Sir Cliff’s 100th album goes back to start

The singer, 72, is set to release The Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Songbook in November.

Described as a tribute to the likes of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Buddy Holly, the album was recorded at the Blackbird Studio and The Parlor in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Summer Holiday and Living Doll singer had his first hit in 1958 and released his debut album Cliff a year later.

Since then, he has since released 46 studio albums, seven soundtracks, 35 compilations and 11 live albums.

Sir Cliff said of the recording the album: “It was like being back in the 50s with The Shadows in Studio 2 at Abbey Road – only it wasn’t The Shadows, and it wasn’t Studio 2 and it wasn’t the 50s.”

He added: “This was my chance to pay tribute not only to, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest advances in musical history, but also the artists who took rock ‘n’ roll to the top of the charts world-wide.”

Sir Cliff has been waging a war with radio stations for two years after his music disappeared from playlists.

He has insisted that he will never retire, saying: “As long as I don’t have to go on stage with a Zimmer frame, I’ll keep going.”