Lionel Morton (born Lionel Walmsley, 14 August 1942) is an English former musician and television presenter, who is best known as the lead singer of The Four Pennies..
Morton was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. As a young boy he sang in the choir at St. Pauls Cathedral. In the early 1960s, he was the lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist of the group, the Four Pennies. The group were founded in 1962, and initially consisted of Lionel Morton (vocals, rhythm guitar), Fritz Fryer (lead guitar), Mike Wilshaw (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), and Alan Buck (drums) As the “The Lionel Morton Four” the group toured the clubs around Lancashire and won various talent contests. The big break came for the group in late 1963 when Phillips / Fontana sponsored a talent contest in Blackpool for Lancashire
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groups. The company was looking for a beat group to fill their books. The Four won and before they would commit themselves to a record deal , Phillips wanted the band to find a more catchier name, so the Four Pennies was chosen as a more commercial alternative to "The Lionel Morton Four", and was decided upon after a meeting above a Blackburn music shop, the shop being situated on "Penny Street."
In their homeland, the group scored a number 47 placing with their first single, 1964's "Do You Want Me To". They then became famous for having a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart later in 1964 with "Juliet". It was written by group members Fritz Fryer, Mike Wilshaw and Lionel Morton. The ballad was originally
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intended for release as a b-side (b/w "Tell Me Girl"). "Juliet" was the only 1964 Number one by a UK group not to chart in America. The US division of Philips Records issued only two of the Four Pennies' singles stateside. Both these singles ("Juliet" and "Until It's Time for You to Go") were major European hits, but while "Juliet" did pick up some airplay on a number of US radio stations. "Until It's Time For You To Go" did not. In any event, neither single picked up enough US airplay or sales to chart.
When their first single of 1965 did not reach the UK chart, Fryer left the Four Pennies to found a folk trio called Fritz, Mike and Mo. Fryer was replaced on guitar by David Graham. The revamped quartet then hit the UK chart again with "Until It's Time for You to Go", written by Buffy Sainte-Marie. 1966 saw the final UK chart entry for the Four Pennies, with a cover version of Bobby Vinton's "Trouble Is My Middle Name". Fryer then returned to the fold, replacing Graham.
After the group split up, Morton went on to record 5 solo singles, one of which was”Waterloo Road” (which was written about a street in Stoke On Trent), popular in France under the title “Champs-Elysees” on RCA Victor. From April 1968 to December 1977, he was a regular presenter on the pre-school children's
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programme Play School., he also reappeared during 1983/4. In the 1970s he went on to present on Play Away. Twice married and both ended up in divorce.” It was just a question of marrying the wrong girls” said Lionel. Married Actress Julia Foster in 1966 (co-star of Alfie with Michael Caine & Half A Sixpence with Tommy Steele) and had 1 child, Emily. The couple split in 1971. He also married actcress Julia Fogle in 1973
programme Play School., he also reappeared during 1983/4. In the 1970s he went on to present on Play Away. Twice married and both ended up in divorce.” It was just a question of marrying the wrong girls” said Lionel. Married Actress Julia Foster in 1966 (co-star of Alfie with Michael Caine & Half A Sixpence with Tommy Steele) and had 1 child, Emily. The couple split in 1971. He also married actcress Julia Fogle in 1973He appeared on Children's TV programmes Play Away & Play School in the 1970’s with Brian Cant & Toni Arthur. Played the
leading role in the rock musical Hair at the Metropole Theatre in
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Glasgow in 1970. He played Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar in
London in 1974 & as Tony in West Side Story in 1975. In 1972 created a production company called Friendship Productions and released a children’s record with Coronation Street’s Chris Sandford & Man About The House star Richard O’Sullivan called “Listen To The Music”. Former Play School presenter and former Folk singer Toni Arthur also recorded on the Friendship label. Morton now lives with his family on a small farm in Cornwall, where he writes music.
leading role in the rock musical Hair at the Metropole Theatre in
London in 1974 & as Tony in West Side Story in 1975. In 1972 created a production company called Friendship Productions and released a children’s record with Coronation Street’s Chris Sandford & Man About The House star Richard O’Sullivan called “Listen To The Music”. Former Play School presenter and former Folk singer Toni Arthur also recorded on the Friendship label. Morton now lives with his family on a small farm in Cornwall, where he writes music.
As for the other members of the Four Pennies, Fritz Fryer became a record producer for Clannad, Horslips, Motorhead & Stackridge. He died from Pancreatic cancer in 2007. Alan Buck continued to work in show business, including production work at Radio Luxembourg. He died from a heart attack in 1994. Mike Wilshaw led various line-ups of the Four Pennies on the nostalgia circuit for many years... (Edited mainly from Wikipedia & Manchester Beat)