 1 in April 1968 Portrait of Richard by Allan Warren 1973 After the Shadows split in 1968 Richard continued to record During the 1970s Richard took part in several television shows and fronted his own show It s Cliff Richard from 1970 to 1976 It starred Olivia Newton John Hank Marvin and Una Stubbs and included A Song for Europe He began 1970 by appearing live on the BBC s review of the sixties music scene Pop Go The Sixties which was broadcast across Britain and Europe on 31 December 1969 He performed Bachelor Boy with the Shadows and Congratulations solo In 1972 he made a short BBC television comedy film called The Case with appearances from comedians and his first ever duets with a woman Newton John He went on to release a double live album Cliff Live in Japan 1972 which featured Newton John His final acting role on the silver screen to date was in 1973 when he starred in the film Take Me High In 1973 he sang the British Eurovision entry Power to All Our Friends the song finished third close behind Luxembourg s Tu Te Reconnaitras and Spain s Eres Tu This time Richard took Valium to overcome his nerves and his manager was almost unable to wake him for the performance 37 Richard also hosted the BBC s qualifying heat for the Eurovision Song Contest A Song for Europe in 1970 1971 and 1972 as part of his BBCTV variety series He presented the Eurovision Song Contest Previews for the BBC in 1971 and 1972 In 1975 he released the single Honky Tonk Angel produced by Hank Marvin and John Farrar oblivious to its connotations or hidden meanings As soon as he was notified that a honky tonk angel was southern US slang for a prostitute the horrified Richard ordered EMI to withdraw it and refused to promote it despite making a video for it EMI agreed to his demand despite the fact the single was expected to sell well About 1 000 copies are known to exist on vinyl 1976 1994 Renaissance Edit In 1976 the decision was made to repackage Richard as a rock artist That year Bruce Welch relaunched Cliff s career and produced the landmark album I m Nearly Famous which included the successful but controversial guitar driven track Devil Woman which became Richard s first true hit in the United States and the ballad Miss You Nights In reviewing the new album in Melody Maker Geoff Brown heralded it the renaissance of Richard 38 Richard s fans were excited about this revival of a performer who had been a part of British rock from its early days Many music names such as Jimmy Page Eric Clapton and Elton John were seen sporting I m Nearly Famous badges pleased that their boyhood idol was getting back into the heavier rock in which he had begun his career Notwithstanding this Richard continued to release albums with contemporary Christian music content in parallel with his rock and pop albums for example Small Corners from 1978 contained the single Yes He Lives On 31 December 1976 he performed his latest single Hey Mr Dream Maker on BBC1 s A Jubilee of Music celebrating British pop music for Queen Elizabeth II s impending Silver Jubilee In 1979 Richard teamed up once again with producer Bruce Welch for the pop hit single We Don t Talk Anymore written and composed by Alan Tarney which hit No 1 in the UK and No 7 in the US Bryan Ferry added hummed backing vocals to the song The record made Richard the first act to reach the Hot 100 s top 40 in the 1980s who had also been there in each of the three previous decades The song was quickly added onto the end of his latest album Rock n Roll Juvenile which was re titled We Don t Talk Anymore for its release in the United States It was his first time at the top of the UK singles chart in over ten years and the song would become his biggest selling single worldwide selling almost five million copies throughout the world 39 Later in 1979 Richard performed with Kate Bush at the London Symphony Orchestra s 75th anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall 40 With We Don t Talk Anymore in 1979 Richard finally began to receive some extended success in the United States to follow on from the success of Devil Woman in 1976 In 1980 Carrie broke into the US top 40 followed by Dreamin which reached No 10 His 1980 duet Suddenly with Olivia Newton John from the film Xanadu peaked at No 20 followed by A Little in Love No 17 and Daddy s Home No 23 in 1981 After many years of limited success in the US three of his singles simultaneously charted on the last Hot 100 of 1980 A Little in Love Dreamin and Suddenly 41 The videos for We Don t Talk Anymore A Little in Love and Dreamin were among the first to be played by MTV upon its launch in 1981 citation needed In the UK meanwhile Carrie reached No 4 and Dreamin peaked at No 8 In a retrospective review of Carrie AllMusic journalist Dave Thompson praised Carrie as being an enthrallingly atmospheric number One of the most electrifying of all Cliff Richard s recordings 42 In 1980 Richard officially changed his name by deed poll from Harry Rodger Webb to Cliff Richard 43 At the same time he received from the Queen the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to music and charity 44 In 1981 the single Wired for Sound hit No 4 in the UK and also became Richard s biggest hit in Australia since the early 1960s To finish the year Daddy s Home hit No 2 in the UK On the singles chart Richard was having his most consistent period of top twenty hits since the mid 1960s He also was amassing a string of top ten albums including I m No Hero Wired for Sound Now You See Me Now You Don t a live album he recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra titled Dressed for the Occasion and Silver marking his 25th year in show business in 1983 In 1986 Richard reached No 1 by teaming up with The Young Ones to re record his smash hit Living Doll for the charity Comic Relief Along with the song the recording contained comedy dialogue between Richard and the Young Ones That same year Richard opened in the West End as a rock musician called upon to defend Earth in a trial set in the Andromeda Galaxy in the multi media Dave Clark musical Time Three Richard singles She s So Beautiful which reached No 17 in the UK It s in Every One of Us and Born To Rock n Roll were released over 1985 and 1986 from the concept album recorded for Time In August 1986 Richard was involved in a five car crash in torrential rain on the M4 motorway in West London Richard s car was a write off as another car swerved and braked hard Richard hurt his back in the accident but was not seriously injured Police called for a cab from the accident scene so that he was able to perform that night in the Time musical After the show Richard said I m lucky to be here He said that his seatbelt had prevented him from flying through the windscreen 45 In October 1986 All I Ask of You a duet that Richard recorded with Sarah Brightman from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical version of The Phantom of the Opera reached No 3 in the UK singles chart 46 1987 saw the release of his Always Guaranteed album which became his best selling album of all new material and included the two top 10 hit singles My Pretty One and Some People Richard concluded his thirtieth year in music by achieving a UK Christmas No 1 single in 1988 with Mistletoe and Wine while simultaneously holding the No 1 positions on the album and video charts with the compilation Private Collection which summed up his biggest hits from 1979 to 1988 Mistletoe and Wine was Richard s 99th UK single and spent four weeks at the top of the chart It was the best selling UK single of 1988 shifting 750 000 copies 47 The album was certified quadruple platinum becoming Richard s first to be certified multi platinum by the BPI since it introduced multi platinum awards in February 1987 48 49 In May 1989 Richard released his 100th single The Best of Me becoming the first British artist to achieve the feat 50 The single peaked at No 2 in the UK It was also the lead single from the UK top ten album Stronger Released along with the singles I Just Don t Have the Heart UK No 3 Lean On You No 17 and Stronger Than That No 14 the album become Richard s first studio album to amass four UK top twenty hits Also in 1989 Richard received the Brits highest award The Outstanding Contribution award 51 In June he filled London s Wembley Stadium for two nights with a spectacular titled The Event in front of a combined audience of 144 000 people 52 On 30 June 1990 Richard performed to an estimated 120 000 people at England s Knebworth Park as part of an all star concert line up that also included Paul McCartney Phil Collins Elton John and Tears for Fears The concert in aid of charity was televised around the world and helped to raise 10 5 million for disabled children and young musicians 53 54 Later in 1990 a live album titled From a Distance The Event was released It compiled highlights of the previous year s The Event show and provided two live tracks as singles Silhouettes UK No 10 and From a Distance No 11 However it was with the Christmas single Saviour s Day that Richard scored his 13th UK No 1 single and his 100th top 40 hit 55 The album itself reached No 3 over the Christmas period and was certified double platinum by the BPI 48 Following the success of the recent Christmas singles Richard released his first Christmas album Together with Cliff Richard in 1991 but his bid for the UK Christmas No 1 spot again with We Should Be Together was unsuccessful making No 10 1992 saw I Still Believe in You No 7 released as his Christmas single while 1993 saw Richard s first new music studio album for over three years released Simply titled The Album it debuted at No 1 on the UK album chart Peace in Our Time No 8 was the second lead single followed by Human Work of Art No 24 and Healing Love No 19 for Christmas In 1994 the compilation The Hit List was released meanwhile in the background Richard was concentrating on bringing the musical Heathcliff to the stage With Richard s succession of hit songs and albums from the late 1970s into the early 1980s followed by another strong run in the late 1980s and early 1990s a strong fan base had been reestablished and Richard remained one of the best known music artists in the country Over the decade of the 1980s he recorded with Olivia Newton John Elton John Stevie Wonder Phil Everly Janet Jackson Sheila Walsh and Van Morrison Meanwhile the Shadows later re formed and again split They recorded on their own but also reunited with Richard in 1978 1984 and 1989 90 1995 2007 Knighthood Edit On 17 June 1995 Richard was appointed a Knight Bachelor invested on 25 October 1995 56 becoming the first rock star to be so honoured 57 In 1996 he led the Wimbledon Centre Court crowd in singing during a rain delay when asked by Wimbledon officials to entertain the crowd 58 59 In late 1990s Richard and former EMI UK managing director Clive Black established the record label Blacknight In 1998 Richard demonstrated that radio stations were refusing to play his music when he released a dance remix of his forthcoming single Can t Keep This Feeling In on a white label using the alias Blacknight The single was featured on playlists until the true artist was revealed 60 61 Richard then released the single under his own name as the lead single for his album Real as I Wanna Be with each reaching No 10 in the UK on their respective charts In 1999 controversy again arose regarding radio stations refusing to play his releases when EMI Richard s label since 1958 refused to release his song The Millennium Prayer having judged that the song did not have commercial potential 62 Richard took it to an independent label Papillon which released the charity recording in aid of Children s Promise The single went on to top the UK chart for three weeks becoming his fourteenth and as of December 2022 most recent No 1 single 63 64 Richard s next album in 2001 was a covers project Wanted followed by another top ten album Cliff at Christmas The holiday album contained both new and older recordings including the single Santa s List which reached No 5 in 2003 65 66 Richard went to Nashville Tennessee for his next album project in 2004 employing a writers conclave to give him the pick of all new songs for the album Something s Goin On It was another top 10 album and produced three UK top 20 singles Something s Goin On I Cannot Give You My Love with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees and What Car Richard performing in London during the 50th anniversary tour in 2008 On 14 June 2004 Richard joined the Shadows on stage at the London Palladium The Shadows had decided to re form for another tour of the UK It was not to be their last tour together though as they would re form once again for a final tour five years later in 2009 Two s Company an album of duets released in 2006 was another top 10 success for Richard and included newly recorded material with Brian May Dionne Warwick Anne Murray Barry Gibb and Daniel O Donnell plus some previously recorded duets with artists such as Phil Everly Elton John and Olivia Newton John Two s Company was released to coincide with the UK leg of his latest world tour Here and Now which included lesser known songs such as My Kinda Life How Did She Get Here Hey Mr Dream Maker For Life A Matter of Moments When The Girl in Your Arms and the Christmas single 21st Century Christmas which debuted at No 2 on the UK singles chart Another compilation album Love The Album was released on 12 November 2007 Like Two s Company before it this album includes both previously released material and newly recorded songs namely Waiting for a Girl Like You When You Say Nothing at All All Out of Love If You re Not the One and When I Need You the last was released as a single reaching No 38 the album peaked at No 13 67 2008 present 50th anniversary and Shadows reunion Edit L R Bruce Welch Richard Brian Bennett and Hank Marvin 2009 2008 Richard s 51st year in the music business saw the release of the eight CD box set And They Said It Wouldn t Last My 50 Years in Music 68 In September a single celebrating his 50 years in pop music titled Thank You for a Lifetime was released On 14 September 2008 it reached No 3 on the UK music charts On 11 November 2008 Richard s official website announced that Cliff and the Shadows would reunite to celebrate their 50th anniversary in the music business A month later they performed at the Royal Variety Performance In 2009 Cliff and the Shadows brought their partnership to an end with the Golden Anniversary concert tour of the UK A new album titled Reunited by Richard and the Shadows was released in September 2009 It was their first studio project in forty years The 28 tracks recorded comprise 25 re recordings of their earlier work with three new tracks originally from that era and earlier the single Singing the Blues along with Eddie Cochran s C mon Everybody and the Frankie Ford hit Sea Cruise The album charted at No 6 in the UK charts in its opening week and peaked at No 4 The reunion tour continued into Europe in 2010 In June 2009 it was reported by Sound Kitchen Studios in Nashville that Richard was to return there shortly to record a new album of original recordings of jazz songs 69 He was to record fourteen tracks in a week Richard performing at the State Theatre Sydney in 2013 Richard performed Congratulations at the 70th birthday celebrations of Queen Margrethe II in Denmark on 13 April 2010 On 14 October 2010 Richard celebrated his 70th birthday and to mark the occasion he performed a series of six concerts at the Royal Albert Hall London To accompany the concerts a new album of cover versions of swing standards Bold as Brass was released on 11 October The official party celebrating Richard s 70th birthday was held on 23 October 2010 with guests including Cilla Black Elaine Paige and Daniel O Donnell After a week of promotion Richard flew out to rehearse for the German Night of the Proms concerts in Belgium at the end of October He made a surprise appearance at the Antwerp concert of the Night of the Proms on Thursday 28 October 2010 and sang We Don t Talk Anymore to a great reaction from the surprised 20 000 fans at Sportpaleis Antwerp In all he toured 12 German cities in November and December 2010 during the Night of the Proms concerts as the headline act The total of 18 concerts were attended by over 300 000 fans Richard performed a selection of hits and tracks from the Bold As Brass album In November 2010 he achieved his third consecutive UK No 1 music DVD in three years with the DVD release of Bold as Brass Richard performing in 2017 In October 2011 Richard released his Soulicious album containing duets with American soul singers including Percy Sledge Ashford and Simpson Roberta Flack Freda Payne and Candi Staton 70 The album was produced by Lamont Dozier and was supported by a short UK arena tour Soulicious became Richard s 41st top 10 UK hit album He was among the performers at the Diamond Jubilee concert held outside Buckingham Palace in June 2012 71 On 30 June 2012 Richard helped to carry the Olympic torch from Derby to Birmingham as part of the torch relay for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London Richard said that his run with the Olympic torch would be one of his top 10 memories 72 Richard was involved in a campaign to extend copyright on sound recordings in the UK from 50 to 95 years and extend the number of years on which a musician can receive royalties The campaign was initially unsuccessful and the UK copyright on many of Richard s early recordings expired in 2008 73 In 2013 following another campaign copyright on sound recordings was extended to 70 years after first publication to the public for works still in copyright at that point This means Richard s recordings between 1958 and 1962 are out of copyright in the UK but those from 1963 will be in copyright until 2034 74 In November 2013 Richard released the 100th album of his career The Fabulous Rock n Roll Songbook To that point Richard had released 47 studio albums 35 compilations 11 live albums and 7 film soundtracks 75 Richard was scheduled to open for Morrissey at a live concert at New York s 19 000 capacity Barclays Center on 21 June 2014 76 77 Morrissey said that he was honoured and thrilled to have Richard on the bill 78 It was reported on 16 June 2014 that Morrissey had cancelled the concert after collapsing with an acute fever Richard announced that he would stage a free show for fans in New York on the same night the cancelled concert was due to take place 79 In October 2015 Richard performed on tour to mark his 75th birthday He took to the stage across seven cities in the UK including six nights at London s Royal Albert Hall where he has performed on over 100 occasions during his career 80 81 Richard s 2015 tour received a positive review from The Guardian s rock music critic Dave Simpson 82 Richard performing in 2021 In August 2018 Richard announced the release of the album Rise Up which includes new material The first single of the album Rise Up was released in vinyl format and reached No 1 on the UK Vinyl Singles Chart in October 2018 83 He performed a duet with Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler on Taking Control that appeared on her 2019 studio album Between the Earth and the Stars In 2020 Richard released the album Music The Air That I Breathe On 4 July 2022 Richard sang his 1963 hit Summer Holiday at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships as part of the Centenary Celebration 84 Criticism of the music industry and commercial support EditRichard has openly complained about the lack of commercial support he receives from radio stations and record labels He spoke about this on The Alan Titchmarsh Show on ITV in December 2007 pointing out that while new bands needed airplay for promotion and sales long established artists such as himself also relied upon airplay for the same reasons He also noted that 1980s radio stations did play his records and that this went some way to help sales and maintain his media presence In the BBC Radio 2 documentary Cliff Take Another Look he pointed out that many documentaries charting the history of British music e g I m in a Rock n Roll Band fail to mention him or the Shadows 85 In 1998 Chris Evans the then breakfast show host on Virgin Radio vowed he would never again play a record by Richard stating that he was too old 86 87 In June 2004 British disc jockey Tony Blackburn was suspended from his radio job at Classic Gold Digital for playing records by Richard against station policy The head of programmes Paul Baker sent an e mail to Blackburn stating that Richard doesn t match our brand values He s not on the playlist and you must stop playing him On Blackburn s next morning breakfast show he read a print out of the e mail live on air to the show s 400 000 listeners and went on to play two songs by Richard Classic Gold managing director John Baish later confirmed Blackburn s suspension from the show 88 In 2011 digital station Absolute Radio 60s dedicated to playing popular music from the 1960s announced they would not be playing any of Richard s records because they said they did not fit the cool sound we re trying to create DJ Pete Mitchell said Timeless acts of the decade that remain relevant today are the Beatles the Stones the Doors and the Who not Sir Cliff Richard responded to this by saying They re lying to themselves and more importantly they re lying to the public 89 Richard has spoken of his irritation about other stars who are praised after taking drugs 90 In 2009 Richard said he was the most radical rock and roll singer Britain has ever seen as he did not indulge in drugs or sexual promiscuity 91 Richard said he is proud that he never adopted the hedonistic lifestyle of a typical rock star He said I ve never wanted to trash a hotel room 92 Richard has criticised the music industry for encouraging artists to court controversy In November 2013 he said The music industry has changed drastically and that damages young artists This industry can be very destructive 93 Richard expressed concern about the sexually explicit public image of singer Miley Cyrus following controversy surrounding a semi naked video for her song Wrecking Ball 93 In the 1970s Richard said that he was disturbed by the visual imagery and mock horror of singer Alice Cooper 94 In 1997 Richard said of the rock band Oasis It s just a shame that part of what gives them their kick is their self destructive impulse 95 In an article for The Guardian in 2011 the journalist Sam Leith wrote of Richard s lack of commercial support among radio stations His uncompromising Christianity his clean living ways and his connoisseurship of the fruits of his Portuguese winery have made him an object of incomprehension even ridicule for the uncultured alcopop drinking younger generation 96 Also writing in The Guardian John Robb opined that because Richard has rebelled against the drink and drugs culture of typical rock stars this rebelling against rebellion has made Richard something of a countercultural icon 97 In December 2013 Richard said that he felt two of his singles Mistletoe and Wine and The Millennium Prayer had created a negative reaction against him He said Airplay is vital for single hits The only way I can have a fair competition is if your records are on the radio There is an ageism in the radio industry If you ask me to record a new song I m not sure it would get the support it needs 98 Author and rock music critic Tony Parsons said If you don t like at least some Cliff Richard then you don t like pop music 99 Sting also defended Richard stating Cliff Richard is in my opinion one of Britain s finest singers technically and emotionally 100 Personal life EditRichard s father Rodger Webb died in 1961 aged 56 and that had a great impact on Richard He later said My father died very young He missed the best parts of my career When my father was sick we became very close 101 self published source Richard s mother Dorothy died in October 2007 aged 87 after a decade with Alzheimer s disease In a 2006 interview he spoke about the difficulties he and his sisters had in dealing with their mother s condition 102 Richard is a lifelong bachelor 103 In a three page letter written in October 1961 to his first serious girlfriend 104 Australian dancer Delia Wicks made public in April 2010 after her death from cancer Richard wrote Being a pop singer I have to give up one priceless thing the right to any lasting relationship with any special girl I ve just had to make probably one of the biggest decisions I m ever going to make and I m hoping that it won t hurt you too much 103 The couple had been dating for 18 months In the letter he goes on to say I couldn t give up my career besides the fact that my mother and sisters since my father s death rely on me completely I have showbiz in my blood now and I would be lost without it Richard urged her to find someone who is free to love you as you deserve to be loved and who is able to marry you 104 After Delia Wicks died in 2010 aged 71 her brother Graham Wicks said that she had been devastated by Richard s decision to end their relationship describing Richard as a very pleasant man 103 At the age of 22 a year after his relationship with Delia Wicks ended Richard had a brief romance with the actress Una Stubbs 99 Later in the 1960s Richard considered marriage to the dancer Jackie Irving Richard described Irving as utterly beautiful and says for a time they were inseparable 105 Irving went on to marry Adam Faith In his autobiography Richard stressed that sex is not one of the things that drives me but he also wrote of his seduction by Carol Costa who at the time was the estranged wife of Jet Harris 105 In the 1980s Richard considered asking Sue Barker 105 a former French Open tennis champion and Wimbledon semi finalist 106 if she would agree to marry him In 2008 Richard said of his relationship with Barker I seriously contemplated asking her to marry me but in the end I realised that I didn t love her quite enough to commit the rest of my life to her 105 Richard first met Barker in 1982 when she was aged 25 Their romance attracted considerable media attention after Richard flew to Denmark to watch her play in a tennis match and they were later photographed cuddling and holding hands at Wimbledon 107 108 In an interview in February 1983 Richard spoke of the possibility of marriage with her He said I m seeing Sue the only girl I want to see at the moment and if marriage comes on the horizon I shall relish it 109 In September 1983 Richard said that he had no immediate plans to marry Barker He said It s not vital to get married and it s not vital to be a father But I would like to settle down and have a family one day 110 In July 1984 Barker said of her romance with Richard I love him he s great and I m sure we love each other 111 In 1986 after Richard s romance with Barker had ended and she began dating tennis player Stephen Shaw Richard said that he was still a friend of Barker He said We have a mutual respect for each other and that means a lot to me 112 When later asked why he has never married Richard said I ve had a few false alarms I ve been in love but marriage is a big commitment and being an artist consumes a great deal of time 113 He said that in the early 1970s he was in love with the singer and actress Olivia Newton John Richard said At the time when I and many of us were in love with Olivia she was engaged to someone else I m afraid I lost the chance 113 In 1988 Richard s nephew Philip Harrison spent the first four months of his life in a children s hospital suffering from serious breathing problems Richard later helped to raise money for the hospital in East London and said that his nephew had a terrible time but the hospital saved his life 114 115 Although he has never married Richard has rarely lived alone For many years he shared his main home with his charity and promotion schedules manager Bill Latham and Latham s mother 116 117 In 1982 Richard described them as his second family 118 Latham s girlfriend Jill also lived at the house in Weybridge Surrey with them for a time 99 In 1993 Bill Latham said of Richard s bachelor status His freedom has meant that he has been able to do much more than if he had a family He always goes the extra mile If he was to have a relationship he would give it everything So because his commitments have been his career his faith and more latterly tennis he has given himself wholeheartedly to those three activities 119 Richard often declines discussion about close relationships and when asked about suggestions that he may be homosexual has stated categorically that he is not When the suggestions were first put to him in the late 1970s Richard responded by saying It s untrue People are very unfair with their criticism and their judgements I ve had girlfriends But people seem to think that if a bloke doesn t sleep around he must be gay Marriage is a very special thing to me I m certainly not going to do it just to make other people feel satisfied 118 In 1986 Richard said that rumours about his being homosexual had previously been very painful to him 112 When asked in 1992 if he had ever considered the possibility that he might be gay he responded No 120 Richard said Even if I got married tomorrow there would be a group of people who would believe what they wanted to believe All that counts is what your family and friends know and they all trust and respect me What the people outside think I have no control over 120 Later in 1996 Richard said I m aware of the rumours but I am not gay 90 In 1997 he said People who are single shouldn t have to be second class citizens we needn t be embarrassed or feel guilty about it we all have a role to play 95 Richard said that his faith in God was tested in 1999 after the murder of his close friend the British television presenter Jill Dando He said I was really angry with God It shook me rigid that someone as beautiful talented and harmless could have been killed 121 Richard said that Dando had many likeable qualities and described her as a very genuine person He said of Dando s murder It is very difficult to understand and I find it all very confusing 122 He attended her funeral in May 1999 in Weston super Mare Somerset 123 Richard has spoken of his friendship with John McElynn an American former missionary whom he met in 2001 on a visit to New York City 124 In 2008 Richard said John now spends most of his time looking after my properties which means I don t have to John and I have over time struck up a close friendship He has also become a companion which is great because I don t like living alone even now 105 In an interview with David Frost in 2002 Richard said that his many good friends have prevented him from feeling lonely and he has always got someone he can talk to 125 Richard has been a family friend of the Northern Irish broadcaster Gloria Hunniford for over forty years When Hunniford s daughter Caron Keating was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to keep her illness private from the public Richard was among a small close circle of friends who knew of Keating s condition When Keating died in April 2004 Richard attended her funeral in Kent and performed his song Miss You Nights in tribute to her 126 127 In 2006 Richard received a Portuguese Order in which he was appointed Commander of the Order of Prince Henry ComIH 128 this in recognition of his forty years of personal and business involvement in that country which included investments in winemaking and a house in Algarve where he has spent part of the year throughout the decades 129 Richard finished No 56 in the 2002 100 Greatest Britons list sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public In his 2008 autobiography Richard wrote that his views on certain issues are less judgemental than when he was younger 130 He called on the Church of England to affirm people s commitment in same sex marriage 131 He wrote In the end I believe people are going to be judged for what they are It seems to me that commitment is the issue and if anyone comes to me and says This is my partner we are committed to each other then I don t care what their sexuality is I m not going to judge I ll leave that to God 105 In 2009 the British media reported on a growing friendship between Richard and Cilla Black The Daily Telegraph said that Richard and Black looked at properties together in Miami and were regularly seen together in Barbados where they both owned villas Richard and Black reportedly enjoyed each other s company dining together in Marbella and watching tennis in the Royal Box at Wimbledon 132 After Black died in August 2015 Richard described her as incredibly gifted and full of heart He said She was a very special person and I have lost a very wonderful friend I will miss her dearly 133 Richard performed the song Faithful One in tribute to Black at her funeral in Liverpool 134 In 2010 Richard confirmed that he is no longer a resident of the United Kingdom and had been granted citizenship by Barbados He said I m officially a non resident of the UK although I will always be British and proud of it 2 He currently divides his time between living in Barbados and Portugal 14 When asked in February 2013 if he had regrets about not starting a family Richard said that if he had been married with children he could not have devoted so much time to his career He said My three sisters have children and it s been wonderful to watch them grow up get married and start families of their own I ve made sure I ve always played a part in their lives So while I think I would have been a good father I ve given myself to my family and I wouldn t have it any other way My freedom allows me to continue my career Had I been married with children I wouldn t be able to do what I do now 135 Nationwide Festival of Light Edit In 1971 Richard was a leading supporter of the Nationwide Festival of Light a movement formed by British Christians who were concerned about the development of the permissive society Richard joined public figures such as Malcolm Muggeridge Mary Whitehouse and Bishop Trevor Huddleston to demonstrate in London for love and family life against pornography and moral pollution Muggeridge criticised the media as being largely in the hands of those who for one reason or another favour the present Gadarene slide into decadence and Godlessness 136 One of the targets for the Festival of Light s campaign was the growth of sexually explicit films 137 Richard was one of approximately 30 000 people who gathered at London s Trafalgar Square for a demonstration One focus of their protest was against the Swedish sex education film Language of Love which was showing at a nearby cinema 138 Philanthropy Edit Richard promoting his wine in Denmark 2015Since March 1966 Richard has followed the practice of giving away at least one tenth of his income to charity 139 Richard has stated that two biblical principles have guided him in how to use his money He said Firstly it was the love of money not money itself that was the root of all evil Secondly to be good and responsible stewards of what was entrusted to us 140 In 1990 Richard said Those of us who have something to offer have to be prepared to give all the time 114 For over forty years Richard has been a supporter of Tearfund a Christian charity that aims to tackle poverty in many countries across the world He has made overseas visits to see their work in Uganda Bangladesh and Brazil Richard has said Playing a part in relieving poverty is as I see it the responsibility of us all 141 Richard has donated to the dementia research charity Alzheimer s Research UK He has helped to raise funds and awareness of the disease by speaking publicly about his mother s condition 102 Richard has also supported numerous UK charities over many years through the Cliff Richard Charitable Trust both through donations and by making personal visits to schools churches hospitals and homes for special needs children Richard s passion for tennis which was encouraged by his former girlfriend Sue Barker also led him in 1991 to establish the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation The charity has encouraged thousands of primary schools in the UK to introduce the sport with over 200 000 children taking part in the tennis sessions which tour the country The Foundation has since become part of the charitable wing of the Lawn Tennis Association 90 142 143 Scottish independence referendum Edit In August 2014 Richard was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September s referendum on that issue 144 Property search investigation and BBC litigation EditIn August 2014 Richard s apartment in Berkshire was searched after a complaint to the Metropolitan Police s Operation Yewtree which investigated sexual misconduct allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal 145 Richard was not arrested and strongly denied the allegations 146 147 The BBC was criticised for its coverage of the search 148 The former Director of Public Prosecutions Lord Macdonald of River Glaven QC criticised the police force for its completely disreputable conduct and said its action could make the warrant unlawful 149 Richard pulled out of a visit to the US Open tennis championships turned down the freedom of his adopted Portuguese home city of Albufeira and cancelled a scheduled appearance at Canterbury Cathedral because he did not want the event to be overshadowed by the false allegation 150 He subsequently returned to the UK and voluntarily met with and was interviewed by members of South Yorkshire Police 151 He was never arrested or criminally charged 152 Subsequently David Crompton chief constable of South Yorkshire Police was criticised for his interactions with the BBC and publicly apologised to Richard 153 In February 2015 South Yorkshire Police announced that the inquiry into the alleged offences had increased and would be continuing Richard subsequently released a statement maintaining that the allegations were absurd and untrue 154 155 156 The development came a day after an independent report had concluded that South Yorkshire Police had interfered with the singer s privacy by telling the BBC about the August 2014 property search A review by former chief constable Andy Trotter said South Yorkshire Police had breached police guidance on protecting the identity of those under investigation and the handling of the search had dented the force s reputation 157 The BBC s tip off regarding the search reportedly came from within Operation Yewtree although Crompton said he could not be certain that the leak originated from there 158 In May 2016 South Yorkshire Police sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service 159 The following month the CPS announced that after reviewing evidence relating to claims of non recent sexual offences dating between 1958 and 1983 made by four men there was insufficient evidence to charge Richard with an offence and that no further action against him would be taken 160 161 Richard said he was obviously thrilled that the vile accusations and the resulting investigation have finally been brought to a close But he said his naming by the media despite not being charged meant he had been hung out like live bait 161 South Yorkshire Police later apologised wholeheartedly to Richard after its investigation into the singer was dropped on 16 June 2016 162 Richard commented My reputation will not be fully vindicated because the CPS s policy is to only say something general about there being insufficient evidence How can there be evidence for something that never took place 163 It was subsequently reported that during the 22 month police investigation a man was arrested over a plot to blackmail Richard The unnamed man in his forties contacted Richard s aides and threatened to spread false stories unless he received a sum of money 164 On 21 June 2016 the BBC apologised publicly to Richard for causing distress after the controversial broadcast 165 On 27 September 2016 the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the decision not to prosecute Richard over claims of historical sex offences had been upheld The CPS reviewed the evidence following applications by two of his accusers 166 and concluded that the decision not to charge Richard was correct 167 In October 2016 it was reported that Richard was suing the BBC and South Yorkshire Police Legal papers were filed at the High Court in London on 6 October 2016 168 South Yorkshire Police later agreed to pay Richard 400 000 after settling a claim he brought against the force 169 On 12 April 2018 the case against the BBC opened in the High Court It was reported that Richard was seeking very substantial damages 170 On 13 April Richard gave evidence for more than an hour describing the television coverage as shocking and upsetting 171 His written statement was made available online by his lawyers Simkins LLP 172 173 On 18 July 2018 Richard won his High Court case against the BBC and was awarded 210 000 in damages 174 175 On 15 August 2018 the BBC stated they would not appeal against the judgment The BBC repeated an apology for the distress that Richard had been through 176 The Guardian estimated that the BBC s costs for legal fees and damages had reached 1 9 million after losing the case 176 Cultural significance and impact EditCliff Richard s 1958 hit Move It is widely regarded as the first authentic British rock and roll record and laid the foundations for the Beatles and Merseybeat music 177 John Lennon reportedly said of Richard that before Cliff and the Shadows there had been nothing worth listening to in British music 178 179 In contrast to contemporaries that include Marty Wilde Billy Fury and Adam Faith his successful performing and recording career in the UK has extended over six decades 180 Discography EditMain articles Cliff Richard albums discography Cliff Richard singles discography and Cliff Richard videography 1959 Cliff 1959 Cliff Sings 1960 Me and My Shadows 1961 Listen to Cliff 1961 21 Today 1961 The Young Ones 1962 32 Minutes and 17 Seconds with Cliff Richard 1963 Summer Holiday 1963 When in Spain 1964 Wonderful Life 1964 Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp 1965 Cliff Richard 1965 When in Rome 1965 Love is Forever 1966 Kinda Latin 1966 Finders Keepers 1967 Cinderella 1967 Don t Stop Me Now 1967 Good News 1968 Established 1958 1969 Sincerely 1970 About That Man 1970 Tracks n Grooves 1973 Take Me High 1974 31 February Street 1976 I m Nearly Famous 1977 Every Face Tells a Story 1978 Small Corners 1978 Green Light 1979 Thank You Very Much 1979 Rock n Roll Juvenile 1980 I m No Hero 1981 Wired for Sound 1982 Now You See Me Now You Don t 1983 Dressed for the Occasion 1983 Silver 1984 The Rock Connection 1987 Always Guaranteed 1989 Stronger 1990 From a Distance The Event 1991 Together with Cliff Richard 1993 The Album 1995 Songs from Heathcliff 1998 Real as I Wanna Be 2001 Wanted 2003 Cliff at Christmas 2004 Something s Goin On 2006 Two s Company 2007 Love The Album 2009 Reunited Cliff Richard and The Shadows 2010 Bold as Brass 2011 Soulicious 2013 The Fabulous Rock n Roll Songbook 2016 Just Fabulous Rock n Roll 2018 Rise Up 2020 Music The Air That I Breathe 2022 Christmas with Cliff 181 Filmography EditFilm Edit 1959 Serious Charge 1960 Expresso Bongo 1961 The Young Ones aka It s Wonderful to be Young 1963 Summer Holiday 1964 Wonderful Life aka Swingers Paradise 182 1966 Finders Keepers 1966 Thunderbirds Are Go voice as a singing marionette 1968 Two a Penny 1970 His Land 1972 The Case features Olivia Newton John 1973 Take Me High 2012 Run for Your Wife cameo role as a busker Television series Edit 1960 63 The Cliff Richard Show ATV Television 1964 67 Cliff ATV Television 1965 Cliff and the Shadows ATV Television 1970 74 It s Cliff Richard featuring Hank Marvin Una Stubbs and Olivia Newton John BBC Television 1975 76 It s Cliff and Friends BBC Television Selected television specials Edit Year Title Total viewers 183 Channel1971 Getaway with Cliff 5 2 million BBC1972 The Case 5 million BBC1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament BBC11999 An Audience with Cliff Richard 11 million ITV2001 The Hits I Missed 6 5 million ITV2008 When Piers Met Sir Cliff 5 5 million ITV2022 Cliff at Christmas BBC2Television appearances EditMain article List of Cliff Richard television appearancesPublications Edit2020 The Dreamer An AutobiographyTheatre work EditAladdin and His Wonderful Lamp music by the Shadows and Norrie Paramor Cinderella music by the Shadows and Norrie Paramor The Potting Shed by Graham Greene Time music by Dave Clark Heathcliff music by John Farrar and lyrics by Sir Tim Rice Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pre recorded guest appearance as the Magic Mirror 184 Awards EditBrit Awards1977 Best British male solo artist 51 1982 Best British male solo artist 51 1989 Lifetime achievement Outstanding contribution to music excluded the Shadows 51 TV Times1980 Most Exciting Male Singer on TV 1987 Best Male Singer 1989 Favourite SingerThe Sun Reader Polls1970 Male Pop Personality 1971 Top Male Pop Personality 1972 Top Male Pop PersonalityNME Reader Polls 185 1958 Best New Disc or TV Singer 1959 UK Male Singer 1959 Best Single Living Doll 1960 Best UK Single Living Doll 1961 UK Male Singer 1962 UK Male Singer 1963 UK Male Singer 1963 Best World Male Singer 1964 UK Male Singer 1964 UK Vocal Personality 1965 UK Male Singer 1966 UK Male Singer 1966 UK Vocal Personality 1967 UK Vocal Personality 1968 UK Vocal Personality 1969 British Vocal Personality 1970 UK Male Singer 1970 UK Vocal Personality 1970 World s Best Recording Artist of the 60s 1971 UK Male Singer 1971 British Vocal Personality 1972 UK Male Singer 1972 British Vocal PersonalityIvor Novello1968 Most Performed Work Congratulations by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter 1970 Outstanding Services to MusicMelody Maker1959 Best Male Singer 1960 Top British Male Singer 1962 The Emen Award Top male singer 1962 Top British Male Singer 1962 Top single of the year The Young Ones 1963 Best Male Singer 1964 Best Male Singer 1965 Best UK Male Singer 1967 Top Male SingerDisc amp Music Echo1967 Best Dressed Male 1968 Best Dressed Male 1969 Best Dressed Male 1970 Top British Male Singer 1970 Best Dressed Male 1970 Mr Valentine 1971 Mr ValentineBravo Magazine West Germany 1964 Best Male Singer Gold 1964 Year End Singles Charts 1 Sag no Zu Ihm Don t talk to him 1965 Best Male Singer Gold 1980 Top International Male SingerRecord Mirror1961 Record Mirror Survey Most successful chart records 1958 1961 No 1 Cliff Richard Living Doll Richard had three of the top five records and a further two in the Top 50 1964 Record Mirror Poll Best Dressed Singer in the World1960s1961 Royal Variety Club Show Business Personality 1961 Weekend Magazine Star of Stars 1962 Motion Picture Herald Box Office Survey of 1962 Most Popular Male Film Actor 1963 Motion Picture Herald Box Office Survey of 1963 Most Popular Male Film Actor 1963 16 US Magazine Most Promising Singer 1964 Billboard US magazine Best Recording Artist UK 1969 Valentine Magazine Mr Valentine1970s1970 National Viewers and Listeners Association Outstanding Contribution to Religious Broadcasting and Light Entertainment 1971 Record Mirror UK Male Singer 1974 Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Committee Silver Clef Outstanding Services to the Music Industry 1977 The Songwriters Guild of Great Britain Golden Badge Award 1979 Music Week Special Award for 21 years as successful recording artistes Cliff Richard and the Shadows 1979 EMI Records Gold Clock and Gold Key award EMI celebrates 21 year partnership with Richard1980s1980 Richard receives O B E from the Queen 1980 BBC TV Multi Coloured Swap Shop Best UK Male Vocalist 1980 National Pop And Rock Awards Best Family Entertainer 1980 Nationwide in conjunction with Radio 1 and the Daily Mirror Best Family Entertainer 1981 Sunday Telegraph Readers Poll Top Pop Star 1981 Daily Mirror Readers Award Outstanding Music Personality of the Year 1989 The Lifetime Achievement Diamond Award Antwerp 1990s1995 American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers Pied Piper Award Richard became the first British recipient of Ascap s coveted Pied Piper Award which recognises outstanding contributions to the songwriter and music community 1995 The formal investiture of Richard as Knight Bachelor took place at 10 30 a m in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 25 October 1998 Dutch Edison Lifetime Achievement Award2000s2000 South Bank Awards Outstanding Achievement Award 2003 British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors Gold Badge of Merit 2003 Lawn Tennis Association 20 Years of Service to Tennis Award 2004 Induction into UK Music Hall of Fame representing the 1950s Cliff and the Shadows 2004 Ultimate Pop Star No 1 singles recording artist in UK clarification needed 2005 Avenue of Stars star on the pavement London 2005 Rose D or Music Festival Paris Golden Rose 2006 Commander of the Portuguese Order of Prince Henry awarded for services to Portugal 128 2010s2011 The National German Sustainability Award 186 See also EditBest selling music artists List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards Cliff The MusicalReferences Edit Savage Jon 5 September 2022 Cliff Richard Encyclopedia Britannica Retrieved 10 September 2022 a b c d Walker Tim 23 September 2010 Sir Cliff Richard Why Barbados beats Britain The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 27 January 2011 Retrieved 26 January 2011 Erlewine Stephen Thomas Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine AllMusic Retrieved 12 March 2022 Lauren Kreisler 4 June 2012 The Official Singles Charts biggest selling artists of all time revealed Official Charts Company Archived from the original on 9 June 2012 Retrieved 12 January 2021 a b Happy Birthday Cliff Richard Contactmusic 14 October 2010 Retrieved 10 December 2011 Glenn Johsua 2012 Unbored The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun Bloomsbury p 91 ISBN 978 1608196418 Retrieved 3 August 2016 Cliff Richard is coming to London in 2023 how to get tickets LondonWorld Top Hits from EveryHit 16 March 2000 Retrieved 29 January 2012 a b Record Breakers and Trivia everyHit com Retrieved 7 January 2013 Cliff Richard Artist Official Charts Retrieved 29 December 2015 Holden Michael 16 June 2016 UK singer Cliff Richard will not face sex crime charges London Reuters Retrieved 17 October 2016 Saul Heather 14 August 2014 Sir Cliff Richard profile A career spanning five decades The Independent London Retrieved 20 May 2018 Canadian certifications Cliff Richard Music Canada a b Boyle Danny 14 April 2016 Sir Cliff Richard s beloved Algarve winery goes on sale for 7 5million The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Mapstone Lucy 25 May 2019 Disillusioned Cliff Richard leaves UK Perth Now Retrieved 14 June 2019 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard the biography 50th ed Oxford Lion ISBN 978 0 7459 5279 6 OCLC 174130052 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 21 ISBN 9780745952796 Stark Herbert Alick Hostages To India OR The Life Story of the Anglo Indian Race London The Simon Wallenberg Press Vol 2 Anglo Indian Heritage Books Sir Cliff Richard s sister Donna Goulden dies age 73 9 August 2016 Retrieved 13 April 2018 When Piers Met Sir Cliff ITV1 Richard Cliff Junor Penny 2008 My Life My Way Headline Publishing Group ISBN 978 0 7553 1588 8 Cliff Richard Court 1 January 1970 Google maps Google Maps Retrieved 29 January 2012 Hildred Stafford Ewbank Tim 13 April 2010 Cliff An Intimate Portrait of a Living Legend Random House ISBN 9780753536100 Retrieved 27 November 2018 via Google Books Nissim Mayer 8 December 2011 Ten Things About Cliff Richard Digital Spy Retrieved 10 November 2012 Richard Anthony Baker Old Time Variety an illustrated history Pen amp Sword 2011 ISBN 978 1 78340 066 9 p 208 Richard himself stated that the latter theory is correct interviewed for the first episode of the BBC Four programme Pop Britannia broadcast on 4 January 2008 Tobler John 1992 NME Rock N Roll Years 1st ed London Reed International Books Ltd p 58 CN 5585 Lazarevic Jade 15 September 2012 Cliff Richard has no time to stop Theherald com au Retrieved 7 January 2013 Top Box Office Stars of 1962 Motion Picture Herald 1962 Official Charts The UK s million selling singles Official Charts Retrieved 29 December 2015 Collier James F 14 June 1968 Two a Penny Drama Romance World Wide Pictures WWP retrieved 31 January 2023 O Connor John Kennedy Richard says Spain is the best of Eurovision Song Contest Reuters 5 May 2008 Retrieved 29 January 2012 Govan Fiona 4 May 2008 How Franco cheated Cliff out of Eurovision title The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 27 May 2012 Retrieved 29 January 2012 JKMMOC EUROVISION CHANNEL 4 NEWS May 7 2008 Archived from the original on 11 December 2021 Retrieved 10 December 2011 via YouTube Massiel e Inigo acusan a la Sexta de urdir todo para favorecer a Chikilicuatre elmundo es O Connor John Kennedy The Eurovision Song Contest The Official History Carlton Books UK 2007 ISBN 978 1 84442 994 3 Steve Turner 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Lion Books p 270 ISBN 978 0 7459 5279 6 Cliff Richard Trivia IMDb Retrieved 7 January 2013 Mendelssohn John 15 November 2004 Waiting For Kate Bush London Omnibus Press ISBN 9780857123237 The Hot 100 Billboard 27 December 1980 Retrieved 1 March 2016 Thompson Dave Carrie Cliff Richard Listen Appearances Song Review AllMusic Retrieved 16 September 2012 No 48318 The London Gazette 24 September 1980 p 13397 Sir Cliff Richard OBE Authorised Biography Debretts 14 October 1940 Archived from the original on 6 June 2013 Retrieved 16 September 2012 Pop Star Performs Despite Car Accident Ocala Star Banner 27 August 1986 Retrieved 14 May 2013 The Official Charts Company All I Ask of You by Cliff Richard And Sarah Brightman Search The Official Charts Company 6 May 2013 Allen Liam 22 December 2008 The stories of the Christmas hits BBC News Retrieved 10 November 2012 a b UK certification Database BPI Retrieved 30 March 2018 Gold amp Platinum Official Award Discs eil com Retrieved 30 March 2018 Thompson Dave Stronger Cliff Richard Songs Reviews Credits Awards AllMusic Retrieved 16 September 2012 a b c d Brit Awards artist page Brit Awards Archived from the original on 23 January 2010 Retrieved 15 February 2010 Cliff Richard From A Distance The Event Nigel Goodall Retrieved 24 December 2012 Star studded Knebworth concert New Straits Times 15 August 1990 Retrieved 24 October 2014 English rock benefit rolls The Pittsburgh Press 1 July 1990 Retrieved 24 October 2014 Cousins Andrew The Music Scene in 1990 Inside Time Retrieved 10 November 2012 No 54287 The London Gazette 12 January 1996 p 571 Bob Geldof had been knighted nine years earlier but his knighthood was only honorary because he was not a citizen of a Commonwealth realm Cliff Richard Centre Court Wimbledon Gigs in strange places Virginmedia Retrieved 2 July 2011 Hodgkinson Mark 18 June 2011 Wimbledon 2011 entertainment values The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 2 July 2011 Sir Cliff foils radio ban BBC News 11 October 1998 Retrieved 30 April 2010 Blacknight 2 Discogs Retrieved 11 May 2016 Thompson Dave The Millennium Prayer Cliff Richard Listen Appearances Song Review AllMusic Retrieved 16 September 2012 Westlife top millennium chart BBC News 4 January 2000 Retrieved 15 July 2018 Carter Helen 29 November 1999 Last laugh for Sir Cliff as prayer tops the charts The Guardian London Retrieved 15 July 2018 Christmas number one contenders BBC News 24 November 2003 Retrieved 15 July 2018 Cliff tops all time singles chart BBC News 23 February 2004 Retrieved 15 July 2018 Cliff Richard Love The Album Review AllMusic Retrieved 18 November 2013 And They Said It Wouldn t Last My 50 Years in Music cliffrichard org Retrieved 29 January 2012 Sound Kitchen Studios Archived from the original on 3 January 2015 Cliff Richard Soulicious Review by Jon O Brien AllMusic Retrieved 18 November 2013 Eames Tom 4 June 2012 Cliff Richard thrilled with Diamond Jubilee gig Digital Spy Retrieved 26 January 2014 Congratulations to Sir Cliff after Olympic torch relay BBC News 30 June 2012 Retrieved 26 January 2014 Musical copyright terms to stay BBC News 27 November 2006 Retrieved 28 September 2014 Copyright in Sound Recordings Intellectual Property Office 18 August 2014 Retrieved 16 June 2016 Sir Cliff Richard to release 100th album BBC News 4 September 2013 Retrieved 15 September 2013 Sir Tom Jones and Sir Cliff Richard to support Morrissey at major US shows NME 13 February 2014 Retrieved 15 February 2014 Morrissey reveals Cliff Richard and Tom Jones as live gig special guests The Guardian London 13 February 2014 Retrieved 2 April 2014 Sir Tom Jones and Sir Cliff Richard to support Morrissey at major US shows NME 13 February 2014 Retrieved 2 April 2014 Cliff Richard Treating New Yorkers To Free Show After Morrissey Cancellation contactmusic com 16 June 2014 Retrieved 17 June 2014 Sir Cliff Richard Cliff Richard To Tour For 75th Birthday contactmusic com 14 October 2014 Retrieved 22 October 2014 Griffin Matt 15 October 2015 In pictures Sir Cliff Richard s memorable moments at the Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall Retrieved 29 October 2015 Simpson Dave 2 October 2015 Cliff Richard review funny poignant show from pop s performing genius The Guardian London Retrieved 29 October 2015 Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40 19 25 October 2018 The Official UK Charts Company Manning Charlotte 3 July 2022 Sir Cliff Richard leaves Wimbledon fans cringing with surprise performance BBC Archived from the original on 7 January 2008 Brooks Xan 21 September 2005 Cliff Richard blames radio ban for ending his recording career The Guardian London Retrieved 16 December 2013 Harrington Suzanne 6 November 2013 Cliff Richard s 100th album a testament to naff appeal Irish Examiner Cork Retrieved 16 December 2013 Tony Blackburn in Sir Cliff row BBC News 16 November 2011 Retrieved 16 December 2013 Sir Cliff Richard hits back over radio airplay snub BBC News 16 November 2011 Retrieved 21 April 2012 a b c Sir Cliff Richard Sweet 60 BBC News 13 October 2000 Retrieved 13 September 2012 Jamieson Alastair 29 July 2009 Sir Cliff Richard I m the real rock rebel The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 2 January 2014 Cliff Richard What difference would it make if I was gay The New Zealand Herald 20 April 2014 Retrieved 26 April 2015 a b Jonze Tim 13 November 2013 Cliff Richard hopes Miley Cyrus grows out of controversial behaviour The Guardian London Retrieved 14 August 2014 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 254 ISBN 9780745952796 a b Thompson Ben 20 April 1997 Dark knight of the soul The Independent London Retrieved 14 August 2014 Leith Sam 20 November 2011 I ll tell you something about Cliff Richard I would love to get stoned with him The Guardian London Retrieved 15 May 2013 Robb John 18 August 2009 Cliff Richard The first straight edge icon The Guardian London Retrieved 12 July 2015 Mistletoe and Wine s political beginnings BBC News 14 December 2013 Retrieved 16 December 2013 a b c Vallely Paul 7 March 1996 The Bachelor Boy The Independent London Retrieved 16 December 2013 William s Cliff Chart Site Cliffchartsite co uk Archived from the original on 4 January 2014 Retrieved 16 December 2013 Persaud Christopher H K 2003 God in Our Midst USA Xlibris Corporation p 67 ISBN 9781465325747 Retrieved 22 June 2014 self published source a b Alzheimer s Research UK Patrons Alzheimer s Research UK Archived from the original on 23 September 2013 Retrieved 28 September 2013 a b c Adams Stephen 9 April 2010 Sir Cliff Richard chose music over love letter shows The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 4 January 2014 a b Sir Cliff Richard picked music over love BBC News 10 April 2012 Retrieved 15 February 2012 a b c d e f Farmer Ben 4 September 2008 Sir Cliff Richard talks of ex priest companion The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 13 September 2012 Wimbledon 2013 on BBC TV Biographies BBC Media Centre Archived from the original on 25 September 2013 Retrieved 16 December 2013 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 288 ISBN 9780745952796 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 289 ISBN 9780745952796 Stewart Alison 6 February 1983 Mr Nice Guy Strikes Back The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 7 July 2013 Richard has no plans to marry Sarasota Herald Tribune 30 September 1983 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 296 ISBN 9780745952796 a b Pearce Sally 12 January 1986 Cliff Richard the pop world s greatest survivor says New Straits Times Retrieved 7 July 2013 a b Sir Cliff Richard Evergreen entertainer BBC News 12 March 2003 Retrieved 13 September 2012 a b Cliff on song for charity The Glasgow Herald 15 January 1990 Retrieved 24 October 2014 Cliff says thanks by record The Glasgow Herald 13 February 1989 Retrieved 24 October 2014 Rayl Salley 18 February 1980 The Sun Hasn t Set on Cliff Richard in 20 Years and Now He s Conquered the U S with We Don t Talk Anymore People Archived from the original on 27 December 2013 Retrieved 9 June 2013 Barber Lynn 4 April 1993 Book Review Well is he or isn t he Cliff Richard The Biography by Steve Turner The Independent London Retrieved 9 June 2013 a b Jobson Sandra 2 January 1982 Mum and pine trees keep Cliff Richard young The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 9 June 2013 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 369 ISBN 9780745952796 a b Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford Lion p 373 ISBN 9780745952796 Sir Cliff s faith tested over Dando s murder The Birmingham Post 2 August 1999 Retrieved 30 June 2014 Sir Cliff mourns his gorgeous friend BBC News 27 April 1999 Retrieved 30 June 2014 Emotional farewell to Dando BBC News 21 May 1999 Retrieved 30 June 2014 Duffin Claire 27 April 2013 Sir Cliff Richard reveals the secrets of his eternal youth The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 3 January 2014 BBC Breakfast with Frost interview BBC Breakfast with Frost Retrieved 9 July 2013 Sewards Lisa I still think of Caron hundreds of times a day The Lady Archived from the original on 10 November 2013 Retrieved 10 November 2013 Friends bid farewell to Keating BBC News Retrieved 10 November 2013 a b Sir Cliff Richard honoured with Portuguese award of merit The Portugal News Retrieved 28 November 2010 Sir Cliff Richard and Algarve wines My Guide Algarve 23 July 2013 Retrieved 31 January 2023 Cliff Richard with Penny Junor My Life My Way London Vox Rock 2008 Green Chris 6 September 2008 Sir Cliff speaks frankly about his companion the ex priest The Independent London Retrieved 30 April 2010 Walker Tim 20 August 2009 Cliff Richard and Cilla Black the Saga holiday couple spotted in Marbella The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 2 November 2013 Finbow Katy 2 August 2015 Sir Cliff Richard pays tribute to the incredibly gifted Cilla Black Digital Spy Cilla Black funeral Fans and stars say farewell in Liverpool BBC News 20 August 2015 Retrieved 4 September 2015 Clarke Melonie 19 February 2013 I d have been a good father The Lady Archived from the original on 3 January 2014 Retrieved 3 January 2014 Rallying for love and family life The Herald 12 July 1971 Smith Justin T 2013 British Film Culture in the 1970s The Boundaries of Pleasure Edinburgh University Press ISBN 9780748640782 Daniel Ekeroth Swedish Sensationsfilms A Clandestine History of Sex Thrillers and Kicker Cinema Bazillion Points 2011 p 126 ISBN 978 0 9796163 6 5 Turner Steve 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography UK Lion Publishing p 364 ISBN 9780745939827 Retrieved 28 September 2013 Modern day philanthropists Cliff Richard besignificant co uk Archived from the original on 1 October 2013 Retrieved 28 September 2013 Friends of Tearfund Retrieved 14 February 2013 Sir Cliff Richard Why I ll always love Surrey Surrey Life Archived from the original on 2 October 2013 Retrieved 16 June 2013 Latest tennis opportunities for you BBC Sport Retrieved 28 September 2013 Celebrities open letter to Scotland full text and list of signatories The Guardian London 7 August 2014 Retrieved 26 August 2014 Evans Martin 14 August 2014 Sir Cliff Richard insists I am not a paedophile The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Retrieved 17 August 2014 Cullinane Susannah 15 August 2014 Singer Cliff Richard denies underage sex allegation CNN Dodd Vikram Siddique Haroon 14 August 2014 Cliff Richard denies allegations of sexual assault as police raid UK home The Guardian London Retrieved 14 August 2014 MPs to quiz BBC and police bosses over Cliff Richard raid BBC News 22 August 2014 Retrieved 31 August 2014 Hamilton Fiona 20 August 2014 Police deal with BBC may mean Sir Cliff search was illegal The Sunday Times London Retrieved 1 October 2014 subscription required Sir Cliff Richard quizzed by detectives over sex crime claim Channel 4 News 24 August 2014 Retrieved 28 September 2014 Sir Cliff Richard interviewed by police over alleged sexual assault The Independent London 23 August 2014 Retrieved 28 September 2014 Haroon Siddique 17 October 2016 Sir Cliff Richard will not be charged after accusers appeal is rejected The Guardian London Plunkett John 2 September 2014 Cliff Richard raid police chief apologises for BBC deal on coverage The Guardian London Retrieved 3 September 2014 Cliff Richard inquiry increases significantly in size The Irish Times Dublin 25 February 2015 Evans Martin 25 February 2015 Sir Cliff Richard sex abuse investigation involves more than one allegation The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Cliff Richard s lawyers accuse MPs of damaging singer ITV News 27 February 2015 Retrieved 1 March 2015 Weaver Matthew 24 February 2015 Police deal with BBC over Cliff Richard raid caused unnecessary distress The Guardian London Nissim Mayer 2 September 2014 Cliff Richard BBC leak came from Operation Yewtree Digital Spy Retrieved 1 March 2015 Sir Cliff Richard file sent to Crown Prosecution Service BBC News 10 May 2016 Laville Sandra 16 June 2016 Cliff Richard will not face charges over sexual abuse claims The Guardian London Retrieved 16 June 2016 a b Sir Cliff Richard sex abuse inquiry No charges for singer BBC News 16 June 2016 Retrieved 16 June 2016 No sex charges to be brought against Cliff Richard ITV News 16 June 2016 Sir Cliff Richard s full statement BBC News 16 June 2016 Retrieved 18 June 2016 Cliff Richard sex abuse accuser previously arrested over blackmail plot The Independent London 19 June 2016 Retrieved 26 June 2016 BBC very sorry Sir Cliff suffered distress BBC News 21 June 2016 Sir Cliff Richard sues the BBC and police after raid of his house was broadcast live on TV The Daily Telegraph London 6 October 2016 Archived from the original on 11 January 2022 Decision to drop Cliff Richard case upheld by CPS BBC News 27 September 2016 Sir Cliff Richard lodges papers suing BBC and police BBC News 6 October 2016 South Yorks Police paid Sir Cliff Richard 400 000 damages over raid The Belfast Telegraph 17 April 2018 Retrieved 18 July 2018 Sir Cliff Richard begins High Court battle against the BBC NME 13 April 2018 Retrieved 5 May 2018 BBC report shocking says Cliff Richard BBC News 13 April 2018 Retrieved 13 April 2018 Sir Cliff Richard OBE Claimant and 1 The British Broadcasting Corporation 2 The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police Defendants PDF simkins com 29 November 2017 Retrieved 5 May 2018 SIR CLIFF RICHARD OBE v 1 BBC 2 SYP WITNESS STATEMENTS Simkins simkins com 17 April 2018 Retrieved 5 May 2018 Waterson Jim 18 July 2018 Cliff Richard wins 210 000 in damages over BBC privacy case The Guardian Retrieved 18 July 2018 Sir Cliff Richard wins case against BBC BBC News 18 July 2018 a b Waterson Jim 15 August 2018 BBC will not appeal against Cliff Richard privacy victory The Guardian London The Beatles don t they owe much to Sir Cliff The Guardian Retrieved 2 December 2018 Tony Meehan The Times Retrieved 28 September 2014 Tony Meehan spectropop com Retrieved 4 December 2009 Sir Cliff Richard profile A career spanning five decades The Independent 14 August 2014 Retrieved 2 December 2018 Joy to the world Cliff Richard to release new Christmas album The Guardian 6 September 2022 Overview for Swingers Paradise 1965 Turner Classic Movies Retrieved 28 September 2014 William s Cliff Chart Site Cliff Richard Television Hits Cliffchartsite co uk Archived from the original on 3 October 2011 Retrieved 10 December 2011 BWW News Desk Bonnie Lythgoe s SNOW WHITE amp SEVEN DWARFS Extends BroadwayWorld com Rocklist net NME Lists readers Pop Poll Results Rocklistmusic co uk Retrieved 3 September 2010 Ehrenpreistrager Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis Archived from the original on 20 October 2016 Bibliography EditTremlett George 12 September 1975 The Cliff Richard Story London England Futura Publications Limited ISBN 978 0 86007 232 4 Lewry Peter Goodall Nigel 12 September 1991 Cliff Richard The Complete Recording Sessions 1958 90 London Blandford Press ISBN 978 0 7137 2242 0 Richard Cliff 4 October 1990 Which One s Cliff London Hodder amp Stoughton ISBN 978 0 340 27159 9 Richard Cliff Latham Bill 1 September 1983 You Me and Jesus London Hodder amp Stoughton ISBN 978 0340346280 Turner Steve 1 January 2008 Cliff Richard The Biography Oxford England UK Lion Books ISBN 978 0 7459 5279 6 Turner Steve 3 August 2009 Cliff Richard The Bachelor Boy London Carlton Books Ltd ISBN 978 1 84442 037 7 Read Mike 8 September 1983 The Story of the Shadows London Elm Tree books ISBN 978 0 241 10861 1 Frame Pete 1 December 1993 The Complete Rock Family Rock Trees London Omnibus ISBN 978 0 7119 6879 0 Roberts David 17 June 2006 Guinness World Records British Hit Singles and Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited ISBN 978 1 904994 10 7 Warwick Neil Kutner Jon Brown Tony 10 April 2004 The Complete Book of the British Charts 3rd ed London Music Sales Ltd ISBN 978 1 84449 058 5 Nicolson Dave 30 April 2011 Jet Harris In Spite of Everything York UK Music Mentor Books ISBN 978 0 9562679 0 0 External links Edit Media related to Cliff Richard at Wikimedia Commons Official website Cliff Richard on film British Film Institute database Cliff Richard discography at Discogs Cliff Richard at IMDb Portraits of Sir Cliff Richard at the National Portrait Gallery London Cliff Richard collection of scrapbooks held by the Victoria and Albert Museum Theatre and Performance Department Cliff Richard Songs site listing his tracksPreceded bySandie Shawwith Puppet on a String UK in the Eurovision Song Contest1968 Succeeded byLuluwith Boom Bang a Bang Preceded byThe New Seekerswith Beg Steal or Borrow UK in the Eurovision Song Contest1973 Succeeded byOlivia Newton Johnwith Long Live Love Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cliff Richard amp oldid 1143945575, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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