British music stars born in 1917
Here are 7 famous musicians from United Kingdom were born in 1917:
Jessica Mitford
Jessica Mitford (September 11, 1917 Gloucestershire-July 22, 1996 Oakland) also known as Jessica Lucy Freeman-Mitford was a British journalist, author and social activist. She had two children, Constancia Romilly and Julia Romilly.
Mitford was known for her involvement in political activism and her writings on social issues, including civil rights, labor rights, and consumer protection. She was one of the famous Mitford sisters, a group of well-known siblings who gained notoriety for their diverse political views and often controversial public personas. Mitford's most famous work is the book "The American Way of Death", which was a scathing critique of the American funeral industry. Mitford's other books include "Hons and Rebels", a memoir of her upbringing in a British aristocratic family, and "The Trial of Dr. Spock", an account of the famous court case involving the pediatrician and Vietnam War protestor Benjamin Spock. Mitford was also involved in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. on several occasions. She died in Oakland, California, in 1996 at the age of 78.
In addition to her work as a journalist and author, Jessica Mitford was also an active member of the Communist Party of the United States of America for many years. She became disillusioned with communism in the 1950s and later identified as a socialist. Mitford was married twice in her life, first to her cousin Esmond Romilly who was killed in action during World War II, and later to the civil rights lawyer Robert Treuhaft. Mitford was a supporter of feminism and reproductive rights, and was a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was also an animal rights activist and a supporter of anti-vivisection campaigns. Mitford was a fascinating and complex figure whose life and work continue to inspire political activists and writers today.
Mitford was born into a wealthy family and was educated at home by governesses. Her father was a baron and her sisters included Nancy Mitford, a well-known novelist, and Unity Mitford, who was famously infatuated with Adolf Hitler. Jessica Mitford's politics were shaped by her experiences and upbringing, and she became a passionate advocate for social justice and progressive causes. She moved to the United States in 1939, where she began her career as a writer and journalist. Her first book, "Hons and Rebels", was published in 1960 and became a bestseller in the UK. Mitford was also involved in the anti-war movement, and was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. She was arrested several times for her activism, including once for protesting outside a funeral home. Despite her controversial views and outspoken personality, Mitford was widely respected for her intelligence, wit, and courage. Her legacy as a writer and political activist continues to inspire new generations of activists and intellectuals.
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Josef Locke
Josef Locke (March 23, 1917 Derry-October 15, 1999 Clane) also known as Locke, Josef was a British singer.
His albums include Hear My Song, Violetta, Hear My Song, The Very Best of Josef Locke and The World of Josef Locke Today. Genres related to him: Folk music, Celtic music and Easy listening.
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Reginald Smith Brindle
Reginald Smith Brindle (January 5, 1917 Cuerden-September 9, 2003) also known as Reginald Smith-Brindle, Smith Brindle, Reginald or Reginald Brindle was a British writer and composer.
His albums: 20th Century Guitar.
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Peter Knight
Peter Knight (June 23, 1917 United Kingdom-July 30, 1985) also known as Knight, Peter was a British , .
Peter Knight was a British folk musician and arranger. He is widely considered as one of the most influential figures in the British folk revival of the 1960s. Knight was a founding member and the fiddle player of the legendary folk rock group Steeleye Span. He was also a member of other notable bands such as The Watersons and The Ian Campbell Folk Group. Apart from his performances, Knight was also a renowned arranger who worked on many famous albums such as "Liege & Lief" by Fairport Convention and "Hark! The Village Wait" by Steeleye Span. His contributions to traditional British music have helped popularize the genre and made it more accessible to modern audiences.
Knight was born in June 23, 1917 in the United Kingdom, and began his career as a dance musician before joining the British Army during World War II. After the war, he resumed his musical pursuits and became deeply involved in the folk music scene. Throughout his career, he collaborated with many of the era's most prominent folk musicians and bands, and his innovative approach to arrangements and instrumentation helped to shape the sound of British folk music for decades to come.
In addition to his work as a musician and arranger, Knight was also a respected music educator, and taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. His legacy as a musician and educator continues to influence and inspire generations of folk musicians and fans to this day.
Knight's contribution to the British folk music scene was immeasurable. He was instrumental in promoting the traditional music of the British Isles to a wider audience, and many of his innovative arrangements of classic folk songs have become classics in their own right. His most notable works include his fiddle playing on Steeleye Span's hit songs "All Around My Hat" and "Gaudete," both of which remain popular to this day.
Knight was also a prolific composer, and his original works have been covered by numerous artists in the years since his passing. His influence can be heard in the music of numerous contemporary folk musicians, as well as in other genres that have been inspired by traditional British folk music.
In addition to his work in music, Knight was a noted champion of the natural world, and was known for his love of birds and nature. He was an active conservationist, and his passion for the natural world remains an inspiration to many today.
Peter Knight's contributions to British music and culture have ensured his place in the annals of history, and his legacy as one of the greatest folk musicians of all time remains as strong as ever.
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Wilfred Burns
Wilfred Burns (June 28, 1917 Kington-September 25, 1990 Guildford) also known as Bernard Wilfred Harris, Bernie Harris or Burns, Wilfred was a British film score composer, conductor and orchestrator.
He was trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London and started his career as a pianist in hotels and restaurants. Burns then progressed to writing and arranging music for film and television, eventually becoming one of the most respected composers in the industry. He scored over 150 films, including classics such as "The Dam Busters" and "Ice Cold in Alex". Burns also composed the theme tune for iconic TV series such as "The Onedin Line" and "The Forsyte Saga". As an orchestrator, Burns worked on many Hollywood productions and collaborated with renowned composers such as John Barry and Quincy Jones. Burns was married to actress Anne Heywood and the couple had two daughters together.
In addition to his work as a film score composer, conductor, and orchestrator, Wilfred Burns was also a talented pianist and clarinet player. He frequently performed on BBC radio programs such as "Music While You Work" and "Workers' Playtime" during the 1940s and 1950s. Burns was also a prolific composer of library music, creating hundreds of tracks for production music libraries that were used in film, television, and radio productions. His music has been widely used in documentaries, including "The Blue Planet" and "Planet Earth." Burns was highly respected in the film industry and was a member of the British section of the International Film Music Critics Association. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 73.
Throughout his long and successful career, Wilfred Burns was the recipient of many awards and honors. He won a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music in 1962 for his work on "The Best of Enemies" and was also nominated for the award several times, including for "The Dam Busters" and "Ice Cold in Alex". Burns also received the Ivor Novello Award for Best Film Score in 1961 for "The Siege of Sidney Street". In addition to his work in film and television, Burns was also a prolific composer of concert music. His works include chamber music, orchestral pieces and choral music, and several of his compositions were premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Burns was known for his mastery of melody and was admired for his ability to write music that perfectly captured the mood and atmosphere of a scene. He was a true legend in the world of film music and his contribution to the industry has been celebrated and cherished for decades.
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Frankie Howerd
Frankie Howerd (March 6, 1917 York-April 19, 1992 Fulham) a.k.a. Francis Alick Howard, Ronnie Ordex, Frankie Howerd O.B.E., Francis Alick "Frankie" Howerd OBE or Frankie Howard was a British actor, screenwriter and comedian.
His most important albums: (On A Columbia 7 Inch Release).
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Captain Bob Farnon
Captain Bob Farnon (July 24, 1917 Toronto-April 23, 2005 Guernsey) also known as Robert Joseph Farnon, Bob Farnon or Robert Farnon was a British conductor, composer, film score composer, music arranger and trumpeter. He had one child, David Farnon.
Related albums: Canadian Impressions, The Lost Recordings, Colditz March / State Occasion / The Westminster Watz / A Star Is Born and Overlord / The Disappearance / Hustle. His related genres: Film score.
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