Patti Page was born Clara Ann Fowler in Claremore, Oklahoma in November of 1927. Her family lived in several towns in that state until settling in Tulsa in time for high school, where she graduated in 1945. It was that year that she was featured on a local radio program on KTUL. The 15 minute show was sponsored by the Page Milk Company, and while doing the program she was dubbed, "Patti Page", the moniker in which she kept the rest of her life. After a short stint with Jack Rael and his, "Jimmy Joy" Band, she was signed to Mercury Records in 1947.
Her first hit was, "Confess" in 1947 which reached #12. From that song until 1960, Page charted 40 songs in the top 20, which included three number 1's. One of those, "Tennessee Waltz" became her signature song and is the state song of Tennessee. By the early 60's, her popularity began to wane, but found herself with the occasional hit, such as 1965's title song to the Bette Davis thriller, "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte" She also could be seen in the movie, "Elmer Gantry" (1960), and "Boys Night Out" (1962)
She shifted her focus away from the Hot 100 and from 1966 to 1982 was frequently on the Adult Contemporary and Country charts giving her a solid 35 years in the forefront of popular music. She never stopped touring totally, doing up to 50 concerts a year even well into her 80's. Her third husband, Jerry Filiciotto (who died in 2009) ran a maple syrup business in New Hampshire and resided in California where she passed this past Tuesday.
On a personal note...my life as a singer began with a Patti Page song. I remember it was a summertime party in 1965 for the business my mom worked for. There was a band, and somehow (probably volunteered) ended up fronting the band who played "Mocking Bird Hill" (confidently telling the guitarist to play it in the key of "Z"). To my knowledge I refrained from, "How Much is That Doggie in the Window" Both are included below....
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