The Song Stars: The Ladies Who Sang With the Bands and Beyond [Paperback]

Richard Grudens (Author), C. Camille Smith (Photographer), Gus Young (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Song Stars | Publication Date: March 1, 1997

This wonderful book pays tribute to the lives of early song innovators Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday, Mildred Bailey, Ethel Waters, and the first lady of song Ella Fitzgerald. It also tells a different story about special song star Josephine Baker. Special chapters include legendary Frankie Laine's personal tribute to many big band singers he has known; band leader Warren Covington's historical account of the pied pipers singing group who once backed Frank Sinatra and Connie Haines; and world-famous disc jockey Al 'Jazzbeaux' Collins recollection of his legendary fables of the purple grotto. There are special segments honoring all of the known big band song stars, and even a list of those not so well-known. Richard Grudens provides a special insight into the lives of the song stars and provides over 60 exceptional photos to enrich your reading pleasure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Great silhouettes of the great singers of our age filled with warmhearted chapters about all of them and their music. -- Long Island PM Magazine

Heartwarming conversations with the great lady singers from the forties until today. Great anecdotes. -- Dancing USA Magazine

The Best Account of the Great Lady Vocalists of the Big Band Era published in over 30 years. -- Big Bands Internatonal Society, England

About the Author

Richard Grudens

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Celebrity Profiles Inc (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575790459
• ISBN-13: 978-1575790459
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,404,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The girls sing the greatest, October 9, 2001

By 

Bob DeBetta (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Song Stars: The Ladies Who Sang With the Bands and Beyond (Paperback)

This book is so readable and so filled with anecdotes and facts about the girl singers, the best of all time, those who sang with big bands and on recordings. There is everyone from Doris Day to Patti Page, even Teresa Brewer. An easy read too. All the girls were the best of the era. There is even Diana Krall that Grudens picks up on as a future best, and it has come true. He knows about all of them, mostly through personal interviews. The photos are simply wonderful. if you want to read about your favorites, Helen Forrest, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford, Lynn Roberts, Connie Haines, and Lena Horne, get this book. There is also a tribute to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. The book is worth the price and is a timeless book for your collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Big Band singer's book, August 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Song Stars: The Ladies Who Sang With the Bands and Beyond (Paperback)

The stories about the girl singers are so rarely written about. Interviews with Doris Day, Kitty Kallen, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford, Teresa Brewer, Lynn Roberts, Diana Krall, Helen O'Connell, Connie Haines ( the best of them all) Helen Forrest, Peggy Lee and others are simply wonderful. I feel I now know them all. And the tribute to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald is beautiful. There's even a nice story about Josephine Baker that I loved. Five stars for sure.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Stars from beyond, December 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Song Stars: The Ladies Who Sang With the Bands and Beyond (Paperback)

I did enjoy this book and am glad I purchased it. It has been well researched and a lot of thought has gone into the text, although there are a few glaring omissions.