Pearl Carr (born Pearl Lavinia Carr, 2 November 1923, Exmouth, Devon) and Teddy Johnson (born Edward Victor Johnson, 4 September 1920, Surbiton, London) are an English husband-and-wife team of entertainers, popular during the 1950s and early 1960s.
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They were both successful solo singers before their marriage in 1955. Pearl Carr had been lead singer with The Keynotes, who had two British hits in 1956 with Dave King: "Memories Are Made of This" (#5) and "You Can't Be True To Two" (#11).[1] She also was a popular radio singer and comedienne on Bernard Braden's Bedtime With Braden radio show.[2]
Teddy Johnson had led his own teenage band, was a professional drummer and a recording artist for Columbia in the early 1950s. He also was a DJ on Radio Luxembourg and later on BBC Radio 2, and had appeared in TV shows like the BBC's children's favourite, Crackerjack.
Together they had some music success, as well as acting honours.
Carr and Johnson were frequently on British television light entertainment programmes, such as The Winifred Atwell Show as well as Big Night Out and Blackpool Night Out. They represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 and finished second with the song, "Sing, Little Birdie". This peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] They also tried to represent United Kingdom again in 1960 entering two songs into the pre-selection, "Pickin' Petals" and "When The Tide Turns", the latter making the final. It was up against Teddy's own brother, Bryan Johnson. In the end Bryan won through, duly representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 1960. He also came second, with the song "Looking High, High, High."
Carr and Johnson released another single the following year entitled, "How Wonderful To Know", which charted at #23 in the UK.
In 1986, the two featured on a dedicated episode of This Is Your Life.[3]
After this success finished, they appeared in a West End revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical, Follies.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Patricia Bredin with "All" |
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 |
Succeeded by Bryan Johnson with "Looking High, High, High" |