Ronnie Carroll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronnie Carroll
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Ronnie Carroll at the Eurovision Song Contest 1962
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ronald Cleghorn |
| Born | 18 August 1934 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 13 April 2015 (aged 80) Hampstead, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
Ronnie Carroll (born Ronald Cleghorn; 18 August 1934 – 13 April 2015) was a famous singer and entertainer from Northern Ireland. He was also known for trying to become a politician.
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Ronnie's Music Career
Ronnie Carroll was born Ronald Cleghorn in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1934. His father was a plumber.
When he was 19, in January 1954, Ronnie started performing. He was called "Belfast's Nat King Cole" because he sang like him. He joined a show in England called "Hollywood Stars." He started using the stage name "Carroll" in May 1954.
Ronnie first appeared on TV in 1956. He sang "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing." He then got a record deal with Philips Records. His first song, "Last Love," came out in February 1956. Later that year, his song "Walk Hand in Hand" became a hit.
Eurovision Success
Ronnie Carroll is the only singer to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest two years in a row. He first tried in 1960 with "Girl with a Curl."
He won the chance to represent Britain in the 1962 contest. His song was "Ring-a-Ding Girl." He finished in fourth place. He got the same high placing in 1963 with his song "Say Wonderful Things."
After Eurovision, he had two more songs in the Top 10 in 1962 and 1963. He also performed with famous artists like Winifred Atwell. In 1963, he acted in a film called Blind Corner. He also appeared on popular TV shows like The Morecambe & Wise Show.
In 2005, Ronnie released a new album called Back on Song.
Ronnie's Political Journey
Ronnie Carroll also tried to become a politician. He ran for a seat in the UK General Election in 1997. This was for his home area of Hampstead and Highgate. He also ran in another election that year.
In 2008, he ran as a candidate for a group called "Make Politicians History." He even said he wanted to get no votes to set a record!
He ran again in the 2015 general election. This was for the Hampstead and Kilburn area. He was an independent candidate, meaning he didn't belong to a big political party. Sadly, he passed away just four days after nominations closed. The election still went ahead. He received 113 votes.
Ronnie's Personal Life
Ronnie Carroll met his first wife, Millicent Martin, through his work in variety theatre. They got married in 1958.
His second wife was June Paul, who was an Olympic runner. They married in 1970. They used to run a nightclub together in Grenada.
Ronnie lived his last years in Hampstead, north London. He often called into radio shows on BBC London 94.9. He passed away in London on 13 April 2015, at the age of 80. He had two sons with June and a daughter and son with his third wife, Glenda Kentridge.
Ronnie's Music
Songs that were hits
- "Walk Hand in Hand" – (1956) – UK Singles Chart – No. 13
- "The Wisdom of a Fool" – (1957) – No. 20
- "Footsteps" – (1960) – No. 36
- "Ring-A-Ding Girl" – (1962) – No. 46
- "Roses Are Red" – (1962) – No. 3
- "If Only Tomorrow" – (1962) – No. 33
- "Say Wonderful Things" – (1963) – No. 6
Albums
- "Lucky Thirteen" (1958)
- "Sometimes I'm Happy, Sometimes I'm Blue" (1963)
- "Mr & Mrs Is the Name" (1964) (with Millicent Martin)
- "Carroll Calling" (1965)
- "Promises, Promises" (1969) (songs from the show with other singers)
- "Back on Song" (2005)
See also
In Spanish: Ronnie Carroll para niños
