Bobby Willis
| Bobby Willis | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert William Willis |
| Born |
25 January 1942 Liverpool, England |
| Died | 23 October 1999 (aged 57) Royal Free Hospital, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, talent manager, producer |
Robert William "Bobby" Willis (25 January 1942 – 23 October 1999) was a British songwriter, who became the manager and eventually the husband of the late British singer and television personality Cilla Black.
His first known recorded composition, "Shy of Love" was featured on the B-side of "Love of the Loved", the debut release of Cilla Black in September 1963. During the sixties he was to write many songs for his then girlfriend to record and perform.
One of his most popular – "Is It Love?" – was featured in the beat film Ferry Cross the Mersey in 1965. He collaborated with Clive Westlake, Kenny Lynch and Beatles producer George Martin on some songs.
After the death of Black's manager, Brian Epstein, Willis took over her management duties and over the next thirty years, developed her popularity with television family audiences, helping Black to become the highest-paid female presenter on television.
On 23 October 1999, Willis died of lung and liver cancer at the Royal Free Hospital, London. He was aged 57. His funeral service was held on 1 November at Saint Mary the Virgin Church, in Denham, Buckinghamshire. He was cremated.
Willis had 4 brothers, Albert, Ronnie, Bertie and Kenneth Willis.
Willis married Cilla Black on his 27th birthday at Marylebone register office. The couple were granted a dispensation to have their marriage blessed on 6 March 1969 at St Mary's Church, Woolton, to please Black's Catholic family. (Willis was from an Anglican background). They had three sons together: Robert, who was Black's manager (born in 1970), Ben (born in 1974), and Jack (born in 1980). Their daughter Ellen (born in 1975), lived for only 2 hours.
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