Obituaries
Singer
who stole hearts
The Irish News, December 18, 1996
THERE
is something special about entertainers. In a world where it is
all too easy to find reasons to be miserable, they have the
capacity to touch people's lives. It may be a cliche, but it is
true to say they spread a little happiness.
Ruby Murray spread more than a little happiness during her
career. She may have had her last hit in 1959 but, as John
Bennett says in his appreciation of her life, "Ruby Murray
was no ordinary singer".
She still held people in her spell, and her fans will mourn her
passing as if she had been a close relative.
Like many performers, her private life was a mess. She endured a
broken marriage, a courageous battle against alcoholism, and two
nervous breakdowns.
Her place in the history of popular music is assured. To have
five records in the charts at one time was a remarkable feat. And
her memory will remain a potent force in the lives of many,
particularly in Northern Ireland.
John Bennett spoke for many when he said: "The affection
with which she is regarded will be a lasting tribute to her
warmth, her honesty and her courage."
1950s
star Ruby Murray dies
The Irish Times, December 18, 1996
Singer
Ruby Murray, the 1950s star dubbed the "heartbeat
girl", has died. She was aged 61.
Belfast-born Ms Murray, who had lived in Britain for many years,
died yesterday morning in a Torquay hospital after a long battle
against alcoholism.
One of the biggest-selling female stars of the 1950s, she set a
chart record for having five recordings in the top 20
simultaneously, a feat equalled only by Elvis Presley and
Madonna.
Her best known hits were some of her earliest, Heartbeat
and Softly Softly, which remained her theme tune for 41
years.
She first came to notice on television, appearing in Ireland for
the first time at the age of 12, and later in 1954 on BBC's Quite
Contrary. Frank Sinatra told her: "You're a hell of a great
singer and I am your greatest fan." - (PA)
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