Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary Clooney was born on May 23, 1928 in Maysville, Ky. With her sister, Betty, they won an audition for a Cincinnati radio station and were paid $20 a week each for a regular nightly spot. "The Clooney Sisters" began there singing career in 1945 and they were hired by Tony Pastor, touring with his band for a couple of years.

When she was 21, Rosemary went on her own and went to New York City. She signed with Columbia and began an association with Mitch Miller. She recorded "Come On A My House" and it was an immediate success. It made her a star.

Rosemary eloped in the summer of 1953 with Jose Ferrer, the actor. Between 1955 and 1960 they had five children. In 1954 she co-starred with Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby in the movie "White Christmas."

Clooney became the star of her own television show in 1956. But the responsibilities of raising a family and pursuing a career were taking its toll. She became addicted to tranquilzers and sleeping pills. Clooney and Ferrer filed for divorce in 1961 and it became final in 1967. Her world came crashing down and she had a nervous breakdown.

She made a comeback in 1976, doing a show with Bing Crosby. In 1977, she signed a recording contract with Concord Jazz. Rosie recorded 25 albums with them and maintained a busy touring schedule.

Clooney underwent Lung Cancer surgery in January, 2002. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She died on June 29, 2002 at her home in Beverly Hills, Ca.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Earlier today, I listened to "Everything's Coming Up Rosie". This was Clooney's first Concord recording in 1977. She is accompanied by Scott Hamilton on tenor sax, Bill Berry on trumpet, Nat Pierce on piano, Monty Budwig on bass and Jake Hanna on drums.

There are 10 tunes on this album, 8 vocals and 2 instrumentals. Some of the vocals are: "I Cried for You," "I Can't Get Started," "A Foggy Day," "Hey There," and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans."

Here's a video of Rosie with the Concord All Stars doing "I Can't Get Started" and "Our Love Is Here To Stay" at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1981.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKsWgAN8lF0&feature=player_detailpage