Latest news with #DameCleoLaine
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Grammy winner Dame Cleo Laine dies aged 97
The star, known best for her incredible vocal range, has died aged 97. Jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine has died at the age of 97. The star, known best for her incredible vocal range, performed with legends the like of Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles and became the first British singer to win a Grammy Award. The Mirror reports that she began her career with her late husband and composer John Dankworth in the 1950s. The couple went on to collaborate many times together over the years. They created the Stables artis centre in Buckinghamshire, with its chairman David Meadowcroft sharing a statement today over the sad news of her death. He said: "Dame Cleo was a remarkable performer who was loved by audiences around the world and her commitment to ensuring young people had access to great music and music education will continue through the work of The Stables." Laine was born on October 28 1927 in Southall, Middlesex, to labourer and busker Alexander Sylvan Campbell and Minnie Bullock, a farmer's daughter. Most of her childhood was spent in Southall, however, the family moved frequently. She began singing and dancing lessons at an early age, but went on to work as an apprentice for a variety of jobs, including as a hat-trimmer and librarian. Laine managed to successfully audition when she was 24 for a small group with husband-to-be Dankworth's small group. She then performed with a number of his big bands until 1958, the year they wed. She starred in a number of theatre productions through the 50s and 60s, including as the lead in Barry Reckord's Flesh to a Tiger at London's Royal Court Theatre and the title role in The Barren One. In 1971, she landed her role as Julie in Wendy Toye's production of Show Boat at the Adelphi Theatre in London in 1971.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Singer Dame Cleo Laine who performed with Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles dies aged 97 as tributes pour in
LEGENDARY jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine has died aged 97. Her career spanned decades as she became the first British singer to win a Grammy Award for jazz. 4 Legendary jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine is dead at 97 Credit: Getty 4 Her music career spanned over seven decades Credit: Getty 4 Laine performed with jazz legends like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. Pictured with Ray Charles in 1976 Credit: Getty 4 The star frequently collaborated with her composer husband, John Dankworth Credit: Getty It led to performances with icons like Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. Laine boasted a vocal range of four octaves, performing the music of Schoenberg and Spike Milligan. It paved the way for a distinguished jazz career, as the Sunday Times described her as "quite simply the best singer in the world". She also frequently collaborated with her husband, musician and composer John Dankworth, beginning in the 1950s. Read more Showbiz They later set up the Stables art centre in Buckinghamshire. In a statement, the centre said it was "greatly saddened today by the news that one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away". Born as Clementina Dinah Hitching, the star grew up in Southall, Middlesex on October 28, 1927. She was the daughter of Jamaican WW1 veteran, Alex Campell - a labourer who sang on the side to make enough money. Most read in Celebrity He married Clementina's mother, Minnie Hitching, who had been disowned by her parents over the interracial relationship. The prodigy first fell in love with jazz after listening to her brother's records, before starting music lessons. From the age of three, she would perform at local community shows, aspiring towards an acting career. It led to her debut at the age of 12 in The Thief of Baghdad where she played a street urchin. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Singer Dame Cleo Laine who performed with Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles dies aged 97 as tributes pour in
Tributes have rolled in for the beloved singer STAR GONE Singer Dame Cleo Laine who performed with Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles dies aged 97 as tributes pour in Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine has died aged 97. Her career spanned decades as she became the first British singer to win a Grammy Award for jazz. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Legendary jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine is dead at 97 Credit: Getty 4 Her music career spanned over seven decades Credit: Getty 4 Laine performed with jazz legends like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra. Pictured with Ray Charles in 1976 Credit: Getty 4 The star frequently collaborated with her composer husband, John Dankworth Credit: Getty It led to performances with icons like Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. Laine boasted a vocal range of four octaves, performing the music of Schoenberg and Spike Milligan. It paved the way for a distinguished jazz career, as the Sunday Times described her as "quite simply the best singer in the world". She also frequently collaborated with her husband, musician and composer John Dankworth, beginning in the 1950s. They later set up the Stables art centre in Buckinghamshire. In a statement, the centre said it was "greatly saddened today by the news that one of its founders and Life President, Dame Cleo Laine has passed away". Born as Clementina Dinah Hitching, the star grew up in Southall, Middlesex on October 28, 1927. She was the daughter of Jamaican WW1 veteran, Alex Campell - a labourer who sang on the side to make enough money. He married Clementina's mother, Minnie Hitching, who had been disowned by her parents over the interracial relationship. The prodigy first fell in love with jazz after listening to her brother's records, before starting music lessons. From the age of three, she would perform at local community shows, aspiring towards an acting career. It led to her debut at the age of 12 in The Thief of Baghdad where she played a street urchin. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
