Winifred Atwell
Trinidadian-born pianist who topped UK charts with boogie-woogie.
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Una Winifred Atwell was a pianist and composer born in Trinidad who migrated to Britain and achieved great popularity in the 1950s with boogie-woogie and ragtime hits, selling over 20 million records. She was the first black artist to have a number-one hit in the UK singles chart and had the first piano instrumental to reach number one there, with "Let's Have Another Party" in 1954. As of 2023, she remains the only female instrumentalist to have accomplished that.
Did You Know?
- Atwell's piano-shaped headstone was rumoured to have been paid for by Elton John.
- She died after an electrical fire destroyed her Narrabeen home, suffering a heart attack while staying with friends in Seaforth.
- She is buried beside her husband, Lew Levisohn, in Northern Rivers Memorial Park, South Gundurimba.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Winifred Atwell born?
Winifred Atwell was born in Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago.
When did Winifred Atwell die?
Winifred Atwell died on 28 February 1983 in Sydney, Australia.
When was Winifred Atwell active?
Winifred Atwell was active from 1946 to 1980.
More in Philips Records Artists
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Winifred Atwell (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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