AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Compiled by the International Petula Clark Society
For a star, and more especially a female star to stay on the crest of that rather precarious wave known as show business for 70+ years is no mean feat, and certainly deserves much reward. This has been achieved and along the way numerous titles contemporary with the various times have been collected: "Britain's most popular child star", "Britain's leading teenage star", "Juke Box Queen", "First Lady of Pop", etc. etc., and she is now one of the few people to whom the title "Superstar" really applies. Her achievements are far too many to record here, but a few have been especially honoured by the presentation of much coveted awards. Listed here in the most complete form are the awards given to the lady who has received more than any other - Miss Petula Clark, CBE.

RECENT MAJOR AWARDS



COMMANDEUR DU ORDRE DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES

2012
Presented to Petula by the French Ministere de la Culture et de la Communication [Ministry of Culture & Communication.]





STOP first, then

COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CBE)

1998
Presented to Petula by Queen Elizabeth for "bringing so much joy over the years"

PETULA CLARK CBE - PRESS AND NEWS COVERAGE

Petula Clark goes uptown to meet the queen
LONDON (CNN) -- Petula Clark joined a host of other entertainment personalities who were honored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday July 22. Clark, who is scheduled to star in a new production of "Sunset Boulevard," record a new album in Los Angeles and embark on a U.K. mini-tour, was asked by the queen whether she was still in the entertainment business. Clark, whose number one hits include "Downtown," "My Love" and "This Is My Song" was honored by being made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire).

DAILY MAIL - 29th July 1998.
LAST week, Petula Clark went to Buckingham Palace to receive her much deserved CBE. She says the Queen told her that she had given so much pleasure over the years. Unfortunately, Her Majesty then asked "Are you still involved," which no doubt made Petula feel about 109 and murderous. She was singing professionally when she was seven and she was a movie star at 12. She's been performing for more than half a century and will work until she drops. Soon she opens in New York in a new production of Sunset Boulevard, in which she will be rarely off stage, will have endless changes of costume and will run up and down a giant staircase. Later this year she's recording an album in Los Angeles before doing a UK concert tour. Actors, like royalty, don't retire. Asking Miss Clark if she is still performing is a bit like asking the Queen if she's still reigning.
Lynda Lee Potter

TELEGRAPH - Thursday, 23 July 1998
QUEEN'S THANKS FOR PETULA CLARK CBE
The singer Petula Clark was among show-business and sporting celebrities who were honoured by the Queen during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Miss Clark, who was created a CBE, said that the Queen asked her if she was still in the entertainment business. Miss Clark, 64, who lives in Switzerland, said: "The Queen said to me that I had given so much pleasure over the years but then asked, 'Are you still involved?' I've had a great career and it's wonderful to receive an honour for something you enjoy doing so much - I just sing."
On Saturday, Miss Clark flies to New York where she is starring in a new production of Sunset Boulevard. Later in the year she is planning to record a new album in Los Angeles, as well as undertaking a short British tour.



 

ITN News - 22, July 1998
On receiving the CBE Petula said to ITN News — "Something like this makes you realize that it is nice to be British".

 

SKY NEWS - 22 July 1998
BRUCE AND PET UP FOR PALACE HONOURS
      Entertainers Bruce Forsyth and Petula Clark are at Buckingham Palace to receive honours from the Queen.
    Game show host, Bruce 70, receives an OBE, while Petula 64, Britain's biggest selling female singer, who starred in Sunset Boulevard, gets a CBE

 

LONDON TONIGHT - (Regional News programme for London) 22, July 1998
 On receiving the CBE, Petula told London Tonight: "The Queen said thank you for giving us all so much pleasure, then she said: 'are you still involved?' I had to think for a minute. . .what does she mean by that?: 'involved', with what? I suppose she meant work! I had to tell her what I had been doing and that I am going off to America in a couple of days time and that I'll be recording an album in LA."

 

FIRST MAJOR AWARD

SILVER MICROPHONE

1950
Presented by the Daily Mail to the "Most Outstanding Female T.V. Personality of the Year".


Silver Microphone
presented by the Daily Mail to Petula in 1950 as the
"Most Outstanding Female T.V. Personality of the Year"

Award ceremony was held at the Grosvenor House in London, December 12, 1950


Petula, Lady Rothermere and Richard Dimbleby

The Silver Microphone Award can be seen here perched atop the Clark's TV.

(Photo is of Petula, sister Barbara and father Leslie watching Petula on the telly.)

GOLD DISCS (Singles)

MONSIEUR

1964
Awarded for One Million German and European sales (Sung in German).


Petula holds three new gold discs for Romeo (in English) Chariot (in French) and Monsieur (in German).

CHARIOT

1964
Awarded for One Million French and European sales (Sung in French)


Maurice Biraud presents three gold discs to Petula for Romeo (in English) Chariot (in French) and Monsieur (in German).

ROMEO

1964
Awarded for One Million French and European sales (Sung in French)

SPECIAL GOLD DISC

1964
Awarded in Germany in 1964 when "Monsieur" sold One Million copies as Pet was the first foreign artist to achieve such a great success.

SPECIAL GOLD DISC

1964
Awarded by an Italian magazine for being the Best Foreign Female Singer of 1964.

DOWNTOWN

1965
Awarded for One Million British sales.

Petula Clark wins a golden disc with "Down Town
     Petula Clark--the British child star who went to Paris, married a Frenchman and became a sophisticated singer and recording star--has won a golden disc for her record "Down Town," (sic) which sold over 1,000,000 copies.
     Petula, who is 30, was the first British girl to reach the top of the American 'hit parade' in 12 years; and she was second in the British 'hit parade'.
      She was presented with the golden disc in London last night. And she announced her plans to appear in cabaret in the autumn at a London night-spoot. This would change the image her British fans have kept of Petula as a "little girl next door". But, she says: "It will give my fans the chance of seeing a different aspect of me."
Daily Express- 2, March 1965



DOWNTOWN

1965
Awarded for One Million American sales.

MY LOVE

1966
Awarded for One Million American sales.

I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE

1966
Awarded for One Million American sales.

THIS IS MY SONG

1967
Awarded for One Million American sales.

SILVER DISCS (Singles)

SAILOR

1961
Awarded for 250,000 British sales.

Compere Don Arnell presents Petula with the Silver Disc Award
for the sale of 250,000 copies of Sailor, with comic Alan King looking on..
London Palladium, 1961



JE ME SENS BIEN

1964
Awarded for 100,000 EP sales in Canada.

DOWNTOWN

1964
Awarded for 250,000 British sales.

Petula backstage at the London Palladium, after having received her silver disc for Downtown.
Proud father, Lesley Clark, looks on.

MY LOVE

1966
Awarded for 250,000 British sales.

THIS IS MY SONG

1967
Awarded for 250,000 British sales.

SILVER DISCS (Albums)

THEN AND NOW: THE VERY BEST OF PETULA CLARK

2008
Awarded for 60,000 British sales.

GRAMMY AWARDS

DOWNTOWN

1965
Best Rock-&-Roll record of the year.

I KNOW A PLACE

1966
Best female vocal performance of the year.

I KNOW A PLACE Grammy Presentation on The Lloyd Thaxton Show.

DOWNTOWN

2003
Recording inducted into GRAMMY Hall of Fame.

With Downtown songwriter, Tony Hatch at the Songwriter's Hall of Fame Awards.

SPECIAL AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

American

DOWNTOWN

1965
CASH BOX INTERNATIONAL GOLD AWARD.

CASH BOX AWARD

1965
Top Female Artist in America.

GREATER RENO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORARY CITIZEN AWARD

1965
An engraved plaque awarded to Petula for her "contribution of pure joy to the city of Reno." This presentation marks the first time an entertainer had been given this honour.

GREATER RENO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORARY CITIZEN AWARD
November 12, 1965

RENO'S NEWEST CITIZEN
Pop singer, Petula Clark, grins and shows off her plaque denoting Reno citizenship.
Though many singers appear at Reno's gambling casino showrooms, Chamber of Commerce Jud Allen said Miss Clark,
now appearing in Reno, is the first to be so honored. Miss Clark said she was thrilled.

CASH BOX D.J. AWARD

1965-68
Most Promising Female Vocalist - 1965
Most Popular Female Vocalist - 1966; 1967; 1968

I KNOW A PLACE

1966
CASH BOX INTERNATIONAL GOLD AWARD.

THE WALDORF ASTORIA AWARD

1975
Presented to Petula for breaking every attendance record for a two-week engagement in the forty-four year history of the Empire Room.

Petula and "Friends" receiving the Waldorf Astoria Oscar for having broken every attendance record for a two week engagement in the forty-four year history of the Empire Room.

British

INSTITUTE OF DANCING BRONZE AND SILVER MEDALS

1950
Awarded during her work on the film "Dance Hall."

THIS IS YOUR LIFE (Volume 1)

1964
Television presentation of Petula's life story

This is Your Life Petula Clark
Volume 1
Guest stars:
  • Jimmy Hanley - an actor who had worked with Petula on a number of early films.
  • Jack Leon - band-leader who had conducted at Petula's first ever radio broadcast of 1942.
  • Moira Lester--actress who was one of Petula's co-stars in the film "White Corridors" and the "Life of Bliss" radio series.
  • Percy Edwards - Also series regular on "Life of Bliss."
  • Two young men who had been part of the children's chorus on "Where Did My Snowman Go."
  • Anthony Newley --via a telephone message from New York.
  • Joe Henderson --Petula's long time friend and musical conductor
  • Bruno Coquatrix --via Eurovision link. French impresario who had coaxed Petula to France to make her first appearance at the Olympia.
  • Claude and short home movie of Petula, Claude, Barra and Kate
  • Former American GI who had crowned Petula VE Queen during WWII
  • Jack Warner --actor who played her father in "The Huggetts" series.

RADIO CAROLINE BELL AWARD

1965
Awarded for her Downtown success.

FRY'S SHOOTING STAR AWARD

1965
Sponsorship trophy presented by Fry's Chocolates to the artist whose hit was climbing fastest up the charts on Radio Luxembourg's top 20 show.

FRY'S SHOOTING STAR AWARD - 1965

This brass and wood "ladder to the stars" award was given by Fry's Chocolates (now Cadbury) as a sponsorship trophy presented to the artist whose hit was climbing fastest up the charts on Radio Luxembourg's top 20 show in the mid 1960s. Radio Luxemberg, because the BBC had no rock 'n roll radio program, was THE place for Brits to listen to their own music revolution. The Fry's Shooting Star Award was only in existence for a short period of time, less than 3 years between 1964-66, to promote Cadbury "Crunchie." Other recipients of the award were the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Kinks, the Searchers, Billy Fury and Dusty Springfield. The award was made by Koye Kenning and Spencer of London.

BAFTA
British Academy of Television Awards

1970
1969 UK TV Special "Just Pet" awarded a BAFTA as the best Light Entertainment Musical Programme.

PERSONALITY MOTHER OF THE YEAR

1973
Presented by Cadburys when she was chosen as a Super-mum by 50,000 British sweetshop owners.

Cadbury's
Personality Mother of the Year Award

Award, held by Claude, was presented in 1978

MOST POPULAR FEMALE SINGER ON T.V.

1974

1974 TV Times Awards


Voted
MOST POPULAR
FEMALE SINGER ON TV

As the award show ended, Eamon Andrews
suddenly arrived on stage to surprise Petula
with her second "This is Your Life."

THIS IS YOUR LIFE (Volume 2)

1975
Second, updated television presentation of Petula's life story

This is Your Life Petula Clark
(Volume Two)
April 19, 1975

Eammon Andrews surprises Petula during the T.V. Times Award Show.









With husband, Claude Wolff


With daughters Barra and Kate

With an overwhelmed Patrick.

VARIETY CLUB SILVER HEART AWARD
(40 years in show business )

1982
Presented to Petula at a Variety Club Tribute Luncheon at the Savoy Hotel on 12 October, 1982. In attendance were varous family members, and guests such as Terry Wogan, Honor Blackman, Frankie Vaughan, and Gloria Hunniford .

THIS IS YOUR LIFE (Volume 3)

1995
A third presentation of Petula's life story and the only subject to have received the tribute three times.

This is Your Life Petula Clark
(Volume Three)
March 6, 1996

Surpised on stage during curtain calls at the March 1, 1996 performance of Sunset Boulevard, at the Adelphi Theatre in London.
Surprise guests included: David Cassidy, Sacha Distel, Trevor Nunn, David Tomlinson, Tony Hatch, Sian Phillips, Honor Blackman, Jonathan Morris and Petula's family, Claude, Kate and Patrick. A very pregnant Barra & husband sent a message via tape from New York. Peter Ustinov and Anthony Newley also sent taped greetings.

GOLD BADGE AWARD

2003

HERITAGE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT'S AWARD

2004
Presented by the Heritage Foundation

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION PRESIDENT'S AWARD

COMIC HERITAGE - MUSICAL HERITAGE - SPORTS HERITAGE FILM & TELEVISION HERITAGE

12 June, 2004
At an awards luncheon held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, Petula was awarded the Heritage Foundation's 2004 "President's Award" for her "lifetime contribution to the entertainment industry."

The Heritage Foundation encompasses Comic Heritage, Sports Heritage and Films & TV Heritage. The main aim of the foundation is to combine paying tribute to Britain's wealth of talent who have brought pleasure and joy to millions through their performances or technical skills with raising funds for good causes through their charity "The Arts & Entertainment Charitable Trust."

Fund raising events include erecting permanent memorials in the shape of Blue Plaques, staging tribute evenings, luncheons & concerts. In addition, they also honour today's talent whether on stage, TV, radio or in films, in performance, production or scriptwriting, they are acknowleged and celebrated at the Heritage's highly prized annual Awards Luncheon at a star studded gala ceremoney held in June each year. Other 2004 recepients were:

Petula Clark receiving her award from Anita Harris and Jon Culshaw



French

GRAND PRIX NATIONAL DU DISQUE FRANCAIS (Francis Carco Prize)

1962
Awarded by the French Record Industry to the most Successful Singer of 1962.

GRAND PRIX NATIONAL DU DISQUE FRANCAIS

1963
Awarded by the French Disc Academy for the two-million sale of "Monsieur"

Grand Prix du Disque - August 1963

Variety - August 3, 1963

PETULA CLARK, British canary, was honored recently with the Grand Prix du Disque by the French Disc Academy for the two-million sale of her "Monsieur." The award is being presented by M. Le Boussier, Academy head.

Billboard - January 12, 1963

PETULA CLARK, who has a string of hits in Europe, is shown as she received a record award from l'Academie du Disque Francais. Standing with Miss Clark is Leon Cabat, president of Vogue Records, for which she records.

BRAVOS DU MUSIC HALL

1965
Most Successful Female Singer of 1965

Bravos du Music Hall


Flanked by Charles Aznovour and Dalida, Petula holds her Les Bravos de Music Hall,
proclaiming her the 'Most Successful Female Singer of 1965'

GOLDEN ROSE

1965
Awarded by the French magazines Jeunesse Cinema and Le Parisien when Petula topped their popularity polls in 1965.

LA MEDAILLE DE VERMEL DE LA VILLE DE PARIS

1970
The Gold Medal of the City of Paris. Presented to Petula "for bringing honour to Paris and increasing its fame".

LA MEDAILLE DE VERMEL DE LA VILLE DE PARIS


La Medaille de Vermel de la Ville de Paris
(The Gold Medal of the City of Paris)
Presented to Petula Clark in 1970 "for bringing honour to Paris and increasing its fame".

GENERAL ROUNDUP

FESTIVALBAR 1965

1965
Festivalbar Award presented in Italy for Ciao, Ciao. Festival organized by Radio Jukebox.






STOP video first, then

INTERNATIONAL AWARD

1966
Presented in Italy for Outstanding World Record Sales by a European artist.

1967 MIDEM AWARDS

1967
Presented in Cannes, France
Petula was presented with the International Trophy for Continental Europe based on her record sales from July 1st 1965 to June 30th 1966. Petula sang C'est ma chanson at the televised award show on the final night introduced by actor Anthony Quinn.



C'est ma chanson /This is my song


With Adamo


GRAND PRIX DE LA CHANSON

1964
Awarded in Holland for the success of "Ceux qui ont un coeur"

Title of JUKE BOX QUEEN - Italy

1965
Awarded for the number of records played throughout the year.

GOLDEN LION

1967
Most Popular Star of 1965.

GOLDEN LION



Originally, Gold, Silver and Bronze Lions were presented to the most successful stars of the Radio Luxemburg Hitparade, as determined by listeners and a jury of experts. Important factors here included sales figures, as well as ranking and frequency of appearance in the Hitparade. From 1959 to 1995, the Lions mainly went to German and international Schlager and pop music artists.



1968 MIDEM INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

1968
Presented in Cannes, France
Petula was presented with the 1968 Midem International Trophy (also awarded to the Beatles and Herb Alpert) and the 1968 Midem National Award for Great Britain (along with Tom Jones and the Beatles) based on record sales between July 1, 1966 and June 30, 1967.

ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS AWARD

1994
Presented to Petula in London, 1994.

ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS AWARD

Achievement In Arts Award


"An Achievement Award!
Probably there's quite a lot out there like me wondering what is it exactly she's achieved. I've really just been living my life. In which case all of us should have one of these. Most of my life has been spent traveling around all over the world singing, playing, acting - with musicians, fellow actors, singers, technicians, backstage people and lighting and sound, producers, directors, and designers from every color and creed from all over the world and it's been great fun. I haven't noticed the time passing and I've enjoyed it immensely. I've learned an awful lot. Anyway I must say I'm still learning. Tonight on this very British stage with this wonderful applause I feel particularly British and very proud and happy to be so. I've known for some time that I've been blessed and I'm acutely aware of it tonight. I accept this with gratitude and I hope with grace."

- Petula Clark's speech on receiving an Achievement In Arts Award - London 1994.




Fellow recipients

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

England's most successful female recording artist of all time. Presented to Petula in London.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

With more than 70 million records sold worldwide, Petula is cited as " Most successful English female artist of all time.
247 weeks on the UK singles chart."

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT - 2021 BISTRO AWARD

2021
Bob Harrington's Lifetime Achievement Bistro Award presented to Petula virtually in Switzerland by Michael Feinstein in New York.

      The Bistro Awards were created in New York to recognize, encourage, nurture, and educate cabaret, jazz, and comedy artists.

The complete show may be viewed here: 2021 Bistro Awards

     The BISTRO AWARD was established by Bob Harrington in 1985 in his "Bistro Bits" column in the trade weekly Back Stage, then under the editorship of Sherry Eaker. For the first few years, the awards were merely listed in Harrington's column as notable performances he had seen during the calendar year. The first formal presentation of the awards was held in 1990 at Eighty Eight's, a popular cabaret venue in the West Village. It is currently held at the Gotham Comedy Club.
     The guidelines that Harrington set up for himself to determine the first winners have become the basic philosophy behind the Bistro Awards, which recognize achievement in a wide variety of categories -- from outstanding performances to outstanding contributions by members of the cabaret community. The object is not to choose the "best" of anything of the year, but to recognize and congratulate the accomplishments of those who have done something special. Accordingly, categories can easily be created from year to year as they best fit the year's distinguished work.

Highlights of the 2021 Bistro Awards Show, featuring Petula's acceptance of her Lifetime Achievement Bistro Award.





STOP first, then

NOMINATIONS

British Film Academy (now BAFTA)


1951    Best Supporting Actress for her role in White Corridors

GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

  • 1964 Downtown nominated as Best Record of the Year.
  • 1964 Petula nominated for Best Female Vocal Performance
  • 1964 Petula nominated as Best New Artist of the Year
  • 1965 Downtown (ALBUM) nominated as Best Female Vocal Performance
  • 1967 Don't Sleep In The Subway nominated as Best Contemporary Single
  • 1967 Petula nominated for Best Female Vocal Performance (Don't Sleep In The Subway)
  • 1967 Petula nominated for Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance (Don't Sleep In The Subway).


GOLDEN GLOBE

  • 1969 Best Actress In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy
    (Finian's Rainbow)


SOCIETY OF WEST END THEATRE AWARDS
(Now known as THE OLIVIER AWARDS)

  • 1981 Actress of the Year in a Musical
    (Role as Maria in Sound of Music)


THE OLIVIER AWARDS

  • 2020 Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
    (For her role in Mary Poppins)

These therefore are Petula's awards. Apart from this list there are also numerous honours which don't really fit into any of the categories shown, such as Petula's photograph being added to the celebrated "Gallery Of Stars" in the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant; appearing in the 1968 Royal Variety Performance; being chosen by Independent Television to represent them at the Montreux Festival in 1971; having her 1969 T.V. "special" Just Pet win the "Light Entertainment Production Award"; but out of all these, the one special and historical honour came when Petula was chosen in 1969 by the BBC to appear in the first official colour T.V. programme in Britain. A fitting choice considering that Petula was one of the very first people to appear on T.V. when it re-opened after the war, and who became one of its most popular artists as several awards have indicated.
Terry Young, The International Petula Clark Society