Jackie Dennis

Jackie Dennis
Also known asThe Kilted Choirboy
Britain's Ricky Nelson[1][2]
Born(1942-10-08)8 October 1942
Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died28 September 2020(2020-09-28) (aged 77)
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
InstrumentVocals
Years active1958–1966
LabelsDecca

Jackie Dennis (8 October 1942 – 28 September 2020) was a Scottish singer. He was discovered by the comedians Mike and Bernie Winters in 1958. The brothers brought him to the attention of the show business agent Eve Taylor, and he appeared on the television programme, Six-Five Special, at the age of 15,[3] and in a subsequent film spin-off.

Chart success

The kilt-wearing, spiky-haired pop singer enjoyed seven successful years in the show business and toured the world. "La Dee Dah" was his biggest UK hit, reaching number 4 in the UK Singles Chart in 1958, whilst his cover of Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" was his second and final UK hit, peaking at number 29.[4]

Dennis appeared on Perry Como's US television show,[5] where he was introduced as 'Britain's Ricky Nelson' performing the song "Linton Addie" [6] and was best man at entertainer Tommy Steele's wedding.

Jackie joined the civil service, where he worked as a messenger for over a decade with the Manpower Services Commission in Edinburgh. Latterly, Jackie worked as a nursing home carer, before retiring and living in Pilton, Edinburgh, with wife Irene, to whom he was married for over 30 years.[2] He died in September 2020 at the age of 77.[7]

Discography

Singles

  • "La Dee Dah" / "You're the Greatest" (1958) (Decca F 10992)
  • "Miss Valerie" / "My Dream" (1958) (Decca F 11011)
  • "The Purple People Eater" / "You-oo" (1958) (Decca F 11033)
  • "More Than Ever" / "Linton Addie" (1958) (Decca F 11060)
  • "Lucky Ladybug" / "Gingerbread" (1958) (Decca F 11090)
  • "The Wee Cooper O' Fife" / "Come Along" (1959) (Decca F 11120)
  • "Summer Snow" / "Night Bird" (1959) (Top Rank JAR 129)

References

  1. ^ "The Boy Choir & Soloist Directory". Boysoloist.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  2. ^ a b "I was even bigger than Elvis in the charts.. for a week!". Edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  3. ^ "#6 - "SIX-FIVE Special" (1958)". YouTube. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 150. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ "The Perry Como Show Season 11, Episode 4 October 4, 1958". Tv.com. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
  6. ^ "Singing plumber leads quiet life". BBC News. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  7. ^ "'Scotland's first pop star', Leith-born Jackie Dennis dies aged 77". Edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 23 August 2021.