Billy Fury, born Ronald Wycherley, was an immensely popular English rock and roll singer and songwriter from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s. Regarded as one of Britain's earliest and most successful rock stars, he equaled the Beatles' record of 24 hits in the 1960s. His dynamic stage presence and charismatic image drew comparisons to Elvis Presley, earning him a dedicated following. Despite suffering from rheumatic fever in childhood which affected his health throughout his life, Fury left a lasting legacy on British pop music before his untimely death at the age of 42.