|
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 ZSHAPIRO, Helen(b 28 Sep. '46, Bethnal Green, London) Singer, actress. Called 'foghorn' at school because of masculine voice, she took singing lessons from a big-band drummer, made debut single for EMI at 14 which went straight into the top ten: 'Please Don't Treat Me Like A Child', then no. ones 'You Don't Know', 'Walkin' Back To Happiness', other top tens, all '61--3. A bouffant-haired teen queen, she starred in Richard Lester's first film It's Trad, Dad and Michael Winner's Play It Cool, but it soon ended: 'Fever' '64 was her last top 40. She label-hopped, worked clubs; about to retire '78 she was asked to appear in show The French Have A Song For It, then a production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, then critical acclaim as Nancy in Lionel Bart's Oliver! She has since mixed club dates, concerts and stage work. Album of evergreens Straighten Up And Fly Right '83 on Oval, same year EMI reissued earlier albums. She moved to jazz, gigging with Humphrey Lyttelton and George Melly; Echoes Of The Duke '85 and The Quality Of Mercer '87 were prod. for Lyttelton's Calligraph label. |