Remembering Patti Page (1927--2013)

     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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Sunday Morning Vault: Desi Arnez--I Love Lucy (1953)

   Desi Arnez and Lucille Ball are one of the most iconic couples in the history of television. There was a chemistry between them that was obvious on screen, and along with Vivian Vance and William Frawley created a show that has endeared itself to millions of fans now for 60 years. What many do not know is that Arenz and Ball both were shrewd business people who were pioneers in television production as well. 

      In the early 50's television shows were done live from New York, then sent to other station via kinescope images which was unstable, and in just the time it took to send the images to other networks, the picture quality began to deteriorate (which is why there are so few complete shows from that era). Arnez and Ball lived in California and did not want to have to travel to New York, so they convinced CBS to put the show on tape, which was more costly. Arnez also insisted on using three cameras instead of the one that was always used.  CBS, nor the show's potential sponsor, Philip Morris, wanted to pay the extra cost. The couple formed Desilu productions and offered to pay the balance of the cost, provided that after the first showing of the sitcom, Arnez/Ball would retrain total control on the film. In agreeing to do this, Desilu began syndicating the show and of course all of the money went to their new business.

       The two of them were hands on executives from the beginning of the company, which became sole ownership of Ball's after their divorce in 1960. The list of shows developed by the company reads like a who's who of popular TV in the 60's: Star Trek, Make Room For Daddy, The Andy Griffith Show, Mission Impossible, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Lucy Show, Family Affair, My Three Sons, The Untouchables, I Spy, Mannix, Our Miss Brooks, Gomer Pyle USMC and That Girl were only a few of the shows under the Desilu banner....

       Arnez himself came from a family of wealth in Cuba. His father was the youngest mayor in the history of Santiago, and also served in the Cuban House of Representatives. His mother's father, Alberto de Acha was one of the three founders of Bacardi Rum. His childhood and early teenage years were ones of privilege. However after the Bastista led revolution in 1933 all of their property and money was confiscated as the elder Arnez was put in jail. The US government, who determined Arnez to be neutral, negotiated for his release and the entire family was moved to Miami. 

    Desi started out in show business to support himself and starred on Broadway in the musical "Too Many Girls". He was offered a part in the film version of the play and he went to Hollywood where he met Lucille Ball, and the couple married in 1940. His band recorded and toured and along with film roles, was doing very well. The idea of him being in a show with Ball was her idea for them to be able to spend more time together. His recording and touring began to slow and finally stop between the acting and the running of Desilu productions. 

      Arnez's version of the title song is delightful and brings back memories of not just Desi, but his Lucy who together made entertainment history....enjoy and happy Sunday!!

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