Tom Springfield

Tom Springfield
Birth name Dionysius P. A. O'Brien
Born (1934-07-02) 2 July 1934
Hampstead, London, England
Genres Folk, pop
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, record producer
Instruments Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active 1960s–1970

Tom Springfield (born Dionysius P. A. O'Brien,[1] 2 July 1934,[2][3] and known when young as Dion O'Brien), was an important figure in the 1960s folk and pop music scene. He is the brother of the late pop star Dusty Springfield, with whom he performed in The Springfields.

Life and career

Springfield was born in Hampstead, London,[3] and attended the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe from 1944 to 1950.[4] He formed a vocal trio, The Springfields in 1960, with his sister Dusty and a friend, Tim Feild.[5] The group broke up in 1963 and he became a record producer and songwriter for The Seekers. He wrote many of their major hits, including "I'll Never Find Another You",[6] "A World of Our Own",[7] the million-selling "The Carnival is Over" (the melody was based on a Russian folk song, while Tom Springfield wrote only lyrics for the song)[8] and "Walk with Me". Around this same time, he co-wrote (with Clive Westlake) Frank Ifield's 1964 hit "Summer Is Over" and his sister Dusty's 1964 hit "Losing You".

His other hit compositions include "Adios Amour (Goodbye My Love)", which was recorded by José Feliciano and The Casuals,[9] and "Just Loving You", which became a 1967 top ten hit for Anita Harris. Additionally he composed the theme to the popular BBC TV series The Troubleshooters in the 1960s. He also co-wrote "Georgy Girl" with Jim Dale:[10] this was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song of 1966.

The Springfields' song "Island of Dreams", written by Tom Springfield, has been covered by Mick Thomas, Johnny Tillotson,[11] Mary Hopkin,[12] Geraint Watkins with Martin Belmont and by the Seekers.[13]

He released two solo albums in the late 1960s, Sun Songs (1968)[14] and Love's Philosophy (1969); these were re-released on CD in 2005.[3] After a 1970 duet single with his sister Dusty, "Morning Please Don't Come", Springfield essentially retired from the music industry as both a writer and performer.

Awards and nominations

Awards

Nomination

References

  1. ↑ England & Wales, Birth Index
  2. ↑ Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe - School List for 1949/50
  3. 1 2 3 "Tom Springfield - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. 1934-07-02. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. ↑ "High Wycombe Royal Grammar School - 1956 School Photo website by Tony Hare". Rgs.tonyhare.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  5. ↑ "Tom Springfield". Prattfamily.demon.co.uk. 1934-07-02. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  6. ↑ "Seekers, The - I'll Never Find Another You (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  7. ↑ "Seekers, The - A World Of Our Own (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  8. ↑ "Seekers, The - The Carnival Is Over (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  9. ↑ "Casuals, The - The Very Best Of (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  10. ↑ "Seekers, The - Georgy Girl / The Last Thing On My Mind (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  11. ↑ "Island of Dreams - Johnny Tillotson : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  12. ↑ "Island of Dreams - Mary Hopkin : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  13. ↑ "Island of Dreams - The Seekers : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  14. ↑ "Sun Songs - Tom Springfield". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
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