Lita Roza

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Lita Roza (Lilian Patricia Lita Roza) (March 14, 1926, Liverpool) is a British singer.

1 Biography
2 Quotation
3 Discography
4 External link
5 References

[edit] Biography

She was the eldest of seven children and began work at an early age to support the family. She owed her sultry looks to her Spanish father, an amateur accordionist who also played piano in Liverpool clubs.

At the age of twelve she saw an advertisment in the local newspapers for juvenile dancers and passed the audition.

By sixteen she answered another advert, when she managed to secure a job as a singer in the "New Yorker" - a Southport club. She got the job at £5 a week, then signed up with the Harry Roy Orchestra in London. She moved on from this to work with other bands of the era including that of Edmundo Ros.

By the time she was eighteen she had decided to retire from show business - choosing marriage to an American and a life in Miami in exchange. London was full of American servicemen, one of whom Roza married and they went to America.

However, this did not last and she returned to the UK, and she started as a singer with the Ted Heath Band. She joined Heath's band in 1950 and remained until 1954, when she commenced her solo work.

1956 she married the trumpet player, Ronnie Harris.

She remained a top UK recording artist during the remainder of the 1950s, but her subsequent recordings never recaptured the magic she had shown while with Ted Heath.^{[citation needed]}

She was voted the 'Top British Female Singer' in the New Musical Express' pool winners charts consecutively from 1951 to 1955. Melody Maker readers also voted her their 'Top Girl Singer' in the Dance Band section of their pools in 1951 and 1952.

Her 1953 number one hit record "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?" afforded Roza the privilege of being the first British female singer to top the UK Singles Chart.

On Wednesday March 14, 2001 a Wall of Fame was inaugurated opposite the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street, with Roza presiding at the ceremony.

At November 28, 2002 she gave her last public performance on Radio Merseyside.

[edit] Quotation

"We just don't make singers like Lita Roza anymore" - Elton John^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Discography

1951 "Allentown Jail" / "I Wish I Knew"
1951 "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" / "A Wonderful Guy"
1952 "Oakie Boogie" / "Raminay"
1953 "(How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window" / "Tell Me We'll Meet Again" - UK #1
1953 "Seven Lonely Days" / "No-one Will Ever Know"
1953 "Crazy Man, Crazy" / "Oo! What You Do To Me"
1954 "Changing Partners" / "Just A Dream Or Two Ago"
1954 "Make Love To Me" / "Bell Bottom Blues"
1954 "Secret Love" / "Young At Heart"
1954 "Skinnie Minnie (Fishtail)" / " My Kid Brother"
1954 "Call Off The Wedding" / "The 'Mama Doll' Song"
1955 "Heartbeat" / "Leave Me Alone"
1955 "Let Me Go Lover" / "Make Yourself Comfortable"
1955 "Tomorrow" / "Foolishly"
1955 "Two Hearts, Two Kisses (Make One Love)" / "Keep Me In Mind"
1955 "The Man In The Raincoat" / "Today and Ev'ry Day"
1955 "Hey There" / "Hernando's Hideaway" - UK #17
1956 "Jimmy Unknown" / "The Rose Tattoo" - UK #15
1956 "Too Young To Go Steady" / "You're Not Alone"
1956 "No Time For Tears" / "But Love Me (Love But Me)"
1956 "Innismore" / "The Last Waltz"
1956 "Hey! Jealous Lover" / "Julie"
1956 Lita Roza
1957 "Lucky Lips" / "Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them"
1957 "Tonight My Heart She Is Crying" / "Five Oranges Four Apples"
1957 "I Need You" / "You've Changed"
1957 Lita Roza No.2
1958 "Pretend You Don't See Him" / "Ha-Ha-Ha!"
1958 "I Need Somebody" / "You're The Greatest"
1958 "I Could Have Danced All Night" / "The Wonderful Season Of Love"
1958 "Sorry, Sorry, Sorry" / " Hillside In Scotland"
1958 "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" / "It's A Boy"
1958 Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
1959 "This Is My Town" / "Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be"
1959 "Allentown Jail" / "Once In A While"
1959 "Let It Rain Let It Rain" / " Maybe You'll Be There"
1965 "What Am I Supposed To Do" / " Where Do I Go From Here"
1965 "Keep Watch Over Him" / " Stranger Things Have Happened"