Julie Covington

Julie Covington (born September 11 1947, London) is an English singer and actress, best known for recording the original version of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina".

Career

Covington's break came in 1967 when, while still a student at Homerton College, Cambridge, she was invited to sing on David Frost's television show – after which she secured a recording contract. She followed this early success with her 1971 "Godspell" casting at The Roundhouse, then with her 1972 original cast recording of "Godspell (Day by Day)" and her role as Janet Weiss in "The Rocky Horror Show" in 1973. Between 1974 and 1984 Covington appeared regularly in the companies of the National Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre, creating such roles as Alice in "Plenty", Vivienne Eliot in "Tom and Viv" (for which she received an Olivier Award nomination) [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = The Nominees and Winners of The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1984
work =
publisher = Official London Theatre Guide
date =
url = http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/awards/winners/display?contentId=72674
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accessdate =2008-04-09 ] and Edward in the original production of Caryl Churchill's "Cloud Nine". In 1976 she appeared with the English National Opera as Anna in "The Seven Deadly Sins". Her performance in the 1976 television show "Rock Follies" led to her landing the title role in the original studio recording of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical "Evita". Covington scored an international number one with the song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina"; the single reached No.1 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1977. She was later given the opportunity to originate the role in the stage production of "Evita", but she declined, explaining that she thought the impact of her recording would be diminished, and Elaine Paige took the role. [cite web
last = Bogdanski
first = Jennifer J
authorlink =
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title = Evita — a Concept Album About Who?
work = Sir Tim Rice — Evita
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date = 2007-05-30
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accessdate = ] Covington was later praised for her duet as Beth, wife of the Parson (Phil Lynott), on Jeff Wayne's 1978 recording "The War of the Worlds". Following a second solo album and guesting on other artists' albums she returned to the theatre.

Albums

Julie Covington albums

* " While The Music Lasts" (1967) (Private Pressing)
* "The Party's Moving On" (1969) (Private Pressing)
* "The Beautiful Changes" (1971)
* "Julie Covington" (1978)
* "The Beautiful Changes Plus" (1999)
* "Julie Covington plus" (1978)

Cast recordings/soundtracks/compilations featuring Julie Covington

* "Godspell - Original Cast Recording" (1972)
* "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie" (1972)
* "Evita (concept album)" (1976)
* "Rock Follies Series 1" (1976)
* "The Mermaid Frolics' (1977) - benefit for Amnesty International
* "Rock Follies Series 2" (1977)
* "The War of the Worlds" (1978)
* "Guys and Dolls National cast recording" (1982)
* "The Wildcliffe Bird (audio book)" (1991)
* "Guys and Dolls" (1992)
* "The War of the Worlds - Original - CD" (2000)
* "Evita" (2001)
* "The War of the Worlds - 5.1 Remastered Edition" (2005)
* "The War of the Worlds - 7 disc Collectors Edition" (2005)

ingles

* "The Magic Wasn't There, Tonight Your Love Is Over" (1970)
* "The Way Things Ought To Be" (1970)
* "Day By Day" (1972)
* "Two Worlds Apart" (demo single) (1973)
* "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" (1976)
* "Only Women Bleed" (1977)
* "Housewives' Choice" (1982)

Brit Awards

* 1977 - British breakthrough act

References