Bobby Willis

Robert "Bobby" Willis (25 January 1942 – 23 October 1999) was a British songwriter, who became the manager and eventually the husband of British singer and television personality Cilla Black.

Career

His first known recorded composition, "Shy of Love" was featured on the B-side of "Love of the Loved", the debut release of Cilla Black in September 1963. During the sixties he was to write many songs for his then girlfriend to record and perform.

One of his most popular - "Is It Love?" - was featured in the beat film Ferry Cross the Mersey in 1965. He collaborated with Clive Westlake, Kenny Lynch and Beatles producer George Martin on some songs.

After the death of Black's manager, Brian Epstein, Willis took over her management duties and over the next thirty years, developed her popularity with television family audiences, helping Black to become the highest-paid female presenter on television.

Personal life

Willis married Cilla Black on 25 January 1969. The couple had 2 ceremonies, a civil ceremony at Marylebone Register Office, and the couple were granted a dispensation to marry at St Mary's Church, Woolton to please Black's Catholic family. They had three sons together; Robert, who is now her manager (born in 1970), Ben (born in 1974), and Jack (born in 1980). Their daughter Ellen (born in 1975), lived for only 2 hours. Like his wife, Willis was a keen supporter of the Conservative Party.

Discography

Singles

• "Shy of Love"  (A-side "Love of the Loved")  UK#35  Sept. 1963
• "Just For You"  (A-side "Anyone Who Had A Heart")  UK#1  Jan. 1964
• "Suffer Now I Must"  (A-side "You’re My World")  UK#1  May 1964
• "He Won’t Ask Me"  (A-side "It’s For You")  UK#7  July 1964
• "Is It Love?"  (A-side "You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'")  UK#2  Jan. 1965
• "I Don’t Want To Know"  (A-side "I’ve Been Wrong Before")  UK#17  Apr. 1965
• "Night Time Is Here"  (A-side "Alfie")  UK#9  Mar. 1966
• "From Now On" (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake)  (A-side "I Only Live To Love You")  UK#26  Nov. 1967
• "I Couldn't Take My Eyes Off You" (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake)  (A-side "Step Inside Love")  UK#8  Mar. 1968
• "London Bridge" (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake)  (A-side "Surround Yourself With Sorrow")  UK#3  Feb. 1969
• "That's Why I Love You" (Bobby Willis/Kenny Lynch)  (A-side "Child Of Mine")   Dec. 1970

Album Tracks

• "Come To Me" (George Martin/Bobby Willis)  Cilla  Jan. 1965
• "Our Brand New World" (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake)  Images  May 1971

Death

Willis died of cancer in 1999 aged 57. His funeral service was held at the parish church in Denham, Buckinghamshire. He was cremated.^[1]

References