RoverAndOut 673 Posted November 25, 2020 2 hours ago, TheKeysOfMarinus said: Not sure if anyone's pointed this out already but, following Vera Lynn's death, Tony is the earliest UK chart-topper still alive (Stranger in Paradise, May 1955). Further to this, I believe he's the second-oldest person alive who has been a UK chart-topper, behind Jane Morgan (The Day the Rains Came, January 1959). Jane will be 97 next May, Tony will be 95 next August. I await someone more knowledgeable telling me I'm wrong. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
En Passant 1,721 Posted November 25, 2020 7 minutes ago, RoverAndOut said: I await someone more knowledgeable telling me I'm wrong. If @Ulitzer95 doesn't comment, you're golden. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 2,164 Posted November 25, 2020 8 hours ago, RoverAndOut said: Further to this, I believe he's the second-oldest person alive who has been a UK chart-topper, behind Jane Morgan (The Day the Rains Came, January 1959). Jane will be 97 next May, Tony will be 95 next August. I await someone more knowledgeable telling me I'm wrong. I think that’s right (edit: if he excluded Captain Tom ofc). And in terms of 50s #1s + living here’s the complete list, ordered by earliest to last. Tony Bennett Joey Ambrose (or D’Ambrosio) of Bill Haley and his Comets The Dream Weavers (6 out of 7 of them still seem to be living, which is incredible) Pat Boone Herman Santiago and Jimmy Merchant of Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers Tommy Steele Paul Anka Jerry Allison of The Crickets Harry Belafonte Jerry Lee Lewis Connie Francis Don Everly of The Everly Brothers Jane Morgan Shirley Bassey Cliff Richard, Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch of The Drifters/Shadows Craig Douglas Jerry Keller John Cuffley of Emile Ford and the Checkmates The only act with a “?” next to it is Lord Rockingham’s XI (#1 in Nov 1958). There were 13 members on the hit. 10 we confirmed are dead in the UK Hit Singles thread. Three we can’t trace: Ronnie Black (double bass), Rex Morris (tenor sax) and Bernie Taylor (guitar). Some of the members were born as late as the 30s/40s and 2 died as recent as 2014 so very possible one or more could still be alive. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
En Passant 1,721 Posted November 25, 2020 1 hour ago, En Passant said: If @Ulitzer95 doesn't contradict you, you're golden. EFA. (on my own damn post, meh) I may know fuck all, in fact I pride myself on it. But, as the advert goes, I know a man who does know. Jeez Uli, the work you put in man, kudos. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoverAndOut 673 Posted November 25, 2020 13 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said: I think that’s right. And in terms of 50s #1s + living here’s the complete list, ordered by earliest to last. Joey Ambrose (or D’Ambrosio) of Bill Haley and his Comets While we're on this topic, can you clear something up for me? Among my research for the first round of Biblio's Scavenger Hunt I've got Joey Welz (b. 17/3/40) listed as part of Bill Haley and the Comets but don't have Joey Ambrose on my list. I don't remember how I came about my list now, but can you shed any light? I notice you don't have Welz on your list above... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
machotrouts 135 Posted November 25, 2020 6 hours ago, RoverAndOut said: Further to this, I believe he's the second-oldest person alive who has been a UK chart-topper, behind Jane Morgan (The Day the Rains Came, January 1959). Jane will be 97 next May, Tony will be 95 next August. I await someone more knowledgeable telling me I'm wrong. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 2,164 Posted November 25, 2020 6 hours ago, RoverAndOut said: While we're on this topic, can you clear something up for me? Among my research for the first round of Biblio's Scavenger Hunt I've got Joey Welz (b. 17/3/40) listed as part of Bill Haley and the Comets but don't have Joey Ambrose on my list. I don't remember how I came about my list now, but can you shed any light? I notice you don't have Welz on your list above... Good question. Welz was a session player on some of their earlier hits, not a member. He didn't join the group as an official member until 1963, 6 years after their chart hits had completely dried up in the UK. Ambrose is listed as a member on their hits. They had quite a few session players on their records. I've tried to exclude non-members as much as possible from most of the acts listed over on that thread. Sometimes it's impossible to stick to this as the act was not an official band but simply a studio group or a one off outfit created to record and/or promote a hit. In those instances I included them. Anyway, long story short, Welz was a member but not til later. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoverAndOut 673 Posted November 25, 2020 5 hours ago, machotrouts said: Ah, silly me, I was counting, you know, singers, not people who mumble a few words while Michael Ball sings You'll Never Walk Alone and then claim a number 1 single. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Creep 4,685 Posted January 10 Poor Tony Bennett Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deathrace 286 Posted Friday at 23:10 On 13/01/2021 at 19:22, The Old Crem said: Looks great for his age if that's a recent picture. I don't see him dying this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ulitzer95 2,164 Posted Friday at 23:20 9 minutes ago, Deathrace said: Looks great for his age if that's a recent picture. I don't see him dying this year. Go on YouTube. He posts new videos every few weeks. I think he looks a little bit frail but will probably see 2022. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
