Halfway To Paradise - The Billy Fury Story NEWS
On the 20th Anniversay Tour, Billy himself comes alive to sing with his own all original "Furys Tornados" once more.
HALFWAY TO PARADISE - THE BILLY FURY STORY
On their 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR & with stunning new live screen footage ,
Billy's own band, the all original FURYS TORNADOS, are able to
play live once more with BILLY FURY in an electric & emotional concert.
29 hits including "I Will","Last Night Was Made For Love", "Wondrous Place" ... & of course - "
"Halfway To Paradise".
With the sensational Colin Gold as Fury."A voice blessed by heaven" - Brian Matthew
Introduced onscreen by Lisa Voice [Billy's long time partner].
"Rock 'n' Roll Heaven - A great 60's night out!" -The Stage.
On their 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR & with stunning new live screen footage ,
Billy's own band, the all original FURYS TORNADOS, are able to
play live once more with BILLY FURY in an electric & emotional concert.
29 hits including "I Will","Last Night Was Made For Love", "Wondrous Place" ... & of course - "
"Halfway To Paradise".
The sensational Colin Gold as Fury.
"Rock 'n' Roll Heaven - A great 60's night out!" -The Stage.
Billy Fury died on 28th. January 1983 aged just 42 - the same age as Elvis.
He had suffered ill health throughout his life.
Born in the Dingle district of Liverpool, a shy young 19 year old Ronnie Wycherley
went to the Birkenhead Essoldo in the hope of interesting the shows star, Marty Wilde,
with some of his compositions. Thirty minutes later rock impresario Larry Parnes had pushed
him out onto the stage and re-christened him - BILLY FURY.
Billy was taken to London where he secured a record contract with Decca records,and in
February 1959 enters the UK top twenty with his own compositions "Maybe Tomorrow"/"Gonna Type
A Letter".It is the first of an unbelievable 29 hit records & he goes on to sell more records
for them than any other artist, including the Rolling Stones.(He scored more hit singles in
the 60s than the Beatles!).
This would all have been a fairy tale had it not been for an illness that was to follow
him throughout his life - and ultimately claim him. (rheumatic fever had left him with a
weak heart & much extensive heart surgery).
FURYS TORNADOS came into Billys life in 1970. It had been 4 years since his last major hit,
but Billy was still a big star, & found huge audiences in the new cabaret venues that were
emerging all over the UK. Glam rock may be taking over Britain, but Furys Tornados were
still having to deal with the fan hysteria after each show. Guitarist Chris Raynor says -
He was 6ft tall, handsome & a big star with a terrific voicebut he was also very shy &
quite a nervous performer.This had a devestating affect on the females.They all fancied him.
After each performance it was quite usual for the band to be keeping the dressing room door on
its' hinges!".
It was during this period in 1972 that Billy was to make his final film. A cameo appearance
as Stormy Tempest in the David Essex / Ringo Starr classic Thatll Be The Day.
Also starring in the film was a certain Keith Moon.One night after filming, Billy bought Ringo
& Keith up to a club that Billy & the boys were playing in Mayfair.Keith asked Billy if he
could play.Billy said -"You'll have to ask Charlie (Elston) - he'll be here soon - you can't
miss him - he wears a long black leather coat with a python skin collar".Charlie remembers
walking across the dance floor when a manic young man with mad eyes leapt in front of him & said -
"ARE YOU CHARLIE ELSTON - I'M KEITH MOON - CAN I PLAY THE DRUMS?". - He played 3 numbers.
Furys Tornados continued to back Billy until his retirement through ill health in 1976.
Billy & his partner, Lisa, went to live in a farm in Wales.
In 1982 a new recording contract with Polydor Records bought Billy out of retirement.
Tragically on 28th. January 1983 Billy lost his final battle with heart illness.
FURYS TORNADOS remain Billys longest ever serving band & continue to tour in the hit
show -"Halfway to Paradise - The Billy Fury Story with all original members.Now in its' 20th.
year & featuring the uncanny voice of Colin Gold as Fury, they remember their old friend & boss by
performing live those 29 magical hits, -"I Will","Last Night Was Made For Love","Wondrous
Place","Jealousy","Halfway To Paradise" & many, many more.
FURYS TORNADOS are........Chris Raynor (Lead guitar/vocals)
Charlie Elston (Keyboards/vocals)
John Raynor (drums/vocals)
Graham Wyvill (Bass/Double bass/vocals)
And as Billy Fury.........Colin Gold. (Vocals)
Bfsl
Popular
Recent
Comments
