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'''Joseph Patrick Daniel Longthorne''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} (31 May 1955 – 3 August 2019) was an English singer and [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]]. He performed on stage and television, and released three [[music recording sales certification|platinum]] albums. Longthorne started his TV career at the age of fourteen when he landed a part in [[Yorkshire Television]]'s series ''[[Junior Showtime]]'', and rose to popularity in 1981 through the [[London Weekend Television]] series ''Search For a Star'', leading to his own television series ''The Joe Longthorne Show''.
'''Joseph Patrick Daniel Longthorne''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} (31 May 1955 – 3 August 2019) was an English singer and [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]]. He performed on stage, television and released three [[music recording sales certification|platinum]] albums. Longthorne started his TV career at the age of fourteen when he landed a part in [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]]'s series ''[[Junior Showtime]]'', and rose to popularity in 1981 through the [[London Weekend Television]] series ''Search For a Star'', leading to his own television series ''The Joe Longthorne Show''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Longthorne was born in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]],<ref>{{cite news|date=3 August 2019|title=Joe Longthorne dies at Blackpool home|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-49219270|publisher=BBC News|access-date=6 August 2019}}</ref> England, into a musical family<ref name="Site"/> of a "travelling, [[Romani people|Romany]] background".<ref name="sugar"/> He grew up in the Hessle Road area of Hull, known for its fishing community, and considered himself as a "[[Hessle]] Roader". He attended Villa Place Primary School, St Wilfred's Primary School and Sydney Smith High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orwin.karoo.net/people/living/index.html|title=joe longthorne (b. 1955)|website=Orwin.karoo.net}}</ref>
Longthorne was born in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]],<ref>{{cite news|date=3 August 2019|title=Joe Longthorne dies at Blackpool home|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-49219270|publisher=BBC News|access-date=6 August 2019}}</ref> England, into a musical family<ref name="Site"/> of a "travelling, [[Romani people|Romany]] background".<ref name="sugar"/> He grew up in the Hessle Road area of Hull, known for its fishing community, and considered himself as a "[[Hessle]] Roader". He attended Villa Place Primary School, St Wilfred's Primary School and Sydney Smith High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orwin.karoo.net/people/living/index.html|title=joe longthorne (b. 1955)|website=Orwin.karoo.net}}</ref>


Longthorne came first in a talent show when he was six; his prize was a toy motor car. At fourteen he landed a part in [[Yorkshire Television]]'s series ''[[Junior Showtime]]'', and remained with the show for over two years.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p531575|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Joe Longthorne|author=Chris True|publisher=[[All Media Guide|AMG]]|access-date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="Hull Daily Mail">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/joe-longthorne-dies-never-forgotten-3169746|title=Joe Longthorne dies: How the Hessle Road lad became a superstar and why he'll never be forgotten|newspaper=[[Hull Daily Mail]]|date=3 August 2019|author1=Emmeline Saunders|author2=Sophie Kitching|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> He later turned professional and earned a living in Northern [[working men's club]]s.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-49219270|title=Entertainer Joe Longthorne dies|date=3 August 2019|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803104444/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-49219270|archive-date=3 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Longthorne came first in a talent show when he was six; his prize was a toy motor car. At fourteen he landed a part in [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]]'s series ''[[Junior Showtime]]'', and remained with the show for over two years.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p531575|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography: Joe Longthorne|author=Chris True|publisher=[[All Media Guide|AMG]]|access-date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="Hull Daily Mail">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/joe-longthorne-dies-never-forgotten-3169746|title=Joe Longthorne dies: How the Hessle Road lad became a superstar and why he'll never be forgotten|newspaper=[[Hull Daily Mail]]|date=3 August 2019|author1=Emmeline Saunders|author2=Sophie Kitching|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> He later turned professional and earned a living in Northern [[working men's club]]s.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-49219270|title=Entertainer Joe Longthorne dies|date=3 August 2019|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803104444/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-49219270|archive-date=3 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Television==
==Television==
Line 30: Line 30:
During his tour of Australia, he appeared on ''[[The Mike Walsh Show]]''.
During his tour of Australia, he appeared on ''[[The Mike Walsh Show]]''.


He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1994 when he was surprised by [[Michael Aspel]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
He was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1994 when he was surprised by [[Michael Aspel]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}


==Radio==
==Radio==
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==Impressions==
==Impressions==
Longthorne was known for his renditions of songs in the style of Dame [[Shirley Bassey]]. His other impersonations included [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], [[Johnny Mathis]] and [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]].<ref name="guardian"/>
Longthorne was known for his renditions of songs in the style of Dame [[Shirley Bassey]]. His other impersonations included [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] and many more.<ref name="guardian"/>


==Awards==
==Awards==
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Longthorne died at home in Blackpool on 3 August 2019, aged 64.<ref name="BBC"/> He is interred at [[Layton Cemetery]] in Blackpool.
Longthorne died at home in Blackpool on 3 August 2019, aged 64.<ref name="BBC"/> He is interred at [[Layton Cemetery]] in Blackpool.

==Legacy==
In 2020, the theatre on [[North Pier, Blackpool|Blackpool's North Pier]] was renamed The Joe Longthorne Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joe Longthorne Theatre (former North Pier Pavilion) |url=https://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/how-we-help/theatres-at-risk/215-joe-longthorne-theatre-former-north-pier-pavilion |website=Theatres Trust |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>


==Albums==
==Albums==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{official website|www.joelongthornembe.co.uk}}
* {{official website|www.joelongthornembe.co.uk}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1816068|name=Joe Longthorne}}


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[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:Deaths from throat cancer in England]]
[[Category:Deaths from throat cancer]]
[[Category:English bisexual men]]
[[Category:English bisexual men]]
[[Category:English bisexual musicians]]
[[Category:English bisexual musicians]]

Revision as of 12:52, 12 July 2024

Joe Longthorne
MBE
Born
Joseph Patrick Daniel Longthorne

(1955-05-31)31 May 1955
Hull, England
Died3 August 2019(2019-08-03) (aged 64)
Blackpool, England
Years active1969–2019
SpouseJames Moran
Children1

Joseph Patrick Daniel Longthorne MBE (31 May 1955 – 3 August 2019) was an English singer and impressionist. He performed on stage, television and released three platinum albums. Longthorne started his TV career at the age of fourteen when he landed a part in Yorkshire Television's series Junior Showtime, and rose to popularity in 1981 through the London Weekend Television series Search For a Star, leading to his own television series The Joe Longthorne Show.

Early life

Longthorne was born in Hull,[1] England, into a musical family[2] of a "travelling, Romany background".[3] He grew up in the Hessle Road area of Hull, known for its fishing community, and considered himself as a "Hessle Roader". He attended Villa Place Primary School, St Wilfred's Primary School and Sydney Smith High School.[4]

Longthorne came first in a talent show when he was six; his prize was a toy motor car. At fourteen he landed a part in Yorkshire Television's series Junior Showtime, and remained with the show for over two years.[5][6] He later turned professional and earned a living in Northern working men's clubs.[7]

Television

Longthorne appeared on television in 1981, through the London Weekend Television series Search For a Star,[7] where he performed as a singer and impressionist.[5] His success on the show led to appearances at the London Palladium and a month-long season at London's Talk of the Town.[2] He played the London Palladium many times.[7]

In 1988 he presented his own television series, The Joe Longthorne Show.[8]

Longthorne appeared regularly on several TV programmes in the 1980s, amongst which the notable ones were The Les Dennis Laughter Show and The Royal Variety Performance.[2] He performed in theatres in the United States and at the Sydney Opera House.[7] Longthorne also released three platinum albums for Telstar, The Joe Longthorne Songbook, Especially For You and The Joe Longthorne Christmas Album.[9]

Impressions

Longthorne was known for his renditions of songs in the style of Dame Shirley Bassey. His other impersonations included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones and many more.[8]

Awards

The Variety Club awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007; this placed him amongst past recipients such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Ella Fitzgerald.[10]

Longthorne was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to charity.[7][11]

Personal life and death

Longthorne lived in Blackpool, Lancashire, with his husband and manager, James Moran.[7] Longthorne was bisexual,[3] and had a son, Ricky, from a previous relationship; the two were estranged for 17 years, until reuniting in 2009.[12]

Longthorne was diagnosed with chronic lymphatic lymphoma, for which he received treatment, around the time of his appearance at the Royal Variety Performance in 1989.[7] He continued to perform in spite of his illness. However, in 2005, the lymphoma degenerated into leukaemia, and he underwent a bone marrow transplant.[13] In 2014, Longthorne was found to have throat cancer, but remained adamant in newspaper interviews that he would continue to perform after his operation.[6]

Longthorne died at home in Blackpool on 3 August 2019, aged 64.[7] He is interred at Layton Cemetery in Blackpool.

Legacy

In 2020, the theatre on Blackpool's North Pier was renamed The Joe Longthorne Theatre.[14]

Albums

  • Only Once[9]
  • The Singer[9]
  • I Wish You Love[9] (1993) UK #47[15]
  • Live at the Royal Albert Hall[9] (1994) UK #57[16]
  • The Joe Longthorne Songbook[9] (1988) UK #16 (12 weeks on the chart)[17]
  • The Christmas Album[9] (1989) UK #44[18]
  • Especially For You[9] (1989) UK #22 (10 weeks)[19]
  • The Joe Longthorne Christmas[9] (2003)
  • Sings to the Gods[9] (2008)
  • Golden Memories[9]
  • A Man and His Music[20] (2013)
  • Joe Longthorne: the Christmas Album[9] (2013)
  • Love & Reflection[20] (2002)
  • Seasonal Songs from the Heart[20] (2005)
  • Perfect Love[20] (2005)
  • What a Wonderful World[20] (2006)
  • You and Me[20] (2008)
  • Live: A Man & His Music[20]
  • Joe Longthorne – The Collection[20] (2015)
  • The Silver Years (2020)
  • Longthorne also reached the UK Top 75 Singles Chart twice in 1994, #61 with "Young Girl"[21] and his biggest hit "Passing Strangers" a duet with Liz Dawn which peaked at #34[22]

Bibliography

  • Joe Longthorne – Sugar in the Morning: The Autobiography (2015)ISBN 1784187186[23]

References

  1. ^ "Joe Longthorne dies at Blackpool home". BBC News. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Biography Joe Longthorne MBE - Official Site". www.joelongthornembe.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b Longthorne, Joe; Berry, Chris (2015). Joe Longthorne – Sugar in the Morning: The Autobiography. John Blake Publishing. ISBN 9781784187156.
  4. ^ "joe longthorne (b. 1955)". Orwin.karoo.net.
  5. ^ a b Chris True. "Biography: Joe Longthorne". AMG. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  6. ^ a b Emmeline Saunders; Sophie Kitching (3 August 2019). "Joe Longthorne dies: How the Hessle Road lad became a superstar and why he'll never be forgotten". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Entertainer Joe Longthorne dies". BBC News. 3 August 2019. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  8. ^ a b Mattha Busby (3 August 2019). "Joe Longthorne, singer and impressionist, dies aged 64". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Joe Longthorne". discogs. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  10. ^ "The Joe Longthorne Story". Brick Lane Music Hall. 4 April 2018.
  11. ^ "No. 60173". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 June 2012. p. 18.
  12. ^ "Singer and entertainer Joe Longthorne has died, aged 64". The Daily Telegraph. 3 August 2019.
  13. ^ "5 Celebrities from Yorkshire – Where are they now?". imfromyorkshire. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Joe Longthorne Theatre (former North Pier Pavilion)". Theatres Trust. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  15. ^ "I WISH YOU LOVE". Official Charts. 13 November 1993.
  16. ^ "LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL". Official Charts. 8 October 1994.
  17. ^ "THE JOE LONGTHORNE SONGBOOK". Official Charts. 3 December 1988.
  18. ^ "THE JOE LONGTHORNE CHRISTMAS ALBUM". Official Charts. 9 December 1989.
  19. ^ "ESPECIALLY FOR YOU". Official Charts. 29 July 1989.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h "Joe Longthorne - Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  21. ^ "YOUNG GIRL". Official Charts. 5 March 1994.
  22. ^ "PASSING STRANGERS". Official Charts. 10 December 1994.
  23. ^ "'SUGAR IN THE MORNING' JOE'S 60TH BIRTHDAY EDITION OF HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY: ORDER NOW FOR ADVANCE PERSONALISED SIGNED COPIES DELIVERED ON 1ST JUNE 2015 - Latest News - Joe Longthorne MBE - Official Site". joelongthornembe.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
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