Anne Lenner facts for kids

Anne Lenner (born Violet Green; 24 December 1912 – 4 June 1997) was a famous English singer. She was well-known for singing with popular British dance bands in the 1930s and 1940s. Anne is most famous for working with Carroll Gibbons and his band, the Savoy Orpheans. They often played at the fancy Savoy Hotel in London. She made many recordings with them. These British bands played a softer style of swing jazz, which was very popular in the USA at the time.

Anne's Early Life

Anne Lenner was born Violet Green on 24 December 1912. Her hometown was Aylestone, in Leicester, England. Her father, Arthur Green, was a performer who used the stage name Tom Lenner. He toured with Anne's mother, Florence Wright.

Anne had five sisters and two brothers. Most of her sisters also became performers, following in their father's footsteps. For example, her sister Ivy became Shirley Lenner and sang with famous bandleader Joe Loss.

How Anne Started Singing

Anne's first time on stage was in a family show called "Tom Lenner and his Chicks." Later, Anne and her sister Ida formed a singing and dancing duo called "The Lenner Sisters." They performed in Leicester at various places, including the City Cinema and the Palais de Danse.

After her sister Ida got married, Anne started performing by herself. She sang at charity events and social clubs. Soon, talent scouts noticed her amazing voice. By 1933, she was offered singing jobs in London.

In 1934, while performing at Murray's Club in London, she was heard by Carroll Gibbons. He was a famous bandleader at the Savoy Hotel.

Anne Joins the Savoy Orpheans

Carroll Gibbons was very impressed with Anne's voice. He invited her to record with his band for a special radio show on Radio Luxembourg. This show was sponsored by Hartley's Jam. Anne was a bit late for her first big recording session, but Gibbons liked her so much that he booked another session for her that same day!

The radio shows were a big hit. Anne was then offered a three-year contract to sing with Gibbons at the Savoy Hotel. At first, the Savoy management didn't want a female singer. But Carroll Gibbons believed in Anne and insisted she stay. She ended up singing with his band for seven years!

Besides the Hartley's Jam show, Anne also appeared on a popular children's radio program called the Ovaltineys. On this show, millions of children knew her as "Auntie Anne."

Anne had a soft, clear voice and a gentle "Mayfair" accent. This style was perfect for the Savoy Orpheans' English sound. She became very popular with people who visited the Savoy Hotel, bought records, and listened to the radio.

Life as a Famous Singer

As a successful singer, Anne was part of a glamorous world. Many of her beautiful dresses were designed by Colin Becke. Anne loved her job, saying she was "very lucky to be singing during a period of the best song writers."

Even though she had a contract with the Savoy, Anne also recorded with other bands. In 1936, she sang one song with Joe Loss. She also appeared on early television shows from Alexandra Palace with Eric Wild and his "Tea-timers." Anne remembered having to wear green lipstick for these early TV broadcasts!

Anne recorded over 150 songs with Carroll Gibbons. She sang with his full band and also with a smaller group he called his "Boy Friends." The Hartley's Jam radio shows were done with the Boy Friends.

Anne spoke very kindly about Carroll Gibbons. She said he was "the most understanding, gentle and kind person." She felt respected and loved by him and all the musicians in the band.

After the Savoy Hotel

Anne left the Savoy Hotel in 1941 to spend more time with her husband. However, she continued to sing on radio and make recordings with the Savoy Orpheans. She also appeared on BBC radio shows.

During World War II, Anne was very busy. She sang for ENSA shows, which entertained soldiers. She also performed at important government events, singing for leaders like Winston Churchill and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Anne also appeared in a British comedy film in 1940 called Garrison Follies.

After the war, Anne performed for troops in other countries like Austria, Germany, and Italy. She even performed with a trio that included the famous comedian Spike Milligan on vocals and guitar! She also sang in Monte Carlo and Paris. A tour to the USA was planned, but the war stopped it.

Back in the UK, Anne continued to sing solo. She also teamed up with Bob Harvey for a duo act called "Just The Two of Us."

Eventually, Anne noticed that the music world was changing. She decided to retire from show business. She then started a new career working for the Civil Service as a telephonist.

Anne's Family Life

Anne Lenner married a dance producer named Piddock. They had a son, Jeffrey, who also went into show business as Jeffrey Lenner.

Later, around the start of World War II, Anne married for a second time to an actor named Gordon Little. He was in the Navy. Anne rented a house near Portsmouth to be close to him. She and a friend even opened a club in London called the Ward Room for Gordon and his Navy friends. Their marriage ended after the war, and Anne did not marry again.

In her later years, Anne lived in Edgware, north London. She spent a lot of time caring for her mother, who lived to be 102 years old. Even though her life had been very glamorous, Anne was happy and never complained about her simpler life later on.

Anne died on 4 June 1997, at the age of 84, in Barnet Hospital. Carroll Gibbons' widow, Joan, remembered Anne as a "marvellous raconteur" with a great sense of humor.

Films

• Garrison Follies (1940)