Jimmy Campbell(bornJames Alexander Campbell-Tyrie;5 April 1903–19 August 1967) andReg Connelly(bornReginald John Connelly;22 October 1895–23 September 1963) were English songwriters andmusic publishers.Writing together in the 1920s and 1930s, they sometimes used the pseudonymIrving Kingfor their song compositions, and often worked aslyricistsin collaboration with othercomposers.Together, they established the successful music publishing firmCampbell Connelly.
Jimmy Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Alexander Campbell-Tyrie 5 April 1903 Gosforth,Northumberland,England |
| Died | 19 August 1967(aged 64) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Songwriter |
| Years active | c.1925–1950s |
Reg Connelly | |
|---|---|
| Born | Reginald John Connelly 22 October 1895 Buckhurst Hill,Essex,England |
| Died | 23 September 1963(aged 67) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, music publisher |
| Years active | c.1925–1960s |
Early life and songwriting partnership
editConnelly was born inBuckhurst Hill,Essex,in 1895, and Campbell inGosforth,Northumberland,in 1903. They had contrasting personalities: Campbell was extravagant and dismissive of financial security, while Connelly was reserved, and an astute businessman.[1]By 1925 they had started working together as songwriters, and wrote "Show Me the Way to Go Home".[2]After failing to find a publisher, they formed their own publishing company in London, initially inTottenham Court Road.[3]The song became a big hit in both Britain and America, reportedly selling some 2 million copies assheet music,and was recorded by many bands from the 1920s onwards, most successfully byVincent Lopezin 1926.[4]
The pair moved their office toDenmark Streetin 1926, and formally established the music publishing firm Campbell Connelly in 1929.[5][3]They wrote their first "standard","If I Had You,"in 1928, with composerTed Shapiro.The song was later recorded byJudy Garland,Nat King Cole,Frank Sinatra,and many others. They had further success in 1931 with "Goodnight Sweetheart,"written with composerRay Nobleand recorded byGuy Lombardo,Al BowllyandRudy Valleeamong others.[2][3]
One of their most successful songs, "Try a Little Tenderness",was written withHarry M. Woodsin 1932. First recorded by Ray Noble's Mayfair Dance Orchestra, it was a hit for theTed Lewis Orchestra,and was successfully revived bysoulsingerOtis Reddingin 1966.[2]Their other compositions included theFroth Blowers'anthem, "The More We Are Together",[6]and "I'd Rather Be a Beggar with You Than a King with Somebody Else" which was co-composed with Oliver Perry,[7]and was recorded in 1931 by the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra with an uncredited Al Bowlly on vocals.[8]
Later lives
editConnelly continued to run the music publishing business, and in 1933 joined forces with theGaumont-Britishfilm company to corner the market for songs presented inBritish films,notably those starringJessie Matthews.The company also established deals with American companies, building the publishing business into one of the most successful in the world with 14 associated companies.[1]Among the popular songs published by Campbell Connelly in later years were "I Left My Heart in San Francisco","Big Spender",and"Sunny".[3]
Campbell married actressBetty Balfour(adding Balfour to his own name bydeed poll),[9]and in 1936 sold his stake in the publishing company.[1]He organised a tour of Australia with a dance band, but it was a commercial disaster, and Campbell returned to Britain to face a large tax bill. After his divorce in 1941, and a period attempting to find work inHollywood,he worked in London as asong pluggerwithNoel Gay,before rejoining Campbell Connelly.[1]In 1951, Campbell wrote "Down at the Ferryboat Inn" with Don Pelosi; it was recorded by theBeverley Sisters.However,The Timesreported in 1953 that he had "treated money casually", becoming homeless and analcoholic.[10]He remarried, moving with his second wife to Spain and laterTangier.[1]
Connelly died inPoole,Dorset,in 1963, aged 67.[1]Campbell died in London in 1967, aged 64.[11]The publishing house Campbell Connelly was sold toThe Music Sales Groupin 1982.[1]
References
edit- ^abcdefgRichard Anthony Baker,Old Time Variety: an illustrated history,Pen & Sword, 2011,ISBN978-1-78340-066-9,pp.86-87
- ^abcSteve Huey, "Biography: Reg Connelly",Allmusic.Retrieved 17 November 2020
- ^abcd"Campbell Connelly",Music Sales Film & TV.Retrieved 17 November 2020
- ^Marvin E. Paymer; Don E. Post (1999).Sentimental Journey: Intimate Portraits of America's Great Popular Songs, 1920-1945.Noble House Publishers. p. 80.ISBN978-1-881907-09-1.
- ^"CAMPBELL, CONNELLY & CO., LIMITED, W1T 3LJ: Companies House Number 00239696".Companiesintheuk.co.uk.Retrieved14 July2020.
- ^"The Ancient Order Of Froth Blowers Anthem".Archived fromthe originalon 30 June 2012.,Friends of the Froth Blowers[dead link]
- ^Library of Congress Copyright Office (1933).Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Part 3: Musical Compositions(New Series, Volume 27, Annual Index for 1932 ed.). Washington DC: United States Government Printing Office. pp. 1483, 1613.Retrieved18 November2018.
- ^"The New Mayfair Dance Orchestra - Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On / I'd Rather Be A Beggar With You (Shellac, 10", 78 RPM) ".Discogs.com.Retrieved18 November2018.
- ^"Change of Name by Deed Poll — Notices",The London Gazette,no. 33658,London:UK Government,p. 7001, 4 November 1930,
I, James Alexander Balfour Campbell-Tyrie, heretofore called and known by the name of James Alexander Campbell-Tyrie… hereby give public notice that on the 4th day of October, 1930, I formally and absolutely assumed the use of the name of Balfour in addition and as a prefix to the said name of Campbell-Tyrie…
- ^"Song writer put on probation",The Times,10 September 1953, p.4
- ^"Jimmy Campbell",The Times,21 August 1967
External links
edit- Jimmy Campbell | Biography & HistoryJimmy Campbell biography
- Jimmy Campbelldiscography atDiscogs
- Reg Connellydiscography atDiscogs