Billy Fury - Later Years

Later Years

In 1973, Fury emerged from a period of semi-retirement to star as 'Stormy Tempest' in the film That'll Be the Day. Also starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, it was roughly based on the early days of The Beatles. Starr was from the same Dingle area of Liverpool as Fury, and had originally played drums for Rory Storm & The Hurricanes, whom the Stormy Tempest group were said to be modelled upon.

In the mid 1970s Fury went out on the road with Marty Wilde, Away from the spotlight, he focussed on wildlife preservation. Fury's health deteriorated and he underwent heart surgery notably in 1976. In 1978 he was declared bankrupt. A new release, "Be Mine Tonight" (1981), failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart. Worse was to follow in March 1981 when Fury, working on his own farm, collapsed and almost perished. He returned to touring later that year and his next two singles, "Love or Money" and "Devil or Angel", just dented the UK chart. In 1981 and 1982, Fury was signed to Polydor Records by A&R man Frank Neilson and recorded a comeback album, The One And Only (released posthumously) with Shakin' Stevens' producer Stuart Colman. Due to his health, Fury did little touring to promote the new album. His last public appearance was at the Sunnyside, Northampton, in December 1982, where the website, billyfury.com, now sponsors a charity show every March. Fury recorded a live performance for the television show, Unforgettable, featuring six of his old hits although, at the request of his mother, only four of these were broadcast.