Died On This Date (January 1, 2013) Patti Page / American Pop Legend
themusicsover Patti Page (Born Clara Ann Fowler)
November 8, 1927 – January 1, 2013
Patti Page was an American singer who has been called the biggest selling female singer of the ’50s. Born into poverty in Oklahoma, Page began singing professionally after she graduating high school in 1945. Her first appearance of note was a 15-minute segment on KTUL radio in Tulsa. That lead to a touring gig with the Jimmy Joy Band who ultimately settled in Chicago where she met Benny Goodman who helped her land her first contract with Mercury Records. Over the next several years, Page scored huge hits with “Tennessee Waltz,” “With My Eyes Wide Open, I’m Dreaming,” “(How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window,” and many more. Between 1950 and 1965, she had 15 singles that sold over a million copies each. Over the course of her career, she sold more than 100 million records. Page made records into the ’80s and continued to perform as many as 50 dates a year until the time of her passing. She also appeared in such films as Elmer Gantry and Boys’ Night Out. In 2007, Jack White had a hit with “Conquest,” which was a hit for Page during the early ’50s. Patti Page was 85 when she passed away on January 1, 2013.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
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Gil Ellman was a big band musician and longtime Chicago area musical instrument merchant. Ellman began his life of music as a youngster when he learned to play the saxophone, clarinet and flute. His skills developed so well, that when he hit high school, he became its concert master. Shortly after graduating, and at just 18 years of age, Ellman opened his own shop where he repaired radios and such. He later became an instrument tech, working with the likes of