Bunny Lewis

Bunny Lewis (12 November 1918 – 7 September 2001)[1] also known professionally under various pseudonyms was a London-based manager, record producer and composer and music manager whose songwriting abilities were used in a number of films. Sometimes this coincided with involvement in films of musicians whom he personally managed, most notably the actor and singer, Craig Douglas.[2] He also co-composed the song, "Cara Mia". Authorship was accredited to 'Tulio Trapani and Lee Lange'; Lee Lange was the pseudonym for David Whitfield's producer, Lewis, and Tulio Trapani was the nom de plume of the song's other co-writer and arranger, Mantovani.[3]

Bunny Lewis
Birth nameBridges George McGibbon Lewis
Also known asLee Lange, Johnny May, Emile Reisdorff
Born(1918-11-12)12 November 1918
Kensington, London, England
Died7 September 2001(2001-09-07) (aged 82)
Westminster, London, England
GenresTraditional popular music
Occupation(s)Composer, record producer, songwriter, music manager
Years activeLate 1940s – late 1960s
LabelsDecca
Associated actsDavid Whitfield, Mantovani, Helen Shapiro, Craig Douglas, Eden Kane

Biography

Born Bridges George McGibbon Lewis, in Kensington, London,[4] he served in World War II in the Black Watch and was awarded the Military Cross.[1]

After being demobbed in January 1946, Lewis worked at Decca Records.[1] His major work was connected to three late 1950s and early 1960s productions; Expresso Bongo (1959), The Frightened City (1961), and also It's Trad, Dad! (1961), which co-starred Douglas.[2]

Film credits

Other film credits included work on A Change of Heart (1962), The Painted Smile (1962) and One Too Many (1950).[2]

Management

Lewis managed Doug Sheldon, Tony King, Bourbon Street, Christine Quaite and Douglas, giving the singer previously known as Terry Perkins, the name under which he would become famous. Sheldon was discovered by Lewis while acting on stage, and was offered a recording contract with Decca.[5]

As a composer, Lewis contributed the song, "A Voice in the Wilderness", to the Cliff Richard film, Expresso Bongo. Lewis also wrote a handful of songs that figured in the repertoire of early 1960s UK pop star Helen Shapiro; specifically "Kiss 'n' Run", "Let's Talk About Love", "Little Miss Lonely", and "Marvellous Lie".[6] Craig Douglas' cover version of "Oh Lonesome Me" (1962) was produced by Lewis.[7] As well as Lee Lange, Bridges also wrote and produced his songs under the pseudonyms of Johnny May and Emile Reisdorff.[1]

Composer

Lewis' record production tally extended to David Whitfield's "Cara Mia" and "Answer Me"; Eden Kane's "Well I Ask You"; plus Craig Douglas' version of "Only Sixteen". All of these songs were number one hits in the UK Singles Chart. Lewis' UK chart-topping effort of four production credits exceeds those notables such as Phil Spector, Mickie Most, Denny Cordell, Phil Coulter and Albhy Galuten, all of whom managed only three such Number Ones.[8]

Awards

In 1999, Lewis was presented with a Gold Badge award by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).[9]

Death

Lewis died in Westminster, London, in September 2001, at the age of 82.[1]

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References
  1. "Bunny Lewis Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  2. Bruce Eder. "Bunny Lewis | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  3. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 14. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  4. "Time remembered; a romantic comedy in two acts. By Jean Anouilh, English translation rev. & rewritten by Patricia Moyes". Faqs.org. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  5. Bruce Eder, Doug Sheldon at Allmusic
  6. "Helen Shapiro | Songs". AllMusic. 28 September 1946. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  7. ""Oh Lonesome Me" : Craig Douglas : Record label". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  8. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 262. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  9. "ENTERTAINMENT | Gold Badge honour for Dury". BBC News. 13 October 1999. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
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