Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 50

Max (Walter) Bygraves - Life, Trivia, Catch phrases, UK chart singles, Film parts, Autobiography

Entertainer, born in Rotherhithe, SE Greater London, UK. Educated there, he worked for an advertising agency before joining the RAF (1940–5), where he became involved in entertainment for the troops. A professional entertainer since 1946, he has performed all over the world, and is among the best-selling recording artists. His catchphrase, ‘I wanna tell you a story’, is also the title of his autobiography (1976). Since then he has published several more autobiographical works, including I Wanna Tell You A Funny Story (1992) and In His Own Words (1997).

Max Bygraves
Max Bygraves - CD cover.
Born 16 October 1922
Rotherhithe, London, England, UK

Max Bygraves OBE (born 16 October 1922 in Rotherhithe, London as Walter William Bygraves) is an English singer songwriter, famous for his waving hands.

Life

Max Bygraves was the son of poor parents in London's East End docklands.

Trivia

In Tv comedy series Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere, it was revealed in episode 4 of series 1 that Max's real name is Maxwell Bygraves as his mum was 'a big fan'.

Catch phrases

Max Bygraves is known for the following catch phrases;

I wantto tell you a story Thats a good idea, - SON! I've arrived - and to prove it, I'm here! Let's play BIG MONEY (while hosting Family Fortunes)

UK chart singles

The below singles all made the UK top 75 sales charts

Cowpuncher's Cantata (1952) (The Gang That Sang) Heart Of My Heart (1954) Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea (1954) Mister Sandman (1955) Meet Me On The Corner (1955) The Ballad Of Davy Crockett (1956) Out Of Town (1956) Heart (1957) You Need Hands / Tulips From Amsterdam (1958) Little Train / Gotta Have Rain (1958) My Ukelele (1959): Jingle Bell Rock (1959) Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be (1960) Consider Yourself (1960) Bells Of Avignon (1951) You're My Everything (1969) Deck Of Cards (1973) White Christmas (1989)

Film parts

Bless 'Em All (1949) playing Tommy Anderson Skimpy in the Navy (1949) playing Tommy Anderson Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951) playing a Coach Guard Charley Moon (1956) playing Charley Moon A Cry from the Streets (1958) playing Bill Lowther

... aka A Cry from the Street (reissue title)

Bobbikins (1960) playing Benjamin Barnaby Spare the Rod (1961) playing John Saunders
Preceded by:
Bob Monkhouse
Host of Family Fortunes
1983- 1985
Succeeded by:
Les Dennis

Autobiography

Max Bygraves in his own words , Breedon Books Publishing (1997) ISBN 1-85983-079-X

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