Barbara Moore

Barbara Moore (née Birkby; 7 March 1932 – 27 August 2021) was an English composer, arranger and vocalist for film, television and commercials. She was a member of the musical trios the Ladybirds and the Breakaways and a backing vocalist for Dusty Springfield. Moore coordinated the vocals on the New Seekers' chart-topping single "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing", and was the voice behind the theme to the 1960s TV adventure series The Saint. She also rearranged "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal", an instrumental composition that served as the theme tune for Alan Freeman's Pick of the Pops. – who worked with bandleaders Joe Loss (Moore's godfather) and Jack Payne – and Clare Birkby, a singer with the bandleader Geraldo.

1960s In the early 1960s Moore was hired to sing the atmospheric vocal opening to a new ITV adventure series, The Saint, wherein her "airy, celestial voice launches the melody". In the mid-1960s, she joined the vocal trio the Ladybirds and provided vocal backup for artists, including Jimi Hendrix, on Top of the Pops. She performed on the radio show Evergreen in 1964 and episodes of the TV series Not Only... But Also (1965), starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.

Moore's solo album, A Little Moore Barbara, was released in 1966. In the meantime, she was also featured on Dusty Springfield's TV show. In 1967, she reunited with Dudley Moore and collaborated on his comic film Bedazzled. It was the first of many film assignments in her career. In 1968, she was asked by EMI to manage sessions for vocalist Deena Webster and create an album in six days. This was her first significant excursion into arranging. She performed well and was applauded by the senior musicians at the recording session.

In 1972, Moore released her album Vocal Shades and Tones. One of its tracks, "Steam Heat", was later included in an episode of TV drama The Sweeney (1975) for a strip club scene.

Personal life Moore married the arranger Pete Moore in May 1954 . She had met him in Dubai while on a concert pianist job. The couple had a daughter, but they split up shortly after. Moore raised her daughter, Lindsey, as a single parent. Lindsey died in 2006, leaving Moore with a granddaughter, Clare.

After her divorce, Moore was in a relationship with the jazz trombonist Chris Pyne.

Death Following a prolonged illness, Moore died on 27 August 2021, at the age of 89. She spent her last days at Hotham Park House, Bognor Regis.

Albums Title Album details A Little Moore BarbaraReleased: 1967 Label: CBS Vocal Shades And TonesReleased: 1972 Label: De Wolfe Bright & ShiningReleased: 1981 Label: Sylvester Music Company Sing Sweet ♡ Barbara Collection 1966-1990Released: 2001 Label: EM Records The World Of Barbara Moore - Collection 1966-1981 Released: 2001 Label: EM Records