Norrie Paramor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Norrie Paramor (1913-1979) is best known as a record producer, but was also a composer, arranger, and orchestral conductor.
Although the term 'producer' was not in frequent circulation at the time Paramor started producing records (the usual term being "Artiste and Repertoire Manager" or "A&R Man"), he effectively commenced this role in 1952 when he became 'Recording Director' for EMI's Columbia Records.
Paramor produced hit singles for Cliff, The Shadows, and Frank Ifield among others, scoring an impressive 26 number ones according to the Guinness Book Of British Hit Singles (although this may incorrectly attribute Cliff Richard's The Minute You're Gone which was produced by Billy Sherrill). Until Sir George Martin produced Candle In The Wind 97 for Sir Elton John, Paramor and Martin jointly held the record for having produced the most number one hit singles, despite Paramor's death nearly twenty years earlier.
Paramor also composed music for several films including Serious Charge, The Young Ones, Expresso Bongo and The Frightened City.
His style is seen by some as being old-fashioned; however, the raw rock'n'roll of early Cliff Richard or Shadows numbers belies this myth, and Norrie was as at home with an economic production featuring three guitars and a small drum kit as he was with a large orchestra.
Paramor died of cancer on September 9 1979. His death came a few weeks before his protegé Cliff Richard returned to the top of the UK Singles Chart with We Don't Talk Anymore. Paramor and Richard had worked together professionally from 1958 to 1972.
| The Shadows |
|---|
| Hank Marvin | Bruce Welch | Brian Bennett Jet Harris | Tony Meehan | Brian Locking | John Rostill | Ian Samwell | Terry Smart |
| Production |
| Norrie Paramor | Peter Vince | Warren Bennett | Abbey Road Studios |
| Related articles |
| Cliff Richard | 1960s |
