Twinkle (singer)
| Twinkle | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Lynn Annette Ripley |
| Born | 15 July 1948 Surbiton, England |
| Genres | Pop music |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1963–1980s |
| Labels | Decca Records |
Twinkle (born Lynn Annette Ripley, 15 July 1948, Surbiton, England)[1] is an English singer-songwriter, primarily in the 1960s. Twinkle's most famous songs were "Terry" and "Golden Lights".
Contents |
[edit] Career
In concept "Terry" bore some similarities to the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack" (1964), both teenage tragedy songs about a girl lamenting the death of her daredevil boyfriend in a motorcycle crash. The record caused a furore, accusations of bad taste leading to its ban from the BBC.[1] Only 16 at the time, Twinkle owed her rapid entry into the recording studio to her then-boyfriend, Dec Cluskey, of the popular vocal group The Bachelors, who passed on her demo to his manager.[1] Jimmy Page was among the high profile session musicians who played on "Terry".[1]
"Golden Lights" was covered by The Smiths in the 1980s, and appeared on their compilation albums, The World Won't Listen, and Louder Than Bombs. The Smiths' singer, Morrissey, was a great admirer of Twinkle. "Golden Lights" was written about her by Cluskey, by then her ex-boyfriend. In 1983 Cindy & The Saffrons covered "Terry".
Twinkle's effort, "A Lonely Singing Doll", is the English language version of France Gall's 1965 winning Eurovision Song Contest song for Luxembourg, "Poupée de cire, poupée de son". The song was originally written by Serge Gainsbourg. After recording six singles for Decca Records she first 'retired' at the age of eighteen in 1966.[1]
Twinkle's fame faded in the late 1960s, although she continued to record into the early 1980s. Her later recordings appeared under the name "Twinkle Ripley" and she also recorded with her father, Sidney Ripley, as Bill & Coo.
The aunt of actress Fay Ripley, Twinkle attended Queen's Gate School with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- "Terry" / "The Boy Of My Dreams" (1964), UK #4
- "Golden Lights" / "Ain't Nobody Home But Me" (1965), UK #21
- "Tommy" / "So Sad" (1965)
- "Poor Old Johnny" / "I Need Your Hand In Mine" (1965)
- "The End Of The World" / "Take Me To The Dance" (1965)
- "What Am I Doing Here With You?" / "Now I Have You" (1966)
- "Micky" / "Darby And Joan" (1969)
- "Days" / "Caroline" (1974, as Twinkle Ripley)
- "I'm a Believer" (1982)
- "For Sale" (1984)[2]
[edit] EPs
- Lonely Singing Doll (1965)
- (It contained the songs "A Lonely Singing Doll", "Unhappy Boy", "Ain't Nobody Home But Me" and "Golden Lights")
[edit] Albums
- Little Star
[edit] Compilations
- Golden Lights (1993)
- Golden Lights:Special Edition (2001)
- Michael Hannah: The Lost Years (2003)[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e "Biography by Richie Unterberger". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p193552/biography. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 570. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Allmusic discograsphy
[edit] External links
- Twinkle biography at Allmusic website
- Biography and discography at 45-rpm website
- Twinkle (Lyn Ripley), singer (National Portrait Gallery)
