George Melly
Alan George Heywood Melly (17 August 1926 – 5 July 2007) was an English jaz… Read Full Bio ↴Alan George Heywood Melly (17 August 1926 – 5 July 2007) was an English jazz and blues singer and writer. From 1965–1973 he was a film and television critic for The Observer. He also lectured on art history, with an emphasis on Surrealism.
His singing style, particularly for the blues, was strongly influenced by his idol, the American Blues singer Bessie Smith. While many British musicians of the time treated jazz and blues with almost religious solemnity, Melly rejoiced in their more bawdy side, and this was reflected in his choice of songs and exuberant stage performances. He recorded a track called 'Old Codger' with The Stranglers in 1978 especially written for him by the band.
Technically, Melly was bisexual, but moved from strictly homosexual relationships in his teens and twenties to largely heterosexual relationships from his thirties onwards. He married twice and had a child from each marriage.
He was still active in music, journalism, and lecturing on Surrealism and other aspects of modern art until his death, despite worsening health problems such as vascular dementia, incipient emphysema and lung cancer.
In addition to age-related health problems, Melly suffered from environmental hearing loss due to long-term exposure to on-stage sound systems, and his hearing in both ears became increasingly poor. On Sunday 10 June 2007, George Melly made an appearance, announced as his last ever performance, at the 100 Club in London. This was on the occasion of a fund-raising event to benefit the charity supporting his carers.
He died at his London home of lung cancer aged 80 on 5 July 2007.
Much of George's music was in collaboration with others and hence you will find him on last.fm often as "George Melly and..." rather than in his own name. Use the search facility to find many of the jazz bands he worked with
His singing style, particularly for the blues, was strongly influenced by his idol, the American Blues singer Bessie Smith. While many British musicians of the time treated jazz and blues with almost religious solemnity, Melly rejoiced in their more bawdy side, and this was reflected in his choice of songs and exuberant stage performances. He recorded a track called 'Old Codger' with The Stranglers in 1978 especially written for him by the band.
Technically, Melly was bisexual, but moved from strictly homosexual relationships in his teens and twenties to largely heterosexual relationships from his thirties onwards. He married twice and had a child from each marriage.
He was still active in music, journalism, and lecturing on Surrealism and other aspects of modern art until his death, despite worsening health problems such as vascular dementia, incipient emphysema and lung cancer.
In addition to age-related health problems, Melly suffered from environmental hearing loss due to long-term exposure to on-stage sound systems, and his hearing in both ears became increasingly poor. On Sunday 10 June 2007, George Melly made an appearance, announced as his last ever performance, at the 100 Club in London. This was on the occasion of a fund-raising event to benefit the charity supporting his carers.
He died at his London home of lung cancer aged 80 on 5 July 2007.
Much of George's music was in collaboration with others and hence you will find him on last.fm often as "George Melly and..." rather than in his own name. Use the search facility to find many of the jazz bands he worked with
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George Melly Lyrics
After You've Gone Now won't you listen honey, while I say, How could…
Ain't Misbehavin' No one to talk with All by myself No one to walk…
Anything Goes Times have changed, And we've ofter rewound the clock Sinc…
Blue Turning Grey Over You Gee, how I miss Your tender kiss, And the wonderful things…
Georgia On My Mind Yeah Georgia, Georgia The whole day through Just an old swee…
Gulf Coast Blues I done pack my belong Gonna leave my woes Goin' to a…
Hound Dog You ain't nothin' but a hound dog Cryin' all the time You…
I Can't Give You Anything But Love Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
I'm a Ding Dong Daddy I reckon you all don't know me at all I just…
It Had To be You It had to be you, it had to be you. I…
It's De-Lovely The night is young, the skies are clear So if…
Midnight Cannonball Cómo haré para arrancarte de mi corazón de mi alma y…
My Very Good Friend the Milkman My very good friend the milkman says That I've been losing…
Riverboat Shuffle All you cotton toters, Mississippi floaters, Gather all ab…
Running Wild My gal and I, we had a fight And I'm…
September Song Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December But…
Straighten Up and Fly Away The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the…
Straighten Up And Fly Right The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the…
Sweet Lorraine Everything is set, skies are blue, Can't believe it yet, bu…
The Nearness of You Its not the pale moon that excites me That thrills and…