English pop singer Craig Douglas, whose 1959 hit "Only Sixteen" topped the UK charts, has died at the age of 85. Douglas, born Terence Perkins, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday following a short illness, his family announced.
Known as "The Singing Milkman," Douglas rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His rendition of "Only Sixteen" outsold the original version by Sam Cooke. At the height of his fame, Douglas's record sales surpassed those of artists like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. He recorded eight cover versions of American hits, with nine of his tracks reaching the UK Top 40, including "Only Sixteen," which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios.
In addition to his recording career, Douglas participated in the 1961 "A Song for Europe" contest with his original song "A Girl Next Door." He also appeared in the 1962 film "It's Trad, Dad!" and performed before the Beatles' first major stage show. His last single, "Town Crier," released in February 1963, peaked at number 36.
Douglas was managed by producer Bunny Lewis. Reflecting on his career in a 2024 interview, he expressed a wish that he had married and had children, though he acknowledged the challenges of being away from family during his touring years. Following his 1960s success, Douglas continued to perform in nightclubs, on cruise ships, and toured venues across the UK. In 2010, he performed three songs from his wheelchair at a benefit concert held in his honor at the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club.