Lionel Morton
Encyclopedia
Lionel Morton is a former musician
and television
presenter
.
In the early 1960s Morton was the lead vocalist
/ rhythm guitarist
of the band
, The Four Pennies
. They are best known for their biggest hit single
, "Juliet" which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
in May 1964. Morton and his group appeared seven times on the BBC Television
programme
, Top of the Pops
.
From April 1968 to December 1977 he was a regular presenter on the pre-school children's programme Play School. and in the 1970s he went on to present on Play Away
. For a time he was also married to the actress, Julia Foster
.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
.
In the early 1960s Morton was the lead vocalist
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
/ rhythm guitarist
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
of the band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, The Four Pennies
The Four Pennies
The Four Pennies were an English, 1960s pop group, most notable for their 1964 UK chart topping song, "Juliet". The group's name came after a meeting above the Blackburn music shop owned by Mary Reidy, the shop being situated on 'Penny Street' where it is still located today as "Reidy's Home of...
. They are best known for their biggest hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Juliet" which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in May 1964. Morton and his group appeared seven times on the BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
programme
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
.
From April 1968 to December 1977 he was a regular presenter on the pre-school children's programme Play School. and in the 1970s he went on to present on Play Away
Play Away
Play Away was a sister programme to Play School in the UK, aimed at slightly older children. It ran from 1971 until 1984. While Play School had a more gentle, intimate feel, featuring just two presenters in a studio with the usual collection of toys and pets, Play Away was much more lively,...
. For a time he was also married to the actress, Julia Foster
Julia Foster
Julia Foster is a British actress.Foster's credits include the films The Bargee with Harry H. Corbett, Alfie with Michael Caine, Half a Sixpence with Tommy Steele, and Percy with Hywel Bennett...
.
UK singles
- 1967 "What To Do With Laurie" / "I'll Just Wait Around" (Philips BF 1578)
- 1967 "First Love Never Dies" / "Try Not To Cry" (Philips BF 1607)
- 1969 "Waterloo Road" / "Floral Street" (RCA Victor 1875)
- 1974 "Don't Let Life Get You Down" / "Play Away" (BBC BEEB011)
- 19XX "What A Woman Does" / "Listen To The Music" (Cube BUG24)
UK albums
- 1973 Lionel (Contour 2870324)
- 1973 Playaway (BBC RBT 19)
- 1974 Lionel Sings For The Children (Contour XXX)