Vocalist
The Resume
(November 12, 1917-July 16, 2008)
Born in Coalinga, California
Member of the Pied Pipers vocal group (1938-45)
Backing vocalist for Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra
Recorded the singles 'Long Ago (And Far Away)' (1944), 'It Could Happen to You' (1944), 'Candy' (with Johnny Mercer, 1945) 'That's For Me' (1945), 'Symphony' (1946), 'Feudin and Fightin' (1947), 'My Darling, My Darling' (with Gordon MacRae, 1949), 'No Other Love' (1950), 'Goodnight, Irene' (1950), 'Shrimp Boats' (1951), 'Hey Good Lookin' (with Frankie Laine, 1951), 'You Belong to Me' (1952), 'Jambalaya' (1952), 'Keep It a Secret' (1952), 'Make Love to Me' (1954), 'Suddenly There's a Valley' (1955), 'Teach Me Tonight' (1955) and 'It's Almost Tomorrow' (1956)
Why she might be annoying
She married a fellow Pied Piper, divorced him, then married the Pipers' musical arranger.
Her NBC radio show was sponsored by Chesterfield cigarettes.
Despite a distinguished career, her only major show biz award was a Grammy for 'best comedy album' for her deliberately off-key 'Johnathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris.'
While in retirement, she revived her 'Darlene Edwards' persona for covers of Helen Reddy's 'I Am Woman' and the Bee Gees' 'Stayin Alive.'
Why she might not be annoying
She was nicknamed 'GI Jo' for her popularity with soldiers during World War II and Korea.
She wrote back to every serviceman who sent her letters.
She was the first female singer to top the British charts.
One critic described her Darlene Edwards records as 'fumbling incompetence performed with enormous skill.'
Credit: C. Fishel
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Year In Review:
For 2009, as of last week, Out of 24 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 55 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
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