George Formby
Comedian, Musical Artist
1904 – 1961
Who was George Formby?
George Formby, OBE was a British actor, singer-songwriter and comedian. He sang light, comical songs, usually playing the ukulele or banjolele. He was a major star of stage and screen in the 1930s and '40s, when Formby became the UK's highest-paid entertainer. His songs such as "When I'm Cleaning Windows" were particularly popular during the Second World War.
When he and his wife travelled throughout the war, creating improvised lyrics to songs to fit the situation, they delighted their audiences. It was estimated that they played before three million Allied servicemen and women.
His 1937 song, "With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock", was banned by the BBC because of its suggestive lyrics. Formby's cheerful, innocent demeanour and nasal, high-pitched Lancashire accent neutralised the shock value of the lyrics.
His best-known catchphrase was probably "It's turned out nice again!". In 1960, his last recorded song "Happy Go Lucky Me" / "Banjo Boy", peaked at number 40 in the UK Singles Chart. Since his death in 1961, a remix version of "When I'm Cleaning Windows" by 2 In A Tent charted in the early 1990s.
We need you!
Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!
- Born
- May 26, 1904
Wigan - Also known as
- George Formby, Jr.
- Formby, George
- George Fotmby
- George Hoy Booth
- Ukulele George
- George Hoy
- George Formby, OBE
- George Formby Jr.
- Parents
- Spouses
- Beryl Ingham
(1924/09/13 - 1960/12/24)
- Beryl Ingham
- Nationality
- England
- Profession
- Died
- Mar 6, 1961
Preston
Submitted
on July 23, 2013
Citation
Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"George Formby." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/george_formby>.
Discuss this George Formby biography with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In