Norrie Paramor | |
---|---|
Paramor in 1960
|
|
Background information | |
Birth name | Norman William Paramor |
Also known as | Norman Sidney, B-side Norrie |
Born |
London, England, UK |
15 May 1914
Origin | English |
Died | 9 September 1979 Barnet, England, UK |
(aged 65)
Genres | Light orchestral Pop music Rock music Swing music Easy listening |
Occupation(s) |
Record producer Composer Arranger Conductor Pianist Band leader |
Instruments | Piano |
Years active | 1950–1979 |
Labels | EMI Music publishing (imprint Capitol Records) |
Associated acts | Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Frank Ifield, Helen Shapiro, Ruby Murray, Michael Holliday |
Notable instruments | |
Piano |
Norman William "Norrie" Paramor (15 May 1914 – 9 September 1979) was a British record producer, composer, arranger, pianist, bandleader, and orchestral conductor. He is best known for his work with Cliff Richard and the Shadows, both together and separately, steering their early careers and producing and arranging most of their material from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Paramor was a composer of studio albums, theatrical productions, and film scores.
Although the term "producer" was not in circulation at the time Paramor started producing records (the usual term being Artiste and Repertoire Manager, or A&R man), he effectively began this role in 1952 when he became Recording Director for EMI's Columbia Records. As well as being producer for Cliff Richard and the Shadows, he produced records for Ruby Murray, Eddie Calvert, Michael Holliday, Helen Shapiro, Frank Ifield, the Mudlarks, the Avons, and Ricky Valance, among others. Until George Martin – his opposite number at EMI sister label Parlophone – produced "Candle in the Wind 97" for Sir Elton John, Paramor and Martin jointly held the record for having produced the most UK Number 1 hit singles, despite Paramor having died 18 years earlier.