Age, Biography and Wiki

Kathy Kirby (Catherine Ethel O'Rourke) was born on 20 October, 1938 in Ilford, Essex, England, is a Kathy Kirby was English singer English singer. Discover Kathy Kirby's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 72 years old?

Popular As Catherine Ethel O'Rourke
Occupation Singer
Age 72 years old
Zodiac Sign Libra
Born 20 October, 1938
Birthday 20 October
Birthplace Ilford, Essex, England
Date of death 20 May, 2011
Died Place London, England
Nationality United Kingdom

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 20 October. She is a member of famous Music Department with the age 72 years old group.

Kathy Kirby Height, Weight & Measurements

At 72 years old, Kathy Kirby height not available right now. We will update Kathy Kirby's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Kathy Kirby's Husband?

Her husband is Fred Pye (? - ?) ( divorced)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Fred Pye (? - ?) ( divorced)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Kathy Kirby Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Kathy Kirby worth at the age of 72 years old? Kathy Kirby’s income source is mostly from being a successful Music Department. She is from United Kingdom. We have estimated Kathy Kirby's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Music Department

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Timeline

1938

Kathy Kirby (born Catherine Ethel O'Rourke; 20 October 1938 – 20 May 2011) was an English singer.

1956

She became a professional singer after meeting bandleader Bert Ambrose at the Ilford Palais in 1956.

1957

During the summer of 1957, Kirby performed at the Florida Park Restaurant in Madrid, and after returning to the UK not only performed with Ambrose's orchestra, but also with Nat Allen and his band.

1959

In 1959, Kirby joined vocalists Tony Mansell and Rikki Henderson in the Denny Boyce Band, and appeared regularly at the Lyceum Ballroom in London.

In the summer of 1959, she made her solo cabaret debut at the Astor Club.

1960

Her popularity peaked in the 1960s, when she was one of the best-known and most-recognised personalities in British show business.

Kirby was born in Ilford, Essex, (later part of Greater London), the eldest of three children of Irish parents.

Her mother Eileen brought them up alone after their father left early in their childhood.

Kirby grew up on Tomswood Hill, Barkingside, in Ilford, and attended the Ursuline Convent School where she sang in the choir.

Kirby's vocal talent became apparent early in life, and she took singing lessons with a view to becoming an opera singer.

She subsequently signed to Pye Records in 1960, for which she released two singles, "Love Can Be" and "Now You're Crying".

They sold few copies but helped her get a six-month contract at Mayfair's Blue Angel nightclub.

She adopted a "blonde bombshell" look and was compared to Marilyn Monroe.

Kirby became one of the biggest stars of the early to mid-1960s, appearing in the Royal Command Variety Performance and two television series for BBC TV.

1962

In 1962, she signed a contract with Decca Records, for which her first single was "(He's a) Big Man", released in October 1962.

It sold well over a long period of time, but failed to reach the British charts.

1963

However, it was a hit in Vancouver's CFUN in January 1963.

In the summer of 1963, after becoming a regular on the musical TV program Stars and Garters, she had her first hit, "Dance On!", which peaked at No. 11 in the UK chart and No. 1 in Australia.

Its follow-up was an upbeat reworking of the Doris Day classic "Secret Love", which peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.

In the same year, she won Top British Female Singer in the New Musical Express poll.

Her album 16 Hits From Stars & Garters was released at the end of 1963, and cracked the top 20.

1964

The single "Let Me Go, Lover!", another upbeat reworking, this time of the classic by Joan Weber, reached No. 10 in early 1964.

Kirby disliked the song, stating that: "Honestly, I was really surprised because I never had much hope for this record, and when I recorded it I thought it might never get anywhere at all."

"Let Me Go, Lover!"

was followed by "You're The One", which peaked at No. 17 in May 1964.

That success was followed by a record-breaking summer season show at the ABC Theatre in Blackpool.

1965

She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's "Secret Love" and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest where she finished in second place.

She represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965 and came second with the song "I Belong" which also became a hit.

Author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor describes Kirby's "I Belong" as being far more representative of current musical tastes than other songs from the contest, but she was beaten by France Gall from France and representing Luxembourg, singing an even more contemporary song written by Serge Gainsbourg.

Bitter at her defeat, she slapped France Gall.

An EP was issued featuring the six songs selected for the Eurovision Contest, featuring a different version of "I Belong", which peaked at No. 10 in 1965.

An Italian version of I Belong was recorded by her under the title Tu Sei Con Me.

She also sang the theme tune of the BBC television series Adam Adamant Lives!.

In September 1965 her single "The Way of Love" charted at No. 88 on the US Billboard Top 100.

The song also charted in some of the regional charts, such as No. 35 in New York, No. 16 in Philadelphia, No. 39 in Detroit, No. 39 in Washington, and No. 38 in Los Angeles.

After the chart success of "I Belong", Kirby recorded more than a dozen singles between 1965 and 1967, but they all failed to chart.

1970

During the 1970s, Kirby's singing career was eclipsed by a turbulent personal life, but she continued to perform live at smaller venues and made occasional television appearances and performed a few live concerts on the "nostalgia circuit".

1971

She remained with Ambrose's band for three years and he remained her manager, mentor and lover until his death on stage in Leeds in 1971.

1975

She continued to make television appearances, and her 1975 appearance on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, (where she sang 'You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me'), is now available to watch again on 'YouTube'; (there had been a copyright dispute which removed it from view for some time).

1976

On 31 December 1976, she performed her hit song "Secret Love" on BBC1's A Jubilee of Music, celebrating British pop music for Queen Elizabeth II's impending Silver Jubilee.