|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSTAPLETON, Cyril(b '14, Nottingham; d 25 Feb. '74) UK violinist, bandleader, producer. Worked in theatre pit bands, then top dance bands Henry Hall, Jack Payne; conducted RAF S.O. at Potsdam during WWII; own band '46 for Bond Street restaurant in London, BBC broadcasts, records on Decca (vocalist was future publisher Dick James). BBC Showband was all-star outfit '52-3, had more airtime than any other bandleader; accompanied visiting USA stars Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra etc. A few chart entries late '50s; came back as executive, producer with Pye (Singalong series with Max Bygraves); toured early '70s with new Showband. |