Jackie Dennis Explained

Jackie Dennis
Alias:The Kilted Choirboy
Britain's Ricky Nelson[1] [2]
Birth Date:8 October 1942
Birth Place:Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation:Singer, actor
Instrument:Vocals
Years Active:1958–1966
Label:Decca

Jackie Dennis (8 October 1942 – 28 September 2020) was a Scottish singer. He was discovered by the comedians Mike and Bernie Winters in 1958. The brothers brought him to the attention of the show business agent Eve Taylor, and he appeared on the television programme, Six-Five Special, at the age of 15,[3] and in a subsequent film spin-off.

Chart success

The kilt-wearing, spiky-haired pop singer enjoyed seven successful years in the show business and toured the world. "La Dee Dah" was his biggest UK hit, reaching number 4 in the UK Singles Chart in 1958, whilst his cover of Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" was his second and final UK hit, peaking at number 29.[4]

Dennis appeared on Perry Como's US television show,[5] where he was introduced as 'Britain's Ricky Nelson' performing the song "Linton Addie" [6] and was best man at entertainer Tommy Steele's wedding.

Jackie joined the civil service, where he worked as a messenger for over a decade with the Manpower Services Commission in Edinburgh. Latterly, Jackie worked as a nursing home carer, before retiring and living in Pilton, Edinburgh, with wife Irene, to whom he was married for over 30 years.[2] He died in September 2020 at the age of 77.[7]

Discography

Singles

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Boy Choir & Soloist Directory. Boysoloist.com. 14 June 2009. 21 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000055/http://www.boysoloist.com/artist.asp?VID=2405. dead.
  2. Web site: I was even bigger than Elvis in the charts.. for a week!. Edinburghnews.scotsman.com . 14 June 2009.
  3. Web site: #6 - "SIX-FIVE Special" (1958). . 14 June 2009.
  4. Book: Roberts , David . 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited. London. 1-904994-10-5. 150.
  5. Web site: The Perry Como Show Season 11, Episode 4 October 4, 1958. Tv.com . 15 June 2009.
  6. Web site: Singing plumber leads quiet life . 16 June 2009. . 2 June 2009.
  7. Web site: 'Scotland's first pop star', Leith-born Jackie Dennis dies aged 77. Edinburghnews.scotsman.com. 23 August 2021.