Cliff Richard is a British singer and actor of Indian-born heritage with dual British and Barbadian citizenship. Best known for his early rock and roll hits, including the iconic "Move It," he rose to prominence with his backing group, the Shadows, and became a dominant force in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His illustrious career spans six decades, featuring a diverse repertoire and achieving numerous chart successes. Richard holds various records in the UK music scene, including the unique distinction of having a No. 1 single in each of five consecutive decades. He has sold over 250 million records globally and remains a beloved figure in the UK, as well as in various countries worldwide. During a BBC Breakfast interview on Monday (30th October 2023), Richard delighted viewers with a song, but later accidentally mixed up artificial intelligence (AI) with artificial insemination.
Cliff Richard Family Details
Cliff Richard was born on October 14, 1940. He hails from Lucknow, United Provinces, British India. Harry Rodger Webb is his birth name. He holds British-Barbadian nationality and is of multiracial (Asian and White) descent, including English, Dutch, Welsh, and Indian heritage. About his family, he was born to his father, Rodger Oscar Webb, who worked as a catering contractor manager for the Indian Railways, and his mother, Dorothy Marie Dazely, a dormitory matron at La Martiniere Girls’ School. His father's early passing in 1961 deeply impacted him, drawing them closer, while his mother passed away in October 2007 after a decade of battling Alzheimer's disease. He has three sisters: Joan, Jacqui, and Donna. He celebrated his 83rd birthday in 2023.
Cliff's educational journey included Stanley Park Juniors, Kings Road Junior Mixed Infants School, and Cheshunt Secondary Modern School from 1952 to 1957.
Cliff Richard Music Career
- Harry Webb, later known as Cliff Richard, embarked on his musical journey by working as a filing clerk at Atlas Lamps but soon found his passion in skiffle.
- At the age of 16, he formed the vocal harmony group The Quintones in 1957, sang with the Dick Teague Skiffle Group, and eventually became the lead singer of the rock and roll group, the Drifters.
- He adopted the stage name "Cliff" for its association with "Rock," and "Richard" as a tribute to Little Richard.
- His hit singles like "Schoolboy Crush" and "Move It" reached No. 2 on the UK charts, and he continued to produce chart-toppers such as "Travellin' Light," "I Love You," "A Voice in the Wilderness," and "Theme for a Dream."
- Over the years, he performed with "The Shadows," appeared in films, released international hits like "We Don't Talk Anymore," and collaborated with artists like Olivia Newton-John and Sarah Brightman.
- His legendary career includes numerous albums, live performances, and accolades, including a knighthood in 1995 and continued success with albums like "Rise Up" in 2018 and "Music... The Air That I Breathe" in 2020.
- Most recently, he graced the 2022 Wimbledon Championships with his iconic song "Summer Holiday."
Awards and Achievements
Brit Awards
- 1977: Best British male solo artist
- 1982: Best British male solo artist
- 1989: Lifetime achievement: Outstanding contribution to music (excluded the Shadows)
TV Times
- 1980: Most Exciting Male Singer on TV
- 1987: Best Male Singer
- 1989: Favourite Singer
The Sun Reader Polls
- 1970: Male Pop Personality
- 1971: Top Male Pop Personality
- 1972: Top Male Pop Personality
NME Reader Polls
- 1958: Best New Disc or TV Singer
- 1959: UK Male Singer
- 1959: Best Single: "Living Doll"
- 1960: Best UK Single: "Living Doll"
- 1961: UK Male Singer
- 1962: UK Male Singer
- 1963: UK Male Singer
- 1963: Best World Male Singer
- 1964: UK Male Singer
- 1964: UK Vocal Personality
- 1965: UK Male Singer
- 1966: UK Male Singer
- 1966: UK Vocal Personality
- 1967: UK Vocal Personality
- 1968: UK Vocal Personality
- 1969: British Vocal Personality
- 1970: UK Male Singer
- 1970: UK Vocal Personality
- 1970: World's Best Recording Artist of the '60s
- 1971: UK Male Singer
- 1971: British Vocal Personality
- 1972: UK Male Singer
- 1972: British Vocal Personality
Ivor Novello
- 1968: Most Performed Work: "Congratulations" by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter
- 1970: Outstanding Services to Music
Melody Maker
- 1959: Best Male Singer
- 1960: Top British Male Singer
- 1962: The Emen Award: Top male singer
- 1962: Top British Male Singer
- 1962: Top single of the year: "The Young Ones"
- 1963: Best Male Singer
- 1964: Best Male Singer
- 1965: Best UK Male Singer
- 1967: Top Male Singer
Disc & Music Echo
- 1967: Best-Dressed Male
- 1968: Best-Dressed Male
- 1969: Best-Dressed Male
- 1970: Top British Male Singer
- 1970: Best-Dressed Male
- 1970: Mr. Valentine
- 1971: Mr. Valentine
Bravo Magazine (West Germany)
- 1964: Best Male Singer: Gold
- 1964: Year End Singles Charts: 1. "Sag 'no' Zu Ihm" ("Don't talk to him")
- 1965: Best Male Singer: Gold
- 1980: Top International Male Singer
Record Mirror
- 1961: Record Mirror Survey: Most successful chart records 1958–1961: No. 1: Cliff Richard, "Living Doll" (Richard had three of the top five records and a further two in the Top 50)
- 1964: Record Mirror Poll: Best-Dressed Singer in the World
1960s
- 1961: Royal Variety Club: Show Business Personality
- 1961: Weekend Magazine: Star of Stars
- 1962: Motion Picture Herald Box-Office Survey of 1962: Most Popular Male Film Actor
- 1963: Motion Picture Herald Box-Office Survey of 1963: Most Popular Male Film Actor
- 1963: 16 (US Magazine): Most Promising Singer
- 1964: Billboard (US magazine): Best Recording Artist UK
- 1969: Valentine Magazine: Mr Valentine
1970s
- 1970: National Viewers' and Listeners' Association: Outstanding Contribution to Religious Broadcasting and Light Entertainment
- 1971: Record Mirror: UK Male Singer
- 1974: Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Committee: Silver Clef: Outstanding Services to the Music Industry
- 1977: The Songwriters' Guild of Great Britain: Golden Badge Award
- 1979: Music Week: Special Award for 21 years as successful recording artistes: Cliff Richard and the Shadows
- 1979: EMI Records: Gold Clock and Gold Key award: EMI celebrates 21-year partnership with Richard
1980s
- 1980: Richard receives O.B.E. from the Queen
- 1980: BBC TV Multi-Coloured Swap Shop: Best UK Male Vocalist
- 1980: National Pop And Rock Awards: Best Family Entertainer
- 1980: Nationwide, in conjunction with Radio 1 and the Daily Mirror: Best Family Entertainer
- 1981: Sunday Telegraph Readers Poll: Top Pop Star
- 1981: Daily Mirror Readers Award: Outstanding Music Personality of the Year
- 1989: The Lifetime Achievement Diamond Award (Antwerp)
1990s
- 1995: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers: Pied Piper Award (Richard became the first British recipient of Ascap's coveted Pied Piper Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to the songwriter and music community)
- 1995: The formal investiture of Richard as Knight Bachelor took place at 10.30 a.m. in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 25 October
- 1998: Dutch Edison: Lifetime Achievement Award
2000s
- 2000: South Bank Awards: Outstanding Achievement Award
- 2003: British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors: Gold Badge of Merit
- 2003: Lawn Tennis Association: 20 Years of Service to Tennis Award
- 2004: Induction into UK Music Hall of Fame (representing the 1950s: Cliff and the Shadows)
- 2004: Ultimate Pop Star (No. 1 singles recording artist in UK)
- 2005: Avenue of Stars (star on the pavement, London)
- 2005: Rose D'or Music Festival (Paris): Golden Rose
- 2006: Commander of the Portuguese Order of Prince Henry (awarded for services to Portugal)
2010s
- 2011: The National German Sustainability Award
- 2022: The Musician's Company: On 16th December 2022, Sir Cliff Richard was awarded the Musicians’ Company Popular Music Lifetime Achievement Award
Cliff Richard Wife
Cliff Richard is unmarried right now and he has no wife. He remains unmarried, though his name has been linked with various women over the years. When questioned about his single status, he explained, "I've had a few false alarms. I've been in love, but marriage is a big commitment, and being an artist consumes a great deal of time." Despite never marrying, Richard seldom lived alone, sharing his main residence with his charity and promotion schedules manager, Bill Latham, and Latham's mother, whom he described as his "second family" in 1982. Currently single and not dating, he prioritizes his career over relationships.
Over the years, his romantic history includes dating Australian dancer Delia Wicks in 1959, a passionate affair with British actress Una Stubbs in 1962, a relationship with dancer Jackie Irving in the mid-1960s, an encounter with Carol Costa, and unrequited love for singer Olivia Newton-John in the early 1970s. He also had a notable relationship with English television presenter and former tennis player Sue Barker from 1982 to 1986, though the marriage was not in the cards, and they remained friends.
Cliff Richard Net Worth
Cliff Richard, the iconic pop singer and musician, has a substantial net worth of $120 million as of 2023. He is making his annual salary of over $12 million. His main source of wealth comes from the music industry while he is also making a cool sum of money from the entertainment industry. With over 250 million records sold worldwide, he ranks among the best-selling music artists of all time. His remarkable success includes over 21.5 million singles sold in the United Kingdom, making him the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history. He enjoys a lavish lifestyle, primarily funded by his lucrative music career. Furthermore, he invests in real estate, actively engages in charity work, and has a passion for cars, including a vintage 1963 Chevrolet Corvette.
Cliff Richard Height
Cliff Richard, a handsome singer and actor, stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches. He has a body weight of 71 kg (156.5 lbs). He boasts a slim build with light brown hair and striking hazel eyes. He frequently wears stylish suits or jackets and maintains an active lifestyle, playing tennis thrice weekly. In his daily routine, he supplements his health with a Centrum multivitamin and lecithin. He has a healthy body with an attractive appearance.
