Happy Birthday, Petula!

It’s the 93rd birthday today of Petula Clark, the English singer, actress and composer whose career has spanned eight decades.

Notes the Classic TV Moments Facebook group:

Born on November 15, 1932, Petula Clark began her professional career as a child performer durung World War II and went on to build a career that spans more than 80 years. She charted her first major hit in the UK with “The Little Shoemaker” in 1954 and became an international star in the 1960s with songs like “Downtown,” “My Love” and “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love.”

What makes her journey exceptional is not just the hits, but the reach – singing in multiple languages, crossing into film and theatre, and continuing to perform and record for decades. She didn’t just shine for a year or two; she kept going, evolving, and adapting.

Petula’s career wasn’t all glitz either: behind the scenes she balanced family life and a demanding schedule, shifted between countries, and embraced new challenges. But it’s the joyous voice, the unmistakable melodies, and the sense of optimism in her songs that stick with us today.

So here’s to Petula Clark – still vibrant, still creative, still inspiring. A musical force, a silver-screen presence and a true survivor in the world of showbusiness.

May you continue to enjoy your day, Petula Clark, and know that your music and your legacy are still very much loved by generations of fans.

I’m curently reading Petula’s recently released autobiography, Is That You, Petula?. It’s a great read – insightful and entertaining. I highly recommend it.

Following is the living legend herself being interviewed just last week on the British talk show Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh . . .

For more of Petula at The Wild Reed, see:
• Meeting a Living Legend
• Petula Clark: Luminescent at 90
• Happy Birthday, Petula (2019)
• Petula Clark: Singing for Us, Not at Us
• “Pure Class”: Petula Clark’s Latest Offering Captivates
• Happy Birthday, Petula! (2015)
• Pet Sounds
• Well, Look Who’s Coming to Port Macquarie
• Petula Clark: Still Colouring Our World



Related Off-site Links:
Petula Clark Recalls the time Elvis Presley “Tried It On” with Her and Karen Carpenter – Gold Radio (November 5, 2025).
British Pop Legend Petula Clark Reveals How She Accidentally Ended Up on John Lennon’s Protest Song “Give Peace a Chance” – Erin Maxwell (TV Insider, October 23, 2025).
Petula Clark Teases London Show 60 Years After “Downtown” Made Her a Star in the U.S. – Olivia Hampton (NPR News, January 22, 2025).
Petula Clark: I’m Still on Stage at 90 – Will Hodgkinson (The Times, November 16, 2022).
How Petula Clark Found Herself in the Center of the Biggest TV Scandal – Age of Vintage (December 8, 2021).
Petula Clark: From “Downtown” to Mary Poppins: The Musical – This Morning (November 3, 2020).
Petula Clark Interview: “I Felt As Though I Belonged to Other People – Not Myself” – Dominic Cavendish (The Telegraph, November 1, 2019).
Petula Clark and Harry Belafonte – Montreal Gazette (2018).
Petula Clark, Still On the Road – Good Morning (December 24, 2017).
Petula Clark On Her Marriage, New Partner and Touring – Loose Women (September 30, 2016).
Petula Clark Interview – BBC Breakfast (September 2016).
Petula Clark Interview – Alex Belfield (The Voice of Reason, 2016).
The Petula Clark Story – BBC Four (2015).
Petula Clark Interview – Afternoon Plus (February 21, 1980).
PetulaClark.net – The Official Website of Petula Clark.