This is the logo that will become more recognisable as Hull has been designated as the 2017 UK City of Culture.
As part of the celebrations, Hull’s music will be at the forefront of events held, including here in Queens Gardens.
The focus of my documentary will look back at a name from a long line of recording talent connected with the city. A man who performed across Hull and the East Riding, before moving further afield. His rich tenor voice was also heard across Europe, thanks to broadcasts by Radio Luxembourg, and via the BBC.
He was born in 1926, and grew up in the east of Hull. Educated at St. Peters School, his love of music developed at the nearby church, and this grounding started the musical journey.
Hull was a seafaring city, and after leaving school, David joined the Royal Navy, and was part of the D-Day landings aboard HMS Ramilles. He also saw further service in the Far East.
After leaving the Navy, David continued his singing career, performing in venues such as Hull City Hall, and impressed packed houses across the country.
His statue, commissioned at a cost of £50,000, was unveiled in 2012. Sculpted by Graham Ibbeson, it portrays a humble man sharing his voice with the audience.
His audience that became worldwide after sell out performances in North America, Australasia, and the Far East.
He performed on the Ed Sullivan – Toast of the Town show, even before The Beatles. His final performance had a TV audience of over 65 million people.
So in this documentary, I want to look at what drove a working class man from Hull to such success, how his path has inspired others, and why his legacy deserves further recognition.
A name and face not particularly well-known to the younger generation, is this man. This is David Whitfield.
From humble roots in the Drypool area to international recording artist conquering America and Australia, in this documentary, I will be looking at the life and career of a man who had 2 Number 1 Singles, 9 other Top 10’s and wowed audiences around the world until his untimely death in 1980.
So please join me on my journey of discovery to find out just who David Whitfield was, and why his contribution to Hull’s rich heritage deserves to be celebrated in the run up to “Everyone Back to Ours”, Hull as City of Culture, starting on the 1st of January 2017.
