Kathy Kirby
Kathy Kirby (born Kathleen O'Rourke; 20 October 1938 – 19 May 2011) was an English singer, reportedly the highest-paid female singer of her generation. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's "Secret Love" and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in second place. Her physical appearance often drew comparisons with Marilyn Monroe. She peaked in popularity in the 1960s, when she was one of the best-known and most recognised personalities in British show business.
Early life
Kirby was born in Ilford, Essex. She was the eldest of three children of Irish parents. Her mother Eileen brought them up alone after their father left early in their childhood. Kirby grew up in Tomswood Hill, Barkingside, near Ilford and attended the Ursuline Convent School in Ilford, where she sang in the choir.
Career
Kirby's vocal talent became apparent early in life, and she took singing lessons with a view to becoming an opera singer. She became a professional singer after meeting bandleader Bert Ambrose at the Ilford Palais in 1956. She remained with Ambrose's band for three years and he remained her manager, mentor and lover until his death on stage in Leeds in 1971.
Podcasts:
Kathy Kirby
ALBUMS
- The Very Best Of released:
The Very Best Of
- Secret Love
- Sometimes I'm Happy
- Dance On
- The Way of Love
- Let Me Go, Lover
- I Wish You Love
- You're the One
- Havah Nagilah
- I Want to Be Happy
- I Belong
- That Wonderful Feeling of Love
- Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe
- Love Me Baby
- Body and Soul
- (All of a Suden) My Heart Sings
- Ol' Man Mose
- The Sweetest Sounds
- Make Someone Happy
- Slowly
- Where in the World
Born: 1938-10-20
Died: 2011-05-19
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by Kathy Kirby
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by Kathy Kirby
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by Kathy Kirby
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by Kathy Kirby
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by Kathy Kirby
Secret Love
by: Kathy KirbyNow I shout it from the highest hill
Even told the golden daffodils
That once I had a secret love
That lived within the heart of me
All too soon my secret love
Became impatient to be free
So I told a friendly star
The way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
And why I'm so in love with you
Now I shout it from the highest hill
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart's an open door
And my secret love's no secret anymore
Now now now now I shout it from the highest hill
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart's an open door