John Dudley Leyton, born on 17 February 1936 in England, is a retired singer and actor. After studying drama and completing his national service, he began his career with minor roles in films and television. His breakthrough as an actor came in 1960 with the Granada TV adaptation of Biggles, which earned him a significant following. Meanwhile, his music career began when he was persuaded by his manager, Robert Stigwood, to audition as a singer for record producer Joe Meek. He later scored his major hit with "Johnny Remember Me" in 1961, which reached number one in the UK despite being banned by the BBC because of its references to death. His follow-up single, "Wild Wind", reached number two while he released several albums, including The Two Sides of John Leyton (1961) and Always Yours (1963). In 1963, his association with Joe Meek ended, and his chart career faded by early 1964. He continued to act in films such as The Great Escape, Guns at Batasi, and Von Ryan's Express. The 1970s marked a return to singing, and he continued performing in various shows and tours, including the Solid Gold Rock'n'Roll Show in the 1990s and 2000s.
