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Singer Patti Page passes away

Singer Patti Page passes away

THE singer Patti Page has passed away in the United States at the age of 85.

During her career Ms Page is thought to have recorded as many as one thousand songs and sold more than 100 million records.

She was one of the top selling singers during the 1950s. Among her many hits were Tennessee Waltz (see below) and (How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window.

Tennessee Waltz reached Number One in the U.S. country, pop and R&B charts — a rare achievement. It was also the last song to sell a million copies of sheet music.

The Oklahoma girl, who was born Clara Ann Fowler, had never set out to be a singer, but friends and family kept insisting she had a talent and encouraged her sing on a local radio show. 

Visiting band leader Jack Rael was so impressed that he gave up his own career to become the young singer’s manager. The name Patti Page was taken from the show she had been discovered in, which was sponsored by a company called Page Milk.

Months later Ms. Page had signed with Mercury Records and was soon releasing hits including Mockin’ Bird Hill, Allegheny Moon and Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte.

The emergence of Rock ‘n’ Roll was to eventually eclipse the popularity she had enjoyed in the 1950s, but Ms. Page began moving more towards country music and continued to produced hits for many years.

At various times she had her own shows on the big TV networks in the US. 

Her music has appeared on the soundtracks of many films and TV shows over the years and Ms. Page also appeared in several movies, including alongside Bert Lancaster in Elmer Gantry (1960).

For years she toured the world with her hit music, only ending the concerts after telling fans in 2012 that while she still had the voice, “physical impairments” were taking their toll.

Ms. Page passed away only a month before she was to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Radio Academy.

To see Patti Page sing her hit, Tennessee Waltz, click here.

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