Adam Faith: biography

Adam Faith (1940 – 2003)was born Terence Nelhams-Wright in East Acton, a working class area of London, England. His career spanned popstar, film and TV actor and financial expert.

Beginnings

Faith began his pop music career with a skiffle band, The Worried Men, at the 2i Coffee Bar in London’s Soho.
'Every other doorway seemed to be a coffee bar,' said Faith in an interview for 'History of Rock'. 'They were the new employers. Everyone wanted music with their drink.'
Their work there got them a slot on Six-Five Special, a live music program and led to a solo recording contract with HMV under his new name, Adam Faith and backed by the Roulettes.

Career

Record flops
Faith was no overnight success. His first single, ‘Heartsick Feeling’ in January 1958 failed to make the charts. He recorded three more singles, the latter with Fontana, but all without success. Faith made a living as a film cutter at Elstree and during that time also trained to be an actor. He landed a role in the film ‘Drumbeat’ in which his singing brought him to the notice of Parlophone Records. A number one hit record
Finally, in 1959, Faith had his first chart topper with ‘What Do You Want’. The 'do what you want' tone of the lyrics helped to enhance his rebel image. His debut album, ‘Adam’, was also a chart hit. Between 1959 and 1965 Adam Faith had 24 chart singles, most typical Faith songs, and made 7 albums. His musical success faded away when the competition from bands such as The Beatles and other Mersey Sound groups overshadowed him.

Other Achievements

Film and Television
Faith’s foresight in training as an actor helped this time. He landed a number of TV roles and played the lead in ‘Billy Liar” on a UK tour. His biggest TV role was as the eponymous anti-hero in the 70s show ‘Budgie’. Success and failure
He continued to be successful through the 80s and 90s in films, (Stardust, McVicar) and TV, (Love Hurts, The House that Jack Built). It was during that time that he also took the role of financial journalist and advisor. Here he was less successful and was declared bankrupt, owing a reported £32 million. Adam Faith died in March 2003, becoming ill after a performance on stage of "Love and Marriage'