Jerry Lordan

Jeremiah Patrick Lordan (30 April 1934 – 24 July 1995) was an English songwriter, composer and singer. He had three hit singles on the UK Singles Chart before focusing purely on songwriting. Amongst his songwriting credits were the chart hits "I've Waited So Long", "Apache", "Wonderful Land", "Atlantis", "Diamonds", and "A Girl Like You".

Early life and education Born as Jeremiah Patrick Lordan in Paddington, London, England, Lordan taught himself to play piano and guitar as a child. He attended Finchley Catholic Grammar and went into National Service in the Royal Air Force as a radar operator. On leaving the RAF in 1955, he held a number of jobs including comedian, singer and in advertising.

Career He began song-writing, and in 1958, with the help of contacts made in the advertising business a demo of one of his songs was heard by a record producer. The song, "A House, A Car and a Wedding Ring" was recorded by Mike Preston on Decca Records. He was signed as a singer to Parlophone and had three charting singles in 1960, The tune was also recorded by the Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann, who took it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. His second marriage was to Claudine Albus/Hammerschmidt in 1980.

Death Lordan died on 24 July 1995 in Shrewsbury Hospital, Shropshire, from acute renal failure, aged 61. A memorial service was held for him at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 25 October 1995, which was attended by Bruce Welch of the Shadows.