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Sir Cliff Richard at 80

As he turns 80, Sir Cliff Richard reflects on how far he's come with Rev Kate Bottley and Jason Mohammad, from his first guitar to 250 million records sold.

As he turns 80, Sir Cliff Richard tells Rev Kate Bottley and Jason Mohammad why he’ll never retire as he looks back at a remarkable life and career so far.

In a warm and intimate chat, recorded remotely in quarantine, Cliff marvels at how far he’s come from a childhood in post-war Britain, after his family arrived from India in 1948 with just a few pounds to their name. From the life-changing shock of hearing Elvis for the first time, to early gigs in a famous Soho coffee house, Sir Cliff remembers how he helped bring rock ‘n’ roll to British shores, and how his life changed unrecognisably. Sir Cliff is the third biggest-selling artist in the UK after Elvis Presley and The Beatles and has had hits in every decade since the Beatles, but he’s also had to contend with radio disinterest and media derision. He tells Kate and Jason about his quiet determination and the passion for music that has fuelled his longevity, as he releases another new album after 60 years in the business.

Plus how his Christian faith has sustained him through tragedy and turbulence, and what he’d say to the 17-year-old Cliff with a quiff, a guitar and a big dream of stardom.

Producer: Rebecca Maxted

55 minutes

Last on

Sun 18 Oct 2020 08:00

Music Played

  • Cliff Richard

    We Don't Talk Anymore

    • Cliff Richard - Private Collection.
    • EMI.
  • Cliff Richard

    That'll Be The Day

  • Elvis Presley

    Heartbreak Hotel

    • Heartbreak Hotel.
  • Cliff Richard & The Shadows

    The Young Ones

    • Cliff Richard - 40 Golden Greats.
    • EMI.
  • The Beatles

    From Me to You

  • Cliff Richard

    Good News

  • Cliff Richard

    Devil Woman

  • Cliff Richard

    Congratulations

  • Cliff Richard

    Falling For You

    • The Air That I Breathe.
    • EastWest Records.

Broadcast

  • Sun 18 Oct 2020 08:00