10 Facts About Johnny Franz

Johnny Franz was one of Britain's most successful producers in the 1950s and 1960s.

Johnny Franz worked as a club pianist in dance bands, and appeared on radio with harmonica player Ronald Chesney.

Johnny Franz went on to produce many prolific British artists for the label, including Dame Shirley Bassey, the Beverley Sisters, Frankie Vaughan, Robert Earl, Susan Maughan, Marty Wilde, Ronnie Carroll, Sir Harry Secombe, Winifred Atwell, The Springfields, The Four Pennies, Julie Rogers, Peters and Lee, Dusty Springfield, Anne Shelton, and the Walker Brothers in the 1960s, as well as American singers who recorded in Britain, such as Mel Torme.

Johnny Franz worked with some American artists under license from Columbia Records, such as Johnnie Ray, Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney.

Johnny Franz oversaw discs that matched first-class pop rock material and vocalists with the sort of orchestral production that was more typical of middle of the road pop.

Walker and Johnny Franz were personal friends, and Johnny Franz arranged for Scott to study with British vocal instructor Freddie Winrose, who taught the singer much about breath control.

Johnny Franz would consume copious cups of tea and cigarettes at any time of day, but especially during recording sessions.

Johnny Franz was proud of his Rolls-Royce car, which he bought from Philips artist Sir Harry Secombe.

Johnny Franz, who was known as the "last of the great pros", died of a heart attack in 1977 whilst in London's Brompton Hospital, at the age of 54.

Johnny Franz produced ten UK number ones enjoying, in total, twenty eight weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart.