32 Facts About Julie Felix

Julie Ann Felix was an American-British folk singer and recording artist who achieved success, particularly on British television, in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Julie Felix later performed and released albums on her own record label.

Julie Felix graduated in 1956 from high school in Westchester, Los Angeles.

Julie Felix grew up in a musical household: her father was a professional mariachi musician, and her mother was an amateur singer who loved the music of Burl Ives.

Julie Felix's father taught her to play ukulele and then guitar, and she wrote her first song at the age of seven.

Julie Felix began her music career by singing at night in coffee shops in her native Los Angeles, where she met a young David Crosby.

Julie Felix arrived in the United Kingdom in 1964, and became the first solo folk performer signed to a major British record label when she gained a recording contract with Decca Records, for whom she recorded three solo albums.

Julie Felix's first major break was a headlining appearance at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon in 1965, and later that year her first solo show gave her the distinction of being the first folksinger to fill the Royal Albert Hall, and she was described by The Times as "Britain's First Lady of Folk".

Julie Felix's first major break in British television was an appearance on the Eamonn Andrews TV show, which was so well-received that she was invited back to perform again the following week.

Julie Felix was the first pop musician ever to perform at Westminster Abbey.

In 1966, on the way to the launch party for her debut album, Julie Felix had a chance meeting with comedian David Frost in the elevator of her Chelsea apartment building.

In 1966, following the end of her deal with Decca, Julie Felix signed a new contract with Fontana Records, a subsidiary of the Dutch-based Philips label.

Julie Felix made six albums for Fontana between 1966 and 1969.

In 1967, with strong support from Frost, Julie Felix was hired to host and perform in her own musical variety shows on BBC2, which ran from 1967 to 1970.

Julie Felix made two consecutive musical-variety shows for the BBC, both directed and produced by Stanley Dorfman.

Many notable musical guests featured on Once More with Felix and its successor The Julie Felix Show, including Manfred Mann, Dusty Springfield, Billy Preston, The Kinks, Tim Buckley, The Hollies, The Incredible String Band, Fleetwood Mac, and The Four Tops, as well as comedians Peter Cook and Spike Milligan.

Julie Felix invited her old friend Leonard Cohen to appear in 1968, marking his British TV debut, and Led Zeppelin lead guitarist Jimmy Page gave a rare solo performance, playing "White Summer" and "Black Mountain Side".

Julie Felix regularly performed with her guests; surviving segments from the show include her duetting with Cohen, singing and playing guitar with The Incredible String Band on their song "Paintbox" and singing the Tom Paxton song "Going to the Zoo", backed by The Hollies.

On May 1,1967, Julie Felix appeared on the German TV show Beat-Club, and in September 1968 at the International Essen Song Days.

Julie Felix performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969.

In 1968, Julie Felix was caught in possession of cannabis at Heathrow Airport, en route to Amsterdam.

Julie Felix was arrested, charged, and remanded on bail, and her public image suffered somewhat, although her TV show remained on the air.

Julie Felix was defended in court by John Mortimer, QC.

In 1971, Julie Felix travelled to New Zealand and performed at the Western Springs music festival.

Julie Felix had two UK Singles Chart hits in 1970, the first of several on the RAK label, produced by Mickie Most.

Julie Felix released 14 albums on various labels between 1972 and 2018; many were released by her own label, Remarkable Records, including the 1989 album Bright Shadows.

Julie Felix relocated to Norway for several years in the late 1970s, but she grew disenchanted with the direction her career was taking and returned to her native California, where she took a break from music to study yoga and other spiritual practices.

Julie Felix resumed performing in the late 1980s, and returned to the UK, where she resided for the rest of her life.

Social activism and charity work played a large role in Julie Felix's life and career, and she performed on behalf of or was an activist for many causes.

On March 24,2008, she appeared on a BBC Four programme in which stars of The Frost Report gathered for a night celebrating the 40th anniversary of Frost Over England; Julie Felix sang "Blowin' in the Wind".

Julie Felix appeared at the Wynd Theatre, Melrose, Scottish Borders, on an annual basis in the 2000s.

Julie Felix died on March 22,2020, after a short illness.