For other people with the same name, see
Dave Berry.
Dave Berry (born David Holgate Grundy, 6 February 1941, Woodhouse, Sheffield[1]) was a British pop singer and teen idol of the 1960s. He had an unusual ambition for a pop performer trying to make a name for himself - to appear on TV completely hidden by a prop.[2] In his own words, to "not appear, to stay behind something and not come out". He often hid behind the upturned collar of his leather jacket, or wrapped himself around, and effectively behind, the microphone lead.[2]
Career
He performed a mixture of hard R&B and pop ballads. He was popular in Britain, and on Continental Europe. His early hits name checked his backing band, The Cruisers who at that time were made up of John Fleet (bass and piano), Roy Barber (rhythm guitar), Frank Miles (lead guitar) and Kenny Slade (drums). Berry parted company with this line-up around the time of "The Crying Game". He recruited four more local musicians - Frank White, Johnny Riley, Pete Cliff and old friend Alan Taylor to be the second generation of Cruisers,[2] with lead guitarist White eventually replaced by Roy Ledger until around 1965, when personnel changes began to be more frequent.
"The Crying Game" (1964), B. J. Thomas' sentimental "Mama" (1966)[2] and "This Strange Effect" (1965) - the latter written by Ray Davies, are among his best remembered hits. Indeed, "This Strange Effect" became a Number One hit for him in Holland and Belgium, countries where he still enjoys superstar status, resulting in a Special Award from Radio Veronica, Holland, for their best selling pop single of all time. His 1965 hit "Little Things" was a cover version of Bobby Goldsboro's Stateside Top 40 success.[3] Another one of his songs, "Don't Gimme No Lip Child", was covered by the Sex Pistols.[3] His stage act, drawing largely on Elvis Presley, and Gene Vincent, provided an inspiration for Alvin Stardust. Such was his enigmatic, and unconventional presence, that several punk rock acts, such as the Sex Pistols, later acknowledged him as an inspiration.
Berry used sessions guitarists Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Big Jim Sullivan extensively.[3]
The Geoff Stephens penned song, "The Crying Game", brought Berry's voice to his biggest international audience ever in 1992, when it was used as the theme song for one of that year's most successful films - Neil Jordan's The Crying Game.[3] Berry also regained some much-overlooked recognition, when he was the surprise hit of the annual Alexis Korner Tribute in 1995.
In 1998, "This Strange Effect" was covered by the Belgian band, Hooverphonic, on their album, Blue Wonder Power Milk.
In May 2009, Berry was touring the UK, and appearing in a cameo role in a theatrical production, The Mod Crop.
In August 2009, RPM Records issued a 2-CD anthology of Berry's earliest recordings for Decca, entitled This Strange Effect (The Decca Sessions 1963-1966) [4]. The package added two previously unissued tracks made in 1963 (before Berry signed with Decca) with producer Mickie Most: "Easy To Cry" and "Tongue Twisting".
Discography
Singles
- "Memphis, Tennessee" / "Tossin' And Turnin'" - October 1963 UK #19
- "My Baby Left Me" / "Hoochie Coochie Man" - January 1964 UK #37
- "Baby It's You" / "Sweet And Lovely" - April 1964 UK #24
- "The Crying Game" / "Don't Gimme No Lip Child" - July 1964 UK #5
- "One Heart Between Two" / "You're Gonna Need Somebody" - November 1964 UK #41
- "Little Things" - March 1965 UK #5
- "This Strange Effect" - July 1965 UK #37
- "I'm Gonna Take You There" - November 1965
- "If You Wait For Love" - February 1966
- "Mama" - July 1966 UK #5
- "Picture Me Gone" - November 1966
- "Stranger" - March 1967
- "Forever" / "And I Have Learned To Dream" - August 1967
- "Just As Much As Ever" - February 1968
- "Do I Figure In Your Life" (Dello) - 1968
- "Oh What A Life" - 1968
[5] [6]
EPs
- 1964 "Me-O-My-O" / "St. James Infirmary" / "If You Need Me" / "Ella Speed"
- 1965 "Can I Get It From You"
[2]
Original Albums
1964 Dave Berry (Decca)
"The Crying Game" / "Not Fade Away" / "I Don't Want To Go On" / "Ella Speed" / "The Girl from the Fair Isle" / "Go On Home" / "Everybody Tries" / "God Bless The Child" / "Memphis, Tennessee" / "On The Other Side Of Town" / "Go Home Girl" / "My Last Date" / "St. James Infirmary" / "Just A Little Bit" / "See See Rider" / "Don't Make Fun Of Me"
1966 Special Sound of Dave Berry (Decca)
"Mama" / "I Ain’t Going With You Girl" / "It’s Gonna Be Fine" / "You Made A Fool Of Me" / "Sticks And Stones" / "Now And From Now On" / "Same Game" / "Alright Baby" / "I Love You Babe" / "Soft Lights And Sweet Music" / "Green Grass" / "Love Has Gone Out Of Your Life" / "Little Things"
1966 One Dozen Berries (Decca)
"Hey Little Girl" / "Round And Round" / "Casting My Spell" / "Girl From The Fair Isle" / "Fanny Man" / "If You Wait For Love" / "Sweet And Lovely" / "Tears To Remind Me" / "Baby It's You" / "Run My Heart" / "I Love You Babe" / "Heartbeat"
1968 Dave Berry '68 (Decca)
"Maybe Baby" / "Coffee Song" / "She Cried" / "And The Clock On The Steeple Struck 13" / "You Can Live On Love" / "My Baby Left Me" / "Baby’s Gone" / "Dying Daffodil Incident" / "Suspicions" / "Since You’ve Gone" / "Stick To It Ivity" / "I Got The Feeling"
1988 Hostage to the Beat
"Searchlight" / "Love from Johnny" / "Heart of Stone" / "Love is a Killer" / "Bring my Cadillac Back" / "God Bless the Child" / "Mountains of the Moon" / "On the Waterfront" / "My Baby Left Me" / "For a Knight to Win His Spurs" / "Boppin' the Blues" / "Tracks of My Tears"
2003 Memphis....in the Meantime
"Mercury Blues" / "Same old Blues" / "Mean 'ol Frisco" / "Are You Going My Way" / "Memphis in the Meantime" / "Cajun Moon" / "Georgia Ray" / "Pony Boy" / "Taking the Midnight Train" / "Boppin' the Blues" / "My Baby Left Me" - Blues Matters! Records
Compilations
1976 Remembering... (Decca)
1983 The Crying Game (Decca)
1986 This Strange Effect (See for Miles)
2009 This Strange Effect (The Decca Sessions 1963-1966) (2-CD, RPM)
[7]
See also
References
External links
