07/06/2024
Sandie Shaw, originally Sandra Ann Goodrich, was born and brought up in Dagenham, then in Essex. She attended Robert Clack Technical School in Becontree Heath, Dagenham. On leaving school, she worked at the nearby Ford Dagenham factory, and did some part-time modelling before coming second as a singer in a local talent contest. As a prize, she appeared at a charity concert in London, where her potential was spotted by singer Adam Faith. He introduced her to his manager, Eve Taylor, who won her a contract with Pye Records in 1964 and gave her the stage name of 'Sandie Shaw'.
Her first single, ‘As Long As You’re Happy’, proved unsuccessful but the follow-up, an excellent reading of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s ‘(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me’ reached number 1 in the UK. A striking performer, known for her imposing height, model looks and bare feet, Shaw’s star shone for the next three years with a series of hits, mainly composed by her songwriter/producer Chris Andrews. His style, specialising in abrupt, jerky, oom-pah rhythms and plaintive ballads, served Sandie well, especially on the calypso-inspired ‘Long Live Love’, which provided her second UK number 1 in 1965. By the following year, Shaw’s chart placings were slipping and the indomitable Taylor was keen to influence her towards cabaret. Chosen to represent Britain in the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest, Shaw emerged triumphant with the Bill Martin/ Phil Coulter -composed ‘Puppet On A String’, which gave her a third UK number 1. After one further Martin/Coulter hit, ‘Tonight In Tokyo’, she returned to Andrews with only limited success. By 1969 she was back on the novelty trail with Peter Callender’s translation of the French ‘Monsieur Dupont’.
