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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZFAITH, Adam(b Terence Nelhams, 23 June 1940, London) UK pop singer. Working in film laboratory, discovered singing with skiffle group the Workingmen in Soho coffee bars by Jack Good. 'What Do You Want' was UK no. 1 late '59, 'Poor Me' followed. Even by '50s UK pop standards Faith had a weak voice, but lavish John Barry arrangements and hiccough- style singing (which recalled Buddy Holly) made him a teen idol second only to Cliff Richard in popularity. String of hits early '60s incl. 'Someone Else's Baby', 'How About That', 'Lonely Pup In A Christmas Shop', 'The Time Has Come'. An interview on BBC-TV's Face To Face revealed a serious side; he appeared in films Beat Girl and Mix Me A Person '60-1; spotted star potential of Sandie Shaw; his own singing career declined with the advent of the Beatles etc and two members of his backing group Roulettes went on to become Argent. One of the few UK pop stars to successfully switch to acting: resurfaced as engaging small-time villain in TV's Budgie early '70s, later series Love Hurts; outstanding performance in David Essex film Stardust '74; appeared in TV series Minder, West End play Down An Alley Full Of Cats '85, etc. Produced Roger Daltrey solo LP '73; managed Leo Sayer; masterminded comeback of Lonnie Donegan mid-'70s. Known to friends as Tel, he used to be found in his 'office' (a table at Fortnum & Mason's restaurant in London) recalling the past and planning the future, until it was redecorated: he called it vandalism. He had a management consultancy and columns in national newspapers, but property investments crashed thanks to fraudster Roger Levitt; it took 15 years but he paid off the debts rather than file bankruptcy. He toured UK playing Zach in a revival of A Chorus Line '97. |