John Worsley (21 June 1931 – 6 August 2021), more widely known under the pseudonyms Les Vandyke and Johnny Worth, was an English popular music songwriter from the 1950s to the 1980s, who started his career as a singer.
His songs were recorded by various artists, including Petula Clark, Vince Hill, Engelbert Humperdinck, Anthony Newley, Bobby Vee, Shirley Bassey, Herman's Hermits, Marty Wilde, Bobby Rydell, Cleo Laine, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Justice, John Leyton, Freddie and the Dreamers, Sammy Davis Jr. and many more.
[1] Worsely had aspirations to be a songwriter, and though initial attempts had failed, he asked pianist Les Reed to arrange a demo of his song "What Do You Want?".
[1] At least two Vandyke songs were covered by well-known Australian artists: "Doin' The Mod" by Ronnie Burns's band the Flies (1965, first recorded by Vandyke with British band The Bambis, 1964)[8] and "Dance Puppet Dance" by Little Pattie (also 1965, first recorded by Dave Duggan on Columbia in the UK, 1963),[9] which reached number twelve in the Sydney-based pop charts.
Worsley — alternating between the names of Les Vandyke and Johnny (or John) Worth — also wrote music and songs for a number of low-budget movies during the 1960s and 1970s.
In 1969, Vandyke aka Worsley and David Myers left Southern Music to join Barry Class' Trend record label.
Worsley co-directed the recording session with Eric Allandale, the Foundations trombonist who was also employed by Trend as a producer.
[21][22] Instrumental artist, Lafayette also recorded a version which appeared on his 1970 album, Apresenta Os Sucessos – Vol.
The agency represented The Groundhogs, Joyce Bold, Old Gold, Benedict Brown, High Tide, The Easybeats and Andy Fernbach.
For another example, he wrote and produced "Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse" a number 8 UK hit in 1973 for the American singer, and one-hit wonder, Jimmy Helms for Cube Records.
[1][27] AllMusic journalist Bruce Eder states, "Vandyke is one of those rare talents in English pop music whose songwriting success crossed several genres and eras, from the end of the 1950s right into the 1970s".