Julie Rayne is a British singer and entertainer, noted for her television appearances and recordings from the early 1960s.

Life and work

Julie was born in Darlington and educated at the Darlington High School for Girls. Her first public performances were as a six-year-old,singing on the tables of her grandmother's restaurant and, later, in local cinemas. Still a teenager, she won a prestigious Caroll Levis talent contest but was too young to follow it up. Eventually, she eschewed a career as a librarian and entered showbusiness, starting-out as soubrette with Geordie comic Bobby Thompson in the Merry Magpies revue. Soon, she moved to London, finding work in the Soho music clubs. Her first big break came when she was asked to join Dr. Crock and His Crackpots' comedy show band.^[1]

She performed briefly as Julie James and Julie Jones until signed by Norman Newell at HMV, who settled on the name Julie Rayne. Her fourth record, 'Green With Envy, Purple With Passion, White With Anger, Scarlet With Fever, What Were You Doing in Her Arms Last Night Blues?' entered the Guinness Book of Records for the longest song title.^[2] She became well-known through frequent appearances on British television, most notably as one of the resident singers on the first series of Stars and Garters which was voted best entertainment series on television that year (1963) and on radio shows such as Sing it Again and Saturday Club.^[3] She was backed by the top outfits of the day, including the Alan Ainsworth, Tony Osborne and John Barry Orchestras,^[4] appearing at top venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.

This was an interesting period for Julie, meeting and working with many of the top names in music, comedy and variety. Having already worked with Sir Cliff Richard,^[1] she was intrigued to hear him speak at a Billy Graham meeting and this triggered her interest in wanting to know more. A hiatus in her career eventually followed while she spent a brief period as a missionary and then as a student, obtaining a degree and teaching qualification at London University (Goldsmiths).

When she returned to show business full-time, she added additional strings to her bow. As a stage actress, she appeared in numerous productions, including straight theatre as well as musicals, reviews and pantomime.^[5] She has also been a director as well as a mentor and model.

Her later performances often include one Christian song as an expression of her faith. Minister Fred B. Craddock mentions in his book an instance in Germany where Rayne performed a version of Psalm 121 amongst popular songs from the 1940s through to the 1960s.^[6] Craddock asked to meet with Rayne after a performance and wondered why Rayne chose to include a Christian song in her performance. Rayne answered that she 'had made a promise to God to include a song of praise in every performance.'^[7]

Julie's first TV appearance on a "Val Parnell Spectacular" (1958) was uncredited, as was her final one on "Tonight at the London Palladium" (2000). Her final appearance on live radio was on Radio 2day, Johannesburg (2012), and her final official gig was at York Theatre Royal (2016).

Julie retired and lives near York with her third husband,

References