English pop singer Craig Douglas, whose real name was Terence Perkins, died at the age of 85. His family confirmed Sunday that he passed away peacefully at home following a short illness.
Douglas rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His rendition of the song "Only Sixteen" became a UK chart-topper, outselling the original version by Sam Cooke. At the peak of his career, Douglas's sales figures surpassed those of artists like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
He recorded eight cover versions of American hit songs, with nine of his tracks reaching the UK Top 40 singles chart. His version of "Only Sixteen" was recorded in 1959 at Abbey Road Studios. Douglas was managed by producer Bunny Lewis.
In 1961, Douglas participated in the 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.
Douglas's final record, "Town Crier," was released in February 1963 and peaked at number 36 on the charts. In a 2024 interview, he reflected on his career, stating a regret about not marrying and a wish for children, though he acknowledged he would have missed them during his travels.
Following his success in the 1960s, Douglas continued to perform in nightclubs, on cruise ships, and at venues across the UK. In 2010, he performed three songs from his wheelchair at a benefit concert held in his name at the Amersham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club.