Singer-songwriter and Deacon
Blue frontman Ricky Ross looks at Fyffe's life, career and legacy with
family, film historians and music hall experts, including Professor Jeffrey
Richards, and Will Fyffe's daughter, Eileen.
Born in Dundee in 1885, Will Fyffe became synonymous with a different city
when his song 'I Belong To Glasgow' captured the nation's hearts. After
spending his formative years in touring theatre, Will Fyffe switched to
comedy and music hall, and became a headline act throughout Scotland. Along
with his contemporary Harry Lauder, his humour transcended the regional
stage and appearances all over Britain led to five Royal Variety
performances.
A leading film star of the Thirties and Forties, Fyffe made one Hollywood
film, but then put this burgeoning career on hold as war broke out and he
returned to entertain the troops. An accident in 1947 led to his untimely
death, but his body of work lives on through his songs, sketches and films.
Will Fyffe (16 February 1885 - 14 December 1947) was a Scottish music hall
artist, a star of the 1930s and 1940s, on stage, screen and records. Fyffe
made his debut in his father's stock company at the age of six. He travelled
extensively throughout Scotland and the rest of the rest of the UK, playing
the numerous music halls of the time, where he performed his sketches and
sang his songs in his own inimitable style. During the '30s, he was one of
the highest paid musical hall artistes in Britain. In addition, Fyffe
appeared in 23 major films of the era (American and British), sometimes
starring, and recorded over 30 songs, delivered with his own unique style.
His singer-songwriter skills are still well today, particularly his own
composition, "I Belong To Glasgow". This song has been covered by Danny
Kaye, Eartha Kitt, Gracie Fields and Kirk Douglas.
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