Norman Newell
Norman Newell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Norman Newell |
| Also known as | David West |
| Born | 25 January 1919 Plaistow, Essex, England |
| Died | 1 December 2004 (aged 85) Sussex, England |
| Genres | Popular music |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, songwriter, lyricist |
| Years active | 1945–2001 |
Norman Newell OBE (25 January 1919 – 1 December 2004) was an English record producer, mainly active in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as co-writer of many notable songs. As an A&R manager for EMI, he worked with musicians such as Shirley Bassey, Dalida, Claude François, Vera Lynn, Russ Conway, Bette Midler, Judy Garland, Petula Clark, Jake Thackray, Malcolm Roberts, Bobby Crush and Peter and Gordon. Newell was particularly known for his recorded productions of West End musicals.[1][2][3]
Life and career
Newell was born in Plaistow, Essex (now part of Greater London). His career as a songwriter for a London-based music publishing company began straight after World War II.[3]
He was the head of EMI's Columbia label for many of the label's most successful years.[3] He was also a much sought-after lyricist, sometimes writing under the pen-name David West, responsible for co-writing songs that included "My Thanks To You" (music by Noel Gay) and "Portrait of My Love" (music by Cyril Ornadel), a hit for Matt Monro. In addition, he provided the English lyrics for "More", (the theme from the film Mondo Cane). Newell also wrote the English lyrics of Shirley Bassey's 1961 number one hit "Reach for the Stars",[4] (composed by Nini Oliviero and Riz Ortolani); "This Is My Life" ("La vita", written by Antonio Amurri and Bruno Canfora); "The Importance of Your Love" ("Important C'est La Rose", by Gilbert Bécaud); "Born to Sing" ("Mourir Sur scène", by Dalida);[5] "Monday Morning Again" ("Le Lundi au Soleil", by Claude François)[6] and "Never, Never, Never" ("Grande grande grande"). He also wrote with the composer, Philip Green, the United Kingdom's 1963 Eurovision Song Contest entry, "Say Wonderful Things", recorded by Ronnie Carroll.[7] The song was later recorded in the United States by Patti Page.[8]
He also wrote the English lyrics to the German song "Sailor",[9] a number one UK hit for Petula Clark[10] and a Top Ten hit for Anne Shelton in 1961.[11] In 1964, he produced Peter and Gordon's number one UK hit "A World Without Love", which also topped the charts in the United States and several other countries.[12] The song "Forget Domani" from the film The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964), with lyrics by Newell to music by Riz Ortolani won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
Newell also wrote English-language lyrics to Vicky Leandros's 1972 Eurovision Song Contest winning entry, "Après toi" ("Come What May"). "Come What May" reached No.2 on the UK and Republic of Ireland singles charts in 1972.
In his later years he penned lyrics to Pietro Mascagni's "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria rusticana. The song, entitled "Pray For Love", was recorded by Vince Hill.
His numerous contacts in the music publishing industry in the United Kingdom, assisted EMI in securing the rights for British recordings of cast albums of many American shows opening in London.[3] Newell also wrote the lyrics for the West End musical, Mister Venus (music by Russ Conway), but the show was not a success.
Newell continued working as a producer into the 1980s, including on Shirley Bassey's hit album with the London Symphony Orchestra, entitled I Am What I Am (1984). He also wrote the English lyrics for the 1983 Julio Iglesias recording of "Hey" which featured in the album Julio. He also produced several cast recordings of West End musicals for First Night Records – Seven Brides For Seven Brothers – Original London Cast (1986),[13] Annie Get Your Gun – 1986 London Cast (starring Suzi Quatro and Eric Flynn),[14] Kiss Me, Kate – 1987 Royal Shakespeare Company Cast (starring Paul Jones, Nichola McAuliffe and Fiona Hendley),[15] and South Pacific – 1988 London Cast (starring Gemma Craven and Emile Belcourt).[16]
In 1999, Newell's song, "Portrait of My Love", originally recorded by Matt Monro in 1960, was honoured at the BMI Awards in London for having two million radio plays.[3]
His songs have been covered by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion and Aretha Franklin.[3]
Honours and retirement
During his career, Norman Newell won a Grammy, an Emmy and three Ivor Novello Awards for his contribution to the entertainment industry, as well as six British Music Industry Awards.[3]
Newell retired in 2001 to his home in West Sussex, but after a series of debilitating strokes was moved to a local nursing home. He was awarded an OBE in 2004, just before he died.
References
- ^ "Norman Newell Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ Doc Rock. "2004 July to December". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Eder, Bruce. "Norman Newell – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Shirley Bassey – Reach for the Stars / You'll Never Know (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Savona. "Dalida site Officiel - Born to sing". dalida.com (in French). Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Pop Rock : "Cloclo" : la bande originale" (in French). mad.lesoir.be. 7 September 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ "Ronnie Carroll – Say Wonderful Things (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Patti Page – Say Wonderful Things (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Petula Clark – Sailor (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 108. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 495. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 424. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "First Night Records Online Store, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers – Original London Cast". first-night-records.co.uk. London, United Kingdom: First Night Records. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ "First Night Records Online Store, Annie Get Your Gun – 1986 London Cast". first-night-records.co.uk. London, United Kingdom: First Night Records. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ "First Night Records Online Store, Kiss Me, Kate – 1987 Royal Shakespeare Company Cast". first-night-records.co.uk. London, United Kingdom: First Night Records. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ "First Night Records Online Store, South Pacific – 1988 London Cast". first-night-records.co.uk. London, United Kingdom: First Night Records. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
