Helen O'Connell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen O'Connell
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O'Connell c. 1943
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 23, 1920 Lima, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 1993 (aged 73) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Traditional pop, popular music, jazz, vocal |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress, hostess |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1935–1943, 1951–1980 |
| Labels | Decca Records, Vik, RCA |
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Helen O'Connell (born May 23, 1920 – died September 9, 1993) was a famous American singer, actress, and TV host. She was known as a top "big band" singer during the 1940s. Big bands were large music groups popular at the time, often featuring many brass and woodwind instruments.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Helen O'Connell was born in Lima, Ohio. She grew up in Toledo, Ohio. By the time she was 15 years old, Helen and her older sister, Alice, were already singing together. They performed duets in clubs, hotels, and on radio stations in Toledo.
Becoming a Star Singer
Helen started her professional singing career with Larry Funk and his Band of a Thousand Melodies. She was singing with Funk's band in Greenwich Village when a manager for the famous bandleader Jimmy Dorsey discovered her.
O'Connell joined Jimmy Dorsey's band in 1939. She became very popular in the early 1940s with hit songs like "Green Eyes", "Amapola", "Tangerine", and "Yours". In these songs, Bob Eberly would sing the main part, and then Helen would sing a faster, more upbeat version.
Music magazines recognized her talent. DownBeat readers voted her the best female singer in both 1940 and 1941. She also won the 1940 Metronome magazine poll for best female vocalist. During World War II, soldiers often called her "the darling of GIs" because they loved her music.
Return to the Spotlight
Helen O'Connell took a break from performing in 1943 after her first marriage. When that marriage ended in 1951, she returned to her singing career. She had more success with her songs and appeared often on television.
In 1953, Helen and Bob Eberly were the main stars of TV's Top Tunes. This show filled in for Perry Como's CBS TV program during the summer. Ray Anthony and his orchestra also performed on the show.
Helen visited Australia in 1955 as part of a big tour with singer Johnnie Ray. This tour set a new record for ticket sales in Australia! Helen was also the main singer on The Russ Morgan Show on CBS TV in 1956. In 1957, she even had her own short TV show called The Helen O'Connell Show on NBC.
Helen was one of the first "girls" (female hosts) on NBC's The Today Show from 1956 to 1958. She once said, "I wasn't hired as a singer, I was hired as a talker, a pleasant switch."
In 1961, she co-hosted a show called Here's Hollywood. On this show, she interviewed famous people, often in their own homes. Helen also co-hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants with Bob Barker from 1972 to 1980. She was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 1976 for her work on the Miss Universe pageant.
Helen sang duets with many famous artists, including Bing Crosby, Johnny Mercer, and Dean Martin. She also sang the National Anthem for Super Bowl XV in 1981. Her 1942 recording of "Brazil" with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 1992, Helen O'Connell was featured in a TV special called Those Fabulous 40s. Her very last performance was on August 14, 1993, at the Valley Forge Music Festival.
Personal Life and Legacy
Helen O'Connell was married three times and had four daughters. Her last marriage was in 1991 to Frank De Vol, an arranger and conductor.
Helen passed away on September 9, 1993, in San Diego, California, after an illness. Her funeral was held at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Westwood, California.
Helen O'Connell left behind a wonderful musical legacy. She is remembered as one of the most important big band singers of her time.
