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Though Matt Monro is known best to worldwide audiences as the voice
of one of the best James Bond themes, "From Russia with Love," the British
vocalist produced a lifetime of great work. Often criticized as a second-rate
Sinatra imitation because of his light, expressive style of swing, Monro hit the
British Top Ten frequently during the 1960s but managed only two moderate hits
in America.
Born Terrence Parsons in London, he began his career singing for television
commercials and performed with a few British bands (including Cyril Stapleton's
Orchestra) during the early '50s.
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After a few sides recorded for various labels,
he signed to Decca for an album of standards, 1957's Blue and Sentimental.
His career really took off
one year later when producer George Martin asked him to lend his deep voice to a
Peter Sellers album of Sinatra satires, Songs for Swingin' Sellers. Monro's
straight-faced contribution, "You Keep Me Swingin'," gained him a contract from
Parlophone, and he hit number three in the British charts with 1960's "Portrait
of My Love."
Both "My Kind of Girl" and "Softly, As I Leave You" also hit the Top Ten
during the subsequent two years; the former became his first transatlantic hit,
reaching number 18 in America. Monro also proved quite proficient in the growing
realm of the full-length; his 1962 LP for Parlophone, Matt Monro Sings Hoagy Carmichael, was a very
accomplished songbook collection for a pop singer. Though his theme to the
second James Bond vehicle, From Russia with Love, only hit the Top 20 in
Britain, it increased his exposure around the world. His next single, "Walk
Away," hit number four in Britain and just missed the Top 20 in America.
Monro gained his last British Top Ten in 1965, after his association with
George Martin and Parlophone gave him the distinction of being the first artist
of thousands to cover the Beatles' "Yesterday." After moving to America that
year, his British chart fortunes declined (except for the moderate 1973 hit "And
You Smiled"). He continued performing his nightclub routine, and recorded
sparingly during the '70s. The 1980 collection Heartbreakers rejuvenated his career somewhat,
though his health suffered during the time. He finally died of cancer in 1985.
John Bush |
