Chart-topping Welsh pop idol dies aged 84
TRIBUTES have been paid to Ricky Valance – the first Welshman to score a solo number one in the music charts – following his death aged 84.
Born in Ynysddu, near Caerphilly, he became a star nationwide after the release of his hit song Tell Laura I Love Her in 1960.
The song, which was controversial in its day, was banned from some stations over claims its subject matter was in “bad taste”. The lyrics told the story of a boy called Tommy who dies after taking part in a car race in a bid to win enough money to marry his sweetheart, Laura.
The hit spent 16 weeks in the chart – three at number one – and sold more than a million copies.
Born David Spencer, Valance joined the RAF aged 17 after leaving school to follow his father down Nine Mile Point Colliery in Cwmfelinfach aged 15. He said he saw the RAF as a way to get out of the mine, which was damaging his health.
“My father told me to get out of the pit and the dust so I joined the RAF,” he told the Echo in 2015.
He served in north Africa for three years, before performing in clubs in northern England upon his return.
He got his break when a record producer heard him singing in a London pub.
Valance, who had been lead sporano in his church choir growing up, was signed and recorded Tell Laura I Love Her, ensuring his place in Welsh music history.
Further singles included Movin’ Away and Jimmy’s Girl. More than 100,000 copies of Jimmy’s Girl were sold, while Movin’ Away reached number one in Australia and Scandinavia. As the 1960s went on, however, tastes changed and he was never able to repeat the success of his early years.
He released a final single called Welcome Home in 2017 to raise money for the Royal Air Force Museum and the RAF Association.
Speaking at the time, he told us: “I wanted to get back in the saddle and record again and I wanted my retirement song to mean something, so I am dedicating it to the RAF Association because joining the RAF was my way of getting out of the valleys.”
Valance lived in Skegness with his wife Evelyn since 2015, after moving there from Spain, but he remained a frequent visitor to family in South Wales throughout his later years.
He was honoured with an award at the St David’s Day concert at the Wales Millenium Centre for being the first Welshman to have a UK number one.
His agent confirmed the sad news of Valance’s death on Friday, saying he had been diagnosed with dementia and had been in hospital since before the lockdown had begun.
Fans told of their grief on social media, with Mark Rees posting on Twitter: “I was lucky enough to both interview and watch Ricky Valance perform live. An inspiring man, and such a sad loss.”