Conway was born in Bristol, England. He had no formal piano training and sp… Read Full Bio ↴Conway was born in Bristol, England. He had no formal piano training and spent his early adulthood in the Navy. Conway was talent-spotted while playing in a London club, signed to Columbia Records and spent the mid 1950s providing backing for their artists including Gracie Fields and Joan Regan. However, the commercial potential of Conway's unique percussive piano style (which he attributed to a missing fingertip he had severed many years previously with a bread slicer) was too great for him to remain in the background for long. Conway recorded his first solo single in 1957, a novelty instrumental medley of pop standards.
1959 was Conway's annus mirabilis, with a cumulative total of 83 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. This included two self-penned number one instrumentals, "Side Saddle" and "Roulette", the latter deposing Elvis Presley's "A Fool Such As I".
Conway maintained a chart presence in the early 1960s, and was a fixture on light entertainment TV shows and radio for many years afterwards thanks to his instantly recognisable piano style. For some years his career was blighted by ill-health, and his later life was notable for charity work. He founded in 1990, along with his friend writer and broadcaster Richard Hope-Hawkins, the Russ Conway Cancer Fund and they staged in major theatre's charity gala shows that raised thousands of pounds and was donated to numerous cancer charities. Russ, who never married, died on 2000-11-16 [1]. Richard Hope Hawkins gave the main address at Russ's funeral held at the historic St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol. Elton John sent a wreath. In 2001 Richard devised, staged and directed a tribute to Russ at the Colston Hall, Bristol with an all-star cast. The money raised which was £18,000 was donated to St Peter's Hospice, Bristol.
1959 was Conway's annus mirabilis, with a cumulative total of 83 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. This included two self-penned number one instrumentals, "Side Saddle" and "Roulette", the latter deposing Elvis Presley's "A Fool Such As I".
Conway maintained a chart presence in the early 1960s, and was a fixture on light entertainment TV shows and radio for many years afterwards thanks to his instantly recognisable piano style. For some years his career was blighted by ill-health, and his later life was notable for charity work. He founded in 1990, along with his friend writer and broadcaster Richard Hope-Hawkins, the Russ Conway Cancer Fund and they staged in major theatre's charity gala shows that raised thousands of pounds and was donated to numerous cancer charities. Russ, who never married, died on 2000-11-16 [1]. Richard Hope Hawkins gave the main address at Russ's funeral held at the historic St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol. Elton John sent a wreath. In 2001 Richard devised, staged and directed a tribute to Russ at the Colston Hall, Bristol with an all-star cast. The money raised which was £18,000 was donated to St Peter's Hospice, Bristol.
China Tea
Russ Conway Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Russ Conway:
All My Loving Close your eyes and I'll kiss you Tomorrow I'll miss you R…
Come Softly To Me I remember a road that's called to me Since I was…
Elusive Butterfly You might wake up some mornin' To the sound of something…
Embraceable You Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you! Embrace me, you irrep…
Hi-Lili-Hi-Lo On every tree there sits a bird, singing a song…
I Wish You Love Goodbye, No use leading with our chins, This is where our…
If Ever I Would Leave You If ever I would leave you, it wouldn't be in…
It's Not Goodbye It's not unusual to be loved by anyone It's not unusual…
leaves If ever I would leave you, it wouldn't be in…
Ruby They say, Ruby you're like a dream Not always what…
Strangers In The Night Strangers in the night, Exchanging glances Wandering the ni…
The More I See You Each time I look at you is like the first…
The World Outside The world outside Belongs to me Since you are mine…
Toy Balloons There's a man who sells balloons Pretty coloured toy balloon…
when When the midnight choo choo leaves for Alabam' I'll be right…
You Stepped Out Of A Dream You stepped out of a dream You are too wonderful to…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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GlossedLipss
To be perfectly honest, I didn't think I'd find any of Russ Conway's stuff on youtube as he died in 2000 and his music is older than most stuff on here, but I was bored at college today and decided to search for it to get a bit of a one up over a pianist at college, found this and was happy :) He thought it was pretty insane as Russ was my great Uncle, only met him once though >.< He inspires me to become a great pianist liek him and keep it in the family!
reloda
Wow... can see a resemblance in your pic or am I just imagining it?
Vashti
I have been playing Russ Conway to my 85 year old Dad who has Alzheimers. The smile that lights up his face has to been seen to be believed. I have to add, at age 40 and into slightly different music (lol) at first I thought this must be a load of old shite. But every time I hear this, or Side Saddle, Lesson One etc, I break into a bigger smile than my old Dad's. You can't sit still to this...I love it. Even got it as my phone ringer ;)
ROBERT CHARLES HAYNES
Yer in the same position as UK TV hostess Ruth Langsford. Her dad had Alzheimer's disease and he subsequently died in February 2012 at the same age, 85 going on 86.
kevin heming
Such memories of my younger days...RIP Russ and thank you for the music.
Allan Ward
A diamond geezer Russ Conway ( Trevor Stamford). He was one of many who inspired me in the world of music. Thank you.
Carol Dummett
Stanford not Stamford
Jim and Edwina Corderoy
This was one of the first records I ever bought, still love it.
Damien O'Gorman
That put a huge smile on my face, not heard that tune in 45+ years, had no idea who performed/wrote it. Thank you
ptfeathers
Well done Russ it's my favorite and will always be