The notorious prisoner sang Frank Sinatra’s My Way during the live link-up from his cell at HMP Long Lartin in Evesham, Worcestershire, and dedicated the track to Ronnie Kray
Infamous inmate Charles Bronson made his mark by performing at a pub’s karaoke night from his prison cell.
Bronson called into the Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, and belted out Frank Sinatra’s My Way to the regulars. Known as Britain’s most violent prisoner, Bronson is currently incarcerated at Long Lartin Max Security in Evesham.
He dedicated his rendition to his “old mate” Ronnie Kray. The singalong was arranged by Julie Shaw, who ghostwrote Bronson’s book and also hosts the regular karaoke night.
She posted: “The night is going to go down in history. Charles was singing live from his maximum security prison, over the phone. No prisoner in history has ever done this before.”
Bronson, who is permitted one phone call each night, asked the crowded pub: “Are you ready for my song” before yelling “I’m on the phone” to someone in the background.
He announced: “I’m going to sing My Way by the great Frank Sinatra and I’m going to dedicate it to me old mate Ronnie Kray who died 30 years ago on the 17 of March.
“And there’s been a lot of c**p written about Ronnie since he died and if you really want to know the truth about Ronnie get my book, The Krays and Me, you can get it on Amazon.”
Bronson, 72, whose real name is Michael Peterson, was first imprisoned for armed robbery in 1974. During his time behind bars, he has taken 11 hostages in nine prison sieges and has assaulted at least 20 prison officers.
In 1999, he was handed a life sentence for kidnapping a prison art teacher, and his most recent conviction for a violent crime came in 2014, when he faced trial for assault.
Notorious for spending the majority of his life in prison, Charles Bronson, previously known as Michael Gordon Peterson but who adopted the name Charles Salvador in 2014, has had his parole hearing postponed from earlier this year to December. This comes after his parole was refused once again in March 2023.
His last attempt at parole was met with him belting out Englebert Humperdinck’s “Please Release Me” upon being denied freedom.
As an artist in recent times, Bronson’s works have been sold off, fetching thousands for charities such as the Born for Art Foundation.
Bronson was transferred to Long Lartin in May of the previous year from HMP Woodhill after an altercation with murderer Robert Donaldson; Bronson reportedly defended himself during the attack by Donaldson.
Initially facing seven years when he was 22, Bronson became notorious for his misconduct inside, which paved the way for his label as a notorious inmate, only seeing release in 1987.
However, his time as a free man lasted a mere 69 days before he found himself back in jail for robbing a jewellery shop, resulting in another seven-year sentence. Aside from a short stint of freedom in 1992, he has remained behind bars ever since.