(c’60-’66) Douglas Downs (vocals / guitar)
Born in Godalming, Perry – not to be confused with the singer/piano player of Journey – started singing / performing at Bellfields School, Guildford when he was known by his real name: Douglas Downs. Perry soon graduated to singing at the likes of Holy Trinity Hall, Guildford and local hospitals, often organized by his mother.
He was signed to HMV after a ‘recording test’, arrange by his singing coach. The then 16-year-olds first single “Step by Step”, backed by “Because They’re Young”, being released on HMV [POP745] in 1960. Two years later he was on Decca for the release of “Ginny Come Lately” – The original release by Brian Hyland was 3 months before Perry’s; and along with Perry, Johnny Lion, Redd Wayne, and Bobby Stevens also released that song in May ’62, with another two artists, Bill & Boyd and Billy Forrest, also releasing it that year. It has been released 34 times in 5 languages so far – which was quickly followed by “Young and in Love” [F.11526].
Sometime in early ’63 he joined the Emile Ford package tour promoted by John Smith, along with The Bachelors, The Allisons, Gerry & The Pacemakers, and Vic Sutcliffe. “My Dad” came out in ’63, and later that year saw his final 7″ release with Decca: “Crooked Little Man (Don’t Let the Rain Come Down) / Day Dreams”. His only LP, titled “Another Rainy Day”, was released in ’66 om MGM Records.
From ’72 onward his tracks have appeared on numerous compilations, but nothing new from Perry. Perry’s bother, Colin Downs, is a classical guitarist who studied at the Royal Academy of Music.
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