Sir Mick Jagger has said he is “so sad” at the death of Cleo Sylvestre, “the first female vocalist to sing with the Stones”. Sylvestre, also known as Cleopatra Palmer, who had been a feature of film, stage, television and music since the 1960s, died at the age of 79 on Friday morning, according to a statement from Fulcrum Talent. The veteran screen and stage star was known for playing Melanie Harper, Meg Richardson’s adopted daughter, in ITV’s Crossroads and sang as Cleo, with the Rolling Stones backing her on a cover of To Know Him Is To Love Him in 1964.
We’re saddened to hear of the death of Cleo Sylvestre, who performed as Audrey in our As You Like It production last year. Our thoughts are with Cleo’s family and friends at this time. pic.
twitter.com/sOrNeVa4Iu — The RSC (@TheRSC) September 20, 2024 Sir Mick, lead vocalist of the Rolling Stones, said in an Instagram story: “So sad to hear of the passing of my old friend, the actress and singer Cleo Sylvestre, the first female vocalist to sing with the Stones.” The 81-year-old shared a black-and-white photo of the band with Sylvestre.
In an interview with Masterpiece PBS, Sylvestre had said her mother would often cook for the rock band. “I mean, the Stones were always round, especially Brian (Jones) and Mick (Jagger),” she said. “We lived in a council flat with a tiny little kitchen, and she’d do meals for 15 people.
” The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) said in a post to X: “We’re saddene.