CHARTS LATEST is now on 'Hits totals' page. Welcome to the new-look extended 'Chat' page! May 9: Did you know?... that Cliff was asked in an early interview for a glossy magazine "What's your ideal girl?" Cliff said "It's so hard to describe her but I said something about liking Grace Kelly When I read the feature, I found that the girl I'd like to marry would look like Grace Kelly. Now how on earth do I know what she'll look like? There are certain things I like about girls, certain things I don't like. But when the right girl comes along, it's wham, isn't it?" May 9: On Performance Mainstreet Sky Channel 271 Cliff's Together with Cliff Richard is being screened next Monday, May 12th at 07.00, 10.00, 16.00 and 21.00 and on Tuesday, May 13th at 01.00 and 04.00. Cliff sings Christmas favourites. May 9: Cliff: "The important considerations when putting on a concert are the lighting, great sound equipment and arriving at the venue in good shape rather than being totally drained. it takes me at least a half-hour just to loosen everything up before a show". May 9: "Something's goin on" was Cliff's last all-new album and I believe it will remain so. These 'hybrid' albums with just a few new recordings on seem to be the way for Cliff now, unfortunately. I don't think Cliff, or his record company, have the time or inclination, to worry about putting out something brand new for the fans. Oldies Neil Diamond and Van Morrison are both getting rave reviews for their new albums. They are also getting radio airplay as well. Simon White, I agree with you. Cliff's 70s and 80s albums were great, but recording-wise, like the song says 'The golden days are over', mores the pity" - Terry Roberts. May 9: "Just a quick note before I head off to Dumfries and Galloway. The book has just arrived safe and sound and looks really great. I will definitely enjoy reading this one. Thanks again" - Alan Henderson. May 9: "Israel is celebrating its 60 anniversary. The most popular Newspaper and related web site published articles about "Super Stars" visiting Israel in its early years: Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, Sofia Loren, Cliff Richard and Lui Armstrong. See link with Cliff's article and short video of his arrival on September 1963. http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3540572,00.html - Cliff's visit caused hysteric reactions all over Israel - I am sure that he remembers. Regards and Thanks for the great web site" - Carlos Haim (Israel). May 9: "A good article about Cliff at the launch of his latest book - 50 favourite Bible Stories http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3897493.ece" - Robert Amos. May 9: "Congratulations to the lucky winners of the price draw. Am I disappointed? No, I'm not nevertheless it was exciting again to take part, cause you never know, it could have been me! :-)) But to be honest, I forgot about your price draw William, as I had the unique chance to meet CLIFF in person in Cologne on Monday, May 5!!! Despite bodyguards taking good care of him, he responded to my: 'Hi Cliff, welcome in Germany...!' and finally gave us his precious time for a little chat and a picture as well. So you can imagine that this special moment will stay engraved in my heart for ever... he certainly doesn't remind the three of us anymore, but we'll always will" - Liliane Ackermann (Luxembourg). May 9: The Cliff tribute show at London Palladium - September 14th. Tickets are selling well for the special show paying tribute to Cliff Richard on his 50th anniversary with: Kytsun Wolfe starring as 'Cliff', Jet Harris (Scarlet O'Hara, Diamonds, Apache, FBI), The Vernon Girls (Oh Boy!, 6-5 Special, You don't have to say you love me), Wee Willie Harris (Long tall Sally, That's alright, I go ape), Billie Davis (Angel of the morning, I want you to be my baby, Tell him) and The Rapiers playing The Shadows greatest hits at the London Palladium which takes place on Sunday, September 14th. Compere: David Hamilton with Guest Star Presenters. 7.30pm. Tickets: £30, £25 and £20. The Box Office & 24 hour credit card Hotline: Tel. 0844-412-4657 or on-line from www.seetickets.com May 9: Tomorrow Saturday May 10th and Sunday May 11th the Bunbury International Jazz Festival takes place. Bunbury is just south of Perth, Western Australia. Artists scheduled to appear are Royce Campbell and Jim Pugh (from the US), Bob Sedergreen, Sonja Horbelt, Kristin Berardi, James Sherlock, the Mace Francis Orchestra, The Hounds, Sultans of Jazz, Adam Hall, the Velvet Playboys, James Flynn and Hank Marvin who will perform with his quartet Hank Marvin's Gypsy Jazz. Tickets are available for day or weekend concerts. May 9: Alan Tarney: (talking about "Always guaranteed") "I had the whole of the follow-up album written and had given Cliff the tape. The idea was to go into the studio and just complete these 10 tracks. Then Cliff started pulling in these outside songs that he wanted to do. I couldn't understand why he wanted to include "The best of me" and "Joanna" on Stronger". More to come! May 9: Yesterday Cliff attended the press launch of his 50 Favourite Bible stories book. He was accompanied by Bill Latham. Cliff read out some of the book and did some book signings. May 8: Tickets for the 10th anniversary SHADOWMANIA event are selling well. The event takes place 19th & 20th September 2008 at the Lakeside Club, Wharf Road, Frimley Green, Camberley, Surrey. Box Office: from Overseas 00+44+1252 836464. Box Office: from UK 01252 836464. Tickets £33. Features Bruce Welch's Shadows,(Phil Kelly, Cliff Hall, Alan Jones and Bob Watkins), Jet Harris, The Rapiers, The Foot Tappers and Licorce Locking. May 8: "So happy to be one of he lucky winners! Once again thanks a million and regards!" - Desmond Gan (competition winner). May 8: "My ideal wish would be that Cliff would again use Alan Tarney to make a brand new album. He has a certain magic that works perfectly for Cliff. Wired for sound, I'm no hero, Always guaranteed and Stronger. Not many Cliff albums can beat those in my opinion" - Simon White. May 8: "My recollection is that Wanted was originally supposed to be a 50/50 album, with half being covers of well known songs and the other half being new Alan Tarney originals. However, Alan didn't have enough new material (or at least not enough by Cliff or the record company's lights). Only three of Alan's songs wound up being done at those sessions, two of which made it to the album and the third was a B-side. Having read The Bachelor Boy, I understand the observation about "animosity". As Steve Turner advertises, not all of the quotations in the book are flattering to Cliff, which is fair enough for something based on interviews for a serious biography. As for Alan's comments, I'd use the term "bit of an edge" to characterize them. I think what's really at work is a clash of visions and perhaps a bit of dented ego. Alan also makes an "edgy" comment about Bruce Welch, implying that he (Alan) is the real producer of We Don't Talk Anymore and that Bruce's role was essentially confined to bringing the song to Peter Gormley's attention" - Pat Murphy (Canada). May 8: "Really interesting reading what Alan Tarney has to say. I remember reading somewhere that he was disappointed when Cliff asked him to produce an album of old songs, which turned out to be the "Wanted" album. Alan said he thought Cliff had contacted him because he thought Cliff wanted to do a brand new contemporary album. All very interesting" - Mike Jones. May 8: "Am enjoying reading the interview with Alan Tarney regarding Always Guarenteed but am I right in thinking I detect an air of animosity towards Cliff from Tarney? In the latest snippet particularly there appears to be a bit of bitterness with the "hodge podge album" comment" - Stephen Battaglia. May 8: Cliff Richard fans descended on Ripley on mass at the weekend for the unveiling of a plaque marking the 50th anniversary of his performance at the Regal. Fans spilled out into Nottingham Road for the ceremony on Saturday and scrambled to get their hands on the event's press release, and even the polystyrene covering from the plaque, which was unveiled by Ripley Mayor Robert Phillips-Forsyth. Leader of Ripley Town Council Juliette Blake said: "It was excellent, the event was very well supported by people in the town and by many very keen Cliff fans from further afield. "I nearly got squashed in the rush to get hold of the press release and some people told us they come to the Regal every year on May 3 to have their picture taken." The performance was the singer's first under the name of Cliff Richard, whose real name is Harry Webb, after being told by club owner Harry Greatorex that his real name was unsuitable. In a statement read to the fans on the night, Sir Cliff Richard said: "The Ripley Regal was the first place I ever performed as Cliff Richard. I was so unused to the name that when I was introduced I was waiting for someone else to walk out onto the stage. The Regal played a huge part in my personal musical history and I am thrilled that this is being marked by a plaque to mark the 50th anniversary – 50 years to the day since that first performance. My thanks go to all who initiated this recognition and I hope you all enjoy the occasion". May 8: Up-coming gigs for top Shadows tribute band The Rapiers: Sunday, May 18th-Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight, with John Leyton, Billie Davis and The Songbirds, Tel. 01983-527020, Saturday, May 24th-Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Tel. 0871-6649752, Saturday, June 7th-Cinderford Miners Club, with Billie Davis and The Songbirds, Glos, Tel. 01594-833422, Friday, July 4th-Runnymeade Hotel, Egham, Surrey, with Kytsun Wolfe in Fifty years of Cliff Richard and The Shadows Ball in aid of the Caron Keating Foundation, Tel. 01724-782812 and Saturday, July 5th-Melksham Assembley Hall, Melksham, Wiltshire, with John Leyton, Tel. 01225-709887. The band also play the "Me and my Shadows" shows listed seperately. May 8: Alan Tarney: (talking about "Always guaranteed") "We set a precedent with Always guaranteed which we should have built on, but for some reason Cliff undermined it. I've never been able to understand it. I think he possibly feels that the producer is having too much control and he resents that. I think it's a shame, as far as the listening public is concerned, that we aren't allowed to take it as far as we possibly can". More to come! May 7: Cliff's Devil woman was played today on The Apprentice: You're Fired presented by Adrian Chiles on BBC2-TV today along side clips of Jenny, one of two who was fired today. May 7: "Thank you very much!!!!! I usually ALWAYS buy Cliff books but this time I didn't - would wait for the official one.... But my friend told me, after he'd seen/read it, that it was a "MUST HAVE" - so I regretted my decision.... - and now I've got it!!! Thank you sooo much!" - Helle Deichmann (competition winner). May 7: "Wow! I have entered loads of competitions and never won a thing - until now! Must be my luck is changing. I look forward to receiving the book" - Katie Powell (competition winner). May 7: TOTP2 is being screened at 12:00-12:30 on Monday, May 19th on Dave, 13:00 on Monday, May 19th. Also showing on Dave Plus 1, 18:00 on Monday May 19th, on Dave at 19:00 on Monday, May 19th. Showing on Dave Plus 1. Cliff sings Whenever God shines His light with Van Morrison. May 7: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Four Tops recording is "I can't help myself". May 7: "Looking forward to a great read. Thank you" - Roger Garner (competition winner). May 7: "Really look forward to a good read. Also thanks for all your effort on a really informative and entertaining site" - Alan Henderson (competition winner). May 7: Cliff: (on "Congratulations") "I was more than happy to do Eurovision because it was watched by more than 400 million people. I told my band that we'd go out there and we'd play the best show that we'd ever played. It was obvious that the British public was going to pick "Congratulations" as the song they wanted me to do in the final. It would go on to be a big hit. I was right". May 7: Up-coming gig for Shadows tribute band Bungleflint: Friday, May 30th-Three Salmons Hotel, Bridge Street, Usk, Monmouthshire (cabaret show) Tel. 01291-692133. May 7: "Bachelor Boy" book Competition - the winners. Well, a huge response to the Bachelor Boy book competition. The draw has taken place and here are the five lucky winners: Katie Powell (UK), Helie Deichmann (Denmark), Roger Garner (UK), Desmond Gan (Malaysia) and Alan Henderson (UK). Thank you for taking part. The answer was that "Bachelor boy" was featured in Cliff's film "Summer holiday" of course. Well done to the winners. Your prize books will be sent to you. To the others, you might get lucky in the next quiz! (website anniversary). May 7: Up-coming gigs for Jet Harris and his Me and my Shadows show. Features top Shadows tribute band The Rapiers, Billie Davis and The Songbirds. Dates: Thursday, May 15th-Thameside Theatre, Thurrock, Essex, with Kytsun Wolfe as "Cliff", Tel. 01375-383961, Sunday, June 8th-The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Tel. 01684-295074 and Saturday, July 26th-Kidderminster Harriers Sports & Social Club, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, Tel. 0783-451520. May 7: Alan Tarney: (talking about "Always guaranteed") "It goes in cycles. Cliff does one album which is very successful and then the next album, which should continue in the same vein, doesn't. Cliff comes in with 25 different songs and you realise that it's just going to be one of those hodgepodge albums again". More to come! May 6: On Thursday May 8th Cliff makes a flying visit back to the UK to attend the media launch of the 50 Favourite Bible Stories book. May 6: Following his exertions on the Great Wall, Cliff spent a few days with friends in China, before flying to Germany to appear on Die Ultimate Chart Show on 5 May. On the following day he travelled to Paris to meet the sales team for Headline, the publishers of his forthcoming autobiography. May 6: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite David Gates and Bread recording is "Guitar man". May 6: Tim Rice: (talking about "Heathcliff") "I was thrilled to have been asked to write some songs by Cliff. I really took orders from Cliff and the writer of the book, Frank Dunlop. At times I worked together with John Farrar if I was in LA, but at other times he would send me over a tape of a tune and I would fax him back a lyric. I've never sat down in a room, writing with someone. I suppose that might happen if both writers were doing words and music, but not if you're doing separate jobs". May 6: Did you know? ... what Cliff said in 1960: "I got homesick for England. I'm staid and old fashioned - if you can be old fashioned at 20! We were in New York for three days doing nothing and I just rehearsed for a TV show. Then we started the touring. I just didn't seem to go with their way of life. I had to come back. I could never leave here and go and live somewhere else. It would be ridiculous". May 6: Cliff Richard Tribute Night at the Forest Suite, Village Hotel, Maidstone Kent on Saturday 18th October 2008 from 6pm. Get in the mood for Cliff’s 50th Anniversary concerts at our Tribute night starring Jimmy Jemain. There will be a Gala Dinner, Charity raffle in support of Demelza House Children’s Hospice and then dance the night away to Cliff’s Hits. There will also be an opportunity to win 2 Fantastic Tickets to see Cliff at Wembley together with Hotel accommodation. Tickets are £45 each. for full details and payment options see www.tributenight.co.uk or call Cheryl Kilgannon 0845-456-5438. May 6: On Saturday, May 17th on Biography Channel there is a repeat of Cliff on Gloria's Greats 17:00-18:00. May 6: The "Congratulations" story certainly getting around. There is an article in today's Eastern Daily Press with photo of Cliff regarding the "Congratulations" robbery to stop Cliff Winning. May 6: Bruce Welch's Shadows performance 2008 in Germany: Bruce Welch's Shadows will perform in Bad Segeberg in northern Germany on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 as part of a radio station's "Oldie Night" starting at 6pm. It is an open air venue, The Open Air Theatre at the Kalkberg. The following acts will perform there: Bruce Welch's Shadows: The Rubettes feat. Alan Williams, The Animals, die Spider Murphy Gang, Sailor, George McCrae and Hot Love - The Sound of old T-Rex. Website: www.radionora.de/nora/components/ticketsystem.html. Hotline: 0049 1805717271. May 6: Cliff on GMTV this morning talking about the Eurovision story. Cliff spoke from Germany. "It was a very exciting time, it was felt that congratulations was the favourite to win, and I do know that every member of the orchestra took massive bets on me winning, so they didn’t speak to me for years because I lost, it was that kind of situation, so it was a big disappointment for me I must admit. I was very happy to be second, but it would have been nicer to have been no. 1. When you go into a competition of any sort, whether it be, tennis or football or the Eurovision Song Contest everybody is trying to win, if you get close enough to be 1 point away and you’re no. 2 its, bearable, but it still would have been nicer to have won, I read the story and the thing that is fascinating to me is that this guy said that they have evidence, well if they have evidence fine, but what can you do, it is 40 years later for crying out loud. It would be nice if someone could actually say to me we have checked the evidence and you were the winner, that would be enough for me". May 6: Alan Tarney: (talking about "Always guaranteed") "They say that the best songs are written in 10 minutes, but the thing is that you never know when that 10 minutes is going to come come along. Always guaranteed was the closest Cliff got to a Thriller album. There were four hits on it". More to come! May 5: The Bachelor Boy book competition draw takes place on Wednesday, May 7th. Entries still coming in and still count in the competition. YOU could be a lucky winner! May 5: The official Cliff 50th anniversary book My life, My way written by Penny Junor, due to be published later this year, can be ordered for £20 from: www.amazon.co.uk May 5: Bruce Welch's Shadows appear on Saturday, June 7th, in 34576 Homberg (Efze) (south west Germany). The venue is the Big Top. Other acts will be: Suzie Quatro, Boney M. and Racey. The show will start at 7pm. Online-Shop: http://shop.hessentag2008.de/store/products. May 5: Cliff: "The Shadows are technically retired but I'm hoping they will come together one more time so that we can celebrate 50 years together. Even if we can't make a tour I think we could do a big concert. I'd like to make a DVD of it and then everyone can see the joy of our celebrations. So my fingers are crossed. As we say in show-biz, "Watch this space!" May 5: Up-coming gigs for Cliff look/soundalike Kytsun Wolfe: Thursday, May 15th-Thamesmead Theatre, Thurrock (Jet/Billie/Rapiers), Monday, May 19th-Butlins, Bognor Regis, Saturday, May 31st-Academy Theatre, Birdwell, Barnsley, Thursday, June 19th-Butlins, Bognor Regis, Friday, June 20th-Elgiva Theatre, Chesham, Saturday, June 21st-Regis Centre, Bognor Regis and Sunday, June 22nd-Assembley Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. May 5: On BBC News today a report that reveals that Cliff was 'robbed' of victory in the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest with "Congratulations". Report says that the votes were rigged to make sure that Spain won. Sir Cliff Richard was cheated of victory in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1968 by General Franco’s fascist regime which rigged the contest to boost Spain’s image, a documentary has claimed. The Spanish entrant Massiel won the competition 40 years ago with the ditty La, la, la robbing the British crooner of the title by only one point in a nail-biting finish. Sir Cliff, who was knighted in 1995, represented the United Kingdom with the hit song Congratulations! in the contest in April 1968 held at London's Royal Albert Hall and strongly led the competition until the last moment when Spain's entry surged ahead. A documentary filmmaker has now revealed that Spain's only ever Eurovision win was down to behind the scenes negotiations by television executives from Spain's state run channel. May 5: Alan Tarney: (talking about "Always guaranteed") "The way I write is to do a song a day. I sit with a blank piece of paper and start writing with a guitar. I usually have the title and a chorus first. The really important thing is to finish it by the end of the day. I couldn't let it run over. When I'm away from the studio I become more relaxed, and I can't reach the peaks that you need to reach to write great songs. To write well, I need to be in an unusual situation where I'm eating, breathing and sleeping music". More to come! May 4: The 2-CD set Dreamboats and Petticoats with songs from the 50s and 60s, which includes Cliff's "Move it", goes from 19 to No.16 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 26th week in the chart. (Peak: No.2). May 4: In it's sixth week on the chart Mike Batt's brand new album A songwriter's tale goes from 57 to No.65 in the official UK album chart today (Peak: No.24). May 4: Alan Tarney: (talking about "Always guaranteed") "I felt that I had never recorded the definitve album with Cliff, so I got together with David Bryce on a casual basis and we started discussing it. Cliff at that time had gone off to work with Craig Pruess. He does this from time to time. He goes off and makes his own records with a producer he feels he can dominate. He then chooses his own material which, quite frankly, always sounds a bit inane. The idea with Always guaranteed was to do something a bit more special". More to come! May 4: Did you know?... that according to Jet Harris: "Paul McCartney used to practise my stuff in front of the mirror. When I met Linda she said, "Oh, my God! I've heard all about you". Then Paul told me that he had learned how to do things by listening to my stuff. I took that as quite a compliment". May 4: Entries for the Bachelor Boy book competition are still coming in - received from: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, UK, USA. Five people will WIN completely free this new 224-page Steve Turner hardback - full details on May 1st posting. Keep 'em coming! May 4: On Sunday, May 18th Cliff sound/lookalike Jimmy Jemain plays a concert with The Rapiers, John Leyton, Billie Davis and The Songbirds at the Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight, Tel. 01983-527020. May 3: Cliff: "After the success of I'm nearly famous, Bruce found it easier to find the second batch of songs because suddenly people were sending him new material. I think that for Every face tells a story we had about 50 songs to choose from". May 3: Cliff's Choppin'n'changin from the wonderful "Me and my Shadows" album was played today on Geoff Barker's Rock'n'roll Party boradcast across BBC West and South West. May 3: On You've been framed! today on ITV two funny clips of people Harry Hill called Sue Barker. The first one had a lady singing "Congratulations" after blowing up a helium balloon and the second trying to dance on the table. Harry said "Give it up, it wasn't to be". May 3: Olivia Newton-John: "Cliff doesn't make a secret of his Christian faith and he practises it. People find it very hard to believe that someone can be so devout and believe in something so much. It's a kind of strength and I think people are intrigued to find the secret. Everyone is looking for something and Cliff has obviously found his answer so people think maybe he can help them. I think he gets a lot of that". May 3: On Performance Mainstreet Sky Channel 271 Cliff's Video connection is being screened on Tuesday, May 13th at 07.00, 10.00 and 16.00 and on Wednesday, May 14th at 01.00 and 04.00. Videos include "Daddy's home" and "Wired for sound". May 3: DJ Mike Read: (talking about Cliff) "He's a likeable man and most people like him. Those who don't like him don't like him because he's too likeable". May 3: "Thanks for answering a puzzling query inside my head ie mentioning it was a 2006 interview!! As I listened to the interview, I was sure it was a repeat but nonetheless it was fascinating stuff ie the recording techniques. Good to refresh the memory from time to time, especially where Cliff is concerned" - Claire Mellican. May 3: "Catching up on your excellent Cliff website. Good to read such interesting stuff. Please keep up the good work" - David Spencer. May 3: On Sunday, July 13th Shadows tribute band Bungleflint play in the Abergavenny Castle Grounds. 4-8pm Open Air concert - Ultimate Tributes Concert. Bungleflint with their acclaimed 'Shadows....and a bit of Cliff ' Tribute Show- along with 'Tom Jones' and 'Buddy Holly' tribute acts. The audience will include visitors from towns in France, Germany and other European countries to celebrate their 'twinning' with Abergavenny!! Tickets are £12 and will be available from Abergavenny Borough Theatre from the beginning of May. Box Office Tel no. is 01873 850805. May 2: DJ Mike Read: "People tend to be more fascinating to the public if there are many different sides to their character and they're always getting involved in different things. John Lennon was always more interesting to people than Paul McCartney because Lennon was the "bad boy of pop" whereas McCartney was perceived as the "nice boy of pop". Cliff is always perceived to be exactly as you find him: 'This is me, I'm a pop singer and I'm of the Christian faith'". May 2: Cliff: (on the copyright issue) "I know that, as a singer, I need the songwriters, but they also need artists like me. What we want from a song is (royalties) for life, for the rest of your performing career. The fact is that if this continues to happen, artists will not be able to afford to make albums. You have to make a certain amount of money to pay for the sessions". May 2: "The Cliff Richard Organisation had agreed to donate a pair of tickets (venue to be chosen by winner) for the forthcoming Time Machine Tour for us to raffle at the event arranged to celebrate Cliff's 50th Anniversary in showbusiness at the Dorchester Hotel in September. As this event has now had to be postponed until June 27th 2009 they have very kindly agreed to give us the tickets so that we can still hold the draw. Entries are £1 each. All proceeds will be donated to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation along with all other monies raised at the event next year. If you wish to take part please send you name, address and telephone number and the number of times you want to be entered into the draw together with £1 for each entry. Cheques payable to: R. Williams. The closing date for entries is Friday, August 22nd 2008 and the draw will take place on Friday, September 5th 2008" - Ray and Collette Williams, Cliff Richard Fan Club of Sussex & Surrey, 2, Oak Court, Orchard Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5JJ. Tel. 01403-266436. May 2: New Jet Harris gig: Sunday, November 2nd - Sixties Icons In Concert starring Jet Harris, Billie Davis, Mike Berry, Jess Conrad and Rockin' Horse (featuring Colin Pryce-Jones of The Rapiers) - at The Theatre Royal, Windsor, Berkshire. Tel. 01753 853888. May 1: Una Stubbs appears in the Bernard Shaw's classic comedy Pygmalion, alongside Michelle Dockery, Tony Haygarth, Barbara Jefford, James Laurenson, Pamela Miles and Tim Pigott-Smith, staged at The Old Vic from next Wednesday, May 7th-Saturday, August 2nd. Tel. 0870-060-6628 or visit: www.oldvictheatre.com May 1: Cliff: (on "Heathcliff") "The reviews were horrific. Bill Latham rang me and said, "Don't read the reviews". So I never read them. I couldn't be bothered. There's no point reading them now. They were totally wrong. The amazing thing is, my sisters Jacqui and Joan went to the press night in Birmingham and they overheard journalists saying how much they liked it and how it was so much better than they thought. But not one of them wrote it. The press were wrong about Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Le Miserables and Starlight Express; three of these musicals are the longest running shows in the West End! It's obvious to me that critics have no concept of what the public actually wants and therefore they don't know what they're trying to do. I'm not interested in doing something that only me and one critic likes; I've never run my career like that. That's why they've written me off so often but it's probably why I'm still here. I'm written off because I don't do what people think is 'the thing to do'". May 1: LATEST FROM STARSCENTS. To celebrate Cliff’s 50 years in show business, Starscents are offering THE OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY PENDANT, licensed by the CRO and available exclusively from Starscents. It is the perfect memento with which to celebrate this special year for Cliff and all his Fans. This stylish and original pendant was the result of close collaboration between Cliff and jewellery designer Paula Bolton to celebrate his special Anniversary year. They wanted to produce something subtle and elegant which had a special significance for Fans. Only when you look closely do you see the initials CR woven into the design! The pendant is handmade in matt and polished 925 quality silver and stamped on the back with Cliff’s special hallmark. Cliff’s initials are embossed in 22 carat gold surrounding a white freshwater pearl. The beautiful pendant hangs on an 18 inch silver snake chain and nestle in an elegant blue presentation jewel box lined with velvet, specially designed with Cliff’s signature on top. A Certificate of Authentiity is enclosed. This is the perfect gift or treat for oneself to celebrate a very special anniversary for Cliff and all his Fans. £75. Click here to order online: www.starscents.com/cliff or call 01625 574444. May 1: Did you know?... that Bruce Welch was offered the opportunity to produce Cliff's Small corners album but turned it down. Bruce: "I thought the timing was wrong. It was though he was thinking, "Wow, it's all happening. Let's do a religious album". May 1: WIN! the new Cliff book "Bachelor boy" by Steve Turner The publishers of the new Steve Turner Bachelor Boy Cliff book, Carlton Books, have very kindly given me five copies of the book to use in a competition. Lots of entries received to date. So, if YOU would like to a free copy of the book simply answer this easy question: From which Cliff film musical was the song "Bachelor boy" featured in? Send in answer to e-mail on 'Links' page. Entries can be sent in upto closing date of competition, which is Wednesday, May 7th. 1st five names drawn win. You could be a winner - it could be YOU! May 1: Cliff's Move it played today on "The Mark Cummings Show" on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. May 1: In the Daily Mail today the old story about Cliff and radio airplay with Cliff talking about the "Can't keep this feeling in" single - taken from the "Icons revisited" Radio 2 programme. May 1: Cliff chart site. For those who like statistics here are the April hits figures over the years: 2003 - 138,674, 2004 - 202,614, 2005 - 291,444, 2006 - 267,302, 2007 - 405,986, 2008 - 422,917. May 1: Cliff: "The (American) visit did me a lot of good. I've had a top-five hit over there with Devil woman. I did a lot of radio stations and was knocked out that some of the black stations were playing 'Can't ask for anymore than you', which was released as a single". May 1: In April this website had 422,917 successful hits. This is the highest monthly figure for April since the website started in 2002. It is the 11th highest monthly figure since the website started. A sincere THANK YOU for your continued support. Apr 30: TV adverts still going out on ITV and Channel 4 TV for Mike Batt's new album A Songwriter's Tale, which includes "Please don't fall in love" (Peak: No.24, 5 weeks on chart). Apr 30: Cliff: "When I went to America with Devil woman it sold 1.4 million copies. When I came back people said to me, "You've cracked America!" The only thing I could think of was that 249 million people did not buy it". Apr 30: "Since reading Bruce's story, I have been played 'Nearly famous' several times. It certainly sounds extremely fresh. It is a Cliff album with no duds. Give it a listen again and just see what I mean" - Phil Russell. Apr 30: Tim Rice: (talking about "Heathcliff") "I had nothing to do with the production. The thing was the critics were vicious but the punters loved it; it was sold out. One of the problems that Cliff had was that he was producing it, helping to write the book and starring in it. What it needed was someone else strong to be in control the way that Cameron MacKintosh takes control of his musicals". Apr 30: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "The worldwide reaction to I'm nearly famous was phenomenal. It was, quite simply, the best thing Cliff Richard had done, and he was back, stronger than ever. Besides re-establishing his credibility as a recording artiste, it gave my career as a producer a tremendous lift. We were all excited about the success; we had a hit album for the first time in many years and Cliff and Peter Gormley asked me to carry on the good work. I went out on another expedition loooking for songs". Apr 29: Entries for the Bachelor Boy book competition are still piling in - received from: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, UK, USA. Five people will WIN completely free this new 224-page Steve Turner hardback - full details on April 23rd posting. Keep 'em coming! Apr 29: Tim Rice: (talking about "Heathcliff") "It worked superbly for Cliff. It was a big hit. But I don't think anybody else would ever take it on. From my point of view it fell between two stools. The music was very rock'n'roll, and yet the rest of the show was very traditional. Most of the songs I was very pleased with, but they never stood a chance because they were delivered in a rather pop-rock way, and some the words were hard to make out. I mean, it worked wonderfully for Cliff, but it never got beyond being a Cliff Richard show". Apr 29: More on Olivia's Great Wall Walk. To view the very latest click on 'Olivia on Fox & Friends' from Fox news on: www.olivianewton-john.com Apr 29: Cliff: If I had married Sue (Barker) I could have made it work, but the love went before it got that far. I really want to fall "in like" with somebody - that's more important than the romance. And I'm not worried about being celibate". Apr 29: Today Icons Revisited - Cliff Richard is on BBC Radio 2, 10.30pm-11.30pm. Six of a 10-part series, Johnnie Walker continues a string of profiles of iconic pop stars. Cilla Black tells the Cliff story from his 1958 debut hit Move it, the 1962 Shadows collaboration The young ones and a handful of 70s-comeback 45s. This 2006 programme features input from the "Peter Pan of Pop", who discusses the secret of his enduring success and his debt to certain record producers. Apr 29: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "We were on stage in Japan one evening in August when I noticed one of our tour managers in the wings waving his hands frantically, trying to attract our attention. I went across to see what was happening. "Devil woman" has just got into the Amercian hit parade", he shouted over the noise of the music. I went over to Cliff, and in a suitable break told him the news, He was absolutely exhilarated, as we all were. We had worked so hard and so much as a team on that album. The song was put out on Elton John's Rocket label in the States, and when Cliff flew out for a short promotional tour, it soared to No.5 in the chart and sold more than a million copies". More to come! Apr 28: Did you know?... that Freddie Mercury was a great admirer of Cliff. As a young lad Freddie used to stand in front of a mirror doing the Cliff poses and singing "Please don't tease". Apr 28: More on Olivia's Great Wall Walk. For Australian Cliff fans - Both Channel 7 and 9 will be covering the Great Walk on the early morning TV programs tomorrow - Tuesday, April 29th. Apr 28: Cliff: "People who have never met me think that I'm a teetotal vegetarian. They're shocked when I tell them that I eat red meat and love wine. I admire vegetarians, but I couldn't see the future without a good steak". Apr 28: Jet Harris for MBE? The campaign for ex-Shadow and legendary guitarist Jet Harris to receive an M.B.E. (Member of British Empire) is gathering strength. If anyone wishes to support Jet in this nomination, write to: Pat Le-Bruin, DCMS, 2-4, Cockspur Street, London. Apr 28: A 50 years of Cliff Richard and The Shadows Ball, in aid of the Caron Keating Foundation, takes place on Friday, July 4th at the Runnymeade Hotel, Egham, Surrey. Tickets are £100 each which includes a four course meal. Cliff look/soundalike Kytsun Wolfe and Top Shadows tribute band The Rapiers will be performing. Information and tickets available from Joy Passman on joy.passman@btinternet.com or Tel. 01724-782812. Apr 28: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "On the strength of the success of I'm nearly famous, I went back on tour with Cliff, playing rhythm guitar. Apart from myself, his backing group was made up entirely of the musicians featured on the album, including Terry Britten on guitar, Alan Tarney on bass and Tony Rivers and the guys on vocals". More to come! Apr 27: Cliff: "I wanted to make a career out of one night stands in nightclubs, I thought the atmosphere was great, and so I told Peter Gormley that that's what I wanted to do. I didn't think I was aiming low. The audiences were magnificent and I enjoyed the nightclub scene". Apr 27: The 2-CD set Dreamboats and Petticoats with songs from the 50s and 60s, which includes Cliff's "Move it", goes from 17 to No.19 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 25th week in the chart. (Peak: No.2). Apr 27: Entries for the Bachelor Boy book competition are still piling in - received from: Canada, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, Sweden, UK, USA. Five people will WIN completely free this new 224-page Steve Turner hardback - full details on April 23rd posting. Keep 'em coming! Apr 27: Cliff: "I love what I'm doing now so much better that what I did in the early days, although I love the memories of when I started out. I 've sat down with Bruce and Hank and laughed about the terrible old blue Bedford bus we travelled in, but I couldn't bear to go around the country that way again. The important considerations when putting on a concert today are the lighting, great sound equipment and arriving at the venue in good shape rather than being toally drained. It takes me at least a half-hour just to loosen everything up before a show". Apr 27: A great time was had by all at the Cliff Fan Club of Gloucestershire & Oxfordshire Spring Get-together last night in Gloucester. Lots of club members watched all the latest Cliff TV appearances including the new Cliff and Olivia interview, many not seen by members, watched Cliff concerts on the TV screens, attended the 'Club Shop' and enjoyed a mini-concert, which included a performance by The Cliffettes. Special guest was BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Pete Wilson. A great turn-out and a real fun evening. Apr 27: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "When the album was released in May 1976 we had special merchandise, with T-shirts proclaiming 'I'm nearly famous' across the front. They were very collectable. Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John wore them. The album went on to reach No.5 in the chart. A month before 'Devil woman' was released as a single, and peaked at No.9. Suddenly, after two years of mediocrity, people started to sit up and take notice of Cliff Richard again. The music papers hailed the renaissance of Cliff Richard'". More to come! Apr 26: Did you know?... that the current stage production of George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion", which includes Una Stubbs, was listed at number three in the Top Five Theatre listings as compiled by Benedict Nightingale of "The Times". Apr 26: For a full set of photos of Cliff on the charity walk on April 25th, check out: http://live.greatwalktobeijing.com Apr 26: Cliff's Move it, Living doll, The young ones and Devil woman were played today on "The Richard Atkins Show" on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Apr 26: "Thanks so much for keeping us up to date with media coverage of this wonderful, challenging walk. I enjoyed every minute of the live link on GMTV and the beautiful photos on the official website. My hunger for Cliff news is being satisfied nicely, at the moment!" - Claire Mellican. Apr 26: On "The Richard Atkins Show" on BBC Radio Gloucestershire today between 12.00pm-2.00pm, Richard is playing the hits of Cliff and Elvis and inviting fans of either to tell their memories. 104.7FM and 1413AM. Listen on-line at: www.bbc.co.uk/england/radiogloucestershire. Apr 26: You can view the Cliff and Olivia Newton-John interview talking about the charity walk with Andrew Castle that was on GMTV by clicking on: www.gm.tv Apr 26: Radio adverts going out on Radio 2 for Icons Revisited - Cliff Richard which is on Tuesday, April 29th, 10.30pm-11.30pm. "The young ones" is played in the advert and Cliff saying "I'm the most radical rock star that's ever been". Apr 26: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "Prior to recording the album, I had discovered a young songwriting team, Michael Allison and Peter Stills, who signed to my publishing company, Bruce Welch Music. I rated them very highly. They contributed four tracks to the album, including the title song which was such a great rocking number". More to come! Apr 25: Entries for the Bachelor Boy book competition are still piling in. Five people will WIN completely free this new 224-page Steve Turner hardback - full details on April 23rd posting. Keep 'em coming! Apr 25: Una Stubbs is appearing in the Bernard Shaw's classic comedy Pygmalion, alongside Michelle Dockery, Tony Haygarth, Barbara Jefford, James Laurenson, Pamela Miles and Tim Pigott-Smith, at The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham this week. Tel. 01242-572573 or visit: www.everymantheatre.org.uk Apr 25: This Sunday, April 27th on ITV3 Plus 1 The Best of The Royal Variety Show 20:00 - 21:00. Highlights from 46 years of the Royal Variety Performance. This edition spotlights the legends and superstars of stage and screen who have graced the show over the years, featuring interviews with Sir Cliff Richard, Liza Minelli, Kermit and Miss Piggy, and Roy Hudd, and stories about Diana Ross, Larry Hagman and rare archive footage of a young Julie Andrews. Apr 25: Today on Top of the Pops 2 on Dave Plus I channel, 6.30pm - 7.00pm, Steve Wright plunders the ever-bountiful TOTP archives for musical treats including Cliff and Van Morrison singing "Whenever God shines His light". Apr 25: "Thanks for keeping us up to date with Cliff news. No doubt we will see you on the tour at some point!!" - Con Harrington. Apr 25: "Love your site, at the moment especially the story about the I’m nearly famous-album, one of my favorites! Keep up your great work!" - Ditha Blom (The Netherlands). Apr 25: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "I abandoned the idea of using all-girl backing vocals as well. The idea was far too old-fashioned. Instead I put together an all-male vocal group which was led by Tony Rivers and featured John Perry and Stu Culver. Tony Rivers did all the vocal arrangements. They were superb. The material we were recording was fresh and totally different from anything Cliff had been used to. He handled it very well, and middway through the sessions he realized that his interpretation of the songs was changing. They were far more ambitious and unhibited. On 'I can't ask for anymore than you' he sang half the number in falsetto, something he had never attempted before. But it worked". More to come! Apr 25: Cliff and Olivia were talking from the Great Wall of China in a live GMTV link up. Olivia told Andrew Castle the aim of the walk to build a new Cancer Centre. Cliff, who joined the walk today, said they now had a 40 ft gadiant to do. He wore a multi-coloured jacket. At the end of the link, Joan Rivers came into shot. She had done her first part of the walk in her high heels! Apr 25: Cliff and Olivia Newton-John are on GMTV today at 8.20am. Apr 24: Songwriter Aleksander Mezek: "Cliff loves warm climates and I think that's what appeals to him when he was offered the opportunity to build a house in Barbados. I was at his home in Weybridge when he had the plans drawn up, and I think it was a really good investment opportunity for him. I think it was an exceptionally good deal for a prime plot of land. Barbados has a pretty even temperature all year round, the social calendar is similar to that in Britain and a lot of his friends have houses there. It alos has the advantage of being close to America, which is where he is spending a lot more of his time". Apr 24: "Still continuing to enjoy your great site on a daily basis" - Stephen Battaglia. Apr 24: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Chuck Berry recording is "No particular place to go". Apr 24: Marty Wilde will be doing a UK tour this year. One gig already confirmed: Saturday, May 10th-The Playhouse Theatre, Weston-super-mare, 8.00pm. Tickets £18.50 and £16.50. To order Tel. 01934-645544 or visit: www.theplayhouse.co.uk Apr 24: "Website excellent as always" - Anthony Holland. Apr 24: There has been a great response to the Bachelor Boy book competition. Entries are flooding in. Not surprisingly, no incorrect answers received! Apr 24: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "As soon as we got into the album he (Cliff) was totally involved, and was in the studio all the time. He also realised that recording techniques had changed tremendously over the years, and he was eager to learn all about them. It was one of the most satisfying things I have ever done". More to come! Apr 24: "Phil Goodwin, I had the same problem with The Video Connection - thought it was just mine. Wouldn't have thought it would be to stop recording. Certainly disappointing" - Ian Maugham. Apr 23: "I watched the Video Connection this afternoon at 4pm on Performance Channel 271 and it was spoilt by a constant high pitch whistle which also occurred on the previous programme. I wondered if anyone else had the same problem and also if this is done to prevent recording of the programmes" - Phil Goodwin. Apr 23: "Thanks for a great website, I visit almost every day and am really enjoying reading about Bruce's memories of 'I'm nearly famous' which is still one of my favourite Cliff albums" - Joan Dean. Apr 23: "Entering your Cliff book competition. Do hope I win! Keep up the great work on the website - never miss it" - Julie Williams. Apr 23: "Great Cliff website" - Roger Garner. Apr 23: WIN! the new Cliff book "Bachelor boy" by Steve Turner The publishers of the new Steve Turner Bachelor Boy Cliff book, Carlton Books, have very kindly given me five copies of the book to use in a competition. The books have arrived. So, if YOU would like to a free copy of the book simply answer this easy question: From which Cliff film musical was the song "Bachelor boy" featured in? Send in answer to e-mail on 'Links' page. Entries can be sent in upto closing date of competition, which is Wednesday, May 7th. 1st five names drawn win. You could be a winner - Good luck! Apr 23: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "He had become almost blase in the studio, and was so adept at recording that he could arrive for a three-hour session at 7pm and leave by 8.30. He would have put down his three vocal tracks in that time and gone home. He wasn't really interested in anything else. I told him that if he wanted to be successful in the mid-1970s, he would have a lot of hard work in front of him. I didn't want him in the studio for only three hours to do just the voiceovers. I needed him involved in everything we were doing, from beginning to end. I wanted him there when we laid down the backing tracks. Cliff had to become a part of every single process. He agreed to give it a go, and got very interested in the project. I think it excited him". More to come! Apr 22: What Cliff said of the "Real as I wanna be" album: "It's a very diverse album. We've got one really sentimental but brilliant song, a couple of funky things, some menacing things, a happy dance-able song that I'm going to get remixed and one track where I sound like a new boy band". Apr 22: Tesco is to relaunch its download store next month. The supermarket giant currently sells downloads in WMA format at a rate of 192kbs for 79p per track. The new site Tesco Digital will offer 3.3m tracks at launch with 1.6m of these in the DRM-free MP3. Apr 22: Una Stubbs is on "The John Rockley Show" on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, 104.7FM & 1413AM, today between 11.00am-12.00am talking about her career, including the time with Cliff Richard. Apr 22: "Here's my plea for supporting CLIFF RICHARD's steps on the 'GREAT WALK TO BEIJING'. 314 (at the moment as I'm writing to you) did already send a donation for this worthful cause, they helped to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, Melbourne Australia. I know... I know, Australia isn't around the corner where you live, but do you know what made me decide to support CLIFF on his steps to Beijing? The purpose-built Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre will include existing Austin Health cancer services such as Medical Oncology that runs jointly with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and thus helpful to everyone involved by the terrible disease of cancer. And who among us doesn't know a person who died from this awful disease or who is still going through a tough time of treatment... ? I think 304 donations until now is not very much and everybody who feels concerned should send the money he or she can afford... Olivia and her fellow walkers - CLIFF RICHARD included who will take part from April 25 until the finish-line in Beijing on April 29 - are doing millions of steps to raise attention and collect money for a good cause. And many steps do lead to the finish line, Beijing and many pennies, Euros, Dollars do lead to Olivia's goal. Join the website www.greatwalktobeijing.com and discover everything about this adventures, the daily reports are worth to be read and the pictures and videos are great....With kind regards. P.S. ... don't find obliged to follow my advice, ... have a look at your piggy bank first, cause daily life isn't easy for everybody and expensive!" - Liliane Ackermann (Luxembourg). Apr 22: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "Cliff's recording career had become to safe. He had been drifting for a while, becoming a middle-of-the-road artist. He was in a rut, he neeed to break out and try new things. I needed to help him regain his credibility, but he had to work hard at it himself. I pointed out to him that he came into the business as a record star, but he sadly ignored that part of his career for far too long, in favour of involving himself in television appearances and his religious activities. The fire and the passion for making records had deserted him. I'm sure even he was bored by it all. The man who made 'Move it' had to recapture, and return to, his rock'n'roll roots". More to come! Apr 21: Songwriter Aleksander Mezek: "I think Cliff became more demanding on songwriters as time went on. Sometimes he had ideas on specific subjects and he'd ask several people to write songs on this subject. So as a writer you found you were competing against other writers even though you were unaware of it at the time. If he has something on his mind at any particular time, he usually tells the writers and they try to come up with something to match". Apr 21: "We are going to see the Glam Rock show at our local theatre. From what you say, we're really looking forward to it!" - Hilary Walker. Apr 21: "I bought the Steve Turner book "Bachelor Boy" and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Certainly some things I have not read about before. I would recommend it" - Gary Capaldi. Apr 21: Cliff: (on "Miss you nights") "I think that it is one of the nicest songs I ever made. When I heard Dave Townsend's version I thought it was terrific. We just stole the whole thing and he was pleased for us to do that. I mean, anyone could have recorded that song and it would have been a hit". Apr 21: Raymond Froggatt, who has written songs for Cliff Richard, The Byrds and Gladys Knight, is doing some gigs this year including: Sunday, April 27th at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Tel. 01684-295074 or visit: www.rosestheatre.org. Apr 21: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "Producing is a creative thing, and having the chance to work with Cliff as his producer was an exciting challenge. Peter Gormley was trhilled by the outcome and the success of that record, and decided to take the whole thing further and make an album, which became I'm nearly famous and revitalized Cliff's recording career. It was a water-shed in his life". More to come! Apr 20: Just in tonight from seeing the opening night of the Glitz, Blitz and Hits UK tour at the Cheltenham Town Hall. The tour features The Rubettes, The Sweet and Showaddywaddy. Interesting to note that the lead singer with The Sweet is Pete Lincoln, who used to be a backing singer for Cliff Richard. It was a great start to the tour. Good to see lots of Cliff fans in the audience. Also, in the interval see Cliff tribute act Rich Clifford Apr 20: The 2-CD set Dreamboats and Petticoats with songs from the 50s and 60s, which includes Cliff's "Move it", goes from 14 to No.17 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 24th week in the chart. (Peak: No.2). Apr 20: Mike Batt's brand new album A songwriter's tale goes from 29 to No.57 in the official UK album chart today (Peak: No.24). Apr 20: The official Cliff 50th anniversary book My life, My way written by Penny Junor, due to be published later this year, can also be ordered in a paperback version for £12.99 from: www.amazon.co.uk Apr 20: On Wednesday, April 23rd on Performance Mainstreet, Sky Channel 271 for Performance Mainstreet Cliff's The video connection is screened. Also on 04.00 on Thursday, April 24th. The very best of Cliff's music videos including the roller skating "Wired For Sound", and the classic "Summer Holiday". Apr 20: Cliff Time Machine Tour - Official Merchandise. More items have been added to Chester Hopkins merchandise "Time Machine" list. 50th Anniversary Mouse Mat with 2008 Time machine logo, £5, Cliff Chrome Belt Buckle with 120 diamantes in the word CLIFF comes supplied attached to a real leather belt. Available in S, M, L and XL, £25, Cliff Phone Charm with a diamante heart and letters it will help you find your mobile when it goes missing! £10, Collectors Time Machine Tour Jigsaw A design, uniquely cut, wooden puzzle, £25, 2008 Time Machine Clock Miniature juke box style clock supplied in presentation case with 50th anniversary logo on back, £20, 50th Anniversary Keyring Limited edition. This keyring is a strictly limited collectable. 500 only, £8 and 50th Anniversary Ski Hat in black with embroidered logo. One size fits all, £8. To view click: www.chesterhopkins.com Apr 20: "I bought the Bachelor Boy book and am enjoying reading through it. Some lovely photos" - Lyn Cinderey. Apr 20: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "Miss you nights was the first single we recorded, in September 1975, and it came out the following month. But we had terrible problems getting it played on radio, even though it was such a beautiful record and the superb arrangements by Tony Rivers were really stunning. We were told it was far to slow. It finally took off and reached No.15 and Cliff was back in the charts". More to come! Apr 19: Did you know?... that Small corners was the first album produced by Cliff; "I wanted to prove that pop songs with words about God didn't have to be anything like people's preconceived ideas of gospel music". Apr 19: Cliff's Dynamite and Move it was played today on Geoff Barker's "Rock'n'roll Party". Also The Drifters version of Be bop a lula from Cliff's first album "Cliff". Apr 19: Cliff: "There was a time when I almost lost interest because I was stuck in such an incredible middle-of-the-road bag. I did it at the time because it sold records, even though I disliked them. I've always been honest about it - I'm in the business to sell records. But rock'n'roll is what it's all about. It keeps you young. If you have some affinity for it you should be able to do it forever - as long as you have the energy". Apr 19: Today on BBC West and South West on Geoff Barker's Rock'n'roll Party, 6.05pm-8.00pm, between 7-8 Made in Britain features the best of early British rock'n'roll with records from Tommy Steele, Terry Dene, Marty Wilde, Cliff Richard, Billy Fury and more. BBC West and South West covers BBC Gloucestershire 104.7FM & 1413AM, BBC Bristol, BBC Swindon and you can listen on-line by clicking on www.bbc.co.uk/england/radiogloucestershire Apr 19: The official Cliff 50th anniversary book My life, My way written by Penny Junor, due to be published later this year, can be ordered for £20 from: www.amazon.co.uk Apr 19: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "By now I had managed to get together a package of half-a-dozen songs I thought would be ideal for Cliff's voice, and I whittled them down to a final choice of three. Then I went down to Cliff's house in Weybridge and played him my selectinos. When he heard 'Miss you nights' he very nearly fell on the floor; the hairs stood up on his arms. He then told me he had some other songs he had not done anything with. One of them was 'Devil woman' by Terry Britten, which he had been sitting on for over eighteen months". More to come! Apr 18: "Like you, I have bought this book and like you, really enjoyed looking at the photos that were new to me – in my case, especially the family ones and seeing his property, Rookswood, and the dining room at his farmhouse in Portugal. I must confess I learned very little that was new to me from the quotes but yes, it IS a coffee table book and I like the concept of quotes from people who knew him" - Claire Mellican. Apr 18: "It looks to selling alright. My local WH Smiths had 10 on the shelf on Monday. Looked today and only one left!" - Mandy Boyd. Apr 18: "Thanks for the review of the Bachelor Boy book. It sounds a bit dear for nearly £20 but I think I'll treat myself at the special price. Sometimes the special price system is only for a week, so I'll get it tomorrow" - Jane Staunton. Apr 18: The new Steve Turner hardback book Bachelor Boy: Steve Turner in his Preface says: "This is an oral history of the life and career of Cliff Richard. Instead of narrating his story as in a biography, I've collected the accounts of as many people as I could find who have lived, worked, played, travelled, recorded and performed with Cliff over the past 68 years. I'm hoping that the collage of voices, with their different accents, adjectives and perspectives, build as accurate a picture of Cliff as possible". 'Cliff Chart Site' Review This is very much a coffee-table style book. Because the book is filled with interviews and quotes and whilst, generally, being in chronological order, this book does not have to read in order. I started in the middle and skipped around all over the place. For die-hard Cliff fans most will have seen the majority of these quotes before. Of the ones not seen before they have come mainly from Cliff's ex-backing singers, musicians and colleagues. The nine 'chapters' are set out in Cliff song and album titles such as "I'm nearly famous" for the Jan-July 1958 period and "Good news" for 1965-1967 covering the religious side. It's an interesting idea to garner quotes and group them up. Punctuated throughout the book are many Cliff photos, certainly a few that I have not seen before of Cliff with the early band members, photos supplied by Ian Samwell and Norman Mitham. There are also some magazine and sheet music covers throughout with a Discography and Bibiography at the rear. Will Cliff fans learn anything from this book? Well, most probably won't, others may find 'something' of interest while others will find lots to enjoy. Does the book work? Well, as a literary read no. However, as I said at the start of the review, it's a coffee-table style book ...and it certainly works well as that. 224 pages. RRP: £19.99. WH Smiths "special offer" price £9.99. Apr 18: Woolworths have some great CD offers at present with CDs selling from as little as £1. Woolworths have re-packaged albums under their logo. One of these is Cliff's Cliff in the 1980s. Full track listing: Wired for sound, Please don't fall in love, We don't talk anymore, Miss you nights, Love ya, Give a little bit more, A heart will break, La Gonave, Ocean deep, The only way out, Lucille, Donna, One time lover man, The water is wide, Reunion of the heart and Two hearts. Woolworths price is £4. Apr 18: The Cliff hardback book 50 Favourite Bible Stories and 3 audio CDs with favourite stories from the Bible read by Cliff is out now. Containing a bright and colourful hardback book which brims with fun and warmly detailed illustrations with 3CDs on which Cliff narrates the stories that are at the heart of his faith. A great 50th anniversary keepsake for Cliff fans of all ages. 160 pages. Lion Hudson Plc. ISBN-10: 0745960616. RRP: £14.99. Available from the Childrens Dept. in branches of Waterstones for £12.99. Apr 18: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "When I got back home I put the songs on the tape machine and had a long hard listen to them both, but I still wasn't impressed with the quality. They weren't right for Cliff. I flipped the cassette over to see if there was anything on the back. It was amazing! I was stopped in my tracks. I couldn't believe it. Here was this wonderful song and the publisher had not even bothered to tell me about it. It was such a contemporary ballad, with a magnificent lyric". More to come! Apr 17: Olivia Newton-John: "Critics like to pull people apart. If they can't attack their music, they try to find fault with their lives. They look for the drugs, the drink and the serial affairs. The worst thing they can say about Cliff is that he's too nice - which is a compliment, really". Apr 17: Did you know?... that Cliff loves the Monty Python West End stage musical "Spamalot". Apr 17: Cliff: "I liked The Beatles. I wasn't mad about The Rolling Stones. I always thought they were a slight rip-off of Chuck Berry and some of the old blues people and they never seemed to change. If people compare me to Mick Jagger and The Stones I'll always be the one to put down, but I've been far more progressive musically than any of them". Apr 17: On Sunday, April 20th on Pick of the pops, BBC Radio 2, 2.30pm-4.40pm, Dale Winton plays the hits from this week in 1965 including: The Beatles, Them, Cliff Richard with "The minute you're gone", Unit Four Plus Two, Dave Berry, Donovan, The Yardbirds, Roger Miller, The Rolling Stones and The Barron Knights. Apr 17: On Saturday, April 19th on BBC Radio 2 Icons Revisited 8.00pm-9.00pm Johnnie Walker hosts a special season of programmes featuring some of Radio 2's finest music profiles. 4: The fourth in the season of 10, a documentary with a 2003 tribute to Bruce Springsteen and rare interview. Coming up in the series Cliff Richard now scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th. Apr 17: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "I asked publishers to send me their songs, and contacted my songwriting friends in the business to see if they anything that might be suitable for Cliff. Then I went to America, where I was introduced to Lionel Conway, head of Island Music in Los Angeles. He played me two songs by writers he represented, but I wasn't very happy with either of them. However, I agreed to take them back to London with me and listen to them again at some length". More to come! Apr 16: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Eddie Cochran recording is "C'mon everybody". Apr 16: Music fans could soon squeeze millions of songs on the one MP3 player. Scientists have developed a 'molecule-sized switch', which they say will increase the storage capacity of the devices 150,000 times. At present, the highest-powered player from market leaders Apple is the 160 gigabyte 'classic' iPod, which can hold 40,000 songs. The switch would allow 500.000 gigabytes to be squeezed onto one sqaure inch. Apr 16: The Olivia Newton-John and Friends CD The Great Walk To Beijing - A Celebration In Song will be released in Australia on May 3rd. US and International release details to follow. 12 tracks and track 2 is: "Find a Little Faith" Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard. Full track listing on March 30th posting. Apr 16: Bruce Welch (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "We were meeting in Peter Gormley's office one day and the conversation turned towards Cliff's recording career. Peter expressed his concern, but something he said made me think hard - that whoever came up with the right songs could have the chance to produce Cliff. After all my expereince in the studio recently, producing Olivia newton-John, I was very eager to get back to production and this seemed an ideal way. I took the bait, accpted the challenge, and set about looking for new material". More to come! Apr 15: UK Eurovision entry Andy Abraham faces a race against time to get his voice back in time for next month's final. Andy cannot sing at all due to flu and a bad troat infection that has kept him in bed for two weeks. Unless he recovers before the song's contest in Belgrade on May 24th, his song Even looks a certainty for 'nul points'. Andy: "It's really worrying. This is my big chance but I just can't hit the notes". Dawn Joseph backs Andy on his Eurovision song. Apr 15: "Reading about 'I'm nearly famous' made me play it again after quite a long time. It still sounds so fresh considering it's 32 years old. If Cliff could make another album anything like that one again, well!" - Richard Bowles. Apr 15: "I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the Bachelor Boy book. If I do get it, looks like it will probably be from Smiths - that's a good price" - Mark Harrison. Apr 15: Marty Wilde celebrates his 69th birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTY! Apr 15: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "It's a big surprise because I've known for a long time that some people just can't take me. They don't understand what I believe, they reckon I'm too good, too wholesome. Not that I mind having that sort of image. I'm happy to have people think that about me. Even if they are wrong! I talk too much for a start. I'm fairly free and easy and I'm too truthful". Apr 14: Coming on this website! A review of the new Steve Turner hardback book Bachelor Boy and YOUR chance to win a copy of the book in a competition! Apr 14: Did you know?... that Princess Diana knew Cliff's album "Always guaranteed". Apr 14: The new Steve Turner hardback book Bachelor Boy: "Best selling author and Cliff's official biographer (Cliff Richard: The Biography), Steve Turner has gone to extraordinary lengths to interview over 160 of Cliff's friends, family and colleagues and has succeeded in drawing out some unique memories and observations, previously unheard by the public. Heavily illustrated with rare and interesting photographs of Cliff at work and play, this book stands as a lasting testament of the most glorious careers in British show business". Apr 14: The new Steve Turner hardback book Bachelor Boy that contains 224 pages is published by Carlton Books and is available from some branches of WH Smiths already. RRP: £19.99. WH Smiths "special offer" price: £9.99. ISBN-10: 184442037X. ISBN-13: 978-1844420377. Apr 14: In the May issue of Record collector there is a "Live Aid" signed first-edition paperback. Live Aid: The Greatest Show On Earth is signed on the inside pages by over 50 artists associated with the charity concert including: Bob Geldof, Cliff Richard, Cher, Tina Turner, Hazel O'Connor, Paula Yates, Paul & Linda McCartney, Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Paul Weller, Elvis Costello, Nik Kershaw, Billy Ocean, Sade, Sting, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Freddie Mercury & Queen, Chrissie Hynde, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townsend, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, Sheena Easton and more. All autographs were obtained in person, mostly at the BBC Telvision Centre in London. Estimate value of £400-£500. View at: www.autographauctions.com Apr 14: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "Bruce and I knew we could do an album like 'I'm nearly famous' - it was just a matter of finding the right material. You see, the trouble was that when people knew thew the songs were for me, they kept coming up with stuff that sounded like 'Congratulations' So this time, Bruce didn't tell anyone who the songs were for. He knew what he wanted and he went out looking for it. And what he came up with were the sort of good rocking numbers I sang right back at the beginning of my career". More to come! Apr 14: In the Daily Mail Connections quiz today photos of: Timothy Dalton, Cliff Richard, Charlton Heston, Ian McShane, Richard Burton and Keith Mitchell. What connects them? They all played Emily Bronte's Heathcliff. Apr 13: Two clips of Cliff singing "Some people" (surrounded by smoke in "Summertime Special" and the slip on "The Roxy") shown on TV's Funniest Music Moments on ITV1-TV today. Apr 13: The 2-CD set Dreamboats and Petticoats with songs from the 50s and 60s, which includes Cliff's "Move it", goes from 11 to No.14 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 23rd week in the chart. (Peak: No.2). Apr 13: The 3-CD set Jackie - The album with songs from the 60s and 70s, which includes Cliff's "Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha", goes from 16 to No.20 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 21st week in the chart. (Peak: No.3). Apr 13: Mike Batt's brand new album A songwriter's tale goes from 36 to No.29 in the official UK album chart today (Peak: No.24). Apr 13: In it's eighth week on the UK album chart The Very Best of Joe Brown goes from 62 to No.66 (Peak No.14). Apr 13: Amy Sky, who wrote Find a little faith (the Olivia and Cliff Richard duet) for Olivia Newton John's The Great Walk To Beijing - A Celebration in Song album, was born Amy Shiner on September 24th, 1960 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is not only a songwriter for the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Belinda Carlisle, Heart and Diana Ross but is also a successful solo artist and stage actress as well. Her husband is musician Marc Jordan and they have two children together. Apr 13: Bruce Welch: "Hank has a God-given talent. I don't mean he plays 500 notes a minute, or blinds you with fast runs, but his style and playing technique are so unique, and he has developed them to such an extent, that they are instantly recognizable. But he won't exploit his talent any further; he won't develop it any more than he already has. He's contented with his lot and feels his music should come second. People love him the same way they loved Eric Morecambe and Tommy Cooper, who, like Hank, were naturaly gifted men and endeared themselves to the public - it's called star quality. Cliff has it. He looks and acts the part, and there has never been anyone like him at all. But Hank just shrugs his shoulders and smiles". Apr 13: Did you know?... from Cliff's current backing singers: Mick Mullins used to be in the group Modern Romance who charted with 8 singles including: "Everybody Salsa" (No.12, 1981), "Ay ay ay ay Moosey" (No.10, 1981), "Best years of our lives" (No.4, 1982), "High life" (No.8, 1983) and "Walking in the rain" (No.7, 1983). Apr 13: On Friday, April 25th Top of the Pops 2 on Dave Plus I channel, 6.30pm - 7.00pm, Steve Wright plunders the ever-bountiful TOTP archives for musical treats including Cliff and Van Morrison singing "Whenever God shines His light". Apr 13: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "Bruce knows what I can and can't do. I mean, I can't sing like Robert Plant, so I don't even try to! But I can do a rocky number like 'Devil woman' and I can do a soft ballad like 'Miss you nights'. Those I think are two extremes of any sort of music". More to come! Apr 12: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite James Taylor recording is "Fire and rain". Apr 12: A Gala Event to celebrate Sir Cliff's 50th golden years in show business. Held at the Dorchester Hotel, London on Saturday, June 27th, 2009, all proceeds go to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Entertainment will be provided by "That'll be the day" team, plus Disco by Jim Nicholas. Price per ticket: £150. This includes 2 glasses of wine on arrival, 4 course meal and coffee. This is the fifth celebration Ray and Collette have arranged. They have invited Cliff and are desperately hoping he will attend the event. If interested, please contact: Colette and Ray Williams, (Sussex & Surrey Fan Club), Tel. 01403-266436. Apr 12: For the recording linked to the Great Walk to Beijing project Canadian writer Amy Sky wrote Find a little faith, Barry Gibb loaned his studio in Miami between January 31st and February 2nd and, with Amy producing, Cliff thinks they made a terrific track. He hopes you like it as much as he does! Full details of Olivia Newton John's The Great Walk To Beijing - A Celebration in Song album in March 30th posting. Warner Music. Apr 12: Bruce Welch's Shadows will be topping the bill at the Festival V1F 2008 in France on Saturday, May 3rd. Also appearing: The Blue Shadows, Matilda, Brian Locking, Shads in the Sky and other French instrumental groups. The Day starts at 2.25pm at the Salle Polyvalente de Vif, France. Tickats are available from Bernard Broche at cliff.shads@free.fr. Apr 12: Current top selling Cliff/Shads/related items at Leo's Den (Links page): Cliff and The Shadows compilation CD All my love £7.99, Mark Griffiths new CD 52 Florence Road £9.99, The Jet Harris and Tony Meehan compilation CD Diamonds & Other Gems £7.99, The Brian Bennett CD Official Bootleg Vol.1 £10.99 and the current Jet Harris CD The Journey £9.99. Apr 12: Did you know?... from Cliff's former backing singers: Tony Rivers was in Tony Rivers and The Castaways while John Perry was in the 60s group Grapefruit, who had UK chart hits in 1968 with "Dear Delilah" (No.21) and "C'mon Marianne" (No.31). Apr 12: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "When we first gave the finished tapes to the record company, they went wild. I was amazed. I thought, "You mean they actually like it?" When it came out, I wondered if the press would do the same old knocking bit, but they actually liked it too. I was bowled over!" More to come! Apr 11: Did you know?... that Mike Batt, songwriter, musician and producer is 58 and was born in Southampton and now lives in Surrey and London. He has written and produced hits for the Wombles, Art Garfunkel, Elkie Brooks and Katie Melua. On cars Mike says: "When I was young and first had a bit of success, I had an electric blue Rolls Royce and I also had electric blue hair as well, to the extent that my wife told me she'd leave me if I didn't dye it back orange immediately, which I did actually. In those days they were beautiful cars. They rocked around a bit and rolled and the steering wheel was very light, whereas the Arnage (his current car) grips the road like a Mercedes". Apr 11: Bruce Welch will be on the radio station Gold on Sunday, April 13th playing chart music from March 1963 when "Foot Tapper" was in the charts. To listen as a download: www.mygoldmusic.co.uk Apr 11: "Good to hear that Cliff will be on Songs of Praise. Over the years Cliff has appeared many times. A DVD of his appearances on the show would be fantastic" - John Brogan. Apr 11: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "There has been the most amzing buzz about this album, and it started as long ago as while we were actually recording. A couple of guys working on the sessions actually came up and asked if they could have a copy of the album when it was finished! That's unheard of, normally they wouldn't give me a second thought". More to come! Apr 11: "Thanks for a lovely website - it is fantastic always getting the latest Cliff news!" - Linda Pollhammer. Apr 10: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite song from the musical "West side story" is "Maria". Apr 10: Mike Batt: "One album I did was a little bit too experimental. It was called Six Days In Berlin and it sounded like Bartok meets a heavy rock band on acid; very strange, even I admit it was an experiment too far". Mike is currently in the UK album chart with A Songwriters Tale, which includes a version Cliff's "Please don't fall in love", written by him. Apr 10: In the superb Record collector magazine May issue in the shops today, there is a review of the Jet Harris and Tony Meehan 20-track album Diamonds & Other Gems: The Complete Decca Singles 1962-1964. The reviewer gives it a 4-star rating (excellent) out of 5. RPM Retro 825. Available from Leo's Den (Links page). Apr 10: The Rapiers and the Walkers Crisps TV advert. When the soundtrack was recorded at Brian Bennett's studio with Marty Wilde and Warren Bennett, who did the production and arrangements and also performed on the new recording, the ad agency took great pains to introduce Brian (original ex-Wildcat) to Marty, not knowing they'd known each other for 50+ years! Apr 10: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "A lot of today's artists take longer because they write the material in the studio. I mean I could never do that. I'm too impatient. Besides I know just what I want - I've been doing it long enough, practice makes perfect. I love working in a studio, to me the studio is therapy, it's very relaxing, no stress". More to come! Apr 10: "I smiled at the words CLIFF apparently knows in Welsh: 'norsta, cariad' and 'cabana da dwr' ('Good night, darling' and 'Have a cup of tea')... I thought, it's all he needs if he ever meets a lovely lady there!" - Liliane Ackermann (Luxembourg). Apr 9: Mike Batt: "It was hard to escape the Wombles but in Germany, Australia, South Africa and Scandinavia - where the Wombles hadn't been heard of - I sold hundreds of thousands of albums. If I wanted to be the credible Mike Batt I would have to get on a plane, but I have had such a lovely and varied work life, the focus of being an artist never went away". Apr 9: A special edition of Songs of Praise is due to go out on Sunday, December 7th on BBC1-TV. The programme will focus on Cliff's charitable work including his support for Tearfund and will include a short film reflecting his recent visit to charity projects in north east Brazil. The programme will also feature some of the songs he has recorded for "Songs of Praise" over the years. Apr 9: "I understand from SHADOWS discussions/information over the years that there is/was a lot of Saturday Club Easy Beat etc radio stuff still in the BBC vaults no doubt with/without their singer and a couple of times the Shadows stuff nearly materialized only to be put aside by issues over royalties etc.I imagine those issues would effect any Cliff stuff which is a pity but such is life and I sense from articles I’ve read Cliff is not one for looking back even if some of his fans do so fondly" - John Patrick. Apr 9: "After only two days I am already loving your interview from Cliff about I'm Nearly Famous! Although the album was released two years before I was born it is my all time favourite Cliff album and even though I love the likes of Wired For Sound, Always Guaranteed, Something's Goin' etc I can't see Cliff ever releasing a better album than I'm Nearly Famous. Everything about the album is quality! From the cover to the songs. In my view the second track on the album "It's No Use Pretending" is one of the best songs Cliff has ever recorded on an album and not released as a single. Although I am glad I was born when I was a part of me wishes I had been around when the album was released so if anyone out there wants to let me know what it was like in 76 I'd love to know! Can't wait to here the rest of Cliff's story! Cheers William!" - Darren Price. Apr 9: "As someone has mentioned there must be some really good BBC tapes still in existence of things like Cliff on "Saturday Club" with Brian Matthews. Cliff was on there many times thoughout the sixties and if my memory serves me correctly the quality was marvellous. I guess, as with most things, it's politics. Who has the tapes? would EMI get behind them? etc." - Doug Allen. Apr 9: How did The Rapiers get to be in the Walkers Crisps advert? The group have Shadows manager Brian Goode and Bruce Welch to thank. Brian was approached by an advertising company to find a Shadows-styled group for a new Walkers Crisps advert. Brian phoned Bruce, who recommended them. He rang up, "Do you want to play The Shadows in a new TV advert?" They said "Yes". Apr 9: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "It took us about a month in all, but that wasn't working everyday; sometimes we'd go in at two and finish at five-thirty, or we'd record in the evenings from seven till ten, and obviously we'd work a lot of overtime. I reckon that if you put the session altogether, it was done in a fortnight". More to come! Apr 8: "As Dave Dee etc are now releasing a double live at the BBC cd, I just wonder how many Cliff / Shadows BBC sessions there are out there .. does anyone know? I imagine it'd be more than two cds worth .. Are there any one-offs or unusual covers / versions that Cliff sang- I'd love to know if Cliff ever covered 'Walk away Renee' or did a live 'heavy' version of 'throw down a line'" - David Burrows. Apr 8: "You have a brilliant website that just keeps on delivering good stuff. Will you be putting anymore of your songwriter interviews about Cliff's songs?" - Trev Hawkins. (Yes) Apr 8: Mike Batt: "My first serious album after the Wombles was with Sony and they couldn't get me on The Old Grey Whistle Test because, in people's eyes, I was just a Womble and it wouldn't have washed with the cool set, although now I have lost count of the number of people who say the Wombles were the first record they ever bought". Apr 8: Did you know?... that Cliff can pronounce some of the Welsh language - 'norsta, cariad' and 'cabana da dwr' ('Good night, darling' and 'Have a cup of tea'). Apr 8: EMI have nearly equalled 2006's record-breaking albums share of the market thanks to Amy Winehouse, Take That and Artic Monkeys, but singles sales have dropped. EMI Publishing claimed 25.0% of the combined market across singles and albums in 2007, 1.2% ahead of Universal Publishing. Apr 8: Woolworths has posted increased profits for the year to February, but it is warning of difficult times ahead for music sales. The company's retail business returned to profitability - making £12.9m in the previous year - despite sales falling 3.2%. Apr 8: Cliff: (on "I'm nearly famous" album) "I had these two songs, 'Devil woman' and 'I wish you'd change your mind and stay', and Bruce Welch also had four or five written by Allison & Sills. We also heard another forty songs and choose the best of the bunch. Then we went into the studio to begin work on the album". More to come! Apr 7: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Lionel Richie recording is "All night long". Apr 7: Olivia Newton-John: (talking about "A Celebration In Song" CD - How did you choose the musicians for the duets?) "I called on my friends, really. They're being so amazing and generous with their time and their efforts in their songs. Sir Cliff from England, he and I did a duet — that's really how it started. I thought, We'll do one song. [But] then it kind of grew into this CD, because people kept going, ''Oh I'll do one with you.'' So I've got Cliff, Keith Urban, Richard Marx, Jimmy Barnes from Australia, Melinda Schneider from Australia, Jann Arden from Canada. She's a cancer survivor, so we wrote a song together. Then one of the girls who's on there, Belinda Emmett.... It's very sad. She passed away last year from a recurrence of cancer. And she was someone I knew. She was a singer and didn't live to see her album released, so we're putting one of her tracks on there, in her memory". (You and Cliff Richard go way back, don't you?) "Oh, we go way back. He really started me off, in England, by putting me on his television show. And we did a lot of duets together. We did ''Suddenly'' from the movie Xanadu together, and we've worked together in between. I asked him about this project and he was very quick to come on board. He's coming on the walk, too". Apr 7: Mike Batt: I suppose some songwriters are frustrated artists. I have always been a singer, but the Wombles are what people remember me for. Thank God the Wombles weren't as successful in other parts of the world as they were in the UK. I always said I would be true to wahtever I created, and I stuck to my words with the Wombles, but it happened by a pure twist of fate. When we started my mum made the costumes and then four albums went gold". Mike is currently in No.36 in UK album chart with A Songwriters Tale, which includes a version Cliff's "Please don't fall in love", written by him. Apr 7: Advance news of Bruce Welch's Shadows gigs in Germany in 2009. March 13th-AWD-Hall, Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 8, 30169, Hannover. www.awd-hall.de and March 14th-Koln Arena, Willy Brandt Platz, 50679 Koln, with Suzi Quatro and others. www.koelnarena.de. Apr 7: Cliff's Miss you nights was played today on Star Radio in Gloucestershire. Apr 7: Olivia Newton-John: (on moving back to England with her mother to further her career) "I didn't like it at first and wanted to go back to Australia - and it's funny, because all the things I didn't like about it then, I love now. I used to moan, 'Oh, but all the buildings are so old!' and I look around Los Angeles now, where nothing is old, and I can see how beautiful England is". Apr 7: More on Olivia's Great Wall Walk. The 21-day walk commences today. If you wish to follow the progress of the Great Walk to Beijing you can by visiting: www.greatwalktobeijing.com Apr 6: The 2-CD set Dreamboats and Petticoats with songs from the 50s and 60s, which includes Cliff's "Move it", goes from 7 to No.11 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 22nd week in the chart. (Peak: No.2). Apr 6: The 3-CD set Jackie - The album with songs from the 60s and 70s, which includes Cliff's "Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha", goes from 13 to No.16 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 20th week in the chart. (Peak: No.3). Apr 6: Mike Batt's brand new album A songwriter's tale goes from 24 to No.36 in the official UK album chart today. Apr 6: In it's seventh week on the UK album chart The Very Best of Joe Brown goes from 40 to No.62 (Peak No.14). Apr 6: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Elvis Costello recording is "Oliver's army". Apr 6: Cliff: "It's probably a false rationalisation to say that a career in show business, which has been in virtualy top gear, could never have run alongside a successful marriage. I'm sure others have made both work, but I do know that both demand enormous investments of time and commitment, and I'm not sure how I could have coped with the two without one or the other suffering. If I'd married, I would have hated my career to get in the way family relationships. Shamefully, I suspect I may have been equally upset if a wife got in the way of my work". Apr 6: In today's Take it easy! magazine "Holby City" actor Tom Chambers reveals why he is taking part in the Great Wall of China walk. When asked what other celebs are doing the walk he says: "Sir Cliff Richard is, apparently. Maybe we'll sing Living Doll or Summer Holiday together as we stroll along. Wouldn't that be great?" Apr 6: Bad news for EMI: According to today's "People" newspaper Robbie Williams WON'T be making a return to work until at least 2010 - because pals say he is too busy having fun in Los Angeles. Apr 6: Olivia Newton-John: (five months shy of her 60th birthday, still slim enough to be able to squeeze into those fabled "Grease" spandex pants) "But it's not something I've tried recently. They were so tiny I had to be stitched into them, so it's not an experience I necessarily want to repeat". Apr 5: Cliff: "I'm a one meal a day man and that keeps my figure. I also lie on my back twice a day and raise my feet a few inches from the ground and hold them for five seconds. Inside me there's a Billy Bunter just burning to get out. He comes out quite often. On tour he escapes at weekends - I let him". Apr 5: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite David Bowie album is "Ziggy Stardust". Apr 5: Olivia Newton-John: (talking about "Grease") "I never took the sex symbol thing that seriously, and I look back now and think, "Why didn't I enjoy it more?" she laughs. "But the film was so much fun to make, and there were parts of good Sandy and naughty Sandy in me already. John (Travolta) was wonderful and, even though there was no spark between us, we became great mates and we're still in contact. There's been talk of a remake, but it has such a magic, I don't know if they can capture that again". Apr 5: There is a two-page interview with Olivia Newton-John in today's Weekend magazine. She talks about the walk of the Great Wall of China. Olivia hopes to raise at least £2.5 million to add to the £30 million already raised for the Cancer Treatment and Wellness Centre in Melbourne. Apr 5: In today's Daily Mail there is two pages of photos of celebrities when they were babies. The number one photo is Cliff Richard with the caption "What a living doll...and he's still a bachelor boy". Apr 4: Did you know?... that back in 1980 Cliff told the Daily Mirror that he had three ambitions: one was to be in a stage version of a rock'n'roll musical, another was to be a hit in America and the third was to have a wife and children. He added "But it has to be the right girl. It has to be for good". Apr 4: More on Olivia's Great Wall Walk. Olivia Newton-John has recently completed interviews with the following: Entertainment Weekly, In Touch magazine, People magazine, Gannett News Service, CBS Radio, Leeza Gibbons "Hollywood Confidential", The John Tesh Radio Show (Nationally Syndicated), Extra, Access Hollywood, Fox News. There will also be U.S., UK and Australian television interviews LIVE from the Great Wall. The 21-day walk commences on Monday, April 7th. Cliff takes part in the walk for five days April 25th-29th. Apr 4: The Cliff 3-DVD set The Live collection 2004-2006 is selling for £10.99 at woolworths.co.uk while Cliff's 2006 album Two's company - The Duets is selling now for £6.99. Apr 4: The Cliff 3-DVD set The Live collection 2004-2006, which contains: Castles in the air, Here and now and On the beach is selling at a great price at play.com RRP: £24.99. Their price: £9.99. Apr 4: Cliff: "I remember, many years ago when the Shadows were getting married, feeling ever so slightly the 'odd man out' and wanting in a way to conform. What a disastrous motive that would have been for marriage. 'It's expected, therefore I do it' has to have been the recipe for so many heartaches and divorces. All of us must know friends and relatives who've plunged into marriage, almost desperate for married status, yet were anything but ready for commitment. It demands a fair degree of maturity to appreciate that loving someone is more than feeling euphoric, and, that a heck of a lot of sacrifice is required too". Apr 4: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Dakota Staton recording is "My funny Valentine". Apr 4: Mike Batt: "I am currently working on an animated film called Ergo The Slug and I'm also doing the graphics for Katie Melua's UK and European tour, which starts in a fortnight. I am also working with two new acts: Andrea McEwan, an Australian singer/songwriter who is a Joni Mitchell type wordsmith; and Florence Rawlings, who is a really strong soul singer. Hopefully I have another studio album in me, too". Mike is currently in No.39 in this week's mid-week album chart with A Songwriters Tale, which includes a version Cliff's "Please don't fall in love", written by him. Apr 4: "Jonathan Sullivan, tend to agree with you. I think the misapprehension is that 'unofficial' somehow means 'shoddy'. While this may be true of inferior DVD copies, it certainly doesn't apply to everything. Certainly, many unofficial books find the author delving more into background contacts and extracting fascinating insights that you would never get in an 'official' book. The 'official' line tells you only what people want you to hear. Unofficial tells you something you never knew" - Lesley Graham. Apr 4: Up-coming gigs for top Shadows tribute band The Rapiers. Saturday, April 12th-Seacroft Holiday Village, Hemsby,Norfolk, Tel. 01692-582277, Friday, April 18th-Tadley Community Centre, Tadley, Hampshire, Tel. 0118-9814538, Thursday, May 1st- Millfield Theatre, Edmonton, London, "Me and my Shadows" show, Tel. 0208-807-6680, Saturday, May 3rd-Village Hall, Crowie, Worcestershire, "Me and my Shadows" show, Tel. 01905-381130/01386-422123, Thursday, May 15th-Thameside Theatre, Thurrock, Essex, "Me and my Shadows" show with Kytsun Wolfe as "Cliff", Tel. 01375-383961, Sunday, May 18th-Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight, with John Leyton, Jimmy Jemain, Billie Davis and The Songbirds, Tel. 01983-527020 and Saturday, May 24th-Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, Tel. 0871-6649752. "Me and my Shadows" shows with Jet Harris and feature 60s singer Billie Davis and The Songbirds. Apr 3: A Jet Harris video Live at the Isle of Wight is available from Leo's Den at £15.99. You can view a snippet on their website (Links page). Apr 3: "Find it strange that the French release 'All my love' is supposedly an 'unofficial' release. As many have pointed out before EMI France is an official body of EMI. So, how come it's unofficial? Another question - how come unofficial releases are regarded as poison? I have read so-called unofficial books on Princess Diana, Mick Jagger and Marlon Brando and they are all superior to the official versions and more importantly, more interesting!" - Jonathan Sullivan. Apr 3: Bruce Welch's Shadows. Another gig added to the German dates. They appear at the Rock & Pop Classics Live event at Color Line Arena, Sylvesterallee 10, 22525 Hamburg on Saturday, October 18th. Also appearing: Suzi Quatro, The Hollies, Boney M, The Searchers and Dave Edmunds. Doors open: 16.30. Begins: 17.30. Price: Euro 35,10 - Euro 91,35. Ticket Hotline: 0049-18-05 - 57-00-00 or visit: www.colorline-arena.com. Apr 3: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Little Richard recording is "Lucille". Apr 3: Up-coming gigs for Cliff look/soundalike Ricky Aron: Saturday, April 5th-Windy Arbour Holiday Park, Nr.Fleetwood, Lancashire, "Elvis-The Early years & Rock'n'roll show", Friday, April 11th-The Queens Hotel, Blackpool, Lancashire, Saturday, April 12th-Winsford Conservative Club, Cheshire and Saturday, April 26th-"Elvis The Early years & Rock'n'roll show". Apr 3: On Saturday, April 5th on BBC Radio 2 Icons Revisited 8.00pm-9.00pm Johnnie Walker hosts a special season of programmes featuring some of Radio 2's finest music profiles. 2: The second in the season of 10, a documentary celebrating Elvis Presley's US television special Elvis (referred to as the 68 comeback special). Presented by Kate Thornton. Coming up in the series Cliff Richard now scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th. Apr 2: Bruce Welch: "Even though Cliff was our boss and paid our wages, he was always one of us; it was never a 'them and me' situation. We were five lads together, sharing almost everything. We ate together and often met socially together. Cliff was very proud of us, particularly Hank. He was delighted that his guitar player was so highly regarded by other musicians and artistes. After out first tour together we became the greatest of friends and allies". Apr 2: On Sunday, April 6th on Pick of the pops, BBC Radio 2, 2.30pm-4.40pm, Dale Winton plays the hits from this week in 1971 including: T.Rex, Ray Stevens, Lynn Anderson, Paul McCartney, Mungo Jerry, Clodagh Rodgers, John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, Elvis Presley, Perry Como, C.C.S, Deep Purple, Olivia Newton-John and new release Cliff Richard with "Silvery rain". Apr 2: Cliff: "My synth sounds only work when they're played alongside a real bass, real guitar and real drum kit. A discerning mix of the two is terrific. Overdosing on the synthetic can produce clever music, but it's likely to be clinical and heartless". Apr 2: Cliff's Live at the Castle is being telecast at 9.45pm today and at 9.45am and 2pm Thursday 3-4-08 on Ovation Channel (Eastern Australian Daylight Savings Time). Apr 2: A History documentary 1968: Day by Day is on 16.56-7.00 (4 minutes long) on Sunday, April 6th on BBC Radio Four Longwave on BBC Radio Four. John Tusa looks back at the events making the news 40 years ago. Cliff Richard aims for the top spot in the Eurovision Song Contest, Sammy Davis Jnr pleads for the rioting to stop in America and the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth is sold. Apr 2: Cliff Roses. The famous Cliff Rose is available from suppliers C. Gregory Roses Ltd, Rose Tweed Nursery, 101 Broadgate, Weston, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 6HY. Tel. 01406 371633. You can email enquiries@cgregoryroses.uk.com. This rose has been a favourite with gardeners and fans alike for the past 15 years and its available for you to buy from the above C.Gregory nursery for the great price of £10. For all orders (Including international orders), please contact C. Gregory directly. Apr 1: "Great that Magic Records release CDs like ”ALL MY LOVE” with bonus tracks never before released on CD, but … WHY are those bonus tracks in MONO, when they are recorded (and released years ago) in STEREO?????" - Mogens Troelsen (Denmark). Apr 1: "Just received the Magic France All My Love CD from Leo's Den. Excellent value with first-class sound throughout. The bonus tracks are the real gems. There's about ten that I didn't previously have on CD --- things like Dream (the Johnny Mercer song, not the Everlys one), Lies and Kisses, Sweet and Gentle and Where Is Your Heart. I can thoroughly recommend this" - Pat Murphy (Canada). Apr 1: Cliff: "After all these years, 'flavours of the month' in the music industry don't influence me one bit. Conversely, if the so-called trendy experts think it's old hat to play Lionel Ritchie, for instance, then to heck with them - I love him". Apr 1: "The case for an all new Cliff studio album is that it is long overdue, the fans want it and it is a rather special year for Cliff this year - 50 years!! EMI should be proud of Cliff, splash out a bit and sit back and watch the rewards. I think we have exhausted Cliff Christmas/Duets/Love ideas. The only compilation left worthy is Cliff's finest rock songs, but they don't seem to want to do it. So Cliff NEW, NEW, NEW!" - Malcolm Hardy. Apr 1: "I have just noticed that your site has notched up over 20 million hits in total. Brilliant and Well Done for such an interesting and up to date Cliff website" - Carl Griggs. Apr 1: Mike Batt talking about his hit album A Songwriters Tale: "The album wasn't meant to be nostalgic, it's someone in their fifties saying, 'I wrote these songs and I am going to interpret them as I am now'. They are songs written by a person in their twenties and thirties and, as an artistic exercise, it was a fascinating thing to do. Just because you become an old git doesn't mean you're not an artist. I've known the song I Feel Like Buddy Holly all my life and performing it is on familiar turf, but I think the interesting thing is that the album was a chance to do a definitive performance of them as an artist". Apr 1: The new Steve Turner hardback book Bachelor Boy that contains 224 pages and is published by Carlton Books on Thursday, May 5th is available to order now from www.amazon.co.uk ISBN-10: 184442037X. ISBN-13: 978-1844420377. RRP: £19.99. Amazon price: £13.19. Apr 1: Cliff chart site. For those who like statistics here are the March hits figures over the years: 2003 - 148,897, 2004 - 202,240, 2005 - 294,163, 2006 - 259,212, 2007 - 423,684, 2008 - 475,640. Apr 1: "If you're coming to the Cardiff leg of Cliff's Time Machine tour on Monday, November 17th you can join the Cliff Richard Fan Club of Wales for an afternoon at the Park Inn Hotel (formally Jury's, across the road from the Cardiff International Arena). The afternoon starts at 12.30 and will finish at 5.30pm and will include: Disco, Live entertainment, Raffles, Auctions, Competitions all based around the legend himself. If you would like to join us in our warm up to the concert or have any questions please feel free to email us at: cliffcwales@hotmail.com." - Pauline Page. Apr 1: In March this website had 475,640 successful hits. This is the highest monthly figure for March since the website started in 2002. It is the 6th highest monthly figure since the website started. A sincere THANK YOU for your continued support. Mar 31: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Fleetwood Mac album is "Rumours". Mar 31: As previously reported on this website the British Music Experience is at London's Greenwich 02 Arena from February 2009. The 3.25 square exhibition includes filmed interviews with Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde and ex-The Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman as well as instruments, memorabilia and the UK Music Hall Of Fame. Mar 31: Cliff: "In my opinion it isn't enough just to make good sounds. Studio technique is so far advanced that any band's first-off record can sound wonderful if they know what they're doing. But the crunch for me is the song, and so often I buy an album on the strength of a really appealing single, only to find that six or seven tracks are little more than instantly forgettable fillers. Good sounds maybe, but certainly not great songs. And, for my money, if there are only three decent songs on an album, I'd rather buy three separate choice singles, than to have to plough through half an hour of rubbish". Mar 31: From The Yorkshire Post; A crisps manufacturer has withdawn a TV advert which shows the top of a bus being sliced off, following dozens of complaints from viewers. Walkers said it had cut the offending scene from the ad and a a new version will be aired today. Among those who complained was the survivor of a Glasgow bus crash in which two adults and three children died. The advert shows former footballer Gary Lineker driving a bus while eating crisps. He is so busy munching away he fails to notice a low bridge sign and hits it. The top of the bus is sliced off with a loud crash. Mar 31: Cliff's What car was played this morning by Steve Kitchen on BBC Radio Gloucestershire with a story about parking charges rules, which change today. Mar 30: The 2-CD set Dreamboats and Petticoats with songs from the 50s and 60s, which includes Cliff's "Move it", goes from 9 to No.7 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 21st week in the chart. (Peak: No.2). Mar 30: The 3-CD set Jackie - The album with songs from the 60s and 70s, which includes Cliff's "Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha", goes from 14 to No.13 in the Top 20 album compilation chart in it's 19th week in the chart. (Peak: No.3). Mar 30: Mike Batt's brand new album A songwriter's tale enters at No.24 in the official UK album chart today. Mar 30: In it's sixth week on the UK album chart The Very Best of Joe Brown goes from 25 to No.40 (Peak No.14). Mar 30: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite ZZ Top album is "Eliminator". Mar 30: Cliff: "Rock'n'roll will always forge ahead and find new forms and outlets, and today it's as alive and vibrant as ever it was". Mar 30: The Great Walk To Beijing- A Celebration In Song. Olivia Newton-John & Friends album. Full track listing: "Right Here With You" - Olivia Newton-John and Delta Goodrem, "Find a Little Faith" - Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard, "Courageous" - Olivia Newton-John and Melinda Schneider, "The Heart Knows" - Olivia Newton-John and Barry Gibb, "Everything Love Is" - Olivia Newton-John and Jimmy Barnes, "Isn’t It Amazing" - Olivia Newton-John and Sun Ho, "Never Far Away" - Olivia Newton-John and Richard Marx, “Sunburned Country” - Olivia Newton-John and Keith Urban, “Reckless” - Olivia Newton-John and John Farrar, “The Water Is Wide” -Olivia Newton-John, Amy Sky and Ryandan, “Angel in the Wings” - Olivia Newton and Jann Arden and “Beautiful Thing” - Belinda Emmett. Produced by Amy Sky. Details of how to get your copy will be coming soon. Mar 29: Recently confirmed as the Top Music-selling website (March 26th posting) Play.com has announced it's entering the download market. PlayDigital will be a little different, as all the MP3s it offers will have no copyright protection, so will be interchangeable between whatever device - iPod, MP3 player, CD burner and so on - that you choose to put on to. The other good news is the price point. Play's downloads will be 65p a track; quite a saving on iTunes' standard price of 79p. Mar 29: Did you know?... that Cliff's favourite Lena Horne recording is "How you say it". Mar 29: Bruce Welch attended The Rapiers 25th Anniversary concert at Amersham. You can read all out the show and view the "Summer holiday" TV advert by visiting: www.rapiers.typepad.com Mar 29: In the Weekend magazine today there is an article about Brinsworth House in Twickenham, the 'so-called 'Old Pro's Paradise' for retired entertainers. It mentions that Richard O'Sullivan, star of 1970s sitcoms Man About The House and Robin's Nest, moved in after suffering a stroke and, at the age of 63, is the youngest occupant by some years. Richard was, of course, also in the Cliff 60s films The young ones and Wonderful life. Get well Richard. Mar 29: Cliff: "Today the whole trend, both in singing and in image, is towards the ordinary - to look the same, sound the same, and often behave the same as the guy in the street - and for me that robs the industry of a lot of its excitement and mystique. Sure, in ordinary life I'm no different to anyone else, and certainly no better, but on stage it's a different world, and I'll pull every trick in the book to look different, sound different and be different, in order to express that piece of fantasy which I believe is exactly what the audience wants and pays for. They ask to be wafted away into another realm, and how can that even begin to happen if on stage I'm the spitting image of the bloke next door?" Mar 29: The Jet Harris and Tony Meehan Diamonds and Other Gems compilation containing all their big hits is in the shops now. Contains new sleeve notes in a great 12 page booklet. Available from the excellent Leo's Den £7.99, post free UK. (Links pag