Background
Cherry was born in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Cherry was born in Wichita Falls, Texas.
In music, he is best known for his 1955 hit "Band of Gold". He started as a big band singer in the orchestras of January Garber and Victor Young. In 1951 he recorded his first solo hits, "Thinking of You" and "Belle, Belle, My Liberty Belle".
In 1955 came his biggest hit, "Band of Gold", which reached #4 on the Billboard chart.
lieutenant sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The track peaked at #6 in the United Kingdom Chart.
He had three more hits in 1956: "Wild Cherry", "Ghost Town", and "Namely You", all backed by orchestra leader Ray Conniff. He was also the voice of the Mr.
Clean commercials during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Cherry played on three Walker Cup teams (1953, 1955, and 1961) and in nine Masters Tournaments, making the cut seven times with a best finish of T-25 in 1959. He captured the Canadian Amateur Championship in 1953 and the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur title in 1954. In 1962, Cherry decided to turn professional and "Pro" became his nickname among fellow entertainers.
His volcanic temper on the golf course (which, according to Cherry, "made Tommy Bolt look like a choir boy!") was in startling contrast to his velvety-smooth singing voice and pleasant stage persona.
They live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stephen left behind four sons.
Cherry published his biography, Cherry"s Jubilee, with co-writer Neil Daniels He is a good friend of Willie Nelson and has collaborated on three albums with him, Augusta (1995), The Eyes of Texas (2002), and lieutenant"s Magic (2007).