Biography
Who is Lulu?
Early life and start in music
Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie was born at the maternity unit of Lennox Castle Hospital in Lennoxtown in 1948. She grew up in Glasgow where she attended Thomson Street Primary School and Onslow Drive School. As a child, she lived in the Gallowgate area before moving to Garfield Street in Dennistoun.
When she was 12 or 13, she approached a band called the Bellrocks to gain stage experience. She sang with them every Saturday night. At age 14, her manager Marion Massey gave her the stage name Lulu, noting that she was a real lulu of a kid.
Musical career and chart success
In 1964, she signed with Decca Records. Her debut single, a version of The Isley Brothers song Shout, reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart. She followed this with Leave a Little Love in 1965. In 1966, she toured Poland with the Hollies, becoming the first British female artist to perform live behind the Iron Curtain.
She later switched to Columbia Records under producer Mickie Most. Her 1967 release The Boat That I Row reached number six on the UK charts. Later, in 1993, she collaborated with the band Take That on the number-one single Relight My Fire. In 2002, her duet with Ronan Keating, We've Got Tonight, reached number four on the UK charts. Her album Together, released that same year, peaked at number two on the Scottish albums chart and was certified Gold.
Television work and Eurovision
Lulu hosted several of her own television series in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These included Gadzooks, Lulu's Back in Town, Happening for Lulu, and It's Lulu. These programs often featured musical guests and comedy sketches. Her BBC series ran annually from 1968 until 1975.
In 1969, she represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. She performed the song Boom Bang-a-Bang, which was written by Peter Warne and Alan Moorhouse. The track was a joint winner of the contest that year. She also hosted several specials, including Bruce Forsyth Meets Lulu in 1975.
Film acting and later accolades
Lulu made her acting debut in the 1967 film To Sir, with Love. She played a role in the movie and sang the title track. This song topped the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks and became the biggest-selling single in America for 1967. In 1974, she recorded the title song for the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.
Her contributions to entertainment were recognized when she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2000. She was later appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2021 for services to music, entertainment, and charity.
Birthday and age
Lulu was born on November 3, 1948, which makes Lulu 78 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Lulu shares the date with 22 other famous people.
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