Dickie Pride (born Richard Charles Kneller; 21 October 1941 – 26 March 1969)[1] was an English singer.
He was one of Larry Parnes' stable of pop music stars, who didn't achieve the same successful career as some of his contemporaries.
He took on several menial jobs to help support the family, including working in a stonemason's yard that specialised in making gravestones.
In late 1958, Russ Conway heard him performing at the Castle Public House in Tooting, South London.
The music magazine Record Mirror stated that "he ripped it up from the start" and that the theatre shook so much during his performance that he should be known "The sheik of shake".
This was followed by tours, television and, in March 1959, his debut single, "Slippin' and Slidin'" (a cover of a song made famous by Little Richard).
[3] He also performed in 'The Big Beat Show' at Southend with Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, Terry Dene, Johnny Gentle, Duffy Power and Sally Kelly.
[4] Guitarist Albert Lee made his first professional stage appearance as an accompanist for Pride.
With his records no longer selling, Pride took a job as a van driver to help pay the bills for a short time.
They had minor success, although it was brief – from playing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, to supporting a young Stevie Wonder during his 1966 UK tour.
[10] Three years later on 11 May 1965, she gave birth to their son Richard Ludt, at the Weir Maternity Hospital in Central London.
For a year Pride had control over his habit and his appearance improved, but in the end he fell back on drugs.
On 16 July 2002, a BBC biography series called Jukebox Heroes narrated by Mark Lamarr aired an episode on Pride's life and career.