Lucky Gordon


Aloysius "Lucky" Gordon was a British-based Jamaican jazz singer who came to public attention during the Profumo affair. He arrived in Scotland from Jamaica in 1948, and moved to London after a few days.

Early years

Aloysius "Lucky" Gordon was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and stowed away to Britain in 1947, according to his account to the Jamaica Observer in a 1998 interview.

Profumo affair

Joining his brother "Psycho" Gordon on the London jazz scene, Lucky Gordon became involved with nightclub hostess Christine Keeler, a relationship that ended acrimoniously. According to Keeler, he assaulted her in the street and held her hostage for two days. Keeler sought the protection of another lover, Johnny Edgecombe, which culminated in a public fight between Edgecombe and Gordon at the Flamingo Club in Wardour Street in October 1962. Gordon required 17 stitches after Edgecombe slit his face with a knife. He later posted the 17 used stitches to Keeler and warned her that for each stitch he had sent she would get two on her face in return.
Edgecombe's frustrations in seeking protection from Keeler following this fight led to him firing gunshots outside Stephen Ward's flat in December 1962 that in turn set in motion a chain of events that would eventually result in the public revelations of the Profumo affair.
In June 1963, Gordon was jailed for three years for assaulting Keeler, but she subsequently withdrew her accusations, and was convicted for perjury in December 1963.

Musical career

Gordon later worked as a cook at Island Records' studios near Ladbroke Grove, his employers including Bob Marley. It was while working here in the mid-1980s that Gordon contributed "skank" vocals to a cover version of "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" by pop duo Act, and a rare vocal mix of the Art of Noise's "Moments in Love", both for ZTT Records.
Gordon died on 15 March 2017, aged 85.

Cultural references