- Tom Clare
Article issues
unreferenced = July 2008
refimprove = July 2008
tooshort = July 2008Tom Clare was a British
music hall singer from the early twentieth century, born in London on 26 September 1876.He died on 5 Décember 1946.
He made his first stage appearance when he was eight years old, with the Mohawk Minstrels.He was particularly well known, in the
First World War era, for his ironic, humorous songs, "The Fine Old English Gentleman", "Who bashed Bill Kaiser?" and "What did you do in the war Daddy?" This last song criticized those who claimed to be war heroes but in fact had been busy on the black market, or avoiding work, throughout the war. ["The Fine Old English Gentleman" CD Windyridge republished 2006] Fact|date=July 2008 In another of his songs he poked fun at certain civilian decorations which had been (in the opinion of the Times) too generously bestowed. [ The Times 13 August 1918 ] Songs of social criticism are rare at this time in theMusic Hall , and Tom Clare's stand out.Fact|date=July 2008He was also involved in a large number of charity concerts in aid of wounded soldiers. [The Times July 25 1917]
Although, like most singers of his time, it was live that he gained his reputation, he began recording his songs (on cylinder) as early as 1906, with his hit "The Girl in the Big Black Hat". ["The Fine Old English Gentleman" CD Windyridge republished 2006] Fact|date=July 2008
References
Bibliography
*Kilgariff, Michael "Sing us one of the old songs: A guide to popular song 1860 – 1920"
*Garrett, John M. "Sixty Years of British Music Hall Songs" London: Chappell & Co., 1976.
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