Dean Ford
| Dean Ford | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas McAleese |
| Born | 5 September 1946 |
| Origin | Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire |
| Genres | Pop, Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Labels | EMI Columbia, CBS, Decca, EMI |
| Associated acts | Dean Ford and the Gaylords, Marmalade, Dean Ford |
| Website | Official Facebook for former Marmalade frontman Dean Ford |
Dean Ford (born Thomas McAleese on 5 September 1946) is a Scottish singer and songwriter best known for his tenure as lead vocalist and frontman of the beat pop group Marmalade from 1966 to 1974. Ford (credited as McAleese) co-wrote the group's worldwide hit "Reflections of My Life" with fellow band member Junior Campbell. "Reflections of My Life" has sold more than two million units globally, and in 1998 the writers were awarded a Special Citation of Achievement by BMI for attaining radio broadcast performances in excess of one million in the U.S. alone.
Born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire to Thomas sen. and Elizabeth McAleese, young Tom first began singing in public accompanying a jazz ensemble at the local Whifflet parish church dance hall. He formed his first musical group The Tonebeats at age 13, one of several he hooked up with during his teenage years. By the time he left Clifton High School in Coatbridge at age 15, he had been gaining more exposure as a featured singer. His break came after a performance with the Monarchs at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow in 1963, where he was seen by members of the popular east Glasgow band The Gaylords and subsequently invited to join the group.
Shortly thereafter, McAleese adopted his stage name (a moniker he coined by combining the names Dean Martin and Tennessee Ernie Ford) and The Gaylords were re-christened Dean Ford and the Gaylords. With hopes of achieving more commercial success, Ford and the band relocated to London in 1965.
Two years later, Marmalade, with Ford as lead singer, became the first Scottish band to score a #1 hit song on the U.K. pop singles chart.[1], also racking up many consecutive quality hits worldwide. In addition to his lead vocals, Ford expanded his songwriting credits, co-writing Reflections of My Life, Rainbow, My Little One, and I See The Rain and added instrumental support on harmonica and tambourine. After several lineup changes, Marmalade was reduced to three band members by 1973, with Ford being the lone founding member.
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