Dora Bryan

Dora Bryan Artistfacts

  • February 7, 1923 - July 23, 2014
  • Although she was best known as a comedy actress, Dora Bryan ventured into vinyl in 1955 and enjoyed some limited recording success in the 1960s.

    Dora May Broadbent was born at Southport, Lancashire, the daughter of a salesman. Her career on the stage began with pantomime, and she joined the Oldham Repertory Company as a teenager.
  • Her stage name is said to have been derived from Bryant & May, the match manufacturer, but the T was omitted in a typographical error. The leading female impersonator Vesta Tilley who was born Matilda Alice Victoria Powers is said to have done the same thing, taking her stage name from Swan Vesta matches.
  • During the Second World War, Dora Bryan entertained the troops with ENSA (Every Night Something Awful according to the unofficial acronym), but it was not until 1955 that she recorded her first single, "Why Did You Call Me Lily?" from The Water Gipsies in which she had starred. In the 1960s she would record "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and her biggest song – dare one use the word hit? - "All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle."

    Music-wise, that was as good as things got, although she continued her stage and film career. She also appeared in many TV series.
  • Bryan died in a Brighton nursing home at the age of 91. In September 2013 a Dora Bryan Exhibition was opened by the Rottingdean Preservation Society to celebrate her career. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.