Cliff Richard: The Biography

_Cliff Richard: The Biography_ is a thrilling book about a talented fellow who used to be one of my best friends--and I actually have some true inside information, an essential anecdote that got omitted from this otherwise remarkable book. I'm referring, of course, to Cliff's conversion at Billy Graham's 1966 London Crusade. Billy drew a huge audience that night, a crowd of almost 27,000 (not like in the Fifties, but hey) - and let me tell you something: when the Rev. Billy Graham preached that evening at Earls Court, he laid out the Lord's plan of salvation with so much clarity, and he spoke with such deep spiritual conviction, and he communicated with such down-home North Carolina eloquence, that - well, I don't remember what, because I fell asleep. I did not awake until the altar call, when the stadium organist began to play the Billy Graham theme song, "Just as I am, without one plea." But I felt truly sorry afterward because something lamentable happened while I was napping. That is the very night on which the legendary and very cute pop singer, Cliff Richard, believed, and got saved. I was totally gobsmacked. Good Lord, Cliff Richard was practically John Lennon's twin - they were born the same week, October 1940. Well, it just goes to prove: you win some, you lose some. (So much for horoscopes!) I had no inkling Cliff was even in the audience that night until it was too late for me to save him from getting saved. Totally bummed me out! My pals Beelzebub and Belial had not yet forgiven me for letting Little Richard (no relation to Cliff Richard) slip through my fingers, in 1957. They'd tease the bejeezus out of me when they learned that I had just lost another one, stolen right out from under my nose. A hip-swinging spawn of Elvis, Cliff was a rockabilly star whose hits included "Schoolboy Crush" and "Living Doll." I thought I already had him in my back pocket for eternity. Obviously, not. And here's the anecdote. This really happened: When Cliff walked forward to receive Christ that night, and met with a spiritual counselor, he begged for help: already, he had indulged in sexual intercourse twice, he said, and he had also drunk himself silly, three times. "Oh my, that is a lot for one day!" gasped the young counselor, thrilled to be speaking with Cliff Richard but privately horrified by his sins and trying not to let it show. Evidently, a special case. Cliff was introduced to Billy. "No, no, not today," explained Cliff to Billy Graham. "In my whole entire life." Even Billy Graham was a little surprised. Here was a young pop star, 26 years old, appearing on every published list of the ten sexiest men in Britain. Who would've thought he needed help? Clearly, he did need help - Too late, Lucifer! Cliff was now in the Lord's hands, the poor devil. Why, I have known 26-year-old Tibetan monks who have scored more often than that. That same night, Cliff promised to the Lord, and to Billy, and to his fans, th

I couldn't put the book down until I'd read the last page. Sir Cliff is truly one of the most admirable men I've read about. He has worked very hard to be where he is now. He deserves all the accolades bestowed on him. I first heard him in 1963 while growing up in the Philippines, and I'll always love him and his music. Cliff Richard: The Biography