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14 Facts About Harold Spiro

1.

Harold Spiro is best known for his co-writing with Valerie Avon, particularly the song "Long Live Love" performed by Olivia Newton-John, which was the UK's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974.

2.

Harold Spiro won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Novel or Unusual Song for co-writing "Nice One Cyril".

3.

In 1944, aged 18, Harold Spiro volunteered for the Royal Navy and did his training in Chatham, Kent, where he qualified as a nurse, and was sent to Iceland to work on an American naval base.

4.

Harold Spiro enrolled at Carnegie Hall, where he studied musical theory and conducting.

5.

Harold Spiro decided to enter the music business full-time after a discussion with Eddie Cantor.

6.

Harold Spiro got his first publishing deal, and supported his wife's cousin, Phil Wainman, who was later to become the producer for The Bay City Rollers and The Boomtown Rats.

7.

Harold Spiro was the co-writer behind The Yardbirds' hit, "Little Games", successful on both sides of the Atlantic.

8.

Harold Spiro had an interview on the Russell Harty show.

9.

Harold Spiro loved football and was a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur FC This led him to compose "Nice One Cyril", winning him an Ivor Novello Award.

10.

The partnership recorded Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, with Harold Spiro writing the theme music for Ball's television show, Saturday Night at the Mill.

11.

Harold Spiro later moved home to Westgate-on-Sea, and bought a holiday home in Cyprus.

12.

Harold Spiro worked with Cypriot writers and musicians, and appeared on Cyprus television.

13.

When back in England, Harold Spiro continued with his projects, involving local musicians and writers, including the novelist, Peter Corey.

14.

Harold Spiro died on 11 December 1996 in Cyprus, where he was buried.