Denny Dennis

Publicity flyer for Denny Dennis c 1950

Denny Dennis (1 November 1913, Derby – 2 November 1993, Barrow-in-Furness) was a British romantic vocalist during the thirties, forties and fifties, when British dance bands were at the peak of their popularity. He was a band singer, a solo recording star and a broadcaster.[1]

Career

Born Dennis Pountain, he had a job on the railways as a teenager. He was spotted by Percy Mathison Brooks, the editor of the Melody Maker, at a regional dance band contest in 1932.

He became a featured singer in the Roy Fox band, then with the Freddy Bretherton Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey's band, Ambrose's orchestra and the Sid Phillips band. He also had a career as a solo artist on Decca's Rex label.[2]

In 1950, he sponsored a close harmony singing group The Fraser Hayes Four, who had success on radio in the 1960s. As the dance band scene declined, he found work making covers of popular songs for the budget Embassy label.[3]

Personal life

He married Betty Faye in 1938. They had one son but the marriage later dissolved.

He married again to Joan Armitage in 1969 and this marriage was dissolved in 1981.

References

  1. ↑ Obituary in the Independent 4 November 1993. Accessed Feb 2016
  2. ↑ Lindup, Pete (2011). "DENNY DENNIS - A Thousand Love Songs [part one]". PALINDUP. Retrieved Feb 2016. Documentary on the life and voice of Denny Dennis in the part. Includes a rare interview with Dennis. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  3. ↑ DennyDennis Love Me Forever Embassy 1958 Denny Dennis Love Me Forever Embassy 1958, Accessed Feb 2016


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