Billy Fury

In the early days of British rock & roll, there were dozens of contenders for stardom: Tommy Steele, Cliff Richard, and Marty Wilde were among the players who rose to the challenge for at least a few years. Billy Fury, by contrast, was the real article from day one, and never really surrendered the title. He was also the most prodigiously talented of his generation of British rock & roll singers, a songwriter of considerable ability, and a decent actor as well. He was born Ronald Wycherley in Liverpool in 1940.

The Sound of Fury was the first album released by Billy Fury in 1960.

The Sound of Fury was the first album released by Billy Fury in 1960.

The BGO CD reissue of two 1963 albums, the live We Want Billy! and the studio Billy, presents a pair of unenduring sets. Fury may have been one of the best of the pre-Beatle rockers, but that doesn't make him great. About half of the "concert" date consists of rock & roll oldies like "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Unchain My Heart," sung in a competent sub-Elvis mold (though the Tornados aren't about to make anyone forget Scotty Moore or James Burton). There's also a lengthy medley of many of his early-'60s pop hits, which are better heard in their studio versions.

‘The Symphonic Sound of Fury’ showcases Billy Fury’s unparalleled original vocals from the legendary album ‘The Sound of Fury’ backed by newly recorded arrangements from the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Morgan. This title captures Billy’s timeless singing and marries it with a deeply compelling backdrop sure to breathe new life into these legendary recordings.

"The Symphonic Sound of Fury" showcases Billy Fury’s unparalleled original vocals from the legendary album ‘The Sound of Fury’ backed by newly recorded arrangements from the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Morgan. This title captures Billy’s timeless singing and marries it with a deeply compelling backdrop sure to breathe new life into these legendary recordings.

The Latest Release From The Legendary Tea Chest Tapes. 119 Previously Unreleased Recordings! Albums, Singles, Session Out-Takes, Demos And Countless 'Lost' Recordings. Sleevenotes From The Joe Meek Society's Craig Newton. Restored And Mastered By Alan Wilson At Western Star. Throw Away Your Bootlegs And Vinyl-Sourced Compilations - This Is The Tornados As You've Never Heard Them Before! Between 1962 and 1966, The Tornados (in many guises) were mainstays of Joe Meek's production line studio at 304 Holloway Road.

British rock was born before the cultural upheaval brought by The Beatles. Inspired at first by the United States, as well as Jamaican and Trinidadian colonies, English rock blossomed out of blues musicians like Alexis Korner, boogie, such as Winifred Atwell’s, and the great skiffle craze led by Scotsman Lonnie Donegan. Then came the rise of young artists inspired by the Elvis Presley phenomenon in the US: Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde, Johnny Kidd, Vince Taylor - and also great English stars such as Billy Fury & Cliff Richard and The Shadows. Bruno Blum unveils some remarkable records here and comments on the best of this overlooked period, as The Beatles were assimilating this music and already building their up-and-coming revolution.