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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 ZNEWLEY, Anthony(b 24 Sep. '31, Hackney, London) Actor, singer, songwriter. Played the Artful Dodger in David Lean film of Oliver Twist '48, made other films; London debut in revue Cranks '55; wrote lyrics for four songs in UK film called Idle On Parade (EP was a UK hit '59; music by Joe Henderson), had seven hits in UK top ten '59--61 incl. Peter de Angelis song 'Why?', Lionel Bart's 'Do You Mind' (both no. 1); crossovers to Hot 100 in USA incl. novelty 'Pop Goes The Weasel' '61. Meanwhile, he met Leslie Bricusse (b 29 Jan. '31, London), who had written 'My Kind Of Girl' for a Eurovision song contest, a hit for Matt Munro '61 and adopted by Frank Sinatra. They collaborated, with Newley also directing and starring, in show Stop The World, I Want To Get Off! '61, songs incl. 'Gonna Build A Mountain', 'Once In A Lifetime', and 'What Kind Of Fool Am I?', an international hit which won a Grammy '62. In '64 they wrote (with James Barry) the James Bond theme 'Goldfinger' (sung in the soundtrack by Shirley Bassey), and another show The Roar Of The Greasepaint, The Smell Of The Crowd incl. 'Who Can I Turn To?' Newley concentrated on acting, directing and producing until '74, when they got together again for the film Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory '70 incl. 'The Candy Man', a no. 1 hit '72 for Sammy Davis Jr. They also wrote scores for The Good Old Bad Old Days '71 and for a TV version of Peter Pan. Newley toured in cabaret, appeared on TV, made album The Singer And His Songs '78 on UA. |