Died On This Date (February 15, 1984) Ethel Merman / Singing Star Of Stage And Screen

Ethel Merman
January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984

ethel-mermanEthel Merman was a singer and actress who was one of the biggest stars of the Broadway stage and screen during the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.  Her break came in the fall of 1930 when she was cast to star in the Gershwin musical, Girl Crazy.  Her performances made her an instant star.  In 1934, she starred in Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, the first of five Porter shows she would star in.  Throughout the rest of her career, she helped make hits out of such musicals as Annie Get Your Guns, Red, Hot and Blue, and Gypsy.  And songs that she made into hits include “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Anything Goes,” and her signature song, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”  Ethel Merman was 76 when she died as a result of a brain tumor on February 15, 1984.



Died On This Date (October 15, 1964) Cole Porter / Iconic Composer & Lyricist

Cole Porter
June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964

Cole Porter was on of America’s most beloved composers and lyricists.  His popular scores include Kiss Me Kate and Anything Goes while his iconic catalog of songs includes “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Night and Day,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.”  The greatest stars in the world have performed his songs on stage and screen.  That list includes Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.  Although he suffered many ailments through the latter part of his life, it was kidney failure that finally took his life at the age of 73.

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Cole Porter from Rare Piano Rolls - COLE PORTER