Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

HEAD, Murray

(b '46) UK singer, actor. intended studying fine art in London, but sang with rock band playing debutante parties; thrown out of band, won Radio Luxembourg talent contest, signed with EMI. Parts in TV, films incl. The Family Way '66, film with Paul McCartney score; in London cast of musical Hair; sang Judas on LP of Jesus Christ Superstar, leading to USA top 20 with single of title track '71. Same year had major role in John Schlesinger film Sunday, Bloody Sunday, won UK Variety Club's Most Promising Newcomer award. Recorded for Immediate, then CBS (concept album Nigel Lived); more film roles; LP Say It Ain't So on Island '75; then musical career hampered by legal problems. His songs were covered by Tina Turner, Roger Daltry, Cliff Richard, Gary Brooker, Colin Blunstone; gave up films following Madam Claude '78 and returned to music; albums Between Us '79 on French Philips, How Many Ways in UK '81 did little. He appeared at London's Barbican theatre '84 in one-off first performance of Chess, musical by Tim Rice and boys from ABBA: single from it "One Night In Bangkok' was a world- wide hit '85, leading to a new contract with Virgin, but lasting success still eluded him.