2015.030

Purchase

Purchase

Museum Collections.

1944 - 1944

Date(s) Created: 1944 Date(s): 1944

Fair

Notes: Archives 2015.030.0405 Big Song Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 11, Dec. 1944. Text of article on page 7 ==== An Exclusive Big Song Magazine Feature SONGS AND SINGERS by [facsimile signature] Frank Sinatra Thanks, “Big Song,” for that impressive title of “Man Of The Year In The Entertainment Field in 1944” and before I go farther, here’s a compliment right back, “To ‘Big Song,’ The Outstanding Song Magazine for 1944 Or Any Other Year.” And this gives me an opportunity, too, to lift my voice about some outstanding vocalists of our time, and believe me, there are a large number that can be classed in that manner. Of course, I can only discuss those who come within my memory, and not being too old a guy, I probably will have to leave out a few. I do think and feel that a great many of these. I have had the good fortune to have been old enough to appreciate. There are many good singers today, as in the past, who have received the appreciation of the 130,000,000 Americans. I believe that in this country of ours there is room for everybody, and for all types of musical expressions. There have been feuds and ‘houses divided’ on the subiect of favorite singers. Two big conflicts which are known to me were the Rudy Vallee and Will Osborne and Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo feuds. However. I feel that those have also been healthy things. The Ammerican people have always been enthusiastic champions of favorites — the number one rooters of the world. It hasn’t hurt baseball and football, and where will you find more rabid rooters for favorites than on the ball field? Fortunately, taking sides for one singer has never reached the violent stage of throwing pop bottles and personal assaults as you would find on a field of sport. When the Vallee-Osborne feud raged, it was that period of my life when I still threw rocks through neighbors windows, and dived off docks into the Hudson River for a swim. But from what little I remember and what I’ve learned about it since them, I know it was a “lulu”. There is no doubt that the public knew what thev wanted and have supported it ever since. Rudy Vallee, after serving in the Coast Guard, still ranks as one of our ton flight performers and his new radio show should carry an extremely high rating. And Osborne is still a big favorite, heading one of the big bands in the country. Then came Bing Crosby. “The Great Man” brought to music what has grown into an American Institution. I don’t believe that any singer has enjoyed the unanimous acclaim of the American public as well as performers and musicians, as much as Bing. I know that I am indebted to him for the inspiration he has given me and-1 must admit that I’m probably one of the first and most enthusiastic rooters he has eved had. He is truly the Will Rogers of song, and I believe that he holds the same affection in the hearts of the public as that great man did. As for Russ Columbo, it was certainly an unfortunate card that was dealt the American Public when they lost this great performer. His untimely death robbed us of many years of enjoyable showmanship and he merits a place in the “Hall of Musical Fame” for the contributions he made to the singing world . . . even for so short a space of time. There was never a real feud between Crosby and Columbo as far as the two performers were concerned. Thev left, like many of my contemporaries today feel, that there was plenty of opportunity for both of them. It was in the camps of their followers that the feuds took place. It added spice to their careers, but didn’t hurt them in any way. Among the great leaders of song is the “Rocking Chair Lady”, Mildred Bailey who created an inimitable style of singing. Mildred, like Bing, is not only a favorite among the fans, but musicians and performers as well. She is a thorough musician. She ‘makes with the vocal tricks’ but also feels the song and uses her knowledge of arrangements in her interpretations. In the same class with Miss Bailey I would put Bill Holliday, who also after many years of performing still finds no competitor in singing the “blues”. Ella Fitzgerald who was coached by the greatest drummer of all time, Chick Webb, deserves a chair in the row of vocal honors too for her whimsical style and originality. Unfortunately, there have been singers who had all the makings of greatness but somehow the breaks and dame fortune or whoever it is who smiles down on singers, passed them by. Red McKenzie is one of those. His singing with the original “Mound City, Blue Blowers” and later his solo work on recordings have become collectors’ items. Though not a musician, his inimitable hot style put him in a class bv himself. Although his greatness was recognized by musicians and professional performers, the public never got around to appreciating his style. The girl who today ranks high and who in my opinion, is One of the greatest singers of this or any other era is Dinah Shore. She occupies a spot in public affection second to no one and very deservedly so. She is a fine vocalist who nuts a tremendous amount of feeling, understanding and expression into every note she sings. She deserves every bit of popularity she has earned. Helen Forrest is another girl who rates tops among the singers. She is a capable and versatile performer who has come a long way and is destined for even greater heights. Dick Haymes, Perry Como, my contemporaries, each possesses a great amount of talent and ability in their own way. It didn’t require this particular era to bring them into the spotlight. They each possess such qualities as singers to have made the grade at any other time. It is pure coincidence and nothing more that we are all in there pitching at the same time. Dick and Perry are two swell guys, and no one but a fool would attempt to deny that thev rate as top singers and have their own followers. There are many more perhaps eauallv as great as these, and I’m probably doing an injustice to many fine artists in not mentioning them, but any omission is due entirely to the editor who threatens to use that old blue pencil if I go over the alloted space. As I said before, this is a big country, and 130,000,000 people will never like the same thing. What’s all the shooting about? There’s always been lots of room in every other field of the entertainment world for more than one performer. And Nelson Eddy never crowded John Charles Thomas out of the picture. Both enjoy tremendous success, each having their own particular following. Why then should it be different in the popular field of music? Football is still a great game, but it wouldn’t be with just one good team. It is the enthusiasm, partisanship and American custom of rooting for their favorite that has kept it popular and interesting. As I see it, it applies to the field of entertainment as well. Long may it continue! ==== ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2015-06-03