Norrie Paramor, born Norman William Paramor on May 15, 1914, in London, England, was a distinguished British orchestra leader, composer, and producer who shaped the UK music scene.
Initially a pianist, he joined the RAF during World War II, arranging for its band. Post-war, he became a key figure at Columbia Records (EMI), producing hits for artists like Cliff Richard and The Shadows, including “Move It” (1958), often cited as Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll record.
Paramor’s lush orchestral style also shone in his own recordings, such as In London, In Love (1956), blending easy listening with pop appeal.
A prolific arranger, he worked with stars like Frank Sinatra and composed for films, including The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960). His instrumental group, The Norrie Paramor Orchestra, enjoyed chart success with tracks like “Theme from ‘A Summer Place’.”
Paramor’s influence extended to Eurovision, co-writing the UK’s 1962 entry. Awarded an OBE in 1977 for services to music, he died on September 9, 1979, in Barnet, leaving a legacy of over 600 recordings and a pivotal role in British pop and orchestral music.
35 recordings by Norrie Paramor you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
An 18th Century Drawing Room (Trad) • An Ordinary Copper • Ballet Egyptienne No1 (Luigini) • Beethoven’s Fifth • Calypso • Ciccolino • Come Dancing • Dance Of The Hours from ”La Gioconda” (Ponchielle) • Estudiantina (Waldteufel) • Fantasie-Impromptu (Chopin) • Habanera from ”Carmen” (Bizet) • Hungarian Dance No1 (Rachmaninov) • John O’Groats (Clare) • Maigret • March from ”A Little Suite” • Marching Strings • Moonlight And Roses • Moto Perpetuo (Paganini) • Mozart 40 • Music from ”The Movies” • O My Beloved Father (Puccini) • Orpheus In The Underworld (Offenbach) • Pag (Paganini) • Poet And Peasant (Suppé) • Prince And Princess (Rimsky-Korsakov) • Rachmaninov 11 • Schubert 5 • Skaters Waltz (Waldteufel) • Snowdrops And Raindrops • Sonata One (Rossini) • Television March • The Last Of The Summer Wine • The Watermill • Theme from ”Guitar Concerto de Aranjuez” (Rodrigo) • Today’s Tonight •
