Posted on 12/17/2017 9:53:04 AM PST by EveningStar
Keely Smith has died at age 89. Here is a press release regarding her death:
“Keely Smith, the iconic singer/performer known for her many solo recordings as well as her musical partnership with first husband Louis Prima died in Palm Springs, CA on Saturday, December 16. She was 89 and under physicians’ care at the time of her passing from apparent heart failure. Born Dorothy Jacqueline Keely in Norfolk VA on March 9, 19 28 of Native American (Cherokee) and Irish parentage, Smith showed a natural aptitude for singing at a young age. At 14, she sang with a naval air station band and at 15, she got her first paying job with the Earl Bennett band.
Smith, still a teenager, auditioned to be the “girl singer” in Prima’s band, got the job and hit the road with them in 1948. She and Prima married in 1953 and had two children together, Toni Prima and Luanne Prima, both of whom survive their mother. The Smith and Prima combination was a potent one both on stage, on television, in films and on records and made Keely Smith a household name.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
ping
Keely was one of a kind-—unbelievable talent. Have an amazing cd collection her with Louis Prima, Sam Butera and solo albums through the years—
Rest gentle my sweet angel-
Man, do I feel old (maybe ‘cause I am); she was 89-I used to think she was a hottie.
May she rest in God’s eternal peace.
God rest her soul, Her voice say’s nothing more than late 40’s - late 60’s. Which is when she would have been considered iconic. I wonder if she had any Bond theme songs?
Eyes and cheekbones.
RIP
Just watched her in “Thunder Road”.
Someone should point out to Fauxahontas this is what Cherokee cheekbones look l8e.
I am from the Norfolk area and had two neighbors who grew up with her in the area that was known as South Norfolk
18e meant to say like.
Louie and Keely - best barroom act . ever.
I was a fan of hers beginning in the late 1950’s. In fact, I recently listened to a few of her vocals. “I wish you Love” was one of my favorites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPJ-J3NUUyk
She will be missed.
Discography: 1962 Cherokeely Swings (Dot)
Robert Mitchum, now there’s an iconic figure. I don’t think Hollywood ever did him justice.
I just looked over IMDB.com on him and never realised he was so prolific in the 90’s in television series, aside from his ‘winds and wings of war’ mini-series.
Robert Mitchum and William Holding were cut from the same mold and if you had Mitchum, Holding and Rock Hudson together you knew who the gay was.
Who has taken their place? Who drips masculinity amongst today’s stars? I can’t think of a late century actor that fits their calibre. Maybe Tom Hardy? Liam Neeson? Mark Wahlberg? Sean Bean? Christian Bale (when he’s not manic), Denzel Hayes Washington, Laurence Fishburne? Idris Elba (non american)?
A wonderful singer, rest in peace Miss Keely.
One of the greatest American pop singers. I can’t think of any of the young people today who can hold a candle to her.
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