The Jack Hylton archive contains memorabilia from the life and work of Jack Hylton. His career spanned the early 1920s up until his death in 1965. He was a successful bandleader setting trends within popular music of the time in the U.K. and expanding into the world of entertainment. ...show more

The Jack Hylton archive contains memorabilia from the life and work of Jack Hylton. His career spanned the early 1920s up until his death in 1965. He was a successful bandleader setting trends within popular music of the time in the U.K. and expanding into the world of entertainment.

Much of the archive has press cuttings from this period of his career and contains many references to famous stars. Jack Hylton was born in Bolton on 2nd July 1892. He came from a working class background and, as a boy, would accompany his father on the piano when he sang in clubs. He also performed at an early age as the "Singing Mill-Boy" and as a relief pianist for various bands.

His early career was as a relief pianist in the 400 club and with the Stroud Haxton Band. After the first world war he went on to play with the Queen's Dance Orchestra where he wrote arrangements of popular songs and had them recorded under the label 'Directed by Jack Hylton.' He went on from here to form his own band. The band started recording under Jack Hylton's name in 1923. Jack became a respected band leader and was in great demand, so much so that he had to provide bands simultaneously in various locations under his own name. ...show less