Ruby Murray - 'You Are My First Love.'wmv (1956)

Remembering Ruby Murray......

Ruby Murray Bio...

Born 29 March 1935, Belfast, Northern Ireland, died 17 December 1996.

One of the most popular singers in the UK during the 50s, Murray toured Ulster as a child singer in various variety shows, and, after being spotted by producer Richard Afton, made her television debut at the age of 12. Stringent Irish laws regarding child performers held her back for two years, and she returned to school in Belfast until she was 14.


In 1954 she travelled to London in comedian Tommy Morgan's touring revue, Mrs. Mulligan's Hotel, and was again seen by Afton, at the famous Metropolitan Theatre, Edgware Road. He offered her a position as resident singer on BBC Television's Quite Contrary, replacing Joan Regan who was about to leave. Signed to UK Columbia by recording manager and musical director Ray Martin, Murray's first release, 'Heartbeat', made the UK Top 5 in 1954, and was followed by 'Softly, Softly'. The latter reached number 1 in 1955, and became an ideal theme song, reflecting her shy image.

In the early part of 1955 Murray had five singles in the Top 20 at the same time, an extraordinary record that lasted until the emergence of Madonna in the 80s.

Murray's hits included 'Happy Days And Lonely Nights', 'Let Me Go Lover', 'If Anyone Finds This, I Love You' (with Anne Warren), 'Evermore', 'I'll Come When You Call', 'Real Love', 'Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye' and 'You Are My First Love'. She sang the last number over the opening titles of the film musical It's Great To Be Young. Murray's own film appearances included the comedy, A Touch Of The Sun, with Frankie Howerd and Dennis Price.

During a hectic period in the mid-50s, she had her own television show, starred at the London Palladium in 'Painting The Town' with Norman Wisdom, appeared in a Royal Command Performance, and toured the USA, Malta and North Africa.


In 1957, while appearing in a summer season at Blackpool, she met Bernie Burgess, a member of the vocal group the Jones Boys. They married in secret 10 days later. Burgess became her personal manager and, during the early 60s, they toured as a double act. In 1970 Murray had some success with 'Change Your Mind', and released an album with the same title, which included contemporary songs such as 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head', and revamped some of her hits.

In 1989 Ruby Murray's EMI Years included other songs regularly featured in her act such as 'Mr. Wonderful', 'Scarlet Ribbons' and 'It's The Irish In Me'.

In the 90s, based in Torquay, Devon, with her second husband, impresario Ray Lamar, she was still performing in cabaret and in nostalgia shows with other stars of the 50s right up to her death in 1996.

YOU ARE MY FIRST LOVE
(Bobby Powell / C.L. Roberts)

Ruby Murray - 1956 You are my first love, my first and last love
We'll make this love last forevermore
We'll prove a love as young as spring keeps glowing
Even though the chill November wind keeps blowing

We'll show that two hearts, two young but true hearts
Can do what few hearts have done before
Till the sun grows cold, till time stands still
We'll feel the magic thrill of our first love

(Orchestral Break)

Till the sun grows cold, till time stands still
We'll feel the magic thrill of our first love

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ruby
• Murray
• Pop
• British
• Hit
• Parade
• Ballads

[caraphyllis]

Here in the USA I never heard of Ruby, although I'm old enough to remember when this type of singing was popular. Thank you for introducing her to me. It's interesting that she stripped her voice of any hint of an Irish accent. I guess everybody thought they needed to sound "American" to sing this music, for some reason...

[trooper7h]

Hi Caraphyllis,

Ruby was very young when she was introduced to the public & British singers were encouraged to adopt a more 'transatlantic' voice to aid their record sales in USA.

Ruby's name became enshrined in Cockney rhyming slang - first as 'A Ruby Murray' - meaning an Indian Curry! Cockneys then shortened it to 'A Ruby' !

A Cockney - for those who don't know - is anyone born within the sound of Bow Bells in East London.

My best wishes to you for Christmas & the New Year.

trooper7h.

[PaulinaRena]

Trevor - Thank you for posting this very sweet warm song by Ruby from your collection. I had never heard of her till now - my loss for sure. She doesn't sound just like Doris Day but , to me, her voice brings Doris's style to mind. They both have lovely voices and put emotion into their songs. Ruby is a very pretty lady and I am sure she had a truly nice fan following during her career. - Paula

[trooper7h]

Hi Paula,

Ruby was a huge singing star in the UK in the 1950's

Her characteristic hoarse voice was a result of an operation on her throat in early childhood.

NOTE: The Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed that although Madonna had many hit records, she never equalled or beat Ruby Murray's record of having 5 hits in the Top Twenty in the same week.

My Best wishes to you for the Christmas Holiday & all through the New Year,

Trevor

[FAUSTORICCARDO]

Sweet singer, beautiful song. Grazie

[Bradstonian24]

@PaulinaRena Hi there, I first heard this song when it was used in the film "It"s Great To Be Young" with a very young Sir John Mills. As my christian name is the same as the lead character and I was only a teenager, I instantly fell in love with her voice. Been the same ever since really!

[SuperWaffled]

How well I remember this song - it was featured in a film I saw when I was hardly out of my teens. Jeremy Spenser was in the film and I fell in love with him - What was the film called please? It also featured an orchestral piece by Bizet, I think - do you remember the name of that, Thank you.

[bangtokhammer]

@trooper7h I"ve actually only just decided to find out who ruby murray is after calling curries 'rubies' for aas long as i can remember. Got there eventually, nice singer.

[kallioney]

Wow, this brings back a lot of memories from the 50s, thanks for posting.

[nancyfloressantos]

Featured in the 1956 movie "It's Great To Be Young" starring John Mills.

[TheMgallacher]

It's Great To Be Young!

[CHESSTERUK]

I thought Edna Savage sang "You are my first love" in the 1956 film "It's great to be young". I do like Ruby's version though.