Billy Fury died on 28 January 1983 aged just 42. He had suffered ill health throughout his life. Born in the Dingle district of Liverpool, a shy 19 year old Ronnie Wycherley went to the Birkenhead Essoldo in the hope of interesting the shows star, Marty Wilde, with some of his compositions. Thirty minutes later rock impresario Larry Parnes had pushed him out onto the stage and re-christened him BILLY FURY.
Billy was taken to London where he secured a record contract with Decca records, and in February 1959 he entered the UK top twenty with his own compositions Maybe Tomorrow/Gonna Type A Letter. It was the first of an unbelievable 29 hit records and he went on to sell more records for Decca than any other artist, including the Rolling Stones (He scored more hit singles in the 60’s than the Beatles!).
This would all have been a fairy tale had it not been for an illness which followed him throughout his life – and ultimately claimed his life (rheumatic fever had left him with a weak heart and lead extensive heart surgery).
Fury’s Tornados came into Billy’s life in 1970. It had been 4 years since his last major hit, but Billy was still a big star, and found huge audiences in the new cabaret venues that were emerging all over the UK. Glam rock may have been taking over Britain, but Fury’s Tornados were still having to deal with the fan hysteria after each show. Guitarist Chris Raynor says “He was 6ft tall, handsome and a big star with a terrific voice… but he was also very shy and quite a nervous performer. This had a devastating affect on the females. They all fancied him. After each performance it was quite usual for the band to be keeping the dressing room door on its’ hinges!”
Fury’s Tornados continued to back Billy until his retirement through ill health in 1976. Billy and his partner, Lisa, went to live on a farm in Wales. In 1982 a new recording contract with Polydor Records bought Billy out of retirement. Tragically on 28 January 1983 Billy died.
Fury’s Tornados remain Billy’s longest ever serving band and continue to tour in the hit show Halfway to Paradise – The Billy Fury Story with all original members. Now in its 17th year and featuring the uncanny voice of Colin Gold as Fury, they remember their old friend and boss by performing those 29 magical hits, -I Will, Last Night Was Made For Love, Wondrous Place, Jealousy, Halfway To Paradise and many, many more.
Fury’s Tornados are Chris Raynor (Lead guitar/vocals), Charlie Elston (Keyboards/vocals), John Raynor (drums/vocals), Graham Wyvill (Bass/Double bass/vocals) and as Billy Fury; Colin Gold.
Official website : www.Thebillyfurystory.com
Tickets priced £22 (discounts: £20.50) are available from
The Hawth Box Office on 01293 553636 or book online at www.hawth.co.uk.
Sammioneill Muses : Hmm I was just about to fob this off as another ‘Juke Box Musical’ you know how I love them (that was sarcastic)…. but hey, these are the real McCoy, instead of seeing a Billy Fury Tribute band, it makes sense to see the real thing 🙂