David Parton
David Parton (born David Eric Stanley Parton, 1948) is an English singer-songwriter and record producer from Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, England. He is also known as Des Parton, based on the initials of his first three names.
David Parton | |
---|---|
Birth name | David Eric Stanley Parton |
Born | 1948 (age 73–74) |
Origin | Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, England |
Genres | Pop, Rock, R&B |
Instruments | Vocals |
Career
Parton was the frontman of Strange Fox, who were nurtured by Tony Hatch in the early 1970s.[1] Parton achieved songwriting success writing songs for Sweet Sensation in the mid-1970s, namely "Sad Sweet Dreamer" which was a number 1 single in the UK, and "Purely by Coincidence" which also charted.[1] He arranged and co-produced both tracks with Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent.
In 1975, Parton released an album entitled Snaps on the Buk record label, a short lived imprint of Decca Records.[2] A year later he re-emerged with a band called The Cyril Dagworth Players, where Parton masqueraded as Dagworth. They released one album, also co-produced by Parton and Hatch.[3]
Parton then sang a cover version of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" which he again co-produced with Hatch. When the original contracted singer (Marcel King from Sweet Sensation) was unable re-create Wonder's vocal nuances, rather than dispose of the backing track, Parton sang the lead vocal, and it was decided to issue this version.[1] It was released on 15 January 1977 and was in the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks, reaching number 4.[4] Thus it reached a higher chart position than the Stevie Wonder original, which peaked at number 94 in the UK chart. Lack of further chart action saw him dubbed as a one-hit wonder. He later worked as a songwriter and producer based in Cheshire.[1]
He has generally sung and played guitar with local bands from North Staffordshire.
Songwriting credits
- "Sad Sweet Dreamer" – Sweet Sensation
- "Purely by Coincidence" – Sweet Sensation
- "Belinda" – Coup De Cœur
Discography
Albums
- Snaps – Buk Records – 1975[2]
- All tracks written & arranged by Des Parton
- "Lawman" – (5:36)
- "Eyes as Sad as Yours" (4:20)
- "All the Live Long Day" (4:48)
- "Oh for the Glory" (5:53)
- "Queenie" (4:14)
- "Jane" (3:25)
- "The Nigger's Coming" (2:48)
- "Something for the Likes of You" (3:42)
- "Longest Journey" (3:17)
- "Vandal" (3:51)
References
- "David Parton | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- "DMR Records – 60s–70s Progressive, Psychedelic, Rock & Folk for Sale: M-R". Angelfire.com. 8 January 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- "Wanted : Unsung Heroes". Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 419. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- "DAVID PARTON - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- "David Parton - Isn't She Lovely". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
External links
- David Parton discography at Discogs