Matt Monro plaque unveiled

On 17 May a plaque was officially unveiled at the home of Matt Monro at 14 Ruxley Lane, Ewell by his son Matt Monro Jr. Epsom Male Voice Choir performed a selection of songs before the plaque was unveiled by Matt Monro Jr.

Matt Monro, the Man with the Golden Voice, was one of the most popular singers during the 1960s and 1970s. Born Terence Edward Parsons, he took a stage name suggested by the pianist Winifred Atwell. Early success in the 1950s had evaporated by the end of the decade when he was holding down jobs including road sweeper, bus driver and milkman – he worked for Unigate out of their depo in Ruxley Lane.

His main bus route (enlivened, towards the end of the trip, by a serenade for customers) was in London but he also drove the 408 on the Kingston route. In 1960 he recorded a song for Peter Sellers produced by George Martin, with whom he had a lifelong friendship, and by 1961 he was named Top International Act by Billboard. The following year he sang the title song for From Russia with Love. In 1965 he made the first recording of Yesterday, the most recorded song of all time, given to him by Paul McCartney as it was more his type than a Beatles song. The next year he recorded Born Free which became his signature song. He continued singing and touring almost up to his death in 1985 of liver cancer.

Information and picture supplied by Bourne Hall Museum.