Biography
Born in England in 1954, this classically schooled pianist first caught the attention of UK viewers as a Beatles-coiffed teenager by triumphing in multiple episodes of the ITV talent contest Opportunity Knocks during the summer of 1972. Evoking an updated Russ Conway, he would offer a shy half-grin while moving from measured classical arpeggios into lively pub-style honky-tonk midway through each routine. That November he entered the UK Top 40 with “Borsalino,” a modest chart entry that nonetheless reflected wider approval from listeners alienated by the prevailing pop trends of the early seventies. Beyond his signature youthful charm, his real asset was fluent keyboard technique, enabling strong sales for his debut album even though recorded work remained secondary to income from variety seasons and live theatre dates.
By the eighties Crush had launched a parallel career in acting, progressing from supporting roles in seasonal pantomimes to a boldly gender-fluid portrayal of Dr. Frank N. Furter during a touring production of The Rocky Horror Show. Between 1989 and 1991 he hosted the ITV quiz programme Sounds Like Music. In the early nineties he continued to appear in summer seasons and pantomimes while presenting his own BBC Radio 2 series, Centre Stage. In 1993, marking two decades in entertainment, he joined the national tour of the musical Pump Boys And Dinettes and issued a fresh album. Five years later, after completing a 45-date run alongside Gene Pitney, he staged his Silver Anniversary Concert at London’s Arts Theatre.
By the eighties Crush had launched a parallel career in acting, progressing from supporting roles in seasonal pantomimes to a boldly gender-fluid portrayal of Dr. Frank N. Furter during a touring production of The Rocky Horror Show. Between 1989 and 1991 he hosted the ITV quiz programme Sounds Like Music. In the early nineties he continued to appear in summer seasons and pantomimes while presenting his own BBC Radio 2 series, Centre Stage. In 1993, marking two decades in entertainment, he joined the national tour of the musical Pump Boys And Dinettes and issued a fresh album. Five years later, after completing a 45-date run alongside Gene Pitney, he staged his Silver Anniversary Concert at London’s Arts Theatre.
Albums
