Petula Clark reveals why she turned down Elvis’ indecent proposal

The 84-year old Grammy Award winner, Petula Clark, has had an interesting career, covering seven decades.

The ‘Downtown’, ‘I Know A Place’ and ‘My Love’ performer has sung with Frank Sinatra, danced with Fred Astaire, shared a bed with John Lennon, and last night on The Project, talked about turning down an offer from Elvis.

Reminded that The Project was a family show, Petula was asked why she didn’t got for his offer of “a threesome”, with Karen Carpenter. Petula said she had been asked by many of her friends why she turned him down, saying it was because she was acting as a chaperone for the younger Karen. Neither had seen Elvis perform before and they attended one of his shows on a girly evening. They were later invited backstage, when the ‘offer’ was made. Watch the clip here:

On The Project, Petula also talked about her start in the entertainment industry, and singing to the troops during World War II. It was an air-raid that gave her a big break. She volunteered to sing a song at an underground theatre used by the BBC. Attending with other children when she was only 9-years-old to send a message to her uncle abroad, she described how an air-raid during rehearsal had shook the building and scared a few children, and she was the only one to put her hand up to calm their nerves. She was so little she needed a box to stand on to reach the microphone. Those who heard her sing in the control room noticed her talent, and that was the beginning of her big career. Petula even talked about how she, and Julie Andrews, travelled on the troop trains, sleeping in the luggage racks, to get to performances.  “We though it was fun, we didn’t realise how grave the situation was.” She has since been told by veterans how their music helped them.

At once point while talking on The Project Petula noticed her hair, and said “what a mess”. “I’ve stopped straightening it,” she said, while she played with her curls. Told she looked very Deborah Harry she said, ‘That’s OK then,” before continuing the interview, talking how she never knew Downtown would be such a big hit. 

As well as a musical career Petula has also appeared in a number of movies, including the 1969 Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Petula is touring Australia this month, with her first concerts in Melbourne on May 13, ending in Brisbane on May 26.  

What is your favourite Petula Clark song?