Great Britain's answer to Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard has been among the country's most popular singers since the 1950s and even the arrival of the Beatles in the 1960s could not eclipse him. As with many popular artists of his day, Richard attempted a movie career, beginning in 1959 with Serious Charge. Though this was an intense drama, most of Richard's films were lighter and often filled with music. Richard's continued popularity led to a knighthood and his officially becoming Sir Harold Webb (his birth name).
Cliff Richard
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- Got a guitar when he was 16 and formed a vocal group a year later.
- Took on the name Cliff Richard in 1958 when he became the lead singer of a rock and roll group.
- Released his debut album, Cliff, in 1959.
- Sang the UK entry in the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest, "Congratulations"; the song lost the competition by one point.
- Received a knighthood in 1995.
- Released the single "Thank You for a Lifetime" in 2008, in honor of his 50th year in music.
- Performed at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012.
- Was a torch runner in the 2012 Olympic torch relay.
- The only singer to have had a UK number one single in five consecutive decades.
- Started the Cliff Richard Charitable Trust, which issues grants and supports charities around the UK.