Kathy Kirby

Kathy Kirby (born Kathleen O'Rourke, 20 October 1938, in Ilford, Essex - died 19 May 2011) was a popular English singer of the 1960s. Kirby's soprano voice became apparent early in life and she was thought to be good enough for opera. She became a professional singer after meeting the bandleader, Ambrose at the Ilford Palais. She remained with Ambrose's band for three years and he remained her manager and mentor until his death in 1971. She adopted the look of a 'blonde bombshell', and was compared to Marilyn Monroe.