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{{short description|British male tenor vocalist}}
{{Short description|English singer (1925–1980)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = David Whitfield
| image =
| name = David Whitfield
| caption =
| image = File:DavidWhitfield.png
| image_size =
| caption =
| background = solo_singer
| image_size =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|02|02|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|02|02|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], [[East Riding of Yorkshire]], England
| birth_place = [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], [[East Riding of Yorkshire]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|1980|01|15|1925|02|02|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1980|01|15|1925|02|02|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| death_place = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| origin =
| origin = England
| instrument = [[Human voice|Vocals]]
| instrument = [[Human voice|Vocals]]
| occupation = [[Singing|Singer]]
| occupation = [[Singing|Singer]]
| years_active = 1952–1980
| years_active = 1952–1980
| label = [[Decca Records]]
| label = [[Decca Records]]
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts = [[Mantovani]] and his orchestra
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''David Whitfield''' (2 February 1925 – 15 January 1980)<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-whitfield-mn0000949782 |title=David Whitfield &#124; Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date= |accessdate=2015-10-02}}</ref> was a popular [[United Kingdom|British]] male tenor [[singing|vocalist]] from [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]]. He became the first British Artist to have a UK No.1 single in his home country and in the [[United States]] at the time with "[[Cara Mia]]".<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
'''David Whitfield''' (2 February 1925 – 15 January 1980)<ref name="AMG">{{Cite web |title=David Whitfield &#124; Biography & History |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-whitfield-mn0000949782 |access-date=2 October 2015 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> was a popular [[United Kingdom|British]] male tenor [[singing|vocalist]] from [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]]. He became the first British artist to have a UK No.1 single in the UK and in the [[United States]] with "[[Cara Mia]]", featuring [[Mantovani]] and his orchestra.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |year=2006 |isbn=1-904994-10-5 |edition=19th |location=London |page=43}}</ref> He died from a brain haemorrhage in Sydney, Australia, while on tour at the age of 54.
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 43}}</ref> He died from a brain haemorrhage in Sydney, Australia, while on tour at the age of 54.


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Whitfield was born in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] in the [[East Riding of Yorkshire]]. He sang in the choir at his church during his childhood and entertained his fellow members of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]]. After the war, he appeared on ''[[Opportunity Knocks (UK TV series)|Opportunity Knocks]]'', a [[talent show]] on [[Radio Luxembourg (English)|Radio Luxembourg]].<ref name="AMG"/> His first [[sound recording and reproduction|recording]] to reach the [[Top 40|Top 10]] of the [[UK Singles Chart]] was "Bridge of Sighs", written by [[Billy Reid (British songwriter)|Billy Reid]]. "[[Answer Me|Answer Me, Oh Lord]]" (later recorded with different lyrics as "[[Answer Me, My Love]]") reached number one in the UK.<ref name="AMG"/> Both versions have appeared on [[Compact disc|CD]].
Whitfield was born in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] in the [[East Riding of Yorkshire]]. He sang in the choir at his church during his childhood and entertained his fellow members of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]]. After the war, he stayed in the navy until June 1950 having had a long spell in Singapore where he broadcast on radio.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hull Daily Mail |journal=Hull Daily Mail |date=April 28, 1950 |page=6}}</ref> He appeared on ''[[Opportunity Knocks (UK TV series)|Opportunity Knocks]]'', a [[talent show]] on [[Radio Luxembourg (English)|Radio Luxembourg]] on April 30, 1950, and won that round.<ref name="AMG" /> He subsequently appeared on the all-winners show on May 21, 1950, singing "Good-Bye" from [[White Horse Inn (Broadway version)|White Horse Inn]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hull Daily Mail |journal=Hull Daily Mail |date=May 20, 1950 |page=4}}</ref> This led to his joining the touring stage show of "Opportunity Knocks" hosted by [[Hughie Green]] for a while.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Stage |journal=The Stage |date=June 15, 1950 |page=5}}</ref> After leaving the navy, he had taken a job in a cement factory but in 1953 he was given the opportunity to sing in a West-end cabaret at the Washington Hotel, Curzon St., London where he was a great success.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Stage |journal=The Stage |date=January 22, 1953 |page=3}}</ref> This led to a variety stage tour.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Portsmouth Evening News |journal=Portsmouth Evening News |date=May 8, 1953 |page=11}}</ref>


His first [[sound recording and reproduction|recording]] to reach the [[Top 40|Top 10]] of the [[UK Singles Chart]] in October 1953 was "Bridge of Sighs", written by [[Billy Reid (British songwriter)|Billy Reid]]. "[[Answer Me]]" (later recorded with different lyrics as "[[Answer Me, My Love]]") reached number one in the UK.<ref name="AMG" /> Both versions have appeared on [[Compact disc|CD]].
Whitfield had other [[chart-topper|hits]] in the 1950s, and was the most successful [[United Kingdom|British]] male singer in [[United States of America|America]] during that period.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> In addition, he was the first British male vocalist to earn a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] and the third overall. He was also the first to reach the [[Record chart|Top Ten]] of the [[Billboard Top 100]], and the first artist from [[United Kingdom|Britain]] to sell over a million copies of a record in the US.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| year= 1978
| title= The Book of Golden Discs
| edition= 2nd
| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd
| location= London
| isbn= 0-214-20512-6
| page= 71}}</ref><ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book
| first= John
| last= Tobler
| year= 1992
| title= NME Rock 'N' Roll Years
| edition= 1st
| publisher= Reed International Books Ltd
| location= London
| id= CN 5585
| page= 17}}</ref>


Whitfield had other [[chart-topper|hits]] in the 1950s, and was the most successful [[United Kingdom|British]] male singer in [[United States of America|America]] during that period.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" /> In addition, he was the first British male vocalist to earn a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] and the third overall. He was also the first to reach the [[Record chart|Top Ten]] of the [[Billboard Top 100]], and the first artist from [[United Kingdom|Britain]] to sell over a million copies of a record in the US.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{Cite book |last=Murrells |first=Joseph |url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/71 |title=The Book of Golden Discs |publisher=Barrie and Jenkins Ltd |year=1978 |isbn=0-214-20512-6 |edition=2nd |location=London |page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/71 71] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="NME Rock ">{{Cite book |last=Tobler |first=John |title=NME Rock 'N' Roll Years |publisher=Reed International Books Ltd |year=1992 |edition=1st |location=London |page=17 |id=CN 5585}}</ref>
All of his hits were released by the [[Decca Records|Decca]] [[record label]] in the UK. His only [[album]] to reach the [[UK Albums Chart]] was ''The World of David Whitfield'', which reached Number 19.<ref name="AMG"/> He used [[orchestra]]s, including those of [[Stanley Black]], fellow Decca artist [[Mantovani]] and [[Roland Shaw (bandleader)|Roland Shaw]], as backing accompaniment for said hits.

All of his hits were released by the [[Decca Records|Decca]] [[record label]] in the UK. His only [[album]] to reach the [[UK Albums Chart]] was ''The World of David Whitfield'', which reached Number 19.<ref name="AMG" /> He used [[orchestra]]s, including those of [[Stanley Black]], fellow Decca artist [[Mantovani]] and [[Roland Shaw (bandleader)|Roland Shaw]], as backing accompaniment for said hits.


His most popular recordings were:
His most popular recordings were:
* "[[Answer Me]]" – his first UK chart topper.
* "[[Cara Mia]]" – with [[Mantovani]] which earned him that gold disc and gave him his second Number One in the [[UK Singles Chart]].
* "[[Cara Mia]]" – with [[Mantovani]] which earned him that gold disc and gave him his second Number One in the [[UK Singles Chart]].
* "My September Love".
* "[[Answer Me]]" – his first UK chart topper.
* "I'll Find You" – the [[theme music]] to the 1957 [[film]], ''[[Sea Wife]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sea Wife (1957) |url=https://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0050944/ |access-date=2 October 2015 |publisher=IMDb |archive-date=22 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222040724/http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0050944/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> starring [[Joan Collins]] and [[Richard Burton]].
* "My September Love"
* "I'll Find You" – the [[theme music]] to the 1957 [[film]], ''Sea Wife'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0050944/|title=Sea Wife (1957)|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=2015-10-02}}</ref> starring [[Joan Collins]] and [[Richard Burton]].
* "William Tell" – the theme music to the [[television|TV]] series, ''[[The Adventures of William Tell]]''.
* "William Tell" – the theme music to the [[television|TV]] series, ''[[The Adventures of William Tell]]''.


"Cara Mia" spent ten weeks at the pole position in the UK, making it one of the biggest selling British records in the pre-rock days. That recording co-credits Mantovani and his Orchestra and Chorus. Whitfield appeared on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' and the 1954 [[Royal Command Performance]].<ref name="AMG"/> He continued to perform regularly across the globe, while living in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] in the UK.
"Cara Mia" spent ten weeks at the pole position in the UK, making it one of the biggest selling British records in the pre-rock days. That recording co-credits Mantovani and his Orchestra and Chorus. Whitfield appeared on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' and the 1954 [[Royal Command Performance]].<ref name="AMG" /> He continued to perform regularly across the globe, while living in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] in the UK.


Many of his singles were issued on LP and have been reissued in recent years on CD compilations under licence. There were three 45rpm [[Gramophone record|EP]] specials (1959–60), one entitled "The Good Old Songs" and the other two featuring numbers from "Rose Marie" and "The Desert Song," two musical shows in which Whitfield toured. On leaving Decca he recorded two singles for [[HMV Records|HMV]] (1962–63). His last LP, made for [[Philips Records|Philips]] in 1975 and entitled ''Hey There! It's David Whitfield'', included his third recording of "Cara Mia" (he had already recorded a [[Stereophonic sound|stereo]] re-make for Decca in 1966 for an album entitled ''Great Songs for Young Lovers''). Whitfield's last single was for Denman, a coupling of "[[Land of Hope and Glory]]" and "When You Lose the One You Love" (1977).
Many of his singles were issued on LP and have been reissued in recent years on CD compilations under licence. There were three 45rpm [[Gramophone record|EP]] specials (1959–60), one entitled "The Good Old Songs" and the other two featuring numbers from "Rose Marie" and "The Desert Song," two musical shows in which Whitfield toured. On leaving Decca he recorded two singles for [[HMV Records|HMV]] (1962–63). His last LP, made for [[Philips Records|Philips]] in 1975 and entitled ''Hey There! It's David Whitfield'', included his third recording of "Cara Mia" (he had already recorded a [[Stereophonic sound|stereo]] re-make for Decca in 1966 for an album entitled ''Great Songs for Young Lovers''). Whitfield's last single was for Denman, a coupling of "[[Land of Hope and Glory]]" and "When You Lose the One You Love" (1977).


He died from a [[Cerebral hemorrhage|brain haemorrhage]] in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], while on tour at the age of 54.<ref name="500 Number One Hits">{{cite book
He died from a [[Cerebral hemorrhage|brain haemorrhage]] in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], while on tour at the age of 54.<ref name="500 Number One Hits">{{Cite book |last=Rice |first=Jo |title=The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits |publisher=Guinness Superlatives Ltd |year=1982 |isbn=0-85112-250-7 |edition=1st |location=Enfield, Middlesex |page=14}}</ref>
| first= Jo
| last= Rice
| year= 1982
| title= The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits
| edition= 1st
| publisher= Guinness Superlatives Ltd
| location= Enfield, Middlesex
| isbn= 0-85112-250-7
| page= 14}}</ref>


A statue in the memory of Whitfield was unveiled outside of the [[Hull New Theatre|New Theatre]] in Hull on 31 August 2012, before the opening night of a show celebrating the life and music of Whitfield.
A statue in the memory of Whitfield was unveiled outside of the [[Hull New Theatre|New Theatre]] in Hull on 31 August 2012, before the opening night of a show celebrating the life and music of Whitfield.


==Discography==
==Selected discography==
{{Main|David Whitfield discography}}

===Singles===
*F10062 "Marta" / "I'll Never Forget You"
*F10099 "[[I Believe (1953 song)|I Believe]]" / "I'll Make You Mine"
*F10129 "The Bridge of Sighs" / "I'm the King of Broken Hearts" – 1953 – Number 9 ([[UK Singles Chart]] throughout)
*F10192 "[[Answer Me]]" / "Dance Gypsy Dance" – 1953 – Number 1
*F10207 "[[Rags to Riches (song)|Rags to Riches]]" / "Mardi Gras" – 1953 – Number 3
*F10242 "The Book" / "Heartless" – 1954 – Number 5
*F10279 "Laugh" / "It's Never Too Late to Pray"
*F10327 "[[Cara Mia]]" / "Love, Tears and Kisses" – 1954 – Number 1; Number 10 [[United States of America|U.S.]]
*F10355 "[[Smile (Charlie Chaplin song)|Smile]]" / "How, When or Where"
*F10399 "Santo Natale (Merry Christmas)" / "Adeste Fideles (Oh Come All Ye Faithful)" – 1954 – Number 2
*F10458 "Beyond the Stars" / "Open Your Heart" – 1955 – Number 8 (with Mantovani and his Orchestra)
*F10515 "[[Mama (David Whitfield song)|Mama]]" / "Ev'rywhere" – 1955 – Number 12/Number 3
*F10562 "The Lady" / "Santa Rosa Lea Rose"
*F10596 "Lady of Madrid" / "[[I'll Never Stop Loving You (1955 song)|I'll Never Stop Loving You]]"
*F10627 "When You Lose the One You Love" / "Angelus" – 1955 – Number 7 (with Mantovani and his Orchestra)
*F10690 "My September Love" / "The Rudder and the Rock" – 1956 – Number 3
*F10752 "[[It's Almost Tomorrow]]" (All Star Hit Parade)
*F10769 "My Son John" / "My Unfinished Symphony" – 1956 – Number 22/Number 29
*F10833 "The Adoration Waltz" / "If I Lost You" – 1957 – Number 9
*F10864 "I'll Find You" / "I'd Give You the World" – 1957 – Number 27
*F10890 "Without Him" / "Dream of Paradise"
*F10931 "Martinella" / "Ev'rything"
*F10978 "Cry My Heart" / "My One True Love" – 1958 – Number 22 (with Mantovani and his Orchestra)
*F11018 "[[On the Street Where You Live]]" / "Afraid" – 1958 – Number 16
*F11039 "The Right to Love" / "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" – 1958 – Number 30
*F11079 "This is Lucia" / "Love is a Stranger"
*F11101 "William Tell" / "Willingly"
*F11144 "A Million Stars" / "Farewell My Love"
*F11161 "Oh, Tree" / "Our Love Waltz"
*F11196 "Song of the Dreamer" / "My Only Love"
*F11221 "Angela Mia" / "A Tear, A Kiss, A Smile"
*F11289 "[[I Believe (1953 song)|I Believe]]" / "Hear My Song, Violetta" – 1960 – Number 49
*F11336 "[[A Scottish Soldier]]" / "[[Scotland the Brave]]" (withdrawn: unissued in the UK)
*F11339 "[[Climb Ev'ry Mountain]]" / "[[The Sound of Music (song)|The Sound of Music]]" – 1961
*HMV POP1015 "As Long as You Love Me" / "Impossible" – 1962
*HMV POP1180 "This Heart of Mine" / You Belong in Someone Else's Arms" – 1963<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>

===Albums===
*1954 – ''Yours from the Heart''
*1958 – ''Whitfield Favourites''
*1958 – ''From David With Love''
*1960 – ''My Heart and I''
*1961 – ''Alone''
*1966 – ''Great Songs for Young Lovers''
*1975 – ''Hey There It's David Whitfield''


==See also==
==See also==
Line 141: Line 61:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.45-rpm.org.uk/dird/davidw.htm 45-rpm website]
*[http://www.45-rpm.org.uk/dird/davidw.htm 45-rpm website]
*[http://www.davidwhitfield.net The David Whitfield International Appreciation Society website]
*[http://www.davidwhitfield.com The World's first David Whitfield website]
*[http://www.davidwhitfield.com The World's first David Whitfield website]
*[http://www.beehive.thisishull.co.uk This is Hull website]
*[http://www.beehive.thisishull.co.uk This is Hull website]
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[[Category:Traditional pop music singers]]
[[Category:Traditional pop music singers]]
[[Category:20th-century English singers]]
[[Category:20th-century English singers]]
[[Category:20th-century male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century British male singers]]

Latest revision as of 14:31, 14 September 2023

David Whitfield
Background information
Born(1925-02-02)2 February 1925
Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
OriginEngland
Died15 January 1980(1980-01-15) (aged 54)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1952–1980
LabelsDecca Records

David Whitfield (2 February 1925 – 15 January 1980)[1] was a popular British male tenor vocalist from Hull. He became the first British artist to have a UK No.1 single in the UK and in the United States with "Cara Mia", featuring Mantovani and his orchestra.[2] He died from a brain haemorrhage in Sydney, Australia, while on tour at the age of 54.

Life and career

[edit]

Whitfield was born in Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. He sang in the choir at his church during his childhood and entertained his fellow members of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. After the war, he stayed in the navy until June 1950 having had a long spell in Singapore where he broadcast on radio.[3] He appeared on Opportunity Knocks, a talent show on Radio Luxembourg on April 30, 1950, and won that round.[1] He subsequently appeared on the all-winners show on May 21, 1950, singing "Good-Bye" from White Horse Inn.[4] This led to his joining the touring stage show of "Opportunity Knocks" hosted by Hughie Green for a while.[5] After leaving the navy, he had taken a job in a cement factory but in 1953 he was given the opportunity to sing in a West-end cabaret at the Washington Hotel, Curzon St., London where he was a great success.[6] This led to a variety stage tour.[7]

His first recording to reach the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart in October 1953 was "Bridge of Sighs", written by Billy Reid. "Answer Me" (later recorded with different lyrics as "Answer Me, My Love") reached number one in the UK.[1] Both versions have appeared on CD.

Whitfield had other hits in the 1950s, and was the most successful British male singer in America during that period.[2] In addition, he was the first British male vocalist to earn a gold disc and the third overall. He was also the first to reach the Top Ten of the Billboard Top 100, and the first artist from Britain to sell over a million copies of a record in the US.[8][9]

All of his hits were released by the Decca record label in the UK. His only album to reach the UK Albums Chart was The World of David Whitfield, which reached Number 19.[1] He used orchestras, including those of Stanley Black, fellow Decca artist Mantovani and Roland Shaw, as backing accompaniment for said hits.

His most popular recordings were:

"Cara Mia" spent ten weeks at the pole position in the UK, making it one of the biggest selling British records in the pre-rock days. That recording co-credits Mantovani and his Orchestra and Chorus. Whitfield appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and the 1954 Royal Command Performance.[1] He continued to perform regularly across the globe, while living in Hull in the UK.

Many of his singles were issued on LP and have been reissued in recent years on CD compilations under licence. There were three 45rpm EP specials (1959–60), one entitled "The Good Old Songs" and the other two featuring numbers from "Rose Marie" and "The Desert Song," two musical shows in which Whitfield toured. On leaving Decca he recorded two singles for HMV (1962–63). His last LP, made for Philips in 1975 and entitled Hey There! It's David Whitfield, included his third recording of "Cara Mia" (he had already recorded a stereo re-make for Decca in 1966 for an album entitled Great Songs for Young Lovers). Whitfield's last single was for Denman, a coupling of "Land of Hope and Glory" and "When You Lose the One You Love" (1977).

He died from a brain haemorrhage in Sydney, Australia, while on tour at the age of 54.[11]

A statue in the memory of Whitfield was unveiled outside of the New Theatre in Hull on 31 August 2012, before the opening night of a show celebrating the life and music of Whitfield.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: David Whitfield discography

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "David Whitfield | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  2. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 43. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ "Hull Daily Mail". Hull Daily Mail: 6. 28 April 1950.
  4. ^ "Hull Daily Mail". Hull Daily Mail: 4. 20 May 1950.
  5. ^ "The Stage". The Stage: 5. 15 June 1950.
  6. ^ "The Stage". The Stage: 3. 22 January 1953.
  7. ^ "Portsmouth Evening News". Portsmouth Evening News: 11. 8 May 1953.
  8. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 71. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  9. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 17. CN 5585.
  10. ^ "Sea Wife (1957)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  11. ^ Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 14. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
[edit]
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