Dennis Lotis
| Dennis Lotis | |
|---|---|
| Born |
8 March 1925 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | Swing music, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Years active | Late 1940s–2005 |
| Labels | Polygon, Decca, Pye, Columbia, King, Polydor |
| Associated acts |
Ted Heath The Johnston Brothers |
Dennis Lotis (born 8 March 1925) is a South African-born British singer, actor and entertainer, whose popularity was greatest in the 1950s. He was described as having "a sophisticated style that was particularly attractive to the young female population".
He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He trained as a boy soprano, and made his first stage appearances and radio broadcasts as a child. After leaving school at the age of 15 he worked as a bus conductor and electrician, as well as singing in clubs and cinemas in Johannesburg. He married and left South Africa with his wife at the start of the 1950s, moving to Britain, where he was introduced to bandleader Ted Heath. He joined the Ted Heath Orchestra, singing alongside Lita Roza and Dickie Valentine. His first record was a cover version of Al Martino's hit "Here in My Heart", released in September 1952 on the independent Polygon label. He later recorded with the Johnston Brothers and Ted Heath and His Music; "Such a Night" / "Cuddle Me" was released by Decca Records in 1954.
He went solo in the mid-1950s, and became one of the most successful acts on the British variety circuit, also appearing frequently on BBC radio. He appeared in his first Royal Variety Performance in 1957, and that year was voted Top Male Singer in the Melody Maker annual poll. He also toured the US with the Ted Heath Orchestra. He recorded in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the Pye Nixa and Columbia labels. However, none of his records made the UK Singles Chart.
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