Billy Fury: The Sound of Fury
Documentary recounting the story of Billy Fury and the birth of British pop. He became an overnight sensation in 1958 and had more Top 40 hits than The Beatles during the 60s.
Documentary which recounts the story of Billy Fury and the birth of British pop music. His first album, The Sound of Fury (released in 1960), has become a landmark record in British rock 'n' roll history.
Born in Liverpool during the Second World War, Ronnie Wycherley became an overnight sensation in 1958 when he was asked to go on stage and sing a couple of his self-penned songs by showbiz impresario Larry Parnes. Ronnie's knees shook with nerves, but over 2,000 screaming girls welcomed the new star of British rock 'n' roll and the headline in the local newspaper the following day was 'Dingle boy with a hot guitar'.
With more Top 40 hits than The Beatles during the 60s, Billy Fury's major hits included Halfway to Paradise, Wondrous Place, Jealousy, Last Night Was Made For Love and many more.
Aged just 42, Billy died of heart failure after a recording session. But his fans have never forgotten him, and every year on the anniversary of his death they gather to pay their tributes at Mill Hill cemetery. Lord Puttnam sums up Fury's contribution to modern music in the programme by saying that, 'without Billy Fury, I honestly don't think The Beatles would have happened'.
Last on
Programmes, playlists and features charting the history of pop music across the decades
Music Played
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Eddie Cochran
Twenty Flight Rock
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Vince Eager & The Vagabonds
Yea, Yea
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Director | Alan Byron |
Director | Mark Sloper |
Broadcasts
- Fri 22 Apr 2016 23:00
- Sat 23 Apr 2016 02:25
- Fri 29 Apr 2016 01:55
- Fri 16 Sep 2016 22:00
- Sat 17 Sep 2016 02:00
- Thu 29 Dec 2016 23:00
- Sat 26 Aug 2017 23:15
- Fri 6 Apr 2018 22:00
- Sat 7 Apr 2018 02:30
Featured in...
My Generation
Charting the history of pop music across the decades starting with the mid-50s to mid-60s