The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Ramblin' Jack Elliott turned 92 recently. He's on some 78's for the Topic label in the UK in the 1950's.

Sadly, international artist Caterina Valente is no longer with us. She died September 9, aged 93.

An essay about her career from the Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituari ... ad-singer/

Mary Schneider is still living, unfortunately her sister Rita passed away quite some time ago.
As the Schneider Sisters they recorded arguably what was the first "rock and roll" record in Australia (recording dates, releases etc weren't recorded back then, so it's one of three contenders for the title). The sisters recorded yodelling and novelty songs on Regal Zonophone 78's.

(Double-click the video above or click this link to go to the video on YouTube.)

I did a talk on this subject for the CLPGS in July 2023, confined only to British performers. You can hear it here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14taAIB ... share_link

And this is the accompanying presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/ ... ue&sd=true

To answer the question though, here are a bunch of British artists who appeared on UK 78s and are still alive, to the best of my knowledge:
Shirley Bassey
Julie Andrews
Petula Clark
Cliff Richard
Robert Earl
Marty Wilde
Tommy Steele
Rose Brennan
Marion Keene/Davis
Teddy Beverley (Beverley Sisters)
Shani Wallis
Engelbert Humperdinck (as Gerry Dorsey)
Cleo Laine
Jim Dale
Terry Dene
Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch (The Shadows)
Jeannie Carson
Craig Douglas
Vince Eager
Mike Preston
Colin Hicks
Joy Adams (Joy and David)
Shirley Abicair
Joe Brown
Laurie London
Bernie Burgess (The Four Jones Boys)
Chas McDevitt
Ray Pilgrim
Maureen Evans
Peggy Seeger
Mandy Miller
Ronnie Harris
Tony Kinsey

Helen Shapiro (UK artist) also had al least 1 UK 78, plus others issued in India.

Oh definitely, mostly 1950s artists though, at the decline of the 78 era. My grandfather sang for Columbia in the 1940s. He passed away recently at the age of 99.
Early soul and transitional pressings would be your best bet, from around when the switch was occuring.

Izumi Yukimura is still alive! She was born in 1933. She sang for Victor around the time when Japan was introducing English & Japanese records and the early rock & roll + postwar pop.

I really like Yakety Yak & I Want You To Be My Baby.

Ooh! I should also add she still releases music. Her latest album came out last year!