1955: The Golden Years.

In January eddie released ' Open your heart' but again it was events in America that was to have an impact on his career. In Febuary the film 'Underwater' starring Jane Russell hit the American movie theatres. The theme tune 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White' performed by Perez Prado was soon heading up the charts in both countries. In March Eddie released his version only to see Prado's version hit the number 1 spot on the 29th april and remain there for the following two weeks. However not to be outdone, the Calvert recording took top place on May 27th and stayed for four weeks. Eddie had achieved a first in being the only instrumentalist to reach the top of the charts twice.

Chart success continued in May when his 'Stranger in Paradise' reached number 14. In June the 'Eddie Calvert International Friendship Club' was launched from their new offices at 40 Pall Mall, London. In the first issue Eddie wrote ' I need hardly tell you how wonderful things are for me at the moment, with two best sellers in the top twenty, and house records being broken at many theatres where I am appearing. The skies certainly look blue for me right now, and, without question the people responsible are yourselves who have kept me at the top of the tree.'

With around two thousand letters a week and fourteen thousand members, the office staff were kept busy. It was also around this time that rumours were circulating that a film about Eddie's life was going to be made. The title was 'The Gabriel' and the actor Terence Morgan was tipped for the part. With apparent script difficulties, fans were being urged to write to the Rank Organisation in the hope that things would be speeded up. Sadly the film was never made, but it was not long before the Golden Trumpet could be heard at cinemas across the country.


In July came The release of 'John and Julie,' a film recording the adventures of two children who runaway to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, meeting various eccentric characters along the way. The films music was written by Phil Green and Eddie was the soloist. The theme provided another chart success reaching number 6 later that summer.

Touring continued throughout the year and though tiring, Eddie was always happy to meet his fans. He would also visit hospitals were ever he was playing, and bring sticks of rock in for the children. He was generous with his time and many youngsters pestered their parents for a trumpet so they could be like Eddie. His summer schedule for the year was;

Josie his wife would accompany him along with their small corgi dog 'Gabby'. She would act as her husband's private secretary handling much of the administrative work behind the scenes and dealing with his fan mail. In an article at the time he stated how important dieting was to provide the stamina for playing. He checked his weight daily and his meals were based on an athletes diet of steaks, lean meats and protein. " I play strictly corn, with a touch of Salvation Army band on a Sunday morning and I need energy to keep it up" he said. The truth was he loved his Lancashire 'hot pots', as well as his drink and cigarettes.

In October 'Love is a many splendid thing' was released, shortly followed by 'The Holy City'. Chart success did not follow, but the year finished on a high with Eddie being voted by New Musical Express readers 'Musician of the year,' and the Daily Mirror nominating him 'outstanding Entertainment Personality.'

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