There’s a timelessness about
Rosemary Squires that almost
defies belief. From her first
BBC Radio Series in 1949 she
remained in the forefront of
popular song for over 60 years
as the only singer of her genre
whose career spans the years of
the Queen’s Reign.
Born in Bristol, later moving to
Salisbury, an early ambition to
be a jazz singer was honed at
gigs around the West Country and
soon flourished into big band,
cabaret and even variety. In
recording, radio, television and
concert hall Rosemary has worked
with countless star performers
from Geraldo to the BBC Concert
Orchestra and has shared top
billing on both sides of the
Atlantic including such stellar
names as Danny Kaye, Sammy Davis
Jnr, Cliff Richard and Ken Dodd
for a season at the London
Palladium.
A regular broadcaster on radio
and TV throughout Europe and
coast to coast USA on The Johnny
Carson Show, Rosemary was twice
voted the most televised
vocalist of the year and
featured in the Melody Maker top
vocalist poll for five
consecutive years.
Having performed at a number of
Royal events, Rosemary was
delighted during 2011 and 2012
to join the London Concert
Orchestra’s UK tour of ‘Happy
and Glorious’ in celebration of
HM’s Diamond Anniversary.
The
late Queen Mother had once said
to her “Don’t ever stop singing
will you?” and of course she was
happy to obey, particularly as
it coincided with her own
sixtieth year as a professional
artiste.
Epithets abound from ‘Britain’s
Doris Day’ to the ‘Queen of the
Jingles’ (remember the record
breaking ‘Hands that dishes…’?)
but the truth is whether at the
Albert Hall or a village hall
she remains a unique personality
with a beguiling and distinctive
West Country burr. Her
proudest epithet, however, is to be known
as a musician’s singer,
Now retired she lives with her
husband in Salisbury. At her
final major performance at the
Festival Hall in 2012 Rosemary,
with characteristic humour quipped
“No, I may never have been a
mega star but I’ve seen a few
come and go!” |