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Jimmy Kennedy - Songwriting Legend and Local Lad!
Below is a small collection of photos, song snippets, bits of information, and a full version of Jimmy Kennedy's 1935 Portstewart song about the local fishing boat, 'Kitty of Coleraine' - yes it was!!!
To listen to the song snippets, just 'click' the forward arrow ( > ) at the left of the black controller bar, and to stop, 'click' the pause button ( II )
To listen to the song snippets, just 'click' the forward arrow ( > ) at the left of the black controller bar, and to stop, 'click' the pause button ( II )
Nat King Cole, Red Sails in the Sunset
Originally written in 1935, 'Red Sails' became a massive 'hit' with sales of the sheet music at well over 1 million copies. It has also been recorded by many artists over the years - a total of 37 at the last count - the most recent being Engelbert Humperdinck (2000). However, it was Nat King Cole that had the biggest selling single record in 1951. Here's a short sample.
Gracie Fields, Isle of Capri
Gracie Fields made the song famous, perhaps she had been to Portstewart? - it looks a bit like it?
Henry Hall and his Band, Teddy Bears Picnic
When Henry Hall played this tune on BBC Radio in 1932, the broadcasters were inundated with requests for the sheet music. But Feldmans, the music publishers JK worked for, didn't have it ready and he nearly lost his job. It was another 15 years before Jimmy got recognition for the lyrics by them.
Please note:- The audio samples may NOT run on some older types in Internet Browsers or older opporating systems - Sorry, we're working on this problem!
Another big hit, with another local connection!? - sung by Bing Crosby (recorded in 1937)
Al Bowlly 'Red Sails in the Sunset' (1935 recording)
Jimmy Kennedy - one of the few photos we could find
The 'Red Sails' sulpture by Dublin artist Niall O'Neill
The Big Hit of the 50s
Originally released in 1939 by 'The Ink Spots' (below) 'My Prayer' was an early 'chart hit'. The song has been recorded by many stars, including Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, but the the biggest seller of all was by 'The Platters' in 1956 with 3 million copies (right)
The Platters - 'My Prayer'
