Chart-Topping Songwriter Johnny Worth Dies at 90

12 August 2021 - Press release

Worth wrote songs for numerous household names including Petula Clark, Englebert Humperdink, Barbra Streisand and Sammy Davis Jr.

 

 

Songwriter, record producer and singer Johnny Worth, who penned hits spanning five decades, has passed away peacefully at home, say his family.

Worth passed in Consett, County Durham on 6th August 2021.

Johnny Worth (born John Worsley 21 June 1931 in Battersea, South London) was born of a Welsh mother and Greek Cypriot father (John’s Father called him Yannis Skordalides). 

He was a former English popular music singer and later a songwriter from the 1950s to the 1980s. He also used the pseudonyms Les Vandyke and John Worth.

Over the years, Worth penned songs recorded by a range of well-known artists including Petula Clark, Vince Hill, Engelbert Humperdinck, Anthony Newley, Bobby Vee, Shirley Bassey, Herman's Hermits, Marty Wilde, Bobby Rydell, Cleo Laine, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Justice, John Leyton, Freddie And The Dreamers, and Sammy Davis, Jr. 

He also wrote No.1 hits for artists such as Adam Faith’s What Do You Want (which was record of the year in 1959) and Eden Kane’s Well I Ask You. 

At least two songs under the Les Vandyke name were covered by well-known Australian artists: Doin' The Mod by Ronnie Burns' band the Flies (1965, first recorded by Vandyke with British band The Bambi's, 1964); and Dance Puppet Dance by Little Pattie (also 1965, first recorded by Dave Duggan on Columbia in the UK, 1963), which reached No.12 in the Sydney-based pop charts.

Worth also wrote music and songs for many movies during the 1960s and 1970s. These included What A Whopper, The Kitchen, Mix Me A Person, Some People, Johnny Cool, Psychomania, and Saturday Night And Sunday Morning.

Although his own singing career was over, he recorded three songs for the score of the 1968 short film Les Bicyclettes De Belsize, including the title song.

In his youth, he was simply known as John Worsley. After schooling, he began work as a draughtsman prior to his compulsory two years national service, which he claims were the happiest two years of his life. 

Returning to civilian life, he determined to become a singer, changing his name for the purpose to Johnny Worth.

He worked in pubs as a semi-professional until he managed to secure a television appearance. Watching, was the wife of well-known leader of the Oscar Rabin Band. Worth was signed to the band, with whom he remained for five years, making a number of recordings for Oriole Records and Columbia Records.

He also recorded for the Embassy Records label, which produced covers of popular hits, usually sold through Woolworths stores.

He then joined The Raindrops vocal quartet (together with Len Beadle, Len's wife Jackie Lee and Vince Hill), which appeared on the television programme Drumbeat.

It was on this show he met Oscar-winning composer John Barry, with whom he would soon work, and the singer Adam Faith.

Vandyke penned more big hit records in the early 1970s and also produced albums for The Two Ronnies. 

He also wrote the musical NELL about Nell Gwynn, starring Jackie Trent, directed by Mark Kingston and orchestrated by Tony Hatch.

In 1973, he wrote and produced Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse, a No.8 UK hit for the American singer Jimmy Helms.

In 1986, Worth married Catherine Stock, sister of fellow songwriter Mike Stock. Later that year, Worth penned for her the UK hit, To Have And To Hold, which reached No.17 in the UK Singles Chart.

He passed away at his home in Consett, surrounded by his family peacefully following a short illness.

He leave’s sister Tina, two remaining sons, David and Christos, and daughter Janet, as well as grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Simon Platz, MD of Worth’s long-time publisher Bucks Music Group said: “John was a fantastic composer and songwriter, with an enviable career spanning many decades. He was also a unique character with a passion for music that never waned. Even in his late 80s he was still sending me tracks.”