Marion Keene
 |
Marion Keene (also known as Marion Davis, born Marion Davison, c. 1933[1]) was a big band singer in the early 1950s with British bands such as the Jack Parnell[2] Orchestra and Oscar Rabin Band.[3]
She began her career aged 16, performing as Marion Davis, when she sang with the bands of Oscar Rabin, Eric Winstone and Jack Parnell. She married saxophone player Ronnie Keene, and later performed as Marion Keene in the late 1950s. In 1960, she reached the finals of the United Kingdom Eurovision Song Contest with her song "Unexpectedly".[citation needed]
"She was a beautiful person in every way" recalled Ron Simmonds, fellow band member and close friend. Keene later appeared on television and cabaret in London's West End. Her second marriage was to trombone player, Ken Goldie.
In a letter published by the Hartlepool Mail on April 6, 1998, Marion Keene related her career memories starting with World War II:
"I remember coming out of the shelters and seeing Musgrove Street in complete devastation...I remember singing and tap dancing in the cellar. They used to shine a torch on me as though I was on stage.
She also wrote:
When I was 14 years I sang with Benny Nelson at the Queen's Rink, then joined Oscar Rabin when I was 16 years. I was offered a four year contract. From there I joined Eric Winstone, then freelanced with "Ambrose", Paul Adams, Felix King and others, then joined Jack Parnell for two years. I worked with Frankie Laine, Al Martino, Billy Holiday [sic], Bob Hope and others. "I started my television career in 1956 with The Dave King Show, then Jimmy Wheeler, Ted Ray, Norman Wisdom, Dickie Henderson, Stanley Black, Bob Hope TV Special. All the shows I did were series so I was appearing to audiences of 20 million. They were live shows and so exciting. I also did commercials, Frys Turkish Delight, was very popular, also Dreft, Dairy Box and Dove Soap."
Recordings
Parlophone Marion Davis with Oscar Rabin Band
- F 2344 March 1949 "A Little Bird Told Me"
- F 2369 July 1949 "Put Your Shoes On Lucy"
- F 2400 February 1950 "Jealous Heart" (with Marjorie Daw)
- F 2404 March 1950 "Why Not Now" (with Dennis Hale) / "Don't Cry Joe"
- F 2435 December 1950 "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" (with Marjorie Daw)
- F 2455 April 1951 "Listenin' To The Green Grass Grow" (with Marjorie Daw)
Nixa Marion Davis with Eric Winstone Orchestra
- NY 7742 "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" (with The Stagecoachers) / "Easy Come, Easy Go" (with Franklyn Boyd)
- NY 7743 March 1952 "I Don't Care"
- HMV POP 203 / 7M 395 April 1956 "Fortune Teller" / "A Dangerous Age"
- HMV POP 375 July 1957 "In The Middle Of An Island" / "It's Not For Me To Say" (with orchestra cond. by Frank Cordell)
- RCA LOP 1001 1958 "Rose-Marie" (with Julie Andrews) Cast Member - RCA LOP 1001 (RD-27143 in England)
References
- ^ http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/the-hartlepool-star-who-sang-with-bob-hope-and-julie-andrews-1-8028650
- ^ "A Song For Europe 1959". Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ "Oscar Rabin Band". Retrieved 24 August 2011.