140-466: Petula Clark CBE (born Sally Clark ; 15 November 1932) is a British singer, actress, and songwriter. She started her professional career as a child performer and has had the longest career of any British entertainer, spanning more than 85 years. Clark's professional career began during the Second World War as a child entertainer on BBC Radio . In 1954, she charted with " The Little Shoemaker ",
280-543: A Primetime Emmy nomination. It has erroneously been described as the first instance on American television of physical contact between a black man and a white woman, forgetting many previous instances, including Frankie Lymon dancing with a white girl on Alan Freed's live ABC show The Big Beat on 19 July 1957, Nancy Sinatra kissing Sammy Davis Jr. , on her 1967 Movin' with Nancy TV special, and Louis Armstrong shaking hands with "What's My Line?" panelists Dorothy Kilgallen and Arlene Francis in 1953. To commemorate
420-399: A twist song by a woman) and "Chariot" (the original version of " I Will Follow Him ") became smash hits in 1962, while German and Italian versions of her English and French recordings charted, as well. Her recordings of several Serge Gainsbourg songs were also big sellers. In addition, she was given at this time a present of the song "Un Enfant" by Jacques Brel , with whom she toured. Clark
560-740: A BBC variety show, Cabaret Cartoons , which led to her being signed to host her own afternoon series, Petula Clark . Pet's Parlour followed in 1950. In 1947 she met Joe "Mr Piano" Henderson at the Peter Maurice Publishing Company. The two collaborated musically and were linked romantically over the following ten years. In 1949 Henderson introduced her to the record producer Alan A. Freeman , who, together with her father Leslie, formed Polygon Records , for which she recorded her earliest hits. She recorded her first release that year, "Put Your Shoes On, Lucy", for EMI , and further recordings with vocalist Benny Lee on Decca. The Polygon label
700-527: A GBE (in recognition of his role as chairman of the Scottish War Savings Committee) and the award of medal of the order to Lizzie Robinson, a munitions worker. The order had been established primarily as a civilian award; in August 1918, however, not long after its foundation, a number of awards were made to serving naval and military personnel. Four months later, a 'Military Division' was added to
840-558: A Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a musical, and in the stage musicals The Sound of Music , Blood Brothers , Sunset Boulevard and Mary Poppins for which she received BAFTA nominations. Petula Clark was born Sally Clark on 15 November 1932 in Ewell , Surrey, England to Doris ( née Phillips) and Leslie Noah Clark. Both of Clark's parents were nurses at Long Grove Hospital in Epsom. Clark's mother had Welsh ancestry and her father
980-586: A Jew to be moved by 'My Yiddishe Momme'." The song was banned in Nazi Germany . By the 1920s, Tucker's success had spread to Europe, and she began a tour of England, performing for King George V and Queen Mary at the London Palladium in 1926. Tucker re-released her hit song "Some of These Days", backed by Ted Lewis and his band, which stayed at the number 1 position of the charts for five weeks beginning November 23, 1926. It sold over one million copies and
1120-854: A Jewish family in Tulchyn , Russian Empire , now Vinnytsia Oblast , Ukraine. (Sonya is a pet name for Sofiya in Ukrainian as well as for Sofya, the Yiddish form of the name Sophia.) They arrived in Boston on September 26, 1887. The family adopted the surname Abuza before immigrating, her father fearing repercussions for having deserted from the Imperial Russian Army . The family lived in Boston 's North End for eight years, then settled in Hartford, Connecticut , and opened
1260-519: A Parisian music hall . She entertained for more than 90 minutes and introduced five new songs, one of which she had recently written with friend Charles Aznavour . A French album of all new material was to be released on 7 February 2012 on the Sony label, her first in that language since the late 1970s. On 11 December 2011 the Saw Doctors released their version of "Downtown", featuring Clark. She appeared in
1400-621: A Place ", " My Love " (US number one), " A Sign of the Times ", " I Couldn't Live Without Your Love ", " Who Am I ", " Colour My World ", " This Is My Song " (by Charlie Chaplin ; a UK number one), " Don't Sleep in the Subway ", " The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener " and " Kiss Me Goodbye ". Between January 1965 and April 1968, Clark charted with nine US top 20 hits in the US, where she was called "the First Lady of
1540-440: A beer cart driver, from whom she later derived her professional surname. When she returned home, her parents arranged an Orthodox wedding for the couple. In 1905, she gave birth to a son, Albert. However, shortly after Albert was born, the couple separated, and Tucker left the baby with her family and moved to New York City . After Tucker left her husband, Willie Howard gave her a letter of recommendation to Harold Von Tilzer,
SECTION 10
#17328510246801680-404: A broad riband or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip. Knights Commander and male Commanders wear the badge from a ribbon around the neck; male Officers and Members wear the badge from a ribbon on the left chest; female recipients other than Dames Grand Cross (unless in military uniform) normally wear it from a bow on the left shoulder. An oval eight-pointed star is worn, pinned to
1820-538: A burning building containing explosives. In December 1922 the statutes of the order were amended; there having been a large number of awards for war work prior to this date, these amended statutes placed the order on more of a peacetime footing. For the first time numbers of appointments were limited, with the stipulation that senior awards in the Civil Division were to outnumber those in the Military Division by
1960-449: A circlet bearing the motto of the Order; the reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. (Prior to 1937 Britannia was shown within the circlet.) The size of the badges varies according to rank: the higher classes have slightly larger badges. The badges of Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Knights and Dames Commander, and Commanders are enamelled, with pale blue crosses, crimson circlets and
2100-466: A citizen of a Commonwealth realm can convert their appointment from honorary to substantive, and they then enjoy all privileges of membership of the order, including use of the title of Sir and Dame for the senior two ranks of the Order. (An example of the latter is Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan , who was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order in 2005, and on successful application for British citizenship, held alongside his Irish citizenship,
2240-464: A common thread in her acts. Her songs included "I Don't Want to Get Thin" and "Nobody Loves a Fat Girl, But Oh How a Fat Girl Can Love." In 1909, Tucker performed with the Ziegfeld Follies . Though she was a hit, the other female stars refused to share the spotlight with her, and the company was forced to let her go. This caught the attention of William Morris, a theater owner and future founder of
2380-532: A compilation of previously unreleased material and new and remixed recordings, was released in January 2009. Additionally, her 1969 NBC special Portrait of Petula , already released on DVD for Region 2 viewers, is also being produced for Region 1. A collection of holiday songs titled This Is Christmas, which includes some new Clark compositions in addition to previously released material, was released in November 2009. At
2520-454: A composer and theatrical producer in New York. When it failed to bring her work, Tucker found jobs in cafés and beer gardens, singing for food and tips from the customers. She sent most of what she made back home to Connecticut to support her son and family. In 1907, Tucker made her first theater appearance, singing at an amateur night in a vaudeville establishment. The producers thought that
2660-507: A different take, with Clark and Belafonte standing well away from each other, Clark and the executive producer of the show — her husband, Wolff — refused, destroyed all other takes of the song, and delivered the finished programme to NBC with the touch intact. The Chrysler representative was terminated, and the programme aired on 8 April 1968, four days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. , with high ratings, critical acclaim, and
2800-443: A gold central medallion. Officers' badges are plain silver-gilt, while those of Members are plain silver. From 1917 until 1937, the badge of the order was suspended on a purple ribbon, with a red central stripe being added for the military division in 1918. Since 1937, the ribbon has been rose-pink with pearl-grey edges (with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division). Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear it on
2940-449: A hit of the song "Nathan, Nathan, Why You Waitin?" In 1925, Jack Yellen wrote " My Yiddishe Momme ", a song which became strongly identified with her and was performed in cities which had a significant Jewish audience. Tucker said "Even though I loved the song and it was a sensational hit every time I sang it, I was always careful to use it only when I knew the majority of the house would understand Yiddish. However, you didn't have to be
SECTION 20
#17328510246803080-630: A limited engagement of The Last of the Red Hot Mamas in March 2012. William Gazecki produced the 2014 documentary The Outrageous Sophie Tucker . During the Beatles ' appearance at the Royal Variety Performance on November 4, 1963, Paul McCartney introduced the song " Till There Was You " as having been recorded "by our favourite American group, Sophie Tucker." McCartney likewise introduced
3220-427: A popular singer through the 1920s and became friends with stars such as Mamie Smith and Ethel Waters , who introduced her to jazz. Tucker learned from these women and became one of the early performers to introduce jazz to white vaudeville audiences. Also in 1921, Nathan Handwerker named his previously unnamed hot dog stand Nathan's Hot Dogs in 1921 after Tucker, then a singer at the nearby Carey Walsh's Cafe, made
3360-453: A premiere party for the 1969 Goodbye, Mr. Chips . She has recalled that she and Karen Carpenter went to see Elvis Presley perform in Las Vegas and that afterwards "He was flirting with both of us, (saying) 'Wow, the two biggest girl pop stars in my dressing room. That's pretty good'... He didn't have us, exactly, but he had a darned good try. Not going to talk about that any more." Clark
3500-698: A production at the Opera House in Cork , Ireland, which was later broadcast by the BBC. With more than 2,500 performances, she has played the role more often than any other actress. A new disco remix of "Downtown", called "Downtown '88", was released in 1988, registering her first UK singles chart success since 1972, making the Top 10 in the UK in December 1988. A live vocal performance of this version
3640-542: A projected weekly series. She starred in the BBC television series This Is Petula Clark , which aired from mid-1966 to early 1968. She revived her film career in the late 1960s, starring in two big musical films. In Finian's Rainbow (1968), she starred opposite Fred Astaire , and she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her performance. The following year, she
3780-488: A proportion of six to one. Furthermore appointments in the civil division were to be divided equally between UK and overseas awards. With regard to the Medal of the Order (but not the order itself), a distinction was made in 1922 between awards 'for gallantry' and awards 'for meritorious service' (each being appropriately inscribed, and the former having laurel leaves decorating the clasp, the latter oak leaves). In 1933 holders of
3920-417: A restaurant. At a young age, she began singing at her parents' restaurant for tips. Between taking orders and serving customers, Tucker recalled that she "would stand up in the narrow space by the door and sing with all the drama I could put into it. At the end of the last chorus, between me and the onions, there wasn't a dry eye in the place." In 1903, around the age of 17, Tucker eloped with Louis Tuck,
4060-566: A tour. Clark appeared as a guest on Radio 4's The Reunion in August 2012. In January 2013, she released a new album titled Lost in You . The album contains new music and some covers . She remade her famous "Downtown", and performed a cover of Gnarls Barkley 's " Crazy ". She also performed a new song called "Cut Copy Me", which had a 14-week run in the Belgium chart. The album entered the UK national album chart at number 24 on Sunday, 3 March 2013. Two of
4200-508: A visit to London, Warner Bros. executive Joe Smith heard it and acquired the rights for the United States. "Downtown" went to number one on the American charts in January 1965, and 3 million copies were sold in the United States. "Downtown" was the first of 15 consecutive Top-40 hits she achieved in the U.S., including " I Know a Place ", " My Love " (her second US number-one hit), " A Sign of
4340-512: Is an image of Britannia surrounded by the motto, with the words "For Meritorious Service" at the bottom; on the reverse is George V's Imperial and Royal Cypher, with the words "Instituted by King George V" at the bottom. The name of the recipient is engraved on the rim. This medal is nicknamed "the Gong", and comes in both full-sized and miniature versions – the latter for formal white-tie and semi-formal black-tie occasions. A lapel pin for everyday wear
Petula Clark - Misplaced Pages Continue
4480-931: Is not a member of the College of Arms , as are many other heraldic officers; and the Lady Usher of the Purple Rod does not – unlike the Order of the Garter equivalent, the Lady Usher of the Black Rod – perform any duties related to the House of Lords . Since the Second World War, several Commonwealth realms have established their own national system of honours and awards and have created their own unique orders, decorations and medals. A number, though, continue to make recommendations for appointments to
4620-644: Is one of only a handful of performers to be given a song by Brel. A live recording of this song charted in Canada. In 1963 she wrote the soundtrack for the French crime film A Couteaux Tirés ( Daggers Drawn ) - released in 1964 - and made a cameo appearance as herself in the film. Although it was only a mild success, it added a new dimension—that of film composer—to her career. Additional film scores she composed include Entre ciel et mer (1963), Rêves d'enfant (1964), La bande à Bebel (1966), and Pétain (1989). Six themes from
4760-456: The BBC in January 2023. She performed " I'm Still Here " from Follies . The CD recording of this performance was released physically and digitally in December 2023. In 1955 Clark became linked romantically with Joe "Mr Piano" Henderson . Speculation that the couple planned to marry became rife. However, with the increasing glare of the public spotlight and her growing fame – her career in France
4900-595: The British Invasion ". Her international chart success was unequalled in recording history. In 1967 she was the recipient of the MIDEM international award for the highest worldwide sales by a female artist. This followed on from her 1966 MIDEM award for most sales in Europe by a European artist. Clark has sold more than 70 million records. She has also enjoyed success in the musical film Finian's Rainbow , for which she received
5040-1411: The Hilton in Atlantic City, New Jersey ; the Hummingbird Centre in Toronto; Humphrey's in San Diego ; and the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut ; and participated in a multiperformer tribute to the late Peggy Lee at the Hollywood Bowl . Following another British concert tour in early spring 2005, after which, in May she contributed to the V45 televised BBC concert in Trafalgar Square at which she sang "A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square", she appeared with Andy Williams in his Moon River Theatre in Branson , Missouri, for several months, and she returned for another engagement in autumn of 2006, following scattered concert dates throughout North America. In November 2006 Clark
5180-593: The Montreux Jazz Festival on 14 July 2008 Clark joined with Paolo Nutini to perform "Goin' to Chicago Blues" in celebration of Quincy Jones ' 75th birthday. In 2010 she became president of the Hastings Musical Festival ; she toured Australia, New Zealand and Quebec to sell-out crowds, and appeared on the Vivement Dimanche show on French television, where she promised a return to Paris in
5320-541: The Order of Canada . On the other hand, the Australian Honours System unilaterally created in 1975 did not achieve bi-partisan support until 1992, which was when Australian federal and state governments agreed to cease Australian recommendations for British honours; the last Australian recommended Order of the British Empire appointments were in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours . New Zealand continued to use
5460-620: The William Morris Agency . Two years later, Tucker released " Some of These Days " on Edison Records, written by Shelton Brooks . The title of the song was used as the title of Tucker's 1945 biography. In 1921, Tucker hired pianist and songwriter Ted Shapiro as her accompanist and musical director, a position he would keep throughout her career. Besides writing a number of songs for her, Shapiro became part of her stage act, playing piano on stage while she sang, and exchanging banter and wisecracks with her in between numbers. Tucker remained
5600-546: The civil service . It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal , whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order. The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V , who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'. Equal recognition
5740-442: The "Sophie Tucker of Miami". Probably the greatest influence on Tucker's later song delivery was Clarice Vance (1870–1961). They appeared many times on the same vaudeville bill. Sophie made her first recordings in 1910, and Clarice made her final records in 1909. Clarice had perfected and was known for her subtle narrative talk-singing style that Sophie later used to her advantage when her vocal range became increasingly limited. At
Petula Clark - Misplaced Pages Continue
5880-464: The 21st century quotas were introduced to ensure consistent representation among recipients across nine categories of eligibility: with the largest proportion of awards being reserved for community, voluntary and local service. Non-military awards of the British Empire Medal resumed in 2012, starting with 293 BEMs awarded for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee . In 2017 the centenary of
6020-552: The 40th anniversary of the 1968 Belafonte telecast, Clark and Wolff appeared at the Paley Center for Media in Manhattan on 22 September 2008, to discuss the broadcast and its impact, following a showing of the programme. Clark was later the host of two more specials; The Petula Clark Show , shown on both the NBC and CBC networks in early 1970, and one for ABC which served as a pilot for
6160-514: The Andrews Sisters . In the 1950s and early 1960s Tucker, "the First Lady of Show Business", made frequent television appearances on many popular variety and talk shows of the day such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show . She remained popular abroad, performing for fanatical crowds in the music halls of London. On April 13, 1963, a Broadway musical titled Sophie , based on Tucker's early life until 1922, opened with Libi Staiger as
6300-625: The Blitz and watching the dogfights in the air and running to air-raid shelters with her sister. Later, when she was eight, she joined other children to record messages with the BBC to be broadcast to members of their families in the forces. The recording event was in the Criterion Theatre , an underground theatre that was safe. When the air-raid siren sounded other children were upset and a call went out for someone to step forward and sing to calm them. Petula volunteered, and they liked her voice so much, in
6440-788: The British Empire . Rather than using this chapel, the Order now holds its great services upstairs in the nave of the cathedral. In addition to the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire, St Paul's Cathedral also houses the Chapel of the Order of St Michael and St George . Religious services for the whole Order are held every four years; new Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed at these services. Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander prefix Sir , and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander prefix Dame , to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix Lady to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for husbands of Knights or spouses of Dames. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when
6580-490: The British Empire for Gallantry. Any individual made a member of the order for gallantry after 14 January 1958 wears an emblem of two crossed silver oak leaves on the same ribbon as the badge, with a miniature version on the ribbon bar when worn alone. When the ribbon only is worn the emblem is worn in miniature. It could not be awarded posthumously , and was replaced in 1974 with the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM). If recipients of
6720-576: The Drifters . Neither Clark, who was performing in Canada when the song first received major air play, nor Hatch realised the effect the song would have on their respective careers. Released in four separate languages in late 1964, "Downtown" was a success in the UK, France (in both the English and the French versions), the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and Italy, and Rhodesia , Japan, and India as well. During
6860-681: The French Minister of Culture. In both 1998 and 2002 Clark toured extensively throughout the UK. In 2000, she presented a self-written, one-woman show, highlighting her life and career, to large critical and audience acclaim at the St. Denis Theatre in Montreal. A 2003 concert appearance at the Olympia in Paris has been issued in both DVD and compact disc formats. In 2004, she toured Australia and New Zealand, appeared at
7000-629: The Huggetts , Vote for Huggett and The Huggetts Abroad , the second, third and fourth of four Huggett Family films . She worked with Anthony Newley in Vice Versa (directed by Peter Ustinov ) and Alec Guinness in The Card . In 1945 she was featured in the comic Radio Fun , in which she was billed as "Radio's Merry Mimic". By then she felt that she had played child parts for too long. In 1946 Clark began her television career with an appearance on
7140-400: The Lark Street Business Improvement District in a section of the downtown area of Albany, New York , needed a name for its logo/mascot, a graphic image of a blue lark. An internet poll was held, and the winner was Petula Lark , clearly a reference to the singer of the adopted anthem of New York City's urban area, "Downtown". In November 2011, at age 78, Clark performed at the Casino de Paris ,
SECTION 50
#17328510246807280-622: The Latin Quarter just weeks before. Tucker is buried in Emanuel Cemetery in Wethersfield , Connecticut . Tucker's comic and singing styles are credited with influencing later female entertainers, including Mae West , Rusty Warren , Carol Channing , Totie Fields , Joan Rivers , Roseanne Barr , Ethel Merman , "Mama" Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas , and Bette Midler , who has included Tuck as one of her stage characters. She also influenced Miami-based radio and television host-cum-singer Peppy Fields , sister of noted pianist Irving Fields , whom Variety and Billboard magazines called
7420-419: The Military Division of the order from the UK and across the Empire. Recommendations for all appointments to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the King's United Kingdom ministers (recommendations for overseas awards were made by the Foreign Office , the Colonial Office , the India Office and the Dominions Office ); but in the early 1940s the system was changed to enable
7560-436: The Order of the British Empire for Gallantry received promotion within the order, whether for gallantry or otherwise, they continued to wear also the insignia of the lower grade with the oak leaves; however, they used only the post-nominal letters of the higher grade. When the order was founded in 1917, badges, ribands and stars were appointed for wear by recipients. In 1929 mantles, hats and collars were added for recipients of
7700-456: The Order of the British Empire. In 2024 appointments to the order were made by the governments of: Most members of the order are citizens of the United Kingdom or Commonwealth realms that use the UK system of honours and awards. In addition, honorary awards may be made to citizens of nations where the monarch is not head of state ; these permit use of post-nominal letters, but not the title of Sir or Dame . Honorary appointees who later become
7840-404: The Order, however, are not assigned any special precedence. As a general rule, only wives and children of male recipients are afforded privileges. Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to be granted heraldic supporters . They may, furthermore, encircle their arms with a depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of
7980-426: The Red Hot Mamas , developed by Florida Studio Theatre (FST) in Sarasota, Florida, celebrates Tucker's brassy and bawdy behavior, songs, and persona. Developed in-house by artistic director Richard Hopkins in 2000, it has enjoyed several productions across the country, including theatres in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Toronto. Kathy Halenda, who originated the role of Tucker in the production, returned to FST for
8120-429: The Times ", " I Couldn't Live Without Your Love ", " This Is My Song " (from the Charles Chaplin film A Countess from Hong Kong ), and " Don't Sleep in the Subway ". The American recording industry honoured her with Grammy Awards for Best Rock & Roll Recording of 1964 for "Downtown" and for Best Contemporary (R&R) Vocal Performance of 1965 – Female for "I Know a Place". In 2004, her recording of "Downtown"
8260-444: The UK to promote it. She made a cameo appearance in the 2017 London Heathrow Airport Christmas television commercial, accompanied by her song, "I Couldn't Live without Your Love". On 10 November 2017 an English-language album was released, Living for Today . She embarked on a tour of the US in November 2017. It was her first US tour in five decades. On 20 April 2018 a French-Canadian album was released, Vu d'ici . In March 2019 she
8400-471: The UK, flew to her home in Paris with new song material he hoped would interest her, but she found none of it appealing. Desperate, he played for her a few chords of an incomplete song that had been inspired by his recent first trip to New York City. Upon hearing the melody, Clark told him that if he could write lyrics as good as the melody, she wanted to record the tune as her next single—" Downtown ". Hatch has subsequently denied originally offering "Downtown" to
8540-430: The UK, while such follow-up recordings as " Romeo " and "My Friend the Sea" landed her in the British Top-10 later that year. "Romeo" sold more than one million copies around the world and won her her first gold disc , which was awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America . In France " Ya Ya Twist " (a French-language cover of the Lee Dorsey rhythm and blues song "Ya Ya" and the only successful recording of
SECTION 60
#17328510246808680-423: The US country singles chart in early 1982. As Clark moved away from film and television, she returned to the stage. In 1954, she had starred in a stage production of The Constant Nymph , but at the urging of her children, did not return to legitimate theatre until 1981, starring as Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music at the Apollo Victoria Theatre , West End of London. Opening to positive reviews and what
8820-422: The US, and in doing so, she inadvertently made television history. While singing a duet of "On the Path of Glory", an antiwar song that she had composed, with guest Harry Belafonte , she took hold of his arm, to the dismay of a representative from the Chrysler Corporation (the show's sponsor), who feared that the moment would provoke racial backlash from Southern viewers. When he insisted that they substitute
8960-414: The United Kingdom; those who would formerly have met the criteria for the medal were instead made eligible for the MBE. In 2004, a report entitled A Matter of Honour: Reforming Our Honours System by a Commons select committee recommended phasing out the Order of the British Empire, as its title was "now considered to be unacceptable, being thought to embody values that are no longer shared by many of
9100-448: The Vogue label she agreed. In 1960 she embarked on a concert tour of France and Belgium with Sacha Distel , who remained a close friend until his death in 2004. Gradually she moved further into the continent, recording in German, French, Italian and Spanish. While she focused on her new career in France, she continued to achieve hit records in the UK into the early 1960s. Her 1961 recording of "Sailor" became her first number-one hit in
9240-450: The addition of a vertical pearl grey stripe in the centre for awards in the military division). From time to time the order was expanded: there was an increase in the maximum permitted number of recipients in 1933, and a further increase in 1937. During the Second World War, as had been the case during and after World War I, the number of military awards was greatly increased; between 1939 and 1946 there were more than 33,000 appointments to
9380-404: The broadcast audience, launching a series of some 500 appearances in programmes designed to entertain the troops. In addition to radio work, Clark frequently toured the United Kingdom with fellow child performer Julie Andrews . Nicknamed the "Singing Sweetheart", she performed for George VI , Winston Churchill and Bernard Montgomery . She also became known as "Britain's Shirley Temple ", and
9520-413: The cathedral. That year, Commonwealth awards made up 40% of all OBEs and MBEs awarded (and 35% of all living recipients of the higher awards). Gradually that proportion reduced as independent states within the Commonwealth established their own systems of honours . The last Canadian recommendation for the Order of the British Empire was an MBE for gallantry gazetted in 1966, a year before the creation of
9660-418: The circlet. In 1929, to bring the order into line with the other orders of chivalry, members of the first class of the order (GBE) were provided with mantles, hats and collars. Only Knights/Dames Grand Cross wear these elaborate vestments; the hat is now rarely, if ever, worn. Use of the mantle is limited to important occasions (such as quadrennial services and coronations ). The mantle is always worn with
9800-444: The collar. Although the mantle was introduced in 1929, very few mantles would have been produced prior to the 1937 design changes, as there were few occasions for wearing them in the intervening years. On certain days designated by the sovereign, known as " collar days ", members attending formal events may wear the order's collar over their military uniform, formal day dress, evening wear or robes of office. Collars are returned upon
9940-447: The control room they recorded her. Her song was "Mighty Like a Rose". As a child, Clark sang in the chapel choir and showed a talent for mimicry , impersonating Vera Lynn , Carmen Miranda and Sophie Tucker for her family and friends. Her father introduced her to theatre in 1944 when he took her to see Flora Robson in a production of Mary Stuart ; she later recalled that after the performance, "I made up my mind then and there I
10080-479: The country's population". The committee further suggested changing the name of the award to the Order of British Excellence, and changing the rank of Commander to Companion (as the former was said to have a "militaristic ring"), as well as advocating for the abolition of knighthoods and damehoods; the government, however, was not of the opinion that a case for change had been made, and the aforementioned suggestions and recommendations were not, therefore, pursued. In
10220-407: The crowd would tease her for being "so big and ugly." Early in her career, Tucker appeared in blackface as a minstrel singer, but she disliked this work and would sabotage the act by revealing that she was white at the end of the show, first removing a glove to reveal her white hand, then by pulling off her wig and exposing her blonde hair. Tucker also began integrating "fat girl" humor, which became
10360-403: The death of their owners, but other insignia may be retained. The six office-holders of the order wear pearl-grey mantles lined with rose-pink, having on the right side a purple shield charged with the roundel from the badge. Each of these office-holders wears a unique badge of office, suspended from a gold chain worn around the neck. The British Empire Medal is made of silver. On the obverse
10500-607: The distinction between ranks in military operational gallantry awards will cease'. The reforms affected the order at various levels: for example the automatic award each year of a GBE to the Lord Mayor of London ceased; the OBE replaced the Imperial Service Order as an award for civil servants and the number of MBEs awarded each year was significantly increased. As part of these reforms the British Empire Medal stopped being awarded by
10640-602: The early years of the 20th century into her show. She was billed as "the Last of the Red Hot Mamas" as her hearty sexual appetite was a frequent subject of her songs, unusual for female performers of the day after the decline of vaudeville. The cartoon The Woods Are Full of Cuckoos caricatures Tucker as Sophie Turkey. In 1938, Tucker was elected president of the American Federation of Actors , an early actors' trade union. Originally formed for vaudeville and circus performers,
10780-607: The failure of her marriages on her being too adjusted to economic independence. She said "Once you start carrying your own suitcase, paying your own bills, running your own show, you've done something to yourself that makes you one of those women men like to call 'a pal' and 'a good sport,' the kind of woman they tell their troubles to. But you've cut yourself off from the orchids and the diamond bracelets except those you buy yourself." Tucker died of lung cancer and kidney failure on February 9, 1966, aged 80, in her Park Avenue apartment. She continued working until her death, playing shows at
10920-557: The first of her big UK hits, and within two years she began recording in French. Her international successes have included " Prends mon cœur ", " Sailor " (a UK number one), " Romeo ", and " Chariot ". Hits in German, Italian and Spanish followed. In late 1964, Clark's success extended to the United States with a five-year run of career-defining, often upbeat singles, many written or co-written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent . These include her signature song " Downtown " (US number one), " I Know
11060-515: The former was to be responsible for recording all proceedings connected with the order, issuing warrants under the seal of the order and making arrangements for investitures, while the latter (at that time the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury ) was responsible for collecting and tabulating the names of those who were to receive an award. The office of Dean was added in 1957. The King of Arms
11200-401: The governments of overseas dominions to make their own nominations; Canada and South Africa began doing so in 1942, followed by Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth realms. In May 1957, forty years after the foundation of the order, it was announced that St Paul's Cathedral was to serve as the church of the order, and in 1960 a chapel was dedicated for its use within the crypt of
11340-450: The highest class of the order (GBE). The designs of all these items underwent major changes in 1937. The badge is worn by all members of the order; the size, colour and design depends on the class of award. The badge for all classes is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end) with a medallion in the centre, the obverse of which bears a crowned image of George V and Queen Mary within
11480-641: The honours system, calling it "a preposterous charade". The order has attracted some criticism for its naming having connection with the idea of the now-extinct British Empire . Benjamin Zephaniah , a British poet of Jamaican and Barbadian descent, publicly rejected appointment as an Officer in 2003 because, he asserted, it reminded him of "thousands of years of brutality". He also said that "it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised". Sophie Tucker Sophie Tucker (born Sofia Kalish ; January 13, 1886 – February 9, 1966)
11620-446: The insignia to Buckingham Palace and by ceasing to make reference to their honour, but they still hold the honour unless and until annulled by the monarch. In 2003, The Sunday Times published a list of the people who had rejected the Order of the British Empire, including David Bowie , John Cleese , Nigella Lawson , Elgar Howarth , L. S. Lowry , George Melly , and J. G. Ballard . In addition, Ballard voiced his opposition to
11760-681: The junior post-nominal letters. The British sovereign is the sovereign of the order and appoints all other officers of the order (by convention, on the advice of the governments of the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth realms ). The second-most senior officer is the Grand Master (a 'Prince of the Blood Royal, or other exalted personage' appointed by the sovereign, who, by virtue of their appointment, becomes 'the First or Principal Knight Grand Cross of
11900-522: The last were released on the CD In Her Own Write in 2007. Clark was the subject of This Is Your Life in February 1964, April 1975 and March 1996, becoming the only person to receive the television tribute three times. By 1964 Clark's British recording career was foundering. Composer/arranger Tony Hatch , who had been assisting her with her work for Vogue Records in France and Pye Records in
12040-519: The latter. Knights and Dames Commander and Commanders may display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet. See List of current honorary knights and dames of the Order of the British Empire Only the monarch can annul an honour. The Honours Forfeiture Committee considers cases and makes recommendations for forfeiture. An individual can renounce their honour by returning
12180-496: The launch of Herb Alpert and his A&M record label. In 1968 she brought the French composer/arranger Michel Colombier to the U.S. to work as her musical director, and introduced him to Alpert. Colombier went on to co-write the film score for Purple Rain with Prince , composed the acclaimed pop symphony Wings , and a number of soundtracks for American films. Richard Carpenter credited her with bringing his sister Karen and him to Alpert's attention when they performed at
12320-481: The lead. It closed after eight performances. Tucker continued to perform for the rest of her life. In 1962, she performed in the Royal Variety Performance , which was broadcast on the BBC. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on October 3, 1965. For the color broadcast, her last television appearance, she performed " Give My Regards to Broadway ", "Louise", and her signature song, "Some of These Days". Tucker
12460-512: The left breast, by Knights and Dames Grand Cross; Knights and Dames Commander wear a smaller star composed of 'four equal points and four lesser'. The star is not worn by the more junior classes. Prior to 1937 each star had in the centre a gold medallion with a figure of Britannia, surrounded by a crimson circlet inscribed with the motto of the order ('For God and the Empire'); since 1937 the effigies of King George V and Queen Mary have been shown within
12600-569: The medal 'for gallantry', which had come to be known as the Empire Gallantry Medal , were given permission to use the postnominal letters EGM (and at the same time to add a laurel branch emblem to the ribbon of the medal); however, in 1940, awards of the EGM ceased and all holders of the medal were instructed to exchange it for a new and more prestigious gallantry award: the George Cross . In 1941,
12740-547: The medal of the order 'for meritorious service' was renamed the British Empire Medal , and the following year its recipients were granted the right to use the postnominal letters BEM. During the war, the BEM came to be used to recognise acts of bravery which did not merit the award of a George Cross or George Medal , a use which continued until the introduction of the Queen's Gallantry Medal in 1974. The designs of insignia of
12880-449: The medal. The colour of the riband was also changed: twenty years earlier, prior to the order's establishment, Queen Mary had made it known that pink would be her preferred colour for the riband of the proposed new order, but, in the event, purple was chosen. Following her appointment as Grand Master of the order in 1936 a change was duly made and since 9 March 1937 the riband of the order has been 'rose pink edged with pearl grey’ (with
13020-469: The names of the former are written out in their fullest forms. Male clergy of the Church of England or the Church of Scotland do not use the title Sir (unless they were knighted before being ordained) as they do not receive the accolade (they are not dubbed "knight" with a sword), although they do append the post-nominal letters ; dames do not receive the accolade, and therefore female clergy are free to use
13160-525: The new year. Her triple album Une Baladine included 10 new tracks and one new studio recording: "SOS Mozart", a writing collaboration of Gilbert Bécaud and Pierre Delanoë. Both her album set and the new recording of "SOS Mozart" were produced by David Hadzis at the Arthanor Productions studio in Geneva and appeared on the French charts. She was patron of 2011 Dinard British Film Festival. Early in 2011
13300-441: The nine-year-old Clark made her radio debut while attending a BBC broadcast with her father. She was trying to send a message to an uncle who was stationed overseas, but the broadcast was delayed by an air raid . During the bombing the producer requested that someone perform to settle the jittery theatre audience and she volunteered a rendering of " Mighty Lak' a Rose " to an enthusiastic response. She then repeated her performance for
13440-449: The numbers restricted to the order as full members do. Although the Order of the British Empire has by far the highest number of members of the British orders of chivalry, with more than 100,000 living members worldwide, there are fewer appointments to knighthoods than in other orders. From time to time, individuals may be promoted to a higher grade within the Order, thereby ceasing usage of
13580-605: The order alongside its own honours until the establishment of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996. Other Commonwealth realms have continued to use the Order of the British Empire alongside their own honours. In 1993 the Prime Minister, John Major , instituted a reform of the honours system with the aim 'that exceptional service or achievement will be more widely recognised; that greater importance will be given to voluntary service; that automatic honours will end; that
13720-408: The order and medal were altered in 1937, prior to the coronation of King George VI , 'in commemoration of the reign of King George V and Queen Mary, during which the Order was founded'. The figure of Britannia at the centre of the badge of the order was replaced with an image of the crowned heads of the late King and Queen Mary, and the words 'Instituted by King George V' were added to the reverse of
13860-409: The order was celebrated with a service at St Paul's Cathedral. The order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 officers and 1,464 members may be appointed per year. Foreign appointees, as honorary members, do not contribute to
14000-426: The order, to which serving personnel would in future be appointed. The classes were the same as for the Civil Division (as it was now termed), but military awards were distinguished by the addition of a central vertical red stripe to the purple riband of the civil awards. In 1920 appointment as an MBE 'for an act of gallantry' was granted for the first time, to Sydney Frank Blanck Esq, who had rescued an injured man from
14140-633: The recording of Give Peace a Chance. On 15 November 1969, her concert, An Evening with Petula , from the Royal Albert Hall in London, was the first BBC One colour transmission. During the early 1970s Clark had chart singles on both sides of the Atlantic with "Melody Man" (1970), "The Song of My Life" (1971), "I Don't Know How To Love Him" (1972), "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" (1972), and "Loving Arms" (1974). In Canada, " Je Voudrais Qu'il Soit Malheureux "
14280-633: The same Order'). The position of Grand Master has been held by the following people: In addition to the sovereign and the grand master , the order has six further officers: At its foundation the order was served by three officers: the King of Arms, the Registrar & Secretary and the Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod. In 1922 the Prelate was added, and the office of Registrar was separated from that of Secretary:
14420-672: The songs, "Crazy" and "Downtown", were performed in Jools Holland 's New Year "Hootenanny" on 1 January 2013, along with her 1966 number-six hit, "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love". On 20 June 2015 she appeared with the Midtown Men at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, performing "Downtown". Clark released a new English-language album, From Now On , in October 2016, and completed a tour of
14560-472: The soundtrack of the 2007 independent film Downtown: A Street Tale . Une Baladine (in English, a wandering minstrel), an authorised pictorial biography by Françoise Piazza, was published in France and Switzerland in October 2007, and the following month she promoted it in bookshops and at book fairs. In 2005 she took part in the BBC Wales programme Coming Home , about her Welsh family history. She
14700-455: The standard of the George Medal (even though, as appointments to an order of chivalry, they were listed before it on the Order of Wear . In contrast to awards for meritorious service, which usually appear without a citation, there were often citations for gallantry awards, some detailed and graphic. From 14 January 1958, these awards were designated Commander, Officer or Member of the Order of
14840-554: The television series The Sound of Petula (1972–74), and through the 1970s, made numerous guest appearances on variety, comedy, and game-show television programmes. She appeared as a special guest star in an episode of The Muppet Show in 1977. In 1980 she made her last film appearance, in the British production Never Never Land . Her last television appearance was acting in the 1981 French miniseries Sans Famille ( An Orphan's Tale ). A 1981 single, "Natural Love", reached number 66 on Billboard ' s Hot 100 chart and number 20 on
14980-417: The time that Clarice Vance was using the narrative style, it was unique to her among women entertainers. Tucker is briefly mentioned in the lyrics of the song "Roxie" from the musical Chicago ("And Sophie Tucker'll shit I know/To see her name get billed below/Foxy Roxie Hart") and was cited as the main influence for the character Matron "Mama" Morton. A popular music revue, Sophie Tucker: The Last of
15120-506: The title Dame . Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal GBE; Knights Commander, KBE; Dames Commander, DBE; Commanders, CBE; Officers, OBE; and Members, MBE. The post-nominal for the British Empire Medal is BEM. Members of all classes of the order are assigned positions in the order of precedence . Wives of male members of all classes also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander; relatives of Ladies of
15260-649: The title role in George Bernard Shaw 's Candida . Her later stage work includes Someone Like You in 1989 and 1990, for which she composed the score; Blood Brothers , in which she made her Broadway debut in 1993 at the Music Box Theatre , followed by the American tour; and Andrew Lloyd Webber 's Sunset Boulevard , appearing in both the West End and American touring productions from 1995 to 2000. In 2004, she repeated her performance of Norma Desmond in
15400-577: The titles Sir for men and Dame for women before their forenames, except with honorary awards. King George V founded the order to fill gaps in the British honours system : In particular, George V wished to create an order to honour the many thousands of individuals from across the Empire who had served in a variety of non-combat roles during the First World War . From its foundation the order consisted of five classes (GBE, KBE/DBE, CBE, OBE and MBE) and
15540-756: The union expanded to include nightclub performers and was chartered as a branch of the Associated Actors and Artistes. In 1939, the union was disbanded by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) for financial mismanagement. However, Tucker was not implicated in the proceedings. The AFL later issued a charter for the succeeding American Guild of Variety Artists , which remains active. In 1938–1939, Tucker had her own radio show, The Roi Tan Program with Sophie Tucker , broadcast on CBS for 15 minutes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She made numerous guest appearances on such programs as The Radio Hall of Fame and The Andrews Sisters' Show: Eight-to-the-Bar Ranch hosted by
15680-575: The video for the song, which they recorded in Galway , and she in Paris. On 22 December 2011, the record reached number two on the Irish chart. In February 2012 Clark completed her first New York City show since 1975. Her show featured a parody of "Downtown", an idea that came from her musical director Grant Sturiale. After the end of her season, which was extended due to the demand for tickets, she returned to Paris to promote her new album, before flying to Australia for
15820-662: Was English. Clark's stage name "Petula" was invented by her father, who joked that it was a combination of the names of his two former girlfriends, Pet and Ulla. Clark grew up in Abercanaid , near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, in a house with no electricity or running water and a toilet in the garden. Her grandfather was a coal miner. Her first ever live audience was at the Colliers' Arms in Abercanaid. She also recalls living just outside London during
15960-464: Was a Ukrainian-American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality. Known for her powerful delivery of comical and risqué songs, she was one of the most popular entertainers in the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century. She was known by the nickname "the Last of the Red-Hot Mamas". Tucker was born Sofiya "Sonya" Kalish ( Ukrainian : Соня Калиш; Yiddish : סאָפיאַ קאַליש ) in 1886 to
16100-716: Was a major hit. She continued touring during the 1970s, performing in clubs in the US and Europe. During this period, she also appeared in print and radio ads for the Coca-Cola Corporation, television commercials for Plymouth automobiles , print and TV spots for Burlington Industries and Chrysler Sunbeam , as well as print ads for Sanderson wallpaper in the UK. In the mid-1970s she scaled back her career to devote more time to her family. On 31 December 1976, she performed her hit song "Downtown" on BBC1 's A Jubilee of Music , celebrating British popular music for Queen Elizabeth II 's impending Silver Jubilee . She also hosted
16240-489: Was a witness at the wedding of her friend, French singer Charles Aznavour , alongside Sammy Davis Jr. In October 1957, Clark was invited to appear at the Paris Olympia for Europe's premier live radio show, Musicorama . The next day, she was invited to the office of Vogue Records' chairman Léon Cabat to discuss recording in French and working in France. There, she met her future husband, publicist Claude Wolff, to whom she
16380-648: Was announced as returning to the West End stage in London for the first time in 20 years, performing in the upcoming revival of Mary Poppins as The Bird Woman. In March 2020 the United Music Foundation released A Valentine's Day at the Royal Albert Hall , a collector's edition including the complete recording of her legendary concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 February 1974. Clark appeared in Stephen Sondheim 's Old Friends concert which aired on
16520-609: Was attracted immediately, and when she was told that he would work with her if she recorded in French, she agreed. They were married in June 1961 and have two daughters and a son. and two grandchildren Wolff died on 20 March 2024. Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry , rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside
16660-483: Was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA . Tucker was strongly affected by the decline of vaudeville. Speaking about performing in the final show at E.F. Albee 's Palace Theater in New York City, she remarked "Everyone knew the theater was to be closed down, and a landmark in show business would be gone. That feeling got into the acts. The whole place, even the performers, stank of decay. I seemed to smell it. It challenged me. I
16800-816: Was cast with Peter O'Toole in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), a musical adaptation of the classic James Hilton novella. Throughout the late 1960s she toured in concerts in the U.S., and she often appeared in supper clubs such as the Copacabana in New York City, the Ambassador Hotel's Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles, and the Empire Room at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel . During this period Clark continued her interest in encouraging new talent. These efforts also supported
16940-668: Was considered a mascot by the British Army , some of whose troops plastered her photos on their tanks for good luck as they advanced into battle. While she was performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1944, Clark was discovered by the film director Maurice Elvey , who cast her, at the age of 12, as the precocious orphaned waif Irma in his war drama Medal for the General . In quick succession she performed in Strawberry Roan , I Know Where I'm Going! , London Town , Here Come
17080-542: Was determined to give the audience the idea: Why brood over yesterday? We have tomorrow. As I sang, I could feel the atmosphere change. The gloom began to lift, the spirit which formerly filled the Palace and which made it famous among vaudeville houses the world over came back. That's what an entertainer can do." In 1929, she made her first movie appearance in Honky Tonk . During the 1930s, Tucker brought elements of nostalgia for
17220-459: Was financed with part of her earnings. She scored a number of major hits in the UK during the 1950s, including " The Little Shoemaker " (1954), "Majorca" (1955), " Suddenly There's a Valley " (1955) and " With All My Heart " (1956). "The Little Shoemaker" was an international hit, reaching number one in Australia, the first of many number-one records in her career. Near the end of 1955 Polygon Records
17360-402: Was first announced at the end of December 2006, and is available to recipients of all levels of the order, as well as to holders of the British Empire Medal . The pin design is not unique to any level. The pin features the badge of the order, enclosed in a circle of ribbon of its colours of pink and grey. Lapel pins must be purchased separately by a member of the order. The creation of such a pin
17500-511: Was going to be an actress. ... I wanted to be Ingrid Bergman more than anything else in the world." However, her first public performances were as a singer. In 1945 she performed with an orchestra in the entrance hall of Bentall's Department Store in Kingston upon Thames for a tin of toffee and a gold wristwatch. From a chance beginning at the age of seven, Clark appeared on radio, in film, in print, on television and on recordings. In October 1942
17640-475: Was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame . Her recording successes led to frequent appearances on American variety programmes hosted by Ed Sullivan and Dean Martin , guest shots on Hullabaloo , Shindig! , The Kraft Music Hall and The Hollywood Palace , and inclusion in musical specials such as The Best on Record and Rodgers and Hart Today. In 1968 NBC invited Clark to host her own special in
17780-405: Was invited to appear at the Paris Olympia , where, despite her misgivings and a bad cold, she was received with acclaim. The following day she was invited to the office of Vogue Records to discuss a contract. There she met her future longtime publicist, collaborator and husband Claude Wolff. Clark was attracted immediately, and when she was told that she would be working with him if she signed with
17920-525: Was just beginning – Henderson, reportedly not wanting to end up as "Mr. Petula Clark", decided to end the relationship, although they remained on friendly terms. Their professional relationship continued for a few years, culminating in the BBC Radio series Pet and Mr. Piano , which was the last time they worked together. In 1962, he penned a ballad about their break-up, called "There's Nothing More To Say", for Clark's LP In Other Words . In 1967 in Las Vegas , she
18060-469: Was made a substantive member and subsequently styled as Sir Terry Wogan). Although initially intended to recognise meritorious service, the order began to also be awarded for gallantry. There were an increased number of cases in the Second World War for service personnel and civilians including the merchant navy, police, emergency services and civil defence, mostly MBEs but with a small number of OBEs and CBEs. Such awards were for gallantry that did not reach
18200-649: Was married three times. Her first marriage was to Louis Tuck, a beer cart driver, with whom she eloped in 1903. The marriage produced Tucker's only child, Albert. In 1906 the couple separated, and Tucker left Albert with her family, supporting them with money from her singing jobs in New York. They were divorced in May 1913. Albert was raised by his maternal aunt, Annie. Annie and Sophie had a close relationship and kept in touch with weekly letters. Her second marriage, to Frank Westphal (1917–20), her accompanist, and her third marriage, to Al Lackey (1928–34), her manager, both ended in divorce and produced no children. She blamed
18340-466: Was one of the backing vocalists on John Lennon 's Plastic Ono Band anthem " Give Peace a Chance ." She was performing in Montreal in June 1969, and was being heckled by the audience due to her bilingual performance. She went to see Lennon for advice on dealing with this. His wife Yoko Ono and he were staying at the city's Queen Elizabeth Hotel during their bed-in protest. Clark subsequently ended up on
18480-508: Was open to both women and men; provision was also made for conferring honorary awards on foreign recipients. At the same time, alongside the order, the Medal of the Order of the British Empire was instituted, to serve as a lower award granting recipients affiliation but not membership. The first investiture took place at Ibrox Stadium , as part of a royal visit to the Glasgow shipyards, with the appointment of Alexander Ure, 1st Baron Strathclyde as
18620-518: Was performed on the BBC show Top of the Pops . Clark recorded new material regularly throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and in 1992 released "Oxygen", a single produced by Andy Richards and written by Nik Kershaw . In 1998 Clark was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II . In 2012 she was installed as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France by
18760-702: Was presented with the 2007 Film and TV Music Award for Best Use of a Song in a Television Programme for "Downtown" in the ABC series Lost . She completed a concert tour of England and Wales in summer 2008, followed by concerts in Switzerland and the Philippines . Then & Now , a compilation of greatest hits and several new Clark compositions, entered the UK Albums Chart in June 2008 and won Clark her first silver disc for an album. Open Your Heart: A Love Song Collection ,
18900-566: Was recommended in Sir Hayden Phillips ' review of the honours system in 2004. The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire is in St Paul's Cathedral . It occupies the far eastern end of the cathedral crypt and was dedicated in 1960. The only heraldic banners normally on display in the chapel are those of the Sovereign of the Order of the British Empire and of the Grand Master of the Order of
19040-498: Was released in February 2007; and Solitude and Sunshine , a studio recording of all new material by composer Rod McKuen , was released in July of that year. She was the host of the March 2007 PBS fundraising special My Music: The British Beat, an overview of the musical British invasion of the United States during the 1960s, followed by a number of concert dates throughout the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She can be heard on
19180-502: Was sold to Nixa Records, then part of Pye Records , leading to the establishment of Pye Nixa Records (subsequently simply Pye). This effectively signed Clark to the Pye label in the UK, for which she recorded until the early 1970s. During this period she showed a keen interest in encouraging new talent. She suggested that Henderson be allowed to record his own music, and he had five chart hits on Polygon/Pye between 1955 and 1960. In 1957 Clark
19320-585: Was the subject of a BBC Four documentary titled Petula Clark: Blue Lady , and appeared with Michael Ball and Tony Hatch in a concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane broadcast by BBC Radio the following month. In December that year, she made her first appearance in Iceland . Duets , a compilation including Dusty Springfield , Peggy Lee , Dean Martin , Bobby Darin and the Everly Brothers , among others,
19460-571: Was then the largest advance sale in British theatre history, Clark—proclaimed by Maria Von Trapp herself as "the best Maria ever"—extended her initial six-month run to 13 to accommodate the huge demand for tickets and receiving a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. On 6 February 1983, during a concert at the Albert Hall she gave a heart-rending performance of For All We Know in tribute to her friend Karen Carpenter who had died two days previously. Also in 1983, she took on
19600-526: Was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas. Today the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order. Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state. The five classes of appointment to the Order are, from highest grade to lowest grade: The senior two ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander entitle their members to use
#679320