It was sad to learn of the death on 6 February of the great American vocalist, Frankie Laine - who has been one of my great heroes of popular music during all my years of collecting.
It's an opportune moment to recall the chapter devoted to Frankie in Joan Moules biolgraphy of Ruby Murray - 'Softly Softly'. Ruby was a fan too and they met when he was playing the Belfast Hippodrome in the early 1950s, at the time Ruby was touring the 'Yankee Doodle Blarney' show. It is reported in the book that he took Ruby out to dinner after she visited him backstage at the theatre, and that there was a second meeting some years later in Las Vegas during her promotional tour of America.
Frankie was one of the most successful recording stars of the 1950s and recordings such as 'Cool Water', 'Strange Lady In Town' and 'Hawk Eye' were some of the singles jostling for position with Ruby's hits during 1955. Like Ruby and her Famous Five in the charts, Frankie had some memorable moments in the British charts too. 1953 was probably his most successful time, when in one week (31.10.53) he claimed positions 1.'Hey Joe', 3.'Where The Winds Blow' & 4.'I Believe'. The following week those 3 were joined in the charts by 'Answer Me'. That record total of 4 remained unbroken until Ruby's 5 in 1955. 'I Believe' spent an amazing 18 weeks at the No.1 spot during 1953.
As some of you may know, I've been uploading video clips from the 1950s to the youtube website. http://www.youtube.com. My one clip of Ruby on there ('O'Malley's Tango') gets regular views and has currently received a total of 1,257. This link should take you to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd1KKlVDgoM If you'd like to remember how great Frankie Laine was, may I draw your attention to this clip of him singing 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJxwiBPKjlo
Rest in Peace Frankie Laine.
Brian
Ruby and Frankie Laine
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Brian Henson
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:27 am
- Location: Ilford, Essex, UK
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Graham Bunn
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:17 am
Hello Brian,
I have just read with great interest your posting on that wonderful singer Frankie Laine....1913...2007 and like you have been saddened by his death.
I remember many years ago when Ruby and Bernie were living in Northampton Ruby did a radio programme called "Be My Guest" and like David I had my reel to reel tape in front of what we called the wireless in those days and taped Ruby talking about the part that Frankie Laine had played in her life.
Frankie like Ruby had a wonderful recording career with many hits and I liked the duets he performed with Doris Day and Johnnie Ray.
The fifties was a great time for singers like Frankie Laine and I'm afraid we will never see the like of these singers again.
Best Wishes
I have just read with great interest your posting on that wonderful singer Frankie Laine....1913...2007 and like you have been saddened by his death.
I remember many years ago when Ruby and Bernie were living in Northampton Ruby did a radio programme called "Be My Guest" and like David I had my reel to reel tape in front of what we called the wireless in those days and taped Ruby talking about the part that Frankie Laine had played in her life.
Frankie like Ruby had a wonderful recording career with many hits and I liked the duets he performed with Doris Day and Johnnie Ray.
The fifties was a great time for singers like Frankie Laine and I'm afraid we will never see the like of these singers again.
Best Wishes
Graham