October 2009

Died On This Date (October 18, 2000) Julie London / Popular Torch Singer & Actress

themusicsover October 18, 2009 No Comments

Julie London (Born Gayle Peck)
September 26, 1926 – October 18, 2000

Although Julie London was a successful torch singer during the ’50s, she is perhaps best remembered for her role as nurse Dixie McCall alongside her husband, Bobby Troup on the popular ’70s television drama, Emergency!.  London’s name, or perhaps body, first became familiar to American G.I.s thanks to her pin-up photos during WWII.  At the time, she was married to her first husband, actor Jack Webb of Dragnet fame.   She began singing professionally in the mid ’50s, recording over thirty albums over the course of her career.  No less than Billboard magazine named her the most popular female vocalist in 1955, 1956 and 1957.   Her most popular record “Cry Me a River” which was produced by Troup sold over a million copies.  London reached a whole new generation of music fans in her later years thanks to “Cry Me a River’s” appearance in the 2000 film, Passion of Mind, and again in the 2006 blockbuster, V is For Vendetta.  Her recordings were also prominently featured in Six Feet Under and a 2008 British Airways ad campaign.   Julie London was beloved for her sexy smoky voice that happened to be a by-product of years of heavy smoking that ultimately lead to her poor health in later years and death at the age of 74.

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