Ruby Murray (March 29, 1935 - December 17, 1996) was a popular singer born in Moltke Street and brought up in the Village. Her characteristic hoarse voice was a result of an operation on her throat in early childhood. She toured as a child singer, and fist appeared on television at the age of 12. Her first single was 'Heartbeat', which reached the UK top 5 in 1954. The next, 'Softly, Softly', reached number 1 in 1955, a year in which Murray achieved the rare feat of having five singles in the top twenty at the same time. Ruby still holds the records for the most hit records in the Top Twenty at the same time, beating Madonna and the Beatles.