Denny Dennis

Denny Dennis (1 November 1913 in Derby – 2 November 1993 in Barrow-in-Furness)[1] was a British romantic vocalist during the 1930s to the 1950s, when British dance bands were at the peak of their popularity. He was a band singer, a solo recording star and a broadcaster.[1]

Publicity flyer for Denny Dennis c 1950

Career

Born Ronald Dennis Pountain,[2] he had a job on the railways as a teenager. He was spotted by Percy Mathison Brooks, the editor of the Melody Maker, at a regional dance band contest in 1932.[2]

He became a featured singer in the Roy Fox band, then with the Freddy Bretherton Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey's band, Ambrose's orchestra and the Sid Phillips band.[2] He also had a career as a solo artist on Decca's Rex label.[3]

In 1950, he sponsored a close harmony singing group, the Fraser Hayes Four, who had success on radio in the 1960s. As the dance band scene declined, he found work making covers of popular songs for the budget Embassy label.[4]

Personal life

He married Betty Faye in 1938. They had one son but the marriage later dissolved.

He married again to Joan Armitage in 1969 and this marriage was dissolved in 1981.

Denny Dennis died in November 1993, one day after his 80th birthday.[1]

References
  1. "Obituary: Denny Dennis". The Independent. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 675. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  3. Lindup, Pete (2011). "DENNY DENNIS - A Thousand Love Songs [part one]". YouTube. Retrieved 3 February 2016. Documentary on the life and voice of Denny Dennis in the part. Includes a rare interview with Dennis.
  4. "Denny Dennis Love Me Forever Embassy 1958". YouTube. Retrieved 23 August 2021.


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