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Jim Nasium · 08-24-2011, 09:18 AM

Billy Don't Be A Hero was written by a couple of Brits, I think, Mitch Murrey & Peter Callender, the song was recorded here in the UK by Paper Lace, it got to No 1, but before it could be released in the US Bo Donaldson recorded it, Paper Lace's version hit No 96 in the US, Bo Donaldson never charted in the UK. Mitch Murrey wrote the first 2 hits that Gerry & The Pacemakers had here, How Do You Do It & I Like It, both got to No1, on the back of the great success The Beatles were enjoying.

Talking of cover versions doing better than the original, Dionne Warwick had a problem with Anyone Who Had A Heart, a big hit for her in the US, but Cilla Black recorded it here and had a No 1, much to Dionne's disgust. The link between The Beatles, Gerry & Cilla, all from Liverpool all managed by Brian Epstein. A bit of useless info. Now gonna see if I can find Bo's version of Billy on You Tube.

08-24-2011, 09:18 AM	#2
Jim Nasium Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: England Posts: 486	Re: Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods Billy Don't Be A Hero was written by a couple of Brits, I think, Mitch Murrey & Peter Callender, the song was recorded here in the UK by Paper Lace, it got to No 1, but before it could be released in the US Bo Donaldson recorded it, Paper Lace's version hit No 96 in the US, Bo Donaldson never charted in the UK. Mitch Murrey wrote the first 2 hits that Gerry & The Pacemakers had here, How Do You Do It & I Like It, both got to No1, on the back of the great success The Beatles were enjoying. Talking of cover versions doing better than the original, Dionne Warwick had a problem with Anyone Who Had A Heart, a big hit for her in the US, but Cilla Black recorded it here and had a No 1, much to Dionne's disgust. The link between The Beatles, Gerry & Cilla, all from Liverpool all managed by Brian Epstein. A bit of useless info. Now gonna see if I can find Bo's version of Billy on You Tube.