Anthony Newley (24 September 1931 â€" 14 April 1999) was an English
actor, singer and songwriter. Newley achieved success as a performer
in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.
As a recording artist he enjoyed a dozen Top 40 entries on the UK
Singles Chart between 1959 and 1962, including two number one hits.
With songwriting partner Leslie Bricusse, Newley wrote "Feeling Good",
which was popularised by Nina Simone and covered by many other popular
artists, as well as the title song of 1964 film Goldfinger (along with
John Barry). Bricusse and Newley received an Academy Award nomination
for the film score of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).The
Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums described Newley as
"among the most innovative UK acts of the early rock years before
moving into musicals and cabaret". Newley was inducted into the
Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.Newley was born in the London
district of Hackney, the son of Frances Grace Newley and George Kirby,
a shipping clerk. He did not have any siblings. He was part Jewish
through his maternal grandmother. His parents, who had never married,
separated during his early childhood, and his aunt and uncle brought
him up through unofficial adoption. During the Second World War he was
evacuated to a foster home in the country area safe from the Blitz
aerial bombing attacks on London.
actor, singer and songwriter. Newley achieved success as a performer
in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.
As a recording artist he enjoyed a dozen Top 40 entries on the UK
Singles Chart between 1959 and 1962, including two number one hits.
With songwriting partner Leslie Bricusse, Newley wrote "Feeling Good",
which was popularised by Nina Simone and covered by many other popular
artists, as well as the title song of 1964 film Goldfinger (along with
John Barry). Bricusse and Newley received an Academy Award nomination
for the film score of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).The
Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums described Newley as
"among the most innovative UK acts of the early rock years before
moving into musicals and cabaret". Newley was inducted into the
Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.Newley was born in the London
district of Hackney, the son of Frances Grace Newley and George Kirby,
a shipping clerk. He did not have any siblings. He was part Jewish
through his maternal grandmother. His parents, who had never married,
separated during his early childhood, and his aunt and uncle brought
him up through unofficial adoption. During the Second World War he was
evacuated to a foster home in the country area safe from the Blitz
aerial bombing attacks on London.
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