MATT MONRO

Matt Monro was an English singer born Terence Edward Parsons on December 1, 1930 in Shoreditch, London. He first made his name as a singer during his time working as a London bus driver, occasionally entertaining passengers on their journeys. Matt Monro became a regular guest on of Radio Rediffusion's Talent Time show, and was offered his own show on the proviso that he withdrew from entering any further competitions, performing his first special in 1953. He was soon a regular lungsmith for the BBC Show Band in 1956, mentored by chart-topping pianist Winifred Atwell, who encouraged the name change from Terence to Matt, and helped him get a deal with Decca. Matt Monro’s break came when George Martin heard Monro’s dulcet tones on a Camay soap advert, and invited him to record on a Peter Sellers album, utilising his then-familiar Frank Sinatra impression, albeit credited as Fred Flange. Breaking into the UK Official Singles Chart with a string of songs such as Portrait Of My Love, Walk Away and Softly As I Leave You, as well as coming second in the 1964 Eurovision Song Contest with the song I Love The Little Things. Matt Monro was also a male muse to composer John Barry, who had Monro perform the themes to the Bond film From Russia With Love and Born Free. Matt Monro was a heavy smoker – such was the advice back in the era of crooners, for them to have a 'smoky' voice – and succumbed to liver cancer on February 7, 1985 at the age of 54.