5 Things You Never Knew About “Downtown” Singer Petula Clark
Petula Clark is a true music and film legend who has been lighting up stages and screens for decades. Starting as a child performer during WWII, she quickly became a beloved voice across Britain. Known best for her hit song “Downtown,” she became the first British female singer to top the US charts during the rock era, paving the way for future British pop stars. With over 70 million records sold, multiple Grammy wins and a global fan base, Clark’s influence on pop music is undeniable.
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In addition to “Downtown,” Petula Clark is known for several other hit songs, including “I Know a Place,” which won her a Grammy, “My Love,” another chart-topper in the US, and “Don’t Sleep in the Subway.” These songs helped solidify her status as a leading pop artist in the 1960s and contributed to her international appeal. She now celebrates a very special birthday on November 15, 2024, as she turns 92 years old! Clark was last seen in Stephen Sondheim‘s Old Friends concert in January 2023 on BBC, performing “I’m Still Here.” As we celebrate her birthday and accomplishments, let’s learn some interesting facts about the beautiful star!
1 Too young for The Blue Lagoon?
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She screen-tested for the role of Emmeline in The Blue Lagoon (1949) when she was just 13 years old. They turned her down because she was too young. Interestingly enough, Brooke Shields was only 13 when she got the same role in the 1980 version. Clark went on to have a successful movie career, starring in films such as Finian’s Rainbow (1968), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She also starred in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), Made in Heaven (1952), The Card (1952), Here Come the Huggetts (1948), Dance Hall (1950), Never Never Land (1980) and more.
2 Do you remember her BBC TV series?
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Although she didn’t get the role in The Blue Lagoon, she did get her own television show at 13 years old! You may remember her afternoon series on BBC called Petula Clark and later, Pet’s Parlour; the variety show This is Petula Clark; and the TV special on NBC titled Petula. Not only did she have her own shows, but she was a beloved guest on other variety shows. She appeared on The Dean Martin Show around 10 times, as well as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Carol Burnett Show, Here’s Lucy and The Danny Kaye Show.
3 British Bestseller
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Clark sold over 70 million records worldwide and was credited as the best-selling British female vocalist of the 1960s. Her first major international hit, “Downtown” (1964), reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and made her the first British female artist to achieve this. She also found success in France, singing hits in French alongside popular musicians there. Clark is one of those rare artists to see success in many countries around the world.
4 She fought racial inequality
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In 1968, she sang a duet with the talented Harry Belafonte during her show. In one part of the song, she touched his arm. Chrysler was a sponsor of the show, and their representative felt that the American South, which was a big market for Chrysler cars, would not like seeing a white woman touch a black man. They redid the scene, but when Clark found out the reasons why, she ordered the director to destroy the second take and keep the original one. Although there was some backlash, she stood by her decision. Clark opened up about the duet years later and said that she still doesn’t know why it caused such a “rumpus.”
5 Separate lives with French husband
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Clark wed French publicist Claude Wolff in June 1961. They met when Clark was invited to appear at the Paris Olympia for Europe’s premier live radio show, Musicorama, and she headed to the office of Vogue Records. The two fell in love at first sight and eventually had two daughters and a son. At some point, they separated and lived apart, but never divorced. He passed away earlier this year on March 20, 2024.
Now tell us, what is your favorite song of hers?
Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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