Born in 1945 in Brighton, England, Suzy Cope began her singing career at the age of three, performing at Brighton’s Dorset Garden Hall. By the age of twelve, she had become the solo pianist in the Brighton Junior Orchestra.
The same year, she entered a Carroll Levis talent contest at the Hippodrome Theatre in Brighton, where she took first place with her vocal rendition of Ave Maria, beating out several skiffle groups.
Suzy left Varndean Grammar School aged 16 in the summer of 1961 and was signed by agent Tito Burns while auditioning at Al Burnett’s Stork Room in London, where Sammy Davis Jr, who was present in the audience, predicted she would enjoy a great career.
American comedian Red Buttons was also at the audition and proposed taking Suzy to the US to launch her in showbiz, but her mother declined. She felt it was too far for Suzy to travel. “Maybe later,” said Mrs C.
Her first single, the self-composed Teenage Fool was released on His Master’s Voice in November of that year. This was followed by Kisses and Tears (July 1962) and Biggity Big (June 1963).
