Guy Fletcher OBE, songwriter and PRS for Music chairman, today celebrates 50 years since he first met his musical partner Doug Flett.
Fletcher (left) met lyricist Flett (right) on 6 November 1965 in Savile Row, London, beginning a partnership that produced many classic recordings by international stars.
They were the first British writers to be recorded by Elvis Presley, with their song Wonderful World opening Elvis’ movie Live a Little Love a Little.
The pair then went on to enjoy four decades of success with recordings by the likes of Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, Joe Cocker and Cliff Richard.
Today their song Fallen Angel is in the smash hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys.
Fletcher told M: ‘We met in Savile Row when Doug handed me a lyric 50 years ago today at 1pm. It was the first lyric he ever gave me, I liked it very much and wrote a tune to it. It was called Sweet Sorrow. We’ve written together ever since.
Flett added: ‘The Shadows’ original drummer Tony Meehan introduced us by phone and was going to take us to lunch that day. But he never showed up. It was alright though, Guy was there by the time I arrived and all went well!’
The pair haven’t written together for some years, but said they were considering penning a 50th anniversary tune sometime soon – possibly for consideration for the next Eurovision Song Contest.
http://guyfletcher.com/
Fletcher (left) met lyricist Flett (right) on 6 November 1965 in Savile Row, London, beginning a partnership that produced many classic recordings by international stars.
They were the first British writers to be recorded by Elvis Presley, with their song Wonderful World opening Elvis’ movie Live a Little Love a Little.
The pair then went on to enjoy four decades of success with recordings by the likes of Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, Joe Cocker and Cliff Richard.
Today their song Fallen Angel is in the smash hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys.
Fletcher told M: ‘We met in Savile Row when Doug handed me a lyric 50 years ago today at 1pm. It was the first lyric he ever gave me, I liked it very much and wrote a tune to it. It was called Sweet Sorrow. We’ve written together ever since.
Flett added: ‘The Shadows’ original drummer Tony Meehan introduced us by phone and was going to take us to lunch that day. But he never showed up. It was alright though, Guy was there by the time I arrived and all went well!’
The pair haven’t written together for some years, but said they were considering penning a 50th anniversary tune sometime soon – possibly for consideration for the next Eurovision Song Contest.
http://guyfletcher.com/
