Profile

 

Jess Conrad is one of the most versatile of British artistes to emerge from the 1960’s.

Born Gerald James in Brixton, South East London, Jess always had dreams of being on stage and could often be found as a young man sitting in the stalls of the London Palladium during the 1950’s, watching the British and American Top Of The Bill acts like Danny Kaye, Frankie Laine, Jo Stafford and so on; subconsciously picking up on their stage craft and professional appearance

From his early success as a pop star in England, Jess went on to become an accomplished actor appearing in many films (see Filmography) on stage in musical theatre, drama and light comedy and pantomime (see On Stage) as well as numerous television appearances and not forgetting concerts and cabaret with his very own unique act.

Jess started his showbiz life studying acting in an East London drama school paying his way by working on his father’s flower stall in Marble Arch. He then got his Film Artistes Association union card and became a member of the now defunct Central Casting where he was to learn much about studio technique in the process of making films as an ‘extra’ and a ‘bit part player’ in numerous British films made during the 1950’s.

As a young repertory actor with the famous Charles Danville Company Jess also played seasons in Barnsley and Derby before being discovered by television producer Daphne Shadwell who saw him appearing in an advertisement for the Daily Sketch Newspaper.

She felt he was right for the part of ‘Barney Day’ in the TV play “Rock A- Bye Barney”.

Jess landed the part and was seen by the now legendary TV and stage producer Jack Good. Because he “Looked like a pop star” Jack immediately put Jess on television in the original “Oh Boy!” show.

He then went on to become a ‘teen idol’ and armed with a Decca recording contract hit England’s pop charts with “Cherry Pie”, “Mystery Girl”, “This Pullover” and “Pretty Jenny” (see Discography for further details).

Voted England’s “Most Popular Male Singer” in the 1961 NME annual poll, Jess played the London Palladium, Wembley Pool and went on to tour around the globe with fellow British and American rock ‘n’ roll and pop stars of the day including, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Brenda Lee, Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Eden Kane and Johnny Kidd to name a few (see Photo Gallery).

Jess continued to make records for Decca, Columbia, Pye, and President labels into the 1970’s and appeared regularly on television in the UK in plays, soaps, celebrity quiz shows and the like.

He toured South Africa, played cabaret around Europe, and appeared in Christmas Season Pantomimes every year (See the On Stage page for credits).

During the 1970’s Jess made the transition from ‘Pop Singer’ to ‘Musical Star’ playing Jesus in “Godspell” for which he received rave reviews, then on to Joseph in “Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, a Bill Kenwright Production that went in to London’s West End twice and broke box office records during the 1982 summer season in Blackpool. (For all other stage credits see the On Stage page).

Right from the start of his celebrity status Jess has maintained a high profile in fundraising events for various charities as player/manager of the Showbiz Football Team and playing golf with the Variety Club of Great Britain.

He is a keen sportsman, and after forty-plus years of playing for charity he still shows no signs of letting-up.

Today Jess Conrad continues to perform in various roles. He can be found at the BBC making cameo appearances on The Generation Game; in Cabaret around the UK; on cruise ships; on national tours with comedian Jim Davidson in the adult ‘Sinderella’; and making personal appearances as an After Dinner speaker.

Jess is married to Renee and has two daughters Sasha and Natalie.

In August 2003 he and Renee celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary with a star-studded garden party.