Barbara Dickson

Born Sep 27, 1947 in Dunfermline, Scotland

The recipient of an OBE (Order of the British Empire, in 2001, for her “service to music and drama," Barbara Dickson has successfully balanced careers in music and musical theater. A top recording artist in the 1970s, when she recorded such hits as "Answer Me" and "Morning Comes Quickly", she scored with two chart-topping hits — January, February" and a duet with Elaine Paige, "I Know Him So Well", in the 1980s. Her debut album, All For A Song sold more than six hundred thousand copies and remained on the British charts for more than a year. In the 1990s, she recorded an album of Dylan songs, "Don't Think Twice It's Alright and an album of traditional tunes from the Celtic Isles, Parcel Of Rogues. She remains active, releasing a double CD, For The Record, featuring live tracks and greatest hit, in 2002.
Dickson has been equally impressive as an actress. Making her debut in Willy Russell's musical, John, Paul, George Ringo….And Bert, in 1974, she continued with the show as it went from Liverpool's Everyman Theater to London's West End. Continuing to work with Russell, Dickson received a Society of West End Theater award as “best actress in a musical" for her appearance in his production, Blood Brothers.

Returning to theater, after a long hiatus, in late-1997, Dickson agreed to appear in a new production by Chris Bond, the director of Blood Brothers, he Seven Ages Of Woman, that premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse. She received a “best actress in theater award, from Liverpool Echo Arts and Entertainment for his efforts.

Dickson has continue to garner acclaim. She received the Laurence Olivier award and Variety Club of Great Britain show business award as “best actor in a musical".

The daughter of a policeman-turned-dock worker, Dickson played the piano from the age of five. She began to play the guitar seven years later. Determined to become a musician, she moved to Edinburgh the age of seventee. Supporting herself with a job at the Registrar's Office, she spent most nights performing in folk clubs.

Moving to Edinburgh, at the age of seventeen, Dickson played in folk music clubs, while supporting herself with a registrar's office clerk's position, by day.

Committing her full time energy to music, Dickson moved to London. Shortly afterwards, she was invited to appear in John, Paul, George, Ringo….And Best. The role became the break that launched a career that continues to reverberate.

Discography:

1969 Fate O'Charlie Trailer
1972 From the Beggars Mantle
1974 John, Paul, George, Ringo & Bert
1976 Answer Me
1977 Morning Comes Quickly
1978 Sweet Oasis
1980 Barbara Dickson
1981 I Will Sing
1981 You Know It's Me
1982 All for a Song
1982 Barbara Dickson
1982 Here We Go
1983 Blood Brothers
1984 Heartbeats
1985 Gold
1985 Songbook
1986 The Right Moment
1987 After Dark Theobald
1989 Coming Alive Again
1994 Parcel of Rogues
1995 Dark End of the Street
1996 The World Of
2003 Changing Times
2003 Memories
2006 Nothing Gonna Change the World
2006 Somebody Counts on Me
2006 Best of January and February