SIR CLIFF RICHARD Announces "The Soulicious Tour" October 2011

SIR CLIFF RICHARD TO DUET WITH SOUL LEGENDS ON ‘THE SOULICIOUS TOUR’ LIVE IN OCTOBER 2011

AND NEW ALBUM PRODUCED BY LAMONT DOZIER AND ASHFORD & SIMPSON WITH DAVID GEST AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

The live tour and album concept conceived by television star and music producer David Gest, Sir Cliff Richard will duet with more than ten soul legends on a brand new album (and tour featuring selected artists from the record) for EMI Music. 

Already confirmed to duet with Cliff Richard on the album as well as perform on his October 2011 UK tour, which will be produced and directed by Gest, are: 

Dennis Edwards & The Temptations  

Russell Thompkins, Jr & the New Stylistics 

Candi Staton 

Billy Paul  

Percy Sledge  

Lamont Dozier 

Brenda Holloway  

Deniece Williams  

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. 

And this is just the beginning of an amazing list being assembled for this project!

According to Gest: “A mutual friend of ours, TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, approached me about working with Sir Cliff. I came up with the idea of doing an album of duets with soul legends as well as a number of modern R&B artists. Most of the tunes are very contemporary and do not be surprised if a rapper or two appear on this album! There will also be a few remakes that have an exciting new twist to them. Cliff has a remarkable voice and I think people will be amazed by the versatility he shows on this new album. I am very excited about filming our upcoming DVD ‘The Making Of…’ which will coincide with the album release in October 2011. Additionally, I will bring Cliff Richard to Vegas in February 2012 where he will perform for the first time on the Strip with an entirely brand new show that I am producing and directing”.

Celebrating his 53rd anniversary in the music business this year, Cliff Richard is indisputably Britain’s all-time greatest hit-maker – the ultimate pop star! No other UK band or solo artist is even close to equalling his 123 single hits, or can claim to have occupied a place in our charts for the equivalent of over 20 years! Highlights of this remarkable career are too numerous to mention, but successful films, musicals, concert tours and television shows have all contributed to the Cliff Richard legend.

Cliff’s 50th anniversary as a show-business phenomenon was marked by a celebratory UK concert tour – ‘Cliff Richard – The Time Machine Tour’ –in 2008, plus the publication of a new autobiography – My Life, My Way – and the release by EMI of an 8-CD box set – ‘And They Said It Wouldn’t Last!’ - comprising some of Cliff’s well-known hits, but also featuring rarer tracks and 35 previously unreleased songs.

In 2009/10 Cliff reunited with The Shadows for an extensive sell-out tour of Britain, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. To mark his 70th birthday in October 2010, Cliff played six concerts in London’s Royal Albert Hall. Entitled Bold As Brass, they introduced a new musical genre as Cliff performed with a swing band. His album of the same name entered the UK album charts at No 2 that same week, and the DVD of his London shows was No 1 in the music DVD charts.

Cliff’s knighthood, bestowed in the 1995 Birthday Honours for his tireless charity work, was the first such to be given to a pop star. His practical support of so many good causes reflects the reality of his deep Christian commitment, which began in the mid-1960’s, and which, despite the media critics who claimed it was a passing fad or a publicity gimmick, has been the motivating force in his life ever since.

Oct 2011
Sat 15 - NOTTINGHAM CAPITAL FM ARENA
Mon 17 - MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA
Weds 19 - LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA
Sat 22 - BIRMINGHAM LG ARENA
Sun 23 - BIRMINGHAM LG ARENA
Tues 25 - LONDON O2 ARENA
Weds 26 - LONDON O2 ARENA
Fri 28 - NEWCASTLE METRO RADIO ARENA

Tickets on sale 9AM Sunday 15th May and are priced at £60/£70, and can be booked through www.livenation.co.uk (all tickets subject to a booking fee) The National Ticket Hotline 0844 875 8751