Cliff Adams Singers

Career

The group was formed by the Southwark, London born Cliff Adams (21 August 1923 – 22 October 2001) who had formed The Stargazers with Dick James in 1950, and joined the BBC Show Band in 1954. On 3 July 1959 the singers first appeared on the BBC Light Programme in Sing Something Simple, also featuring Jack Emblow on piano and accordion. The show was originally commissioned for six programmes, but was so successful that it was immediately extended, and was still broadcasting upon Adams' death in 2001.

Several albums featuring the singers were released, usually entitled Sing Something Simple and reached number 15 in the UK Albums Chart in 1960 and 1962, number 23 in 1976 and number 39 in 1982. These releases included a special album featuring songs from the musicals. There was also a release called Sing Something Silver, to mark the 25th year of Sing Something Simple, and a "Very Best Of" compilation album, which featured 56 songs, not including the theme tune, which traditionally opened and closed the radio show, and most other compilations.

The Cliff Adams singers frequently sang medleys. Sometimes the songs were grouped thematically, other times they did medleys of songs by certain artists – Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers, for example. They also sang traditional songs like "Old McDonald Had a Farm", "One Man Went To Mow", and the Swiss folk song, "Upidee".

They had a Top 40 hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1960 with the "Lonely Man Theme". The piece was an instrumental release and was credited to the Cliff Adams Orchestra. The tune was used in a TV commercial for Strand cigarettes in the UK.

The actress and entertainer Anita Harris was, at various times, a singer with the group.