Stuart Clark,
Nigel Goodall, Daniel O'Donnell, Nigel Dando, Tony Jasper,
Eileen Edwards, Bridget Bowles, Janet Manley,
Mike Wilson, Gill
Snow, Christine Whitehead,
Cathy Hogg, Sue Andrews
(Click on any of the above to jump to their place on this page)
Nigel Goodall
Nigel's homepage
Renown author
Nigel Goodall, Cliff expert and good friend of mine is a very welcome honorary
member of this club.
Detailed below are just some of his
books, including his latest - 'Being Davina' and a background history. To jump to Nigel's welcome message to the club
please click here.
Coming soon - Nigel's new book:
Ray Winstone

 
Nigel Goodall
is a British-born author with more than a dozen books to his credit
including a number of bestselling film biographies on such names as Johnny
Depp, Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Demi Moore. A leading authority on
Hollywood celebrities, he has also written numerous books on the rock and
pop world with subjects ranging from Elton John, Queen and the Stones to
Cher, George Michael and Kylie. A highly respected music and film
journalist he has also contributed to various album and video projects and
to several US and UK television documentaries both on and off camera. His
current books on release are The Secret World of Johnny Depp and
Being Davina.
For those who
don't know, Nigel is also the co-author of several acclaimed books on Cliff
(Recording Sessions, Complete Chronicle & Ultimate) and (with
Peter Lewry) has also been instrumental in the revival of Cliff's back
catalogue of recordings for nearly a decade,
with some notable merits,
such as the Kingston album and the pioneer packaging for the
Summer Holiday special edition that has since been mirrored by
BMG’s Elvis FTD collector’s label.
For further
information (including interviews about the Cliff at the Movies and
Soundtrack Remaster CDs) visit Nigel's website at
www.nigelgoodall.co.uk.
Nigel's welcome message
to the club members:
"I wasn’t old enough to
remember Cliff Richard at the start, when he was the new singing sensation of
the late ‘50’s. In fact it wasn’t until 1962, at the age of twelve, when my
sister got a record player. An “Elizabethan” turntable in an elegant blue and
white cabinet. To start with I was primarily exposed to Elvis Presley, and again
thanks to my sister, the first Elvis movie I queued to see at the Essoldo in
Tunbridge Wells was Kid Galahad. In that same year, I also got to see
The Young Ones. At that time, to most teenagers, music was very much about
making choices. You were with either for Cliff or Elvis. I chose Elvis. But of
course, all that changed a few years later, when the Beatles and the Rolling
Stones replaced both Elvis and Cliff as the new icons of popular music. But not
for me, even though at the time, I relented, joined the masses, and like most of
my friends, bought Stones and Beatles albums, I was also continuing to collect
the then latest Presley records – while my sister continued with her Cliff
Richard collection… I too began to buy the odd Cliff disc, album and catch his
latest movie at the flicks. Wonderful Life, Finders Keepers, even
Thunderbirds Are Go! But never in my wildest dreams, back then, and I had
a few, did I think that one day I would have the opportunity to meet Cliff, to
write about his recording sessions or be given access to Abbey Road Studios, to
witness for myself, in real life, the studios were such classics as Move It
and Living Doll had been recorded. Even wilder, was the idea of watching
Cliff working in the studio. Neither would I have thought as I sat in the stalls
of the Essoldo watching Summer Holiday in the winter of 63, that one day,
I would compile and search out long forgotten out-takes to put on an album, a
box set, write sleeve notes, and write a further two books on the boy that Jack
Good correctly noted was gonna rock the world.
Equally exciting for me, was to
be asked by Carol to become an honorary member of your fan club. Again, some
years ago, more than I care to remember, that would have been unthinkable too. I
feel very flattered and honoured to accept such a delightful invitation. I hope
over the coming months, and years, I may have the opportunity to meet with some
of you, if I haven’t already, and to keep you up to date, whenever I can, with
the Cliff projects that I hope to continue to work on with my colleague and
friend Peter Lewry. There’s still plenty to do! Best Wishes, Nigel."
(September 2001)
See Nigel's website!!
Stuart Clark
Eagle FM Weekday PM DJ and
fan of Cliff Richard!
Age:
Old enough to know better!
Place of Birth: This planet! But sometimes people doubt that.
Childhood: Still continues, hopefully will never grow up.
How did you start in radio? Completely by accident. I was just
being me in the local pub (no drink had passed my lips, honestly, hic) when a
man from the BBC approached me and said "have you ever thought of being on the
radio or television?". One week later I was! See who needs Nasty Nigel or Simon
Cowell?
Music tastes: Wide ranging and diverse. Don't really have a
favourite group or singer. Tastes range from classical, jazz, soul to today's
chart songs. If it's good I'll listen to it. Cliff of course!
Music hates: Don't get me started on this one. Pan Pipes, what
is that all about? Manuel with his music from the mountains should have stayed
firmly up the mountain!
Fave TV?: Big fan of Corras and 'Enders. Room 101, Never Mind
The Buzzcocks, They Think Its All Over and Have I Got News For You. Also a big
fan of a good documentary especially ones that tell you how things work,
probably because I'm nosey.
How would like to become an honorary member of the Cliff
Richard Fan Club of London and Surrey?:
I'm touched! Would love to - thank you for asking.
Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel Francis Noel
O'Donnell, to give him his full title, was born in the scenic area of
Kincasslagh, County Donegal in North-west Ireland on December 12, 1961. Known
locally as Daniel Bosco, he was the youngest of five children, sharing a normal
childhood with sisters Margo and Kathleen and brothers John and James. He
attended the Belcruit National School and a few years back returned there, not
to submit some late homework but, to officially open a school extension. On this
special occasion Daniel presented the school with one of his many gold discs
which boasted the engraving: "Follow your dream because that’s what I did".
His family home was situated
below Kincasslagh village and from its back yard you could enjoy the view of
Errigal Mountain, Ireland’s second highest peak as well as the roaring Atlantic
Ocean. Like any small Irish village, Kincasslagh’s popular tourist landmarks
included a bar, a post office and the local shop, where Daniel worked when he
was nine. The beaches proved to be the children’s local playground. Nearby was
the chapel where Daniel sang as a choirboy and has fond memories of singing
there on Christmas night. However Daniel’s first stage appearance came a few
years earlier at Kincasslagh Hall when he received the first of many rounds of
applause for his rendition of Little Cabin On The Hill.
Even though his sister Margo was
now a successful recording star, Daniel had no desire to follow in her
footsteps. He first began training to be a teacher before changing to study
commerce at Galway College. But his career took a dramatic change when Margo
made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and he joined her band him as rhythm
guitarist even though, by his own admission, he couldn’t play a note! However he
proved to be a quick learner and soon established himself in the band.
Eventually he summed up enough courage to try out in front of the microphone
whenever Margo took a break.
After two years of performing on the live
music circuit, Daniel was growing in confidence and took the brave decision to
go solo. He still held down a day job, washing dishes at the Central Hotel in
Dublin and managed to save £600 which he used to finance the release of his
debut single.
A thousand copies of the
single, featuring My Donegal Shore and Stand Beside Me, were pressed and Daniel
sold them at every opportunity, even once to a bus full of pilgrims on the way
to Knock shrine! He formed a couple of bands, firstly Country Fever and then
Grassroots which helped him grow in confidence as a performer.
His big break came after
performing in front of 70,000 people at the London-Irish Festival when he
impressed Ritz Music Group Chairman, Mick Clerkin, who signed him to his label.
The first fruits of their working relationship came with the release of his
debut album, Two Sides Of Daniel O’Donnell and this was receiving positive
airplay both in Ireland and the UK.
He was now coming to the
attention of many new fans thanks to a hectic tour schedule of the UK and
Ireland together with radio and press promotions. Then in 1987 Daniel scored his
first No 1 in the UK Country Chart with his third album Don’t Forget To
Remember. It crashed straight into the top of the charts on the first week of
release, a feat previously achieved only by top American acts. He followed this
with glowing performances in Peterborough and at the Wembley International
Festival of Country Music and amazingly enough was making far greater inroads in
the UK than in his native Ireland.
His 1988 album From The Heart not only topped
the Country Charts but also featured in the UK Pop Charts where it remained for
12 weeks. This proved to be a huge breakthrough success for Daniel and opened
the door for his other albums, total sales of which stand at over 3.5 million.
To date he has had six Top 20 album successes
in the UK Pop Charts as well as one Top 10 smash hit album with 1998's Love
Songs, which peaked at No 9. His Top 20 successes to date are: Follow Your Dream
(No 17 in 1992), Especially For You (No 14 in 1994), while in 1996 he had two
hit albums with Timeless (No 13) and Songs Of Inspiration (No 11). In 1997 I
Believe also charted at No 11 while all his albums have either secured gold
(100,000 units) or platinum (300,000 units) status as well as top the UK Country
Charts.
Daniel's crossover appeal has
further underlined with the single Give A Little Love, which gave him his first
ever Top 10 hit in the UK Pop Charts, reaching No 7 in April 1998. This single
appears on his Love Songs album, which now boasts three hits: The Magic Is There
peaked at No 16 in October 1998 while The Way Dreams Are reached No 18 in March
1999. He followed this with Uno Mas (Spanish for One More), a No 25 hit in July.
In total he has enjoyed 11 Top 40 successes in the UK Pop Charts, the others
being: The Love Songs EP (No 27 in 1997) while in 1996 Footsteps and Timeless
(his duet with Mary Duff) reached Nos 25 and 32 respectively. In 1995, Secret
Love peaked at No 28, Singing The Blues (No 23 in 1994) while Whatever Happened
To Old Fashioned Love entered the pop charts at No 21. I Just Want To Dance With
You began his run of hits when it charted at No 20 in 1992.
Despite all his success, Daniel’s
feet have remained firmly on the ground. He lives near his family and takes a
genuine interest in the running of his own hotel, The Viking House, where many
guests have been treated to impromptu musical performances by Daniel.
Daniel joins the London and Surrey Club as a
result of my politely 'accosting' him in a motorway service station in the
middle of the night, on the way home from the Tennis in Birmingham on 17th
December 2000. He was extremely polite and courteous at all times, even when I
asked him to say hello to the others on our coach, which didn't give him the
chance to eat the white chocolate Magnum that he'd just unwrapped.
Daniel has written a message for all of the
London and Surrey fans:
"Hello Everyone,
I hope these few lines find you well
and that you had a nice Christmas. I must say that I am delighted that Carol
asked me to become a member of the Cliff Richard London and Surrey fan club. I
have followed Cliff’s career for many years so I had no hesitation in accepting
Carol's kind invitation.
I look forward to reading all the bits
and pieces in the newsletters and I hope I can contribute some news of interest
from time to time. If our paths ever cross and you know who I am, please say
hello!
God Bless,
Daniel O Donnell."
The London and Surrey club look forward to a
long partnership with Daniel and hope that he will enjoy his time with us.
Nigel
Dando (Jill Dando's
Brother)
Jill Dando was an honorary member of this club
until her untimely death. No-one can replace Jill, we all know that, but Nigel
agreed to become an honorary member in memory of Jill. Nigel has become involved
in many causes in which Jill was involved, like the Weston Hospice, but I
thought it appropriate that Nigel be offered the chance of taking over from
Jill’s small involvement with our club too. Since Cliff was actively involved in
Jill’s life, being the good friends that they were, Nigel has also become
involved in Cliff’s life, as they, together with many other people, continue to
promote the many good things that Jill represented. His message to the club is
below:
“Jill was a real friend AND a true fan
of Cliff and it is therefore a privilege for me to be asked to become an
honorary member of the fan club. Cliff was on brilliant form at a charity
evening earlier this year in Jill’s home town of Weston Super Mare where his
star performance helped to raise more than £60k for Weston Hospice, a cause very
close to Jill’s heart.” (Written April 2000)
Tony
Jasper
Tony Jasper has interviewed Cliff for radio and
newspaper over many years. He was one time Charts Editor of Record Mirror and
has compiled numerous factual and statistical books on the music scene. He has
written many books which include volumes on religion and human relationships.
He lives in London. His latest message to the London and Surrey fan club,
received December 2000, was as follows:
"Dear Carol, The issue of Cliff-Guaranteed just received is
really, really very good! Congratulations! Keep up the hard work. Thanks for the
mags!"
Eileen Edwards,
Bridget Bowles & Janet Manley
All three ladies have all run this fan club in the past and
therefore deserve to be honorary members!
Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson is an honorary member because of all the help he
has given me in the past and to date. Mike is a huge Cliff Richard fan and the
creator of our
discography. He regularly contributes to our club magazine, where he details
all of Cliff's "mentioned" in the media. His Cliff radar ears and eyes are
quick to detect Cliff's presence on either TV, radio or in magazines which he
then lists on a bi-monthly basis in our magazine. I couldn't run the club
without his help.
Gill Snow
Gill is Cliff's personal secretary and I send her the club
magazine in hope that she occasionally sees an article that she might show to
Cliff himself! Whether she does show Cliff or not, I hope that she enjoys
reading (or looking through) the magazine herself!
Cathy Hogg
Cathy Hogg, once a regular member, has always religiously sent
me newspaper clippings and magazine articles to use in our club magazines. She
also has written articles and poems which I have printed in the past. The
expense and trouble she has gone to since I've taken over the club warrants her
honorary membership for pure dedication to us and Cliff Richard, her hero!
Sue Andrews
Where-ever Cliff is, you can be sure Sue will there too. Sue
is one of Cliff's official photographers and I regularly use the pictures that
she takes. She always offers them for sale at reasonable prices and also can
provide gifts using the pictures too. View some of her pictures
here.
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