Cilla Black Television Icon and singer passes away aged 72
Most of Great Britain are saddened to hear the news that Cilla Black icon from the 60’s has passed away from natural causes in her home in Spain. She had a career that spanned over 50 years and she is a name a lot of us grew up with either through her pop career or her television career.
Born on May 27th 1943 Liverpool England, at that time her name was Priscilla Maria Veronica White, she began her career as a teenager when she worked as a cloakroom assistant in a club called The Cavern Club, which a lot of people will know is famous for the fact the Beatles used to play there regularly. She had occasions at the club when she sang and that was what got her noticed by Brian Epstein the Manager to the Beatles who had signed her as his only female client.
Cilla changed her name from Priscilla white to Cilla Black for her career prospects and had her first single written for her by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, this was only a moderate success, she then went on to sing ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ a composition by Burt Bacharach-Hal David, which became a number one hit and made her a house hold name. Her top ten hits include You’re my World, Alfie, surround yourself with sorrow and many more over the 60’s and 70’s.
I always remember seeing on Television when she hosted TV shows like Blind Date and Surprise Surprise which began in the mid 80’s and went on till the early 2000’s, she was a personality that many people adored and she was the homely personality that was loved by the stars as well.
Cilla was Married to Bobby Willis her manager for over 30 years before he passed and they had 3 sons Robert, Benjamin and Jack and they also a daughter Ellen who only lived for 2 hours. In 1997 Cilla received an OBE which is An Officer of the Order of the British Empire in that years new Years honours. Cilla has been called a national Treasure and will be missed by many a fan and star alike.