Newell was born in Plaistow, Essex. His career as a songwriter for a London-based music publishing company began straight after World War II. He was the head of EMI's Columbia label for many of the label's most successful years. He was also a much sought-after lyricist, sometimes writing under the pen-name David West, responsible for co-writing songs that included "My Thanks To You" and "Portrait of My Love", a hit for Matt Monro. In addition, he provided the English lyrics for "More",. Newell also wrote the English lyrics of Shirley Bassey's 1961 number one hit "Reach for the Stars", ; "This Is My Life" ; "The Importance of Your Love" ; "Born to Sing" ; "Monday Morning Again" and "Never, Never, Never". He also wrote with the composer, Philip Green, the United Kingdom's 1963 Eurovision Song Contest entry, "Say Wonderful Things", recorded by Ronnie Carroll. The song was later recorded in the United States by Patti Page. He also wrote the English lyrics to the German song "Sailor", a number one UK hit for Petula Clark and a Top Ten hit for Anne Shelton in 1961. In 1964, he produced Peter and Gordon's number one UK hit "A World Without Love", which also topped the charts in the United States and several other countries. The song "Forget Domani" from the film The Yellow Rolls-Royce, with lyrics by Newell to music by Riz Ortolani won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Newell also wrote English-language lyrics to Vicky Leandros's 1972 Eurovision Song Contest winning entry, "Après toi". "Come What May" reached No.2 on the UK and Republic of Ireland singles charts in 1972. In his later years he penned lyrics to Pietro Mascagni's "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria rusticana. The song, entitled "Pray For Love", was recorded by Vince Hill. His numerous contacts in the music publishing industry in the United Kingdom, assisted EMI in securing the rights for British recordings of cast albums of many American shows opening in London. Newell also wrote the lyrics for the West End musical, Mister Venus, but the show was not a success. Newell continued working as a producer into the 1980s, including on Shirley Bassey's hit album with the London Symphony Orchestra, entitled I Am What I Am. He also wrote the English lyrics for the 1983 Julio Iglesias recording of "Hey" which featured in the album Julio. He also produced several cast recordings of West End musicals for First Night Records – Seven Brides For Seven Brothers – Original London Cast, Annie Get Your Gun – 1986 London Cast, Kiss Me, Kate – 1987 Royal Shakespeare Company Cast, and South Pacific – 1988 London Cast. In 1999, Newell's song, "Portrait of My Love", originally recorded by Matt Monro in 1960, was honoured at the BMI Awards in London for having two million radio plays. His songs have been covered by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion and Aretha Franklin.
Honours and retirement
During his career, Norman Newell won a Grammy, an Emmy and three Ivor Novello Awards for his contribution to the entertainment industry, as well as six British Music Industry Awards. Newell retired in 2001 to his home in West Sussex, but after a series of debilitating strokes was moved to a local nursing home. He was awarded an OBE in 2004, just before he died.
