Alma Cogan (1932-1966), Singer

Sitter in 11 portraits
The only British female to top the charts in the 1950s. Alma Cogan had a total of eighteen chart entries, was known as the 'gal with the giggle in her voice' and was famed for her glamorous style. First charted with Bell Bottom Blues (1954). Other major hits include I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango (1954) and Never do a Tango with an Eskimo, which also became a hit in Iceland (December 1955). Once engaged to the composer Lionel Bart who cast Cogan in Oliver!. Her friendship with the Beatles led to Paul McCartney playing on one of her singles. Cogan died aged thirty-four in 1966 after a brief illness.