Calvert was born in
Preston,
Lancashire, England and grew up in a family where the music of his local
brass band featured highly. He was soon able to play a variety of instruments but was most accomplished on the trumpet. After the
Second World War, invalided out of the Army, he borrowed money from his father to get his first job in a Manchester band and graduated from playing as an amateur in brass bands to professional engagements with popular dance orchestras of the day, including
Geraldo's plus Billy Ternent, Calvert's style was unusually individualistic, and he became a familiar musician on
BBC Radio and
TV during the 1950s. He first recorded for
Melodisc c. 1949–1951 before he started to record for EMI's
Columbia label and his records included two UK number ones, "
Oh, Mein Papa" and, more than a year later, "
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White". The record also sold well in the United States, reached No. 6 on the
Billboard charts. Further chart entries were "John and Julie", taken from the soundtrack of the film
John and Juliet, "Zambesi" and "Mandy", his last major hit. In 1956 he was invited by orchestra leader
Norrie Paramor and their mutual friends
Ruby Murray and
Michael Holliday to record an extended-play single with four tracks. Calvert played "Silent Night" and on another track he, Murray and Holliday teamed up in a version of "Good Luck, Good Health, God Bless You". The single, released by Columbia Records, achieved some success in Britain but was more popular in Australia and South Africa. As music began to change in the 1960s with the worldwide popularity of groups like
the Beatles and the
rock n' roll genre, Calvert's musical renditions became less popular among record buyers. By 1968 Calvert had become disillusioned with life under the
Labour government of
Harold Wilson and was especially critical of London's policy towards
Rhodesia. After a world tour that included several stops in Africa, he left the UK, making South Africa his home. In 1974 Calvert became Chief promoter for the Cultural Section of the West Rand Bantu Affairs Administration Board. His mission was to improve the entertainment scene in Soweto, improving the venues, booking top talent and ensuring promoters acted fairly. In an interview with the
Sunday Times he said "From now on, no black artist will be exploited by a white promoter. Any white promoter found in Soweto will be arrested". Not all artistes were in favour of the proposals saying the board was acting with an 'iron hand', but Calvert insisted that he would stop at nothing to give Soweto the best in entertainment. Calvert also supported many multi-racial causes, including performing at a charity fundraising concert for the Drakensberg children's charity. On 7 August 1978, Calvert collapsed and died of a heart attack in the bathroom of his home in
Rivonia,
Johannesburg. He was 56 years old. ==Early recordings==