Eddie Calvert - O mein papa

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Albert Edward "Eddie" Calvert was born on 15 March 1922 in Preston, Lancashire, England, and grew up in a musical family. He learned to play several instruments from a young age, although the trumpet was always his favourite. After the Second World War he borrowed money from his father to join a band in Manchester, and soon afterward started performing professionally with popular dance band of the time, including Geraldo's and Billy Ternent. He soon became known as a virtuoso on the trumpet and for his unique style of play. During a television performance with Stanley Black’s Orchestra, the presenter referred to him as “The Man with the Golden Trumpet”, a title that remained with him throughout his career.

By the beginning of the 1950s Eddie was a popular musician on BBC Radio and Television and made his first recordings for Melodisc between 1949–1951 on 78 speed records. It was, however, only after he moved to EMI’s Columbia Label that he had his first UK hits. In total he had 7 hits in Britain with 2 that reached #1 - "Oh Mein Papa" in 1953 and "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" in 1955. In 1954 he co-composed the song "My Son, My Son" that became a hit for Vera Lynn, and from 1956 onward he collaborated with band leader, Norrie Paramor, in the process releasing several recordings.

Eddie’s UK hits:
1. "Oh Mein Papa" (#1) – 1953
2. "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" (#1) – 1955
3. "Stranger in Paradise" (#14) – 1955
4. "John and Julie" (#6) – 1955
5. "Zambesi" (#13) – 1956
6. "Mandy (La Panse)" (#9) – 1958
7. "Little Serenade" (#28) – 1958

As pop and rock music, especially by artists such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones, became more popular in the 1960s, Eddie’s popularity began to wane, although he would continue to make recordings throughout his career. In 1968 he undertook a worldwide tour, which included South Africa and the former Rhodesia, at the end of which he decided to settle in South Africa. Here he made frequent appearances and recordings until he died of a heart attack in his home in Rivonia, Johannesburg, on 7 August 1978. He was 56 years of age.

This song was originally released in the UK in 1953, but this version was issued on 7" single in South Africa in 1975.