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1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,
1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,
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2003, 2004, 2005
2006 2007
1940 October
14th - Harry Rodger Webb, born Lucknow, India. Lucknow was a
garrison town and home of an Indian division which was fighting for Britian in
the western desert. By the time the family moved to Calcutta, the Webb
family was five, with Harry’s sisters Donella (known fondly as Donna) and
Jacqueline.
1948 It was
when India gained independence that the Webb’s chose to move to England and in
the Autumn of 1948 and when Harry was almost 8 years old, they all boarded S.S.
Ranghi and sailed to Tilbury. Joan, Harry’s 3rd sister was born just
before the family moved to Hargreves Close in Cheshunt.
Schools
Attended Stanley Park Road Primary School in Carshalton, Surrey, Kings Road
Primary in Waltham Cross and Cheshunt Secondary Modern in
Herts.
Became a
Prefect at his secondary school and was a reliable right back in the county’s
under 14 football team. He swam, played badminton and proved he was good
at javelin by setting a school record which wasn’t broken for many years
afterwards.
Harry stayed
on in school and took his O-levels, passing in English.
1955
Harry discovers Elvis and his sister Donna and he become fans.
1958
Cliff Richard was ‘born’ when Harry changed his name by deed poll, thanks to
Sammy Samwell.
August 29th
- ‘Move It’ released. Reached number 2 in the charts.
September
13th - Cliff made his first TV debut. Also released ‘High Class Baby’ (7).
1959
Released ‘Living Doll’ and ‘Travellin’ Light’; both reached number 1. Made two
films: ‘Serious Charge’ and ‘Expresso Bongo’ Also released ‘Livin’ Lovin’ Doll’
(20) and ‘Mean Streak’ (21) and his first albums ‘Cliff’ (4) and ‘Cliff Sings’
(2).
1960
Released ‘Please Don’t Tease’ and ‘I Love You’; both reached number 1. ‘I Love
You’ was Cliff’s first CHRISTMAS number 1! Released album ‘Me And My Shadows’
(2). Also released singles; ‘Fall In Love With You’ (2) and ‘Nine Times
Out Of Ten’ (3) Had first trip to USA to promote movies.
1961
Starred in movie ‘The Young Ones’ with the title track making number 1. Topped
album charts with an album released to coincide with his 21st Birthday called
“21 Today’. ‘Please Don’t Tease’ (1).
1962
Filmed ‘Summer Holiday’ which meant that Cliff had to learn to drive a London
red double decker bus. Filmed in 5 countries, Cliff travelled over 3000
miles! Album released ’32 Minutes And 17 Seconds With Cliff Richard’ (3).
Three single releases: ‘The Young Ones’ (1), ‘I’m Looking Out Of The Window’ (2)
and ‘It’ll Be Me’ (2).
1963
January 10th – ‘Summer Holiday’ premiered. The album was released the same
year as the film, reaching number 1. A second album ‘Cliff’s Hit Album’
reached number 2. 5 singles were released; ‘The Next Time’ (1), ‘Summer
Holiday’ (1), ‘Lucky Lips’ (4), ‘It’s All In The Game’ (2) and ‘Don’t Talk To
Him’ (2). Third album of the year – ‘When In Spain’ reached number 3.
1964
Cliff starred in the film ‘Wonderful Life’ and also starred in a Christmas
pantomime ‘Aladdin And His Wonderful Lamp’. Another year with 5 singles: ‘I’m
The Lonely One’ (8), ‘Constantly’ (4), ‘On The Beach’ (7), ‘The Twelfth Of
Never’ (8) and ‘I Could Easily Fall In Love With You’ (9).
1965
Cliff voted ‘Top Male Singer’ by readers of NME, beating Elvis and The Beatles.
These were the days when hit albums and singles were really churned out and 1965
saw FOUR albums: ‘Cliff Richard’ (9), ‘More Hits By Cliff Richard’ (20), ‘When
In Rome’ and ‘Love Is Forever’ (19); together with FIVE singles: ‘The Minute
You’re Gone’ (1), ‘Angel’ (Export), ‘On My Word’ (12), ‘The Time In Between’
(220 and ‘Wind Me Up (Let Me Go)’ (2). Cliff made 3 television specials
and made another trip to the USA to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.
1966
June 16th - Cliff announces to the world his new found faith in Christianity,
much to the dismay of his fans who thought that it was the end of his career.
However, it was quite the contrary! 1966 saw 2 albums; ‘Kinda Latin’ (9)
and ‘Finders Keepers’ (6); and 4 singles; ‘Blue Turns To Grey’ (15), ‘Visions’
(7), ‘Time Drags By’ (10) and ‘In The Country’ (6). Cliff also released the
movie ‘Finders Keepers’ and starred in pantomime ‘Cinderella’ at London’s
Palladium Theatre. Cliff was also featured in the cult puppet show
‘Thunderbirds’.
1967
Cliff proved his fans completely wrong in their fear of him slowing down because
of his faith and announced a new film deal ‘Two A Penny’. Also released
were 3 albums; ‘Cinderella’ (30), ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ (23) and ‘Good News’ (37);
and 4 top 30 singles; ‘It’s All Over (9), ‘I’ll Come Running’ (26), ‘The Day I
Met Marie’ (10) and ‘All My Love’ (6).
1968
Cliff represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest with
‘Congratulations’ where he lost the coveted top position by just 1 point!
The sale of the single, which reached number 1, gave Cliff his 5 gold disc.
It was also his 10 anniversary in showbusiness! No slow down in the album
releases; ‘Cliff In Japan’ (29), ‘Two A Penny’ and ‘Established’ (30); or in
singles; ‘I’ll Love You Forever Today’ (27), ‘Marianne’ (22) and ‘Don’t Forget
To Catch Me’ (21).
1969
Cliff and The Shadows split. Even though fans were disappointed, The
Shadows had gained their own following and had had success with their own
career. Cliff pursued his solo career and got every more involved with
various Christian activities such as a six part gospel TV series for Tyne Tees
Television. There were 3 album releases this year; ‘The Best Of Cliff’
(5), ‘Sincerely Cliff’ (24) and ‘It’ll Be Me’. No let up on the single front
either; ‘Good Times’ (12), ‘Big Ship’ (8), ‘Throw Down A Line’ (7) and ‘With The
Eyes Of A Child’ (20).
1970
This year saw Cliff voted ‘Mr Valentine’ and ‘Britain’s Best Dressed Star’.
Cliff starred in his first serious acting role: ‘Five Fingered Exercise’.
More albums that singles were released this year. His albums were: ‘Cliff
Live at the Talk of The Town’, ‘About That Man’, ‘His Land’ and ‘Tracks 'n'
Grooves’ (37). His singles: ‘Joy Of Living’ (25), ‘Goodbye Sam, Hello
Samantha’ (6) and ‘Ain’t Got Time Anymore’ (21).
1971
Cliff receives the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Services to British Music
and stars in his own TV show running for the first three months of this year.
As popular as ever, Cliff is awarded ‘Top Male Singer’ by readers of NME.
However his record making sees a change in that first the first time in his
career, we see no album releases at all. There are 4 single releases
however; ‘Sunny Honey Girl’ (19), ‘Silvery Rain’ (27), ‘Flying Machine’ (37) and
‘Sing A Song Of Freedom’ (13).
1972
Cliff was refused admittance into Singapore because his hair was too long and
his 1971 single ‘Sing A Song Of Freedom’ was banned in South Africa and
Mozambique. He hosted another 13 week series for the BBC and did a 26 date tour
of the U.K. Just one album release this year; ‘The Best Of Cliff Richard Volume
2’ (49); and 3 single releases; ‘Jesus’ (35), ‘Living in Harmony’ (12) and
‘Brand New Song’. The latter of those three, ‘Brand New Song’ was Cliff’s
first non charting single.
1973
Cliff represented Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Power To All Our
Friends’ and again failed to win for his country, coming third. The song became
his biggest hit since his last Eurovision entry in 1968. He also starred in
another film; ‘Take Me High’ which also spawned an album of the same name which
reached just 41 in the charts. Cliff still released 3 singles though:
‘Power To All Our Friends’ (4), ‘Help It Along’ (29) and ‘Take Me High’ (27).
1974
Cliff hits the headlines with rumours that he’d had asked Olivia Newton-John to
marry him – which he denied. To date Cliff had received 19 silver discs for
singles selling in excess of 250,000 and 3 gold discs for singles selling more
than one million copies. It was not a good year for his health and he suffered
from bronchitis, laryngitis and back problems. However he did give a Gospel tour
– reinforcing his Christian belief further. Just two album releases; ‘Help
It Along’ and ‘The 31st Of February Street’. Surprisingly, there was just
the one single release; ‘(You Keep Me) Hanging On’ (13).
1975
Cliff had a 13 part Gospel series on BBC Radio 1 and he toured extensively.
A slow year with no album releases and just two single releases – neither of
which hit the charts; ‘It’s Only Me You’ve Left Behind’ and ‘Honky Tonk Angel’.
1976
This year saw Cliff return to the charts with a highly successful album ‘I’m
Nearly Famous’ (5) . Spawning his much loved single ‘Miss You Nights’ (15), the
ever popular ‘Devil Woman’ (9), ‘I Can’t Ask For Anything More Than You’ (17)
and ‘Hey Mister Dream Maker’ (31). ‘Devil Woman’ gave Cliff his first hit in the
USA.
1977
Cliff received the annual Music Therapy Silver Clef Award for his services to
the music industry. He also published his autobiography "Which One's Cliff?"
signing 333 copies of it in Selfridges, London.. In October the fan club
organised a National Cliff Week in Britain. He shows everyone he’s well back on
his musical track by releasing the chart topping albums ’40 Golden Greats’ and
another favourite ‘Every Face Tells A Story’ (8). The two singles from
album are ‘My Kinda Life’ (15) and ‘When Two Worlds Drift Apart’ (46).
1978
Cliff and The Shadows celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a few get-together
concerts. Cliff defended allegations of retirement and maintained that he
had no intentions of doing any such thing. He released the highly popular
‘Small Corners’ (33) album and ‘Green Light’ (25). Singles for the year
were; ‘Yes, He Lives’, ‘Please Remember Me’ and ‘Can’t Take The Hurt’ – all of
which were non charting.
1979
Cliff reached the magical 10th number 1 with ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore’, his first
number 1 single since 1968. He also celebrated 21 years with his
record company EMI and was presented with a gold replica key to the company’s
main London office. Singles also released this year were; ‘Green Light’
(57) and ‘Hot Shot’ (46). The album successes were a Cliff and The Shadows
album; ‘Thank You Very Much’ (5) and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Juvenile’ (3)
1980
Cliff is 40! A great year for record sales with a successful album ‘I’m No
Hero’ (4) and a couple of hit singles; ‘Carrie’ (4) and a duet with his good
friend Olivia Newton John ‘Suddenly’ (15). Year made even more special by
receiving his O.B.E from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
1981
Another successful year for record sales with 3 singles; ‘A Little In Love’
(15), ‘Wired For Sound’ (4) and ‘Daddy’s Home’ (2); and 2 albums; ‘Love Songs’
(1) and ‘Wired For Sound’ (4). Cliff also toured the USA and Canada.
1982
A world tour for Cliff and also more chart success with the album’ Now You See
Me…Now You Don’t’ (4). Single success also with ‘The Only Way Out’ (10),
‘Where Do We Go From Here’ (60) and the Christmas hit ‘Little Town’ (11).
1983
Cliff celebrated 25 years – his Silver Anniversary. A little normality in this
year for Cliff with the release of 2 albums; ‘Dressed For The Occasion’ (7) and
‘Silver’ (7); and 5 singles; ‘True Love Ways’ (8), ‘Never Say Die’ (15), ‘Please
Don’t Fall In Love’ (7), ‘She Means Nothing To Me’ (9) and ‘Drifting’ (64). As
part of his "Silver" tour he played six weeks of sell-out concerts at London's
Apollo Victoria Theatre.
1984
Cliff and the Shadows reunited for concerts at Wembley and Birmingham. The
2 albums released this year weren’t as successful as Cliff would have hoped:
‘Cliff And The Shadows’ (43) and ‘The Rock Connection’ (43). Singles
weren’t much better: ‘Two To The Power’ had no chart placing, ‘Baby You’re
Dynamite’ (27) and ‘Shooting From The Heart’ (51).
1985
Cliff toured Europe but due to health problems had to cancel 5 British concerts.
It was the first time in his career that he’s had to do such a thing.
Speculation about a West End musical that Cliff was due to star in lead to
announcement that ‘Time – The Musical’ would open in April 1986. The singles
‘She’s So Beautiful’ (17) and ‘Its In Every One Of Us’ (45) were taken from the
show. The other single release for this year was ‘Heart User’ (46).
No albums were released.
1986
Time premiered at the Dominion Theatre, London and broke all box office advance
booking records as Cliff’s year long run completely sold out. Cliff’s
involvement in ‘Time’ meant little time for anything else but he still managed
to re-record ‘Living Doll’ as a charity single for Comic Relief with the The
Young Ones, which went straight to number 1. He also released ‘Born To
Rock ‘n’ Roll’ from time which failed to chart. Still manages to release
two other singles: ‘All I Ask Of You’ (3) and ‘Slow Rivers’ (44).
1987
Cliff’s retirement from his year long stint from ‘Time’ was rewarded by a well
earned holiday. However this year also saw him perform a Gospel Tour and a
European Tour, the Birmingham NIA concerts selling out 6 nights straight and
putting Cliff right into the record books for being the only artist ever to do
that. Album release for 1987; ‘Always Guaranteed’ (5). 3 single
releases; ‘My Pretty One’ (6), ‘Some People’ (3) and ‘Remember Me’ (35).
1988
A 47 date UK tour and 200,000 tickets sold out within 72 hours of going on sale,
ensured Cliff’s popularity was as strong as ever. Cliff released his 99th
single – a Christmas single – ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ which topped the charts and
became the biggest selling single of the year. His 30th year in show
business ended spectacularly with his single, album ‘Private Collection’ and
video all hitting the top spot simultaneously. Other single release;
‘Two Hearts’ (34).
1989
The year of Cliff’s 100th single release ‘The Best Of Me’ (2) – the first
British artist to ever release as many singles. Cliff receives an Ivor
Novello award for ‘outstanding achievement to the music industry’.
He also performs in 2 nights at Wembley Stadium, the biggest concert of his
career, performing to a sell-out audience of 144,000 people in total. Releases
his 53rd album ‘Stronger’ (7) and 3 more singles: ‘I Just Don’t Have The Heart’
(3), ‘Lean On You’ (17) and ‘Whenever God Shines His Light’ (20).
1990
Cliff does a huge tour of Australia and New Zealand. He returns to the UK
to take part in the UK’s biggest ever open-air rock show at Knebworth.
Cliff celebrates his 50th Birthday but only celebrates for a short time as he
prepares of another UK tour. With audiences totalling some 420,000, Cliff
becomes the only artist to have filled the 12,000 capacity N.E.C and Wembley
Arena halls for 14 and 18 concerts respectively within a single tour.
Singles for the year: ‘Stronger Than That’ (14), ‘Silhouettes’ (10), ‘From A
Distance’ (11) and the Christmas chart topper ‘Saviours Day’. Given that
Cliff had had two Christmas number ones so close to one another (the previous
one was 1998) people now believe that Cliff has a Christmas single out every
year – this is NOT the case. These last two hits were just very popular
and as such have remained in the public’s heads! With ‘Saviour’s Day’ at
number 1 in the singles chart, he also had ‘From A Distance-The Event’ at number
2 in the video charts and ‘From A Distance-The Event’ at number 3 in the album
charts.
1991
Cliff does a Gospel Tour, his religion as important to him as ever.
Cliff releases his first all Christmas album called ‘Together With Cliff’ (10).
Other singles in the year; ‘More To Life’ (23), a Christmas single ‘We Should Be
Together’ (10) and ‘This New Year’ (30).
1992
Cliff introduces ‘Cliff’s Tennis Trail’ to Primary schools in six U.K. towns
were to be targeted during the summer months under this new scheme to introduce
the game to youngsters who might otherwise never pick up a racquet. Only single
release ‘ I Still Believe In You’ (7).
1993
Cliff releases ‘The Album’ which tops the album charts. Also released, a
new publication of a biography written by rock write Steve Turner. Cliff
took part in a sell out Gospel tour, with all proceeds going to charity as
usual. A good year for single releases; ‘Peace In Our Time’ (8), ‘Human Work Of
Art’ (24), ‘Never Let Go’ (32) and ‘Healing Love’ (19).
1994
‘Heathcliff’ was born and much of this year was taken up in the production of
this venture that was very close to Cliff’s heart. The opening was
scheduled for the autumn of 1996 and during the time in-between, Cliff was to
perform the 31 days ‘Hit List’ tour covering the UK and Eire. The album to
coincide with the tour reached number 3. A duet with Phil Everly ‘All I
Have To Do Is Dream’ reached number 14 in the singles charts.
1995
October 25th – Cliff Richard receives his Knighthood from Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for ‘his services to charity’. Cliff
continues his ‘Hit List’ tour in the Far East, New Zealand, Australia and South
Africa. Cliff also takes part in the VE Anniversary celebrations,
performing in Hyde Park and in front of Buckingham
Palace. Cliff recorded the album ‘Songs From Heathcliff’ (15) with Olivia
Newton John being his ‘Cathy’. Cliff headlined in the Royal Variety Show.
Singles this year were ‘Misunderstood Man’ (19) and a duet with Olivia, ‘Had To
Be’ (22).
1996
‘Heathcliff’ opened in March, amongst great interest from the world’s media
about Cliff playing the dark and evil character. Many speculated that Cliff
could not carry off such a man but as usual, Cliff proved everyone wrong and
played Heathcliff with his heart and soul, enjoying the chance to be ‘so
wicked’! Ticket sales box office records were again broken by Cliff and
this show. ‘Heathcliff’ - The Tour started in Birmingham. Singles for the
year were ‘The Wedding’ (40) , a duet with Helen Hobsen.
Cliff
attended a rain soaked Wimbledon and is now famous for his impromptu
entertaining of the crowds in Centre Court with his ‘sing-a-long’ with some
famous Wimbledon stars as his ‘backing singers’.
1997
‘Heathcliff’ continued touring until it finally closed at The Labatts Appolo in
London in May. The video of the show stayed at the top of the charts for 8
weeks. He began recording a new studio album. ‘Be With Me Always’
charted at just 52. ‘Heathcliff – Live’ charted at 41 in the album charts
and ‘Cliff Richard At The Movies’ charted at 17.
1998
The new studio album ‘Real As I Wanna Be’ charted at number 10 and the single
release ‘Can’t Keep This Feeling In’ charted at 10 also despite the fact that
radio stations world wide were refusing to play Cliff any longer. Cliff
released the single under a ‘white label’ and clubs were playing the much liked
song, (to Cliff’s delight) despite the fact that hadn’t realised who was
singing. Course as soon as the story broke, the single released under the
‘Blackknight’ record label (Cliff’s own), was dropped like a hot brick.
This year
also marked Cliff’s 40th anniversary in show-business which he marked with a
sell out run of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Tickets sold within 48
hours of the box office opening. Cliff popularity was as strong, if not stronger
than ever before.
1999
After completing the box office smash run of 32 sold out concerts, Cliff was
awarded to mark this amazing achievement. This year saw Cliff headline the
‘Route Of Kings’ open-air concerts in London’s Hyde Park. The
weather was splendid and 40,000 people watched the shows. There was video
release of the show for those that wanted a momentum.
Cliff also
performed at ITV’s ‘An Audience With..’, the now famous show that stars one
famous person with an audience of celebrities, family and friends. It was
in this show that Cliff launched his controversial ‘Millennium Prayer’ single,
which despite little or no airplay, and backed by a series of huge media
campaigns which were launched by accident as Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans had
trashed the song on air, Cliff reached the coveted number 1 slot again. The 14th
in his career! Another single released that year, ‘The Miracle’ reached 23 in
the charts.
There was no
way that Cliff would let the new Millennium arrive quietly - a series of ten
'Countdown' concerts, culminating in a charity gala spectacular on 31 December,
all at Birmingham's NIA, made for a frantically busy end to the year. A live
television transmission of one of the shows by Sky Box Office added to the high
profile that Cliff has sustained for nearly half the century.
2000
A sabbatical year throughout 2000 - when Cliff hits 60 - seemed massively
deserved. For the first time in his 42-year career, Cliff took the whole
year off. Cliff did as he pleased and loved it!
There were
just a couple of things that Cliff decided to do and this included a local
charity concert in Weston Super Mare - in memory of his great friend Jill Dando
who had been murdered in 1999. Cliff spent much time overseas - often in the
USA, where virtual anonymity allowed him the luxury of being able to shop,
sight-see. He also spent time at his villa in Portugal enjoying the
weather and contemplating life in general. However, the year's highlight was a
60th birthday celebration at the Grosvenor House Hotel, organised by the Roy
Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, which ended with a memorable week's cruise in the
Mediterranean with 80 close friends and family. ‘The Whole Story – His
Greatest Hits’ was released in time for Christmas.
2001
Cliff began this year by laying down tracks for his new album ‘Wanted’,
scheduled for November release, which was to be produced by old friend and ever
successful, Alan Tarney, Cliff had spent his sabbatical devising an album which
was a mix of old and new songs. The first single from the album was to be a
unique mix of the classics ‘Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World’ (12).
The album reached number 11 when released.
During May a
series of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall was, as usual, a huge success.
It was clear that people had missed him during his year off. His schedule,
less hectic than the past years, also included trips to Portugal, Barbados,
Italy, France and America However, after a long summer break, he returned to a
hectic schedule of media promotion for his new Wanted album, both in the UK and
in Europe, including the filming of a major television special ‘The Hits I
Missed’ for ITV.
Work begins
on his new mansion in Barbados and the house is sufficiently complete to enable
him to spend his first Christmas out of the UK in years, taking with him many of
his family and friends
2002
‘Let Me Be The One’ (12) was the second single to be released off the 'Wanted'
album. Cliff was seen to be heavily promoting it, but without the airplay
from the radios, it seems that getting large hits is becoming increasingly more
difficult for him – despite the fact he is not going to retire. The fact
that the single entered the charts just outside the top 10 is proof that Cliff
still has a huge army of fans – a fact in which he finds great comfort.
Cliff appeared in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace in
June and will be starting a world tour beginning with the UK in November.
Tickets for the shows sold like hotcakes again, with people camping outside the
venues for up to two weeks prior to the release date in order to secure their
best seats. Cliff spent as much time abroad as he could afford; overseeing his
new wine crop in Portugal for the release of his own labelled wine and the
completion of his house in Barbados. The wine release was a huge success,
selling all 27,000 bottles released in to the UK faster than the suppliers could
get it on to their shelves!
2003
It was mid-March before Cliff and the crew returned home from Australasia but
despite itching to get back to Barbados, there was recording to be done - six
tracks for a new Christmas album. Then it was back to Barbados for an
extended holiday, combined with some recording work in Nashville for a 2004
album release. Cliff was home in time for daily visits to Wimbledon and
later to receive an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University. During
many summer weeks based at his home in Portugal, Cliff made a brief visit to
Brussels for a spectacular tv show in the city's Grand Place. Through the
autumn it was back to work mode with a heavy promotion programme for the new
Cliff At Christmas album and the single Santa's List, both in the UK and Europe.
A BBC TV documentary team followed him on many engagements for a special show
transmitted in December. There was a brief interruption in the promotion
schedule when Cliff travelled to Miami to record two tracks with legendary Bee
Gee, Barry Gibb, for next year's American album release.
2004
Following a private visit to Australia at the beginning of 2004, Cliff returned
via Cambodia where he visited a number of projects set up by the relief and
development agency Tearfund. A promotional video was subsequently released by
Tearfund, highlighting the impact of HIV/AIDS on the children of Phnom Penh.
Fourteen sell-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall were presented in
April, during which Cliff was able to debut seven tracks from his new album -
albeit nearly six months prior to its release!
Similarly, those new songs
featured in the hugely successful and enjoyable 'Summer Nights' concert tour in
July, staged outdoors at some of Britain's most impressive stately homes and
castles. The Castles In The Air video, filmed at Leeds Castle in Kent, was
released in the autumn and by Christmas had sold over 100,000 units. The
long-awaited released of Cliff's Nashville-recorded album Something's Goin' On
occurred in October and made the Top 10 the following week. Similarly the first
single Somethin' Is Goin' On notched up another Top 10 hit for Cliff, though the
second single I Cannot Give You My Love just failed to make it - at Number 11!
The three months leading up to Christmas saw a relentless round of promotional
commitments, both in the UK and Europe, one of the highlights being a
performance at the Royal Variety Show when Cliff was joined for one song by
Olivia Newton-John.
2005
During a three-month stay at his home in Barbados early in the year, Cliff
performed a charity concert with his band in aid of the Barbados Children's
Trust. On his return to the UK in April, there were a number of media promotion
commitments around the release of his What Car single. In May Cliff took part in
the spectacular VE Day concert in London's Trafalgar Square, performing the new
single and Sentimental Journey. There were further tv appearances, mainly in
Europe, and in June an outstanding radio concert performed with the Metropole
Orchestra in Amsterdam's Carre. Theatre and broadcast in many European
countries. With the Wimbledon Championships over, Cliff headed to his home
in Portugal for several weeks, though his holiday was interrupted by a flying
visit to Germany in August, to sing at the Catholic church's World Youth Day in
Cologne. Over a million people were gathered there to take part in the Papal
Mass which preceded the concert. In October Cliff celebrated his 65th birthday
in Portugal with a group of friends.
2006
2006 began quietly but built to a frantically
busy conclusion. Taking part in Dionne Warwick's 45th anniversary show in Los
Angeles was a January highlight, and in the spring Cliff was honoured by
Portugal who, at a ceremony at the Portuguese Embassy in London, bestowed their
equivalent of a knighthood in recognition of his personal and business
involvement in that country over 40 years. Recording tracks for Two's Company -
an album of duets - enabled Cliff to share studios with the likes of Brian May,
Barry Gibb and Daniel O'Donnell, and the release of the album by EMI in November
registered another Top 10 chart success. After a house move in the summer, Cliff
began rehearsals for the UK leg of his Here & Now tour, which played to arenas
around the UK and Ireland through November and early December. Immediately after
the final concerts in Dublin, Cliff began a short but intense media promotion
schedule for the duets album, the Here & Now show DVD, and a new single 21st
Century Christmas. Although the latter just failed to make the No 1 spot in the
downloads chart, it nevertheless went to the top of the 'over the counter' sales
chart! 2007 |