The Billy Fury Story at Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Date: Thur 5th Mar
Time: 19:30

Halfway To Paradise - The Billy Fury Story

To mark what would have been Billy Fury's 75th birthday . ... & 32 years after his sad
death, his own band, the original FURYS TORNADOS, remember fondly their precious times
with him, & re-play live his timeless hits -
"Last Night Was Made For Love","I Will","Jealousy",
"Halfway To Paradise" & many,many more. Billy comes alive on giant screen while his FURY'S TORNADOS
play live below. The atmosphere will be both electric..& emotional.
Colin Gold as Fury is sensational.
Introduced onscreen by Lisa Voice [Billy's long time partner].

"Rock 'n' Roll Heaven!!! - A great 60's night out!" -The Stage.
[85 words]

PRESS RELEASE

FURY'S TORNADOS STORM BACK INTO (..?..) [town].

Billy Fury died on 28th. January 1983 aged just 42 - the same age as Elvis.
He had suffered ill health throughout his life.

Born in the Dingle district of Liverpool, a shy young 19 year old Ronnie Wycherley
went to the Birkenhead Essoldo in the hope of interesting the shows star, Marty Wilde,
with some of his compositions. Thirty minutes later rock impresario Larry Parnes had pushed
him out onto the stage and re-christened him - BILLY FURY.
Billy was taken to London where he secured a record contract with Decca records,and in
February 1959 enters the UK top twenty with his own compositions "Maybe Tomorrow"/"Gonna Type
A Letter".It is the first of an unbelievable 29 hit records & he goes on to sell more records
for them than any other artist, including the Rolling Stones.(He scored more hit singles in
the 60’s than the Beatles!).
This would all have been a fairy tale had it not been for an illness that was to follow
him throughout his life - and ultimately claim him. (rheumatic fever had left him with a
weak heart & much extensive heart surgery).
FURYS TORNADOS came into Billy’s life in 1970. It had been 4 years since his last major hit,
but Billy was still a big star, & found huge audiences in the new cabaret venues that were
emerging all over the UK. Glam rock may be taking over Britain, but Fury’s Tornados were
still having to deal with the fan hysteria after each show. Guitarist Chris Raynor says -
”He was 6ft tall, handsome & a big star with a terrific voice…but he was also very shy &
quite a nervous performer.This had a devestating affect on the females.They all fancied him.
After each performance it was quite usual for the band to be keeping the dressing room door on
its' hinges!".
It was during this period in 1972 that Billy was to make his final film. A cameo appearance
as “Stormy Tempest” in the David Essex / Ringo Starr classic “That’ll Be The Day”.
Also starring in the film was a certain Keith Moon.One night after filming, Billy bought Ringo
& Keith up to a club that Billy & the boys were playing in Mayfair.Keith asked Billy if he
could play.Billy said -"You'll have to ask Charlie (Elston) - he'll be here soon - you can't
miss him - he wears a long black leather coat with a python skin collar".Charlie remembers
walking across the dance floor when a manic young man with mad eyes leapt in front of him & said -
"ARE YOU CHARLIE ELSTON - I'M KEITH MOON - CAN I PLAY THE DRUMS?". - He played 3 numbers.

Fury’s Tornados continued to back Billy until his retirement through ill health in 1976.
Billy & his partner, Lisa, went to live in a farm in Wales.

In 1982 a new recording contract with Polydor Records bought Billy out of retirement.
Tragically on 28th. January 1983 Billy lost his final battle with heart illness.

FURY’S TORNADOS remain Billy’s longest ever serving band & continue to tour in the hit
show -"Halfway to Paradise - The Billy Fury Story with all original members.Now in its 17th.
year & featuring the uncanny voice of Colin Gold as Fury, they remember their old friend & boss by
performing live those 29 magical hits, -"I Will","Last Night Was Made For Love","Wondrous
Place","Jealousy","Halfway To Paradise" & many, many more.

FURYS TORNADOS are........Chris Raynor (Lead guitar/vocals)
Charlie Elston (Keyboards/vocals)
John Raynor (drums/vocals)
Graham Wyvill (Bass/Double bass/vocals)
And as Billy Fury.........Colin Gold. (Vocals)

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Theatre Square
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG1 5ND

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The Billy Fury Story

 www.billyfurystory.com

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Would you like to see more information about The Billy Fury Story?
Let us know here and we'll do our best to get them listed and inform you when they are.