Graham Bonney | |
|---|---|
 Graham Bonney performing in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Graham Arthur Ernest George Bradly |
| Born | (1943-06-02)2 June 1943 (age 81) Basildon, Essex, England |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1961– |
| Labels | Columbia,Polydor,Bellaphon, |
| Website | graham-bonney |
Graham Bonney (bornGraham Arthur Ernest George Bradly, 2 June 1943)[1] is a British pop singer and songwriter who has mainly lived and worked in Germany. Although he only had oneUK chart hit, "Super Girl" in 1966, his success has continued inEurope.
He was born inBasildon, Essex,[1][2] and worked as a child actor before forming his first group when at school. In 1961, he joined the Espresso Five, followed in 1962 by The Ambers, with whom he performed at theStar-Club in Hamburg. In 1964 he became lead singer withThe Riot Squad, a band put together by managerLarry Page.[3]
After three unsuccessful singles forPye Records in 1965, Bonney left the band for a solo career. He started writing songs withBarry Mason, and his second solo single "Super Girl", issued on theColumbia label, reached no. 19 on theUK Singles Chart in 1966. It proved more popular in Europe, reaching number 1 on some German charts and remaining in the top 10 there for several months, reportedly selling over 1 million copies.[3]
Follow-up records in Britain were less successful,[4] but Bonney established a lasting career in Germany, where 14 of his singles reached the top fifty between 1966 and 1973.[3] His German hits included "Das Girl mit dem La-La-La", "Wähle 333", "Du bist viel zu schön", and "Brandy". He wonBravo Otto awards as top singer in 1967 and 1968. He appeared on German television as a regular of the TV programmeBeat Club, toured withThe Beach Boys and others, and had his own TV show,Hits a Go Go.[2] He returned to Britain in 1969 to co-host early editions of the TV showLift Off withAyshea.[5]
He continued to be a popular entertainer in Germany through the 1970s and 1980s, his British citizenship allowing him to perform inEast as well asWest Germany. He also made TV appearances in theNetherlands,Belgium,Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, and has continued to perform and release records in Germany.[2]
He married aLufthansa stewardess in 1984 and lives nearCologne.[1]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
