latimes.com
Beryl Davis dies at 87; British-born singer became a star in America
The daughter of English band leader Harry Davis, she made her U.S.
debut after World War II, singing on Bob Hope's radio program. She
later performed with Frank Sinatra and Benny Goodman during the big-band era.
From a Times staff writer
November 1, 2011
Beryl Davis, a British-born singer who became a star in America
performing with Frank Sinatra and Benny Goodman during the big-band
era, died Friday in Los Angeles. She was 87.
The cause of death was complications from Alzheimer's disease,
according to family spokesman Greg Purdy.
The daughter of English band leader Harry Davis, she was born in
Plymouth, England, on March 16, 1924, and began performing with her
father at the age of 3. At 12 she was appearing with Stephane
Grappelli and Django Reinhardt in their all-string jazz band,
Quintette du Hot Club de France.
During World War II she sang with Grappelli and pianist George
Shearing in a group that performed in London clubs throughout the
Blitz. Toward the end of the war, she began singing with Glenn
Miller's Army Air Force Band.
She made her American debut after the war, singing on Bob Hope's
radio program. She later joined Frank Sinatra on the radio show "Your
Hit Parade," which led to engagements with Goodman and other
prominent orchestra leaders, including Vaughn Monroe and David Rose.
In the 1950s she formed a vocal quartet with Jane Russell, Connie
Haines and Della Russell that recorded the hit gospel song "Do Lord."
Rhonda Fleming later replaced Della Russell.
In 1974, Davis joined the cruise ship circuit, performing mostly on
the Princess Line for the next three decades. During this time she
continued to appear in nightclubs, singing standards such as "When
the World Was Young," "Here's That Rainy Day" and "Baby Baby All the
Time." In a 1975 review, Times music critic Leonard Feather wrote
that she "reminds you of the days when nightclub singers of a certain
special quality were called chanteuses."
Davis' 1948 marriage to Hollywood radio and television personality
Peter Potter ended in divorce in 1965. Her companion of 35 years,
Buck Stapleton, died in 2003. She is survived by three children, Bill
Moore, Merry Moore and Melinda Moore Garber; a sister; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Forest Lawn
Hollywood Hills.
R.I.P. Beryl Davis
For discussions of subjects relating to literature and theater.
Return to “The Cam Dagg Memorial Theatre and Literature Forum”
Jump to
- Announcements
- ↳ General Announcements
- Introductions
- ↳ Let Me Introduce Myself...
- The Academy Awards
- ↳ The 10th Decade
- ↳ 97th Academy Awards
- ↳ 96th Academy Awards
- ↳ 95th Academy Awards
- ↳ 94th Academy Awards
- ↳ 93rd Academy Awards
- ↳ 92nd Academy Awards
- ↳ 91st Academy Awards
- ↳ The 9th Decade
- ↳ 90th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 90th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 89th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 89th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 88th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 88th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 87th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 87th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 86th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 86th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 85th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 85th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 84th Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 84th Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 83rd Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 83rd Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 82nd Nominations and Winners
- ↳ 82nd Predictions and Precursors
- ↳ 81st and Other 9th Decade Discussions
- ↳ The 8th Decade
- ↳ The Damien Bona Memorial Oscar History Thread
- ↳ Other Oscar Discussions
- General Film Discussions
- ↳ 2020s
- ↳ Coming Soon
- ↳ 2024
- ↳ 2023
- ↳ 2022
- ↳ 2021
- ↳ 2020
- ↳ 2010s
- ↳ 2019
- ↳ 2018
- ↳ 2017
- ↳ 2016
- ↳ 2015
- ↳ 2014
- ↳ 2013
- ↳ 2012
- ↳ 2011
- ↳ 2010
- ↳ 2000s
- ↳ 2009
- ↳ 2008
- ↳ 2000 - 2007
- ↳ The First Century
- ↳ Dream Projects
- ↳ The People
- ↳ Other Film Discussions
- Miscellaneous Discussions
- ↳ Help Forum
- ↳ DVD Discussions
- ↳ Current Events
- ↳ Broadcast Media
- ↳ The Cam Dagg Memorial Theatre and Literature Forum
- ↳ General Off-Topic