Albert Allick Bowlly, known as Al Bowlly, was born on January 7, 1899, in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique (now Maputo, Mozambique). He was a South African-British vocalist and guitarist who became one of the most popular singers in Britain during the 1930s. Bowlly's parents were of Greek and Lebanese descent, and he was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Bowlly's early career involved a series of odd jobs, including barber and jockey, before he joined Edgar Adeler's dance band as a guitarist and vocalist. This led to tours across South Africa, Rhodesia, India, and the Dutch East Indies. After parting ways with Adeler in Indonesia, Bowlly joined Jimmy Lequime's band, performing in India and Singapore.

In 1927, Bowlly recorded his first song, a cover of Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," in Berlin, Germany. He later moved to London, where he joined Fred Elizalde's orchestra at the Savoy Hotel. By 1931, Bowlly was working with Roy Fox and Ray Noble, recording over 500 songs in four years. His collaboration with Noble, in particular, brought him significant success, with many recordings being released in the United States.

Bowlly's most popular songs include "Midnight, the Stars and You," "Goodnight, Sweetheart," "The Very Thought of You," "Guilty," and "Love Is the Sweetest Thing." He also recorded the only English version of "Dark Eyes" as "Black Eyes."

Despite his success, Bowlly faced challenges, including vocal problems that led to a brief loss of his voice. He traveled to New York City for surgery, and upon returning to Britain, his popularity had waned. He continued to perform and record, working with various orchestras and forming a duo with Jimmy Messene.

Al Bowlly's life was tragically cut short when he died on April 17, 1941, in London, England, at the age of 42, during a German air raid in World War II. His legacy as a leading figure in the British dance band era remains significant, with his recordings continuing to be celebrated.