During the 1960s and early 70s, popular songwriting in Britain was very much a man's world. One of the first female musicians to make her mark as a composer of pop hits, and the first to win an Ivor Novello award, was Lynsey de Paul, who has died suddenly aged 64. As well as co-writing hits such as Barry Blue's Dancin' on a Saturday Night, De Paul had a successful performing career, recording several top 10 hits, including Sugar Me and Won't Somebody Dance With Me. She also wrote theme music for television shows, and later branched out into cartooning and acting.
She was born into a north London Jewish household, the daughter of Meta and Herbert Rubin. Her father was a property developer. As a child, Lynsey learned classical piano and, on leaving South Hampstead high school, studied art and design at Hornsey College. After graduation, she worked as a commercial artist and designer of album sleeves while honing her skills as a songwriter.
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