He's the BEST! Born 25th February 1900 in Wembley, Middlesex. In turns he became a dancer, author , musician and dance band leader. Very influential in the development of ballroom dancing in the first half of the 20th century, eventually selling over 75 million records between the 1930s and into the 1980s. Second son of a vicar, attended various schools , none of which he liked - joined the Army September 1916, claiming to be 20 although only 16. Saw active service but was transferred to non combatant roles when his true age was discovered. Studied at Oxford for a year after the war, but moved on to music at Trinity College, London, and soon took up dancing.
Became one of the first to perfect a full turn in the waltz, and won the first ever World Ballroom Dancing Championship in 1922( with Phyllis Clarke), coming second in 1924. Also wrote books about dancing and opened a dance academy in London........ eventually he had 23 across the country. Nationally famous by the 1930s, and having his own TV show through the 1950s on BBC TV........ numerous radio shows, concerts and records over the years.
Founded his own 5 man band in 1935, later enlarging this to become Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra, always playing in strict tempo. Many famous musicians played in his orchestra over the years, some , such as Joe Loss, branching out to form their own outfits. Always successful, and awarded the OBE in 1961. Although he died 14th August 1978 his son, Victor Silvester Jnr, continued the orchestra into the 1990s.
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