Matt Monro

Though Matt Monro is known best to worldwide audiences as the voice of one of the best James Bond themes, "From Russia with Love," the British vocalist produced a lifetime of great work. Often criticized as a second-rate Sinatra imitation because of his light, expressive style of swing, Monro hit the British Top Ten frequently during the 1960s but managed only two moderate hits in America.



Born Terrence Parsons in London, he began his career singing for television commercials and performed with a few British bands (including Cyril Stapleton's Orchestra) during the early '50s. After a few sides recorded for various labels, he signed to Decca for an album of standards, 1957's Blue And Sentimental. His career really took off one year later when producer George Martin asked him to lend his deep voice to a Peter Sellers album of Sinatra satires, Songs for Swingin' Sellers. Monro's straight-faced contribution, "You Keep Me Swingin'," gained him a contract from Parlophone, and he hit number three in the British charts with 1960's "Portrait of My Love."

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