Cliff Richard's hordes of fans have hit back at Observer columnist Duncan Barkes who questioned the star's popularity.
Since his
column was published fans have been getting in contact in their droves to explain why they are Cliff-loving dolls.
Cliff's record in the mu
sic industry speaks for itself. He treats his fans with respect. Unless you attend a concert, you have absolutely no idea as to what he actually does.
If you want to know about Cliff's appeal, and his fan base, then go to a concert and see for yourself. Feel the love. See the great man in action. He may be 67 years old but he is more energetic on stage than some people half his age.
Go on, I dare you to go to a concert. You will then realise what you have missed.
Sandie McGreishCliff is an institution, a national treasure. A great personality. A fabulous singer. A voice sooo dreamy. And with a very loving and giving nature.
Try listening, I mean really listening, to Cliff's songs or watch a video or DVD and maybe you will find out yourself what a great person and artist Cliff really is.
Evelyn McNamara, NewcastleDuncan Barkes, you are a disgrace and a joke. Cliff has a worldwide audience that appreciate his music. In the UK his concerts are always a sell-out, and his last single 21st Century Christmas reached number two in the UK charts. His current biography has been the number-one best seller in the UK for the past two weeks.
Tony Zammit, Merrylands, AustraliaI am a 29-year-old female and started liking Cliff when I was about ten and got my first album. I am not obsessed with him and don't agree with everything he does, but I think his music is fantastic and it doesn't get the credit it deserves.
If some of his newer stuff was played on the radio, most people would be surprised as it's nothing like Living Doll, Mistletoe and Wine or any of the more well-known tunes.
Julie Christensen, Aislaby, PickeringI am a Cliff fan – have been since 1958 when I was very small.
I don't know what it is about him, I just love his music. Yes, I am female, but I have met male fans – they go to his concerts which are invariably sell-outs. And the age group is large.
My daughter started going with me to Cliff concerts about five years ago – the first one because I was given a trip to London and tickets for the show by my boss as a birthday gift, so it was free, but from then on she was hooked and now asks to go with me.
Go to one of his shows – if you can get tickets, that is – and I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.
He puts on a fabulous show and the music is wide and varied, not at all what most people expect from Cliff. Try it and then decide, but thousands of fans can't be wrong, can they?
Linda Malcolm, Sinclair Way, LivingstonContrary to your sense of there being no male Cliff fans, there are certainly some. Me, for instance.
I've been buying Cliff recordings since 1959.
Some, of course, are better than others, but there's good stuff in all decades.
While I'd concur there's been a bit of a dip in quality since the mid-80s, I wouldn't at all agree there's been nothing decent.
Pat Murphy, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaDuncan, I fear you will live to regret asking for Cliff fans to contact you! There are thousands of us – and quite a few keep quiet about it for fear of derision from the likes of you.
It is evident you have never been to a concert. You would be amazed at his vitality, charisma and rapport with the audience. He always does a full two-hour concert, largely on his own apart from his band.
He is unfailingly professional and a genuinely nice person in a business where shallow is the new black. Oh, and I have never, ever heard him sing a duff note, unlike some well-known singers I could name.
Margaret Bryden, ScotlandI read your article with interest and just want to let you know that one Cliff-loving doll is sitting in a town called Trier (Germanys oldest town). I am 33 years old and a hardcore Cliff-loving doll since 2005. I buy his music and all the other Cliff-related things. I like most of the music and things he is doing and has done. He is such a great performer, such a nice "normal" guy when you meet him, he is fantastic!
Andrea Uhl, GermanyWhat do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.
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The full article contains 872 words and appears in OS-Chichester Observer newspaper.
