Cilla Black facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cilla Black OBE
Black during a press conference in Amsterdam, 1970
Born	Priscilla Maria Veronica White (1943-05-27)27 May 1943 Vauxhall, Liverpool, England
Died	1 August 2015(2015-08-01) (aged 72) Estepona, Spain
Resting place	Allerton Cemetery, Allerton, Liverpool
Occupation	Singer television presenter actress
Years active	1963–2015
Spouse(s)	Bobby Willis ​ ​ (m. 1969; died 1999)​
Children	4
Musical career
Genres	Pop Merseybeat soul adult contemporary
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Parlophone EMI Towerbell Columbia Virgin
Associated acts	Rory Storm and the Hurricanes The Big Three Cliff Richard Barry Manilow The Beatles Gerry and the Pacemakers

Priscilla Maria Veronica White (born 27 May 1943 – died 1 August 2015), known to everyone as Cilla Black, was a famous English singer, television presenter, and actress.

She became famous in 1963 with help from her friends, the Beatles. Cilla had two songs that reached number one in the UK in 1964: "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "You're My World". She had many more hit songs throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.

Besides her singing career, Cilla also became a very popular TV host. She had her own show called Cilla from 1968 to 1976. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, she hosted popular game shows like Blind Date and Surprise Surprise. In 2013, Cilla Black celebrated 50 years of being in show business.

Cilla Black passed away on 1 August 2015, at the age of 72, after a fall and a stroke at her home in Spain. After her funeral, her album The Very Best of Cilla Black became number one in the UK, which was her first album to reach that spot. In 2017, a statue of Cilla was put up outside the Cavern Club in Liverpool, where she first started her career.

Early Life in Liverpool

Cilla Black was born in Liverpool, England, on 27 May 1943. Her birth name was Priscilla Maria Veronica White. She grew up in the Scotland Road area of Liverpool. Her family was Roman Catholic, and she went to St Anthony's School.

Cilla always wanted to be an entertainer. She got a part-time job at Cavern Club in Liverpool, a famous music venue where the Beatles often played. Her singing impressed the Beatles and others. A local music promoter, Sam Leach, encouraged her to sing and booked her first show. She was called "Swinging Cilla" and sang with bands like the Big Three.

She also worked as a waitress at a coffee lounge where she met her future husband, Bobby Willis. A local music newspaper accidentally called her "Cilla Black" instead of her real name, and she decided to keep it!

Music Career Highlights

Starting with Brian Epstein

Cilla Black signed her first music contract with Brian Epstein in 1963. Epstein was also the manager for the Beatles. John Lennon from The Beatles helped convince Epstein to listen to Cilla sing.

Her first audition was a bit shaky because she was nervous. But after seeing her perform again, Epstein signed her as his only female artist. He then introduced her to George Martin, a famous music producer who worked with The Beatles.

Cilla's first song, "Love of the Loved", was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It reached No. 35 in the UK.

Number One Hits

In 1964, Cilla released her second song, "Anyone Who Had a Heart". It quickly went to No. 1 in the UK and stayed there for three weeks! This song sold 800,000 copies in the UK.

Her next big hit was "You're My World", which also reached No. 1 in the UK. This song was also popular in other countries like America, Australia, and Canada. Both "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "You're My World" sold over one million copies worldwide.

Cilla's success continued with "It's for You", another song written by Lennon and McCartney, which reached No. 7 in the UK. She was one of the top British female singers of her time, alongside artists like Dusty Springfield and Lulu.

She also had a hit with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" in 1965, which reached No. 2 in the UK. Cilla continued to record songs by Lennon and McCartney, and her versions of "Yesterday" and "Across the Universe" were very popular on the radio.

Cilla's career in the United States was smaller. She appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and had a show in New York City. "You're My World" was her only song to reach the Top 30 in America. She found it hard to be away from home and decided to focus on her career in the UK.

In 1966, Cilla recorded "Alfie", the main song for the movie of the same name. She was the only artist to have a hit with this song in the UK. The famous composer Burt Bacharach himself helped record her version.

After Brian Epstein

After Brian Epstein passed away in 1967, Cilla's boyfriend and songwriter, Bobby Willis, took over managing her career.

Her song "Step Inside Love" (1968) was written by Paul McCartney especially for her new TV show. It became a big hit, reaching No. 8 in the UK. Other successful songs followed, including "Surround Yourself with Sorrow" (1969) and "Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen Tonight)" (1971).

Cilla remained friends with The Beatles. She even went on holiday with George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The song "Photograph" was originally thought of for Cilla, but Ringo decided to record it himself.

Later Music Career

In 1993, Cilla released an album called Through the Years, which included duets with other famous singers like Cliff Richard and Barry Manilow. In 2003, she released another album, Beginnings... Greatest Hits and New Songs.

In 2006, her 1971 song "Something Tells Me" was used in a British TV advert for chocolates. Cilla also returned to live singing in pantomime shows like Cinderella in 2008 and 2010, where she played the Fairy Godmother and sang her hit songs.

In 2009, many of Cilla's albums were released for digital download. In 2013, a new CD called The Very Best of Cilla Black was released, featuring all her top songs.

Cilla Black was the best-selling British female singer in the UK during the 1960s. In 2020, a song she recorded but never released, called "You're Sensational", was finally shared with the public.

Television Career

Cilla Black at a press conference in 1970

The Cilla TV Series

Cilla Black was given her own TV show by the BBC, simply called Cilla. It ran from January 1968 to April 1976. The show was a popular variety series, featuring music, comedy, and special guests.

Comedy Acting

In 1975, Cilla starred in a comedy TV series called Cilla's Comedy Six. She was so good that the Writers' Guild of Great Britain named her Britain's Top Female Comedy Star that year. She starred in another comedy series in 1976.

Hosting Popular Shows

In the 1980s, Cilla Black became a huge star in television presenting. She signed a contract with London Weekend Television and hosted two of the most popular entertainment shows:

• Blind Date (1985–2003): A dating game show where contestants chose a date from three hidden people.
• Surprise Surprise (1984–2001): A show that surprised people with special wishes, reunions, or gifts.

She also hosted the game show The Moment of Truth (1998–2001). These shows were very successful and made her one of the highest-paid female performers on British television. Her unique way of speaking and her friendly style made her very well-known.

Later TV Work

After leaving her main shows, Cilla continued to appear on TV. She was a judge on the reality TV series Soapstar Superstar and guest-presented The Paul O'Grady Show.

In 2006, she took part in a BBC show called Coming Home, where she explored her family history in Wales.

50 Years in Show Business

In 2013, ITV celebrated Cilla Black's 50 years in entertainment with a special show called The One & Only Cilla Black. The show featured Cilla herself, along with her friend and host Paul O'Grady. It looked back at her amazing career, including a trip to her hometown of Liverpool and appearances from celebrity friends.

TV Biopic

In 2014, a three-part TV drama series called Cilla was made about her life. It focused on her early rise to fame in the 1960s and her relationship with Bobby Willis. Actress Sheridan Smith played Cilla in the series.

Personal Life

Cilla Black married her manager, Bobby Willis, in January 1969. They were married for 30 years until Bobby passed away from cancer in 1999. They had four children together.

Death and Legacy

Cilla Black died on 1 August 2015, at her holiday home in Spain. She was 72 years old. An investigation found that she died from a stroke after falling and hitting her head.

Many famous people and friends shared their sadness after her death, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Cliff Richard. Burt Bacharach, who worked with her, said recording with Cilla was a "most special memory."

Cilla's funeral was held on 20 August 2015, in Liverpool. Cliff Richard sang at the service, and Paul O'Grady gave a speech. She was buried in a private ceremony at Allerton Cemetery.

The day after her funeral, Cilla's album The Very Best of Cilla Black became number one in the UK charts. This was her first album to reach the top spot.

Statue of Cilla Black outside the original Cavern Club entrance, unveiled in 2017

Awards and Honours

Cilla Black received an OBE in 1997 for her services to entertainment. This is a special award from the Queen of England.

In 2014, she received two more important awards: the British Academy Television Awards' Special Award and the first Royal Television Society Legends Award. These awards celebrated her 50 years in entertainment.

In 2017, a statue of Cilla Black was put up outside the Cavern Club in Liverpool. It shows a young Cilla singing and her dress has pictures from her famous career.

Discography

Selected TV Shows

Books

Autobiographies

• Step Inside (1985)
• Through The Years (1993)
• What's It All About? (2003)

See also

In Spanish: Cilla Black para niños