An armed gang held a hunting knife to the throat of Cilla Black's youngest son as they stole jewels, cash and gold worth more than £1million, it was revealed yesterday. Jack Willis, 22, who goes. Aug 06, 2015 Cilla Black's son Robert (Image: Andy Stenning / Daily Mirror). The accident happened a year after her youngest son, Jack, crashed his bike into a tree and was rushed to hospital after suffering a.
| Born | Robert Willis 25 January 1942 |
|---|---|
| Died | 23 October 1999 (aged 57) Royal Free Hospital, London, England |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, talent manager, producer |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
Robert Willis (25 January 1942 – 23 October 1999) was a British songwriter, who became the manager and eventually the husband of British singer and television personality Cilla Black.
Career[edit]
His first known recorded composition, 'Shy of Love' was featured on the B-side of 'Love of the Loved', the debut release of Cilla Black in September 1963. During the sixties he was to write many songs for his then girlfriend to record and perform.
One of his most popular – 'Is It Love?' – was featured in the beat film Ferry Cross the Mersey in 1965. He collaborated with Clive Westlake, Kenny Lynch and Beatles producer George Martin on some songs.
After the death of Black's manager, Brian Epstein, Willis took over her management duties and over the next thirty years, developed her popularity with television family audiences, and helped Black to become the highest-paid female presenter on television.
Death[edit]
On 23 October 1999, Willis died of lung and liver cancer at the Royal Free Hospital, London. He was aged 57. His funeral service was held on 1 November at Saint Mary the Virgin Church, in Denham, Buckinghamshire. He was cremated.[1]
Personal life[edit]
Willis had four brothers: Albert, Ronnie, Bertie and Kenneth Willis.
He married Cilla Black on his 27th birthday at Maryleboneregister office.[2] The couple were granted a dispensation to have their marriage blessed on 6 March 1969 at St Mary's Church, Woolton, to please Black's Catholic family. (Willis was from an Anglican background.)[3] They had three sons together: Robert, who was Black's manager (born in 1970), Ben (born in 1974), and Jack (born in 1980). Their daughter Ellen (born in 1975), lived for only 2 hours.
Discography[edit]
Singles
Cilla Black's Son Robert Willis
- 'Shy of Love' (B-side 'Love of the Loved') UK#35 Sept. 1963
- 'Just For You' (A-side 'Anyone Who Had A Heart') UK#1 Jan. 1964
- 'Suffer Now I Must' (A-side 'You’re My World') UK#1 May 1964
- 'He Won’t Ask Me' (A-side 'It’s For You') UK#7 July 1964
- 'Is It Love?' (A-side 'You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin') UK#2 Jan. 1965
- 'I Don’t Want To Know' (A-side 'I’ve Been Wrong Before') UK#17 Apr. 1965
- 'Night Time Is Here' (A-side 'Alfie') UK#9 Mar. 1966
- 'From Now On' (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake) (A-side 'I Only Live To Love You') UK#26 Nov. 1967
- 'I Couldn't Take My Eyes Off You' (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake) (A-side 'Step Inside Love') UK#8 Mar. 1968
- 'London Bridge' (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake) (A-side 'Surround Yourself With Sorrow') UK#3 Feb. 1969
- 'That's Why I Love You' (Bobby Willis/Kenny Lynch) (A-side 'Child Of Mine') Dec. 1970
Album Tracks
- 'Come To Me' (George Martin/Bobby Willis) Cilla Jan. 1965
- 'Our Brand New World' (Bobby Willis/Clive Westlake) Images May 1971
References[edit]
- ^'Cilla's farewell to husband Bobby'. BBC News. 1 November 1999. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^'Bobby Willis, husband and manager of British pop star and TV personality Cilla Black, died yesterday aged 57'. CillaBlack.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^Parry, Josh (4 August 2015). 'Revealed: Cilla Black's heyday in unseen photographs'. The Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 August 2015.