Dave Berry is a British singer and 60s pop icon whose moody vocals and striking stagecraft made him a standout of the beat era. He’s best known for the UK Top 5 hits “The Crying Game” (1964), “Little Things” (1965), and “Mama”(1966), alongside the European No.1 “This Strange Effect” (1965), written by Ray Davies. Today, Dave still makes appearances singing and on the road with his acclaimed Interview Show — a candid, funny and fascinating evening of stories and audience Q&A from a lifetime in music.
Roots in Sheffield & first steps
Born and raised in Woodhouse, Sheffield, Dave grew up on swing and blues — names like Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Williams and T-Bone Walker were early favourites. He began as a drummer-vocalist, served his apprenticeship in local clubs, and led The Cruisers, the band name that would be immortalised on his early records. He adopted the stage name “Berry” as a nod to rock & roll hero Chuck Berry. (The Star)
Decca years & chart breakthroughs
Spotted at a ballroom in Doncaster, Dave signed to Decca Records and debuted with a cover of “Memphis, Tennessee”, reaching UK No.19 in September 1963. A run of singles followed: “My Baby Left Me”, “Baby It’s You”, and the breakthrough “The Crying Game” — which climbed to UK No.5 and took Dave to national TV on Top of the Pops, Ready Steady Go! and Thank Your Lucky Stars. “Little Things” matched the UK No.5 peak in 1965. (Official Charts)
European success: “This Strange Effect”
In July 1965 Dave released “This Strange Effect”, penned by Ray Davies of The Kinks. While it peaked at No.37 in the UK, it reached No.1 in the Netherlands (and was also a major hit in Belgium), cementing Dave’s devoted following across continental Europe — a connection that’s lasted decades.
A distinctive stage presence
Dressed head-to-toe in black, Dave cultivated a cool, enigmatic persona — often half-hidden behind a high jacket collar or coiled around the mic cable. That visual minimalism and brooding delivery influenced later performers, including Alvin Stardust.
Songs, sessions & The Cruisers
Dave’s singles often name-checked The Cruisers; early lineups featured John Fleet, Roy Barber, Frank Miles and Kenny Slade, later evolving with players like Frank White, Johnny Riley, Pete Cliff and others. On record he frequently worked with top London session greats — Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Big Jim Sullivan and Bobby Graham among them.
Legacy & later career
Beyond his 60s run (which included three UK Top 10s and seven UK Top 40s), Dave remained an in-demand live act in Britain and Europe, fronting The Cruisers for decades and appearing on multi-artist 60s shows. He returned to the studio with albums and compilations across the years, while his classic recordings found new generations — notably when The Crying Game returned to prominence via Neil Jordan’s 1992 film (with a new cover by Boy George).
The Interview Show — on tour now
Dave has retired from touring as a singer, but he’s very much on stages around the UK with his Interview Show: an intimate evening of stories, memories and audience questions, told with wry humour and unvarnished honesty. Recent events and listings highlight the continuing demand to hear Dave reflect on the music, the TV shows, the studio sessions and the characters he’s met along the way. (Not Really Here Group)
Selected UK chart highlights
- “Memphis, Tennessee” — UK No.19 (1963)
- “The Crying Game” — UK No.5 (1964)
- “Little Things” — UK No.5 (1965)
- “This Strange Effect” — UK No.37 (1965); No.1 Netherlands (1965)
- “Mama” — UK No.5 (1966)
Discography & press
For deeper dives — including single-by-single and album listings, posters, press clippings and band lineups — see the original site materials we’re preserving here on the official page.
