Cliff Richard

Birthday: 14 October 1940, Lucknow, India

Birth Name: Harry Rodger Webb

Height: 179 cm

Cliff Richard burst onto the rock'n'roll world in 1958 with his hit single Move It. He was then known as Britain's answer to Elvis Presley. His first film was Serious Charge (1959) followed by Expresso Bongo (1959), The Young Ones (1961) and Summer Holiday (1963). The Young Ones (1961) and Summer Holiday (1963) were both massive hits for Cliff in Britain and overseas where Cliff was now a major pop star. His next film, Wonderful Life (1964) was not as successful as his other films. His later films were Finders Keepers (1966), Two a Penny (1967) and Take Me High (1973). Cliff has retained his popularity as a pop star in most parts of the world (except the US) as a major pop star and has had nearly 150 hit singles in the UK charts. Show less «

Nobody's going to catch me now. I've had number ones in five decades. Who's going to do that? First ...Show more »

Nobody's going to catch me now. I've had number ones in five decades. Who's going to do that? First of all, they've got to be around for five decades. Many of them barely make five years. Show less «

Airplay is vital for single hits. The only way I can have a fair competition is if your records are ...Show more »

Airplay is vital for single hits. The only way I can have a fair competition is if your records are on the radio - gone are the days where the likes of myself, Elton John, Tina Turner, Phil Collins have our records played. There is an ageism in the radio industry. If you ask me to record a new song, I'm not sure it would get the support it needs. Show less «

I'm aware of the rumors but I am not gay.

[on Elvis Presley] Elvis was my idol from the beginning and even today when I'm alone I'll often put...Show more »

[on Elvis Presley] Elvis was my idol from the beginning and even today when I'm alone I'll often put on the "King Creole" album. He's produced the most exciting pop music sounds of all time. Show less «

Rock'n'roll can manage without the sex and drugs.

[on "Millennium Prayer"] That was one of the hardest number ones I have had. I was confused by all t...Show more »

[on "Millennium Prayer"] That was one of the hardest number ones I have had. I was confused by all the negative reaction and Mistletoe and Wine may have kicked that off. I had found myself in the charts way past my [supposed] sell-by date and maybe that annoyed people. Show less «

The media seemed to want to have an answer to Elvis. What they forgot was he was not a question. The...Show more »

The media seemed to want to have an answer to Elvis. What they forgot was he was not a question. There was no answer to Elvis. Elvis will always be Elvis. He will be the prototype rock and roll singer. He gave this new music a shape, a face, and the rest us just tried to tag on and some of us got lucky. Show less «

If I'm in the middle of hitting a most fantastic cross-court backhand top spin and someone says, "Ca...Show more »

If I'm in the middle of hitting a most fantastic cross-court backhand top spin and someone says, "Can you stop now and have sex? I'll say, "No, thanks!: Show less «

[on his refusal to boycott apartheid South Africa, which earned him a place on the United Nations' b...Show more »

[on his refusal to boycott apartheid South Africa, which earned him a place on the United Nations' blacklist] I go wherever Christians invite me to speak about Jesus. It's a platform I've been given by God. Show less «

Being out of tune, I find it unforgivable.

[on meeting Freddie Mercury in 1986] I have to say that previously, I had never been a fan of Freddi...Show more »

[on meeting Freddie Mercury in 1986] I have to say that previously, I had never been a fan of Freddie's [Freddie Mercury] in terms of his kind of vocals but I certainly admired his ability, including his skill on the piano and, of course, he was such an extrovert showman. Just the year before when Queen did Live Aid (1985), although I myself couldn't take part as I was committed to a gospel charity gig in Birmingham, I managed to see snatches of the show and the second I saw Freddie launch into their act, it was obvious that Queen were going to steal the show. When they returned to Wembley during their Magic tour, I couldn't go to see them because I was on stage with Time but they invited me to their after show party. These kinds of parties are always the same - crowds of people, most of whom spend hours lining up to meet the star for usually no more than minutes, so it is not really conducive to getting to know someone. Show less «

By the time The Beatles came in, we could link four-track machines instead of performing in mono. Th...Show more »

By the time The Beatles came in, we could link four-track machines instead of performing in mono. The Beatles could be very creative and the ingenuity they showed was terrific; absolutely fantastic sounds and great songs. Show less «

I am the Ultimate Pop Star and no one can take that away from me. A few years ago, Channel 4 did a p...Show more »

I am the Ultimate Pop Star and no one can take that away from me. A few years ago, Channel 4 did a programme called The Ultimate Pop Star (2004) - and it turns out I have sold more singles than not just Elvis, but everybody. That's my big claim to fame. Show less «

My only gripe is when critics writing the history of rock'n'roll leave me out altogether.

[in 2014] For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which ...Show more »

[in 2014] For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online. The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen. However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except, it would appear, to the press. I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will co-operate fully should the police wish to speak to me. Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded. Show less «

For me a big hit is to be in the top five. I don't subscribe to the view that if you're not number o...Show more »

For me a big hit is to be in the top five. I don't subscribe to the view that if you're not number one, it's a failure. Maybe that's why people disappear so quickly these days, because they have that attitude. Show less «

As for my sexuality I am sick to death of the media's speculation about it. What business is it of a...Show more »

As for my sexuality I am sick to death of the media's speculation about it. What business is it of anyone else's what any of us are as individuals? I don't think my fans would care either way. Show less «

In the political climate, this whole political correctness thing bugs me like mad. I was so upset wh...Show more »

In the political climate, this whole political correctness thing bugs me like mad. I was so upset when they said they were going to call the lights in London winter lights. I'm saying, "Hello, I've got friends who are Asian, I wish them Happy Diwali, they wish me Happy Christmas". In fact, they enjoy Christmas. And when I've been there and there's Diwali going on I've enjoyed that, too, to be honest with you. I'm not so sure why they're so upset about the sensitivity of other religions who actually don't mind that we celebrate Christmas. Even in schools now I keep reading about how Christianity isn't necessarily taught anymore. I'm thinking, "Wait a minute. If I went to live in another country and it had a different faith and philosophy and I joined in there . . . If I was a kid and went to school, I would have to learn what they learn as well". Show less «

There is no room in my life for drugs, fights, divorce, adultery, sadism, unnecessary fuss and sex.

[on homosexual marriage] I think the Church must come round and see people as they are now. Gone are...Show more »

[on homosexual marriage] I think the Church must come round and see people as they are now. Gone are the days when we assumed loving relationships would be solely between men and women. It seems to me that commitment is the issue, and if anyone comes to me and says: 'This is my partner; we are committed to each other', then I don't care what their sexuality is. I'm not going to judge; I'll leave that to God. Show less «

Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard's FILMOGRAPHY

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