When Cherry Wainer died on November 14, 2014 that evening, at a concert, Elton John dedicated Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me to her. Who was Cherry Wainer, and how did she and other musicians, achieve success in the late 1950s, early 1960s? I intend to follow Cherry’s career in an effort to find out.
Cherry Wainer was born on March 2, in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The year of her birth is in dispute. Most sources list Cherry’s birth year as 1935. However, the documents I’ve seen list her birth year as 1932.
At the age of eight, already a talented pianist, Cherry performed a concert with an orchestra. Her father was a music promoter, and undoubtedly he helped to open doors early in Cherry’s career.
Cherry’s plans to become a classical pianist changed direction when she was introduced to the Hammond organ, and the music of jazz organist Jimmy Smith. To develop her career, as a teenager Cherry set out for London, England with her mother and sixty-three outfits that she was “determined to wear.”
Early in 1948, Cherry, a teenager, and her mother Zelda boarded the Athlone Castle (pictured). The ship left Durban and docked at East London (where Cherry boarded), Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Cape Town and Madeira before arriving at Southampton on 6 February 1948.
Cherry and Zelda took lodgings at 24 Burgoyne Road, Harringay, London and from there Cherry embarked on her studies – singing, drama and dancing.
In May and June 1948, chaperoned by her mother, Zelda (pictured), Cherry Wainer was in London studying singing, drama and dancing. Billed as Cherry Wayne and playing a mini-organ, she also found time to appear in variety shows at the Coventry Hippodrome, the Croydon Empire and the Windsor Theatre. The critics noted that Cherry “stood out” from the other acts. Although only a student, Cherry was already making a name for herself.
I’m researching the career of musician Cherry Wainer and the 1950s-1960s music scene.
From August 1948 through to February 1949 Cherry appeared in variety shows at the Windmill Theatre in London. In April 1948 the press reported that Miss Cherry Wainer was seen “puffing away contentedly on a briar pipe between dances at the White Hart Hotel”.
Below, a quote from Cherry’s friend, Doreen Brebner.
Cherry told the reporter that she “smoked cigars too – anything!” And that she found British tobacco milder than her native South African brands. Clearly, Cherry was something of a character.
Throughout 1949, Cherry developed her career in variety shows playing solo pianoforte and a Hammond solovox organ. The variety shows featured singers, dancers and comedians. Some of those listed on the bills became regulars on British television and radio. Most drifted into obscurity.
Cherry’s career was on the rise, however, and her music and drama studies faded into the background as theatrical agents clamoured for her signature.
In February 1950, up and coming theatrical agent Cliff Martell announced that he was signing a number of new acts including singer Jimmy Young (who later became a BBC disc jockey), and Cherry Wainer. However, a month later, this forthright notice was placed in The Stage.
Clearly, Cherry was in demand, and career opportunities beckoned.
* * *
Throughout 1950 Cherry continued to perform on the entertainment circuit, singing and playing her Hammond solovox organ. She was only eighteen (possibly younger – her mother might have altered Cherry’s age to secure her gigs). At that point, she decided to return to South Africa, where she developed her career. She would return to Britain, but it would be a four year wait.
More next time…
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