Thinking of Annette....

Annette was in the news a few days ago as a fire did some damage to her families home in LA. She was unhurt, but it brings our thoughts back to a woman who was an icon in the early 60's. The AP story can be found here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110311/ap_on_en_tv/us_people_funicello_fire_3

Annette was discovered in a dance recital at the age of 12 and was the last of the original Mouseketeers to be chosen...and the only one to be chosen by Walt Disney himself. She quickly became one of the most popular of the group and later branched out into Disney movies. She moved on to become an early 60's icon through her "Beach" movies with Frankie Avalon....here's a trailer from, "Muscle Beach Party'

Although her career as a singer never reached the same heights, she had a lot of chart action in 1959-1960, and most of her movies featured her singing. Here is one of her bigger hits from 1960, "Pineapple Express".

She has been fighting multiple sclerosis since 1992 which has of course has curtailed her activity. We at the bus are thinking of you Annette....