Forget about the Beatles. The first British Invader who rocked my world was Petula Clark. In December 1964, when I was 8, I couldn't get enough of Downtown. I waited and waited and waited for the song by the cheery-voiced singer to air again and again on New York's WABC and WINS. There was something very "older sister" about that voice, a wise soul who hadn't given up her girlish mischief and delight. And she was indeed older. Most people are still unaware that Petula was 32 when she recorded Downtown.
For me, Petula was the sound of English marmalade, purring London taxi engines and the bold red of double-decker buses and Coldstream guard uniforms. As you can imagine, interviewing her was a joy for me back in 2018 (go here). At the post-interview photo shoot, she insisted I come over so that photographer Brad Trend could take a few of us together. The photo is amazing and among my most treasured. Beatles, Shmeatles.
Recently, I noticed that a batch of new Petula Clark videos went up at YouTube. Today is as good a day as any to share them with you.
Here's Downtown...
Here's True Love Never Runs Smooth in 1964...
Here's I Know a Place in 1965...
Here's My Love in 1965...
Here's 'Round Every Corner in 1965...
Here's Come Rain or Come Shine in 1966...
Here's Sign of the Times in 1966, taken at a tempo twice too fast. Dig how Petula remains unfazed by the drummer's too-fast kickoff and easily gets in the groove...
Here's Colour My World in 1967...
And here's Who Am I and Don't Sleep in the Subway in 1967...
Bonus: Here's Petula's recording of I Couldn't Live Without Your Love in a U.K. British Airways Christmas ad in 2017. See if you can spot Petula in a cameo...
