Lee Wiley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lee Wiley
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| Background information | |
| Born | October 9, 1908 Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | December 11, 1975 (aged 67) New York City |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1920s–1950s |
Lee Wiley (born October 9, 1908 – died December 11, 1975) was a famous American jazz singer. She was very popular in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Lee Wiley was born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. When she was fifteen, she moved away from home. She wanted to become a singer. She started by singing on radio stations in New York City.
Her singing career had a short break. This happened after she fell while riding a horse. She couldn't see for a little while, but she got better. By age 19, she joined the Leo Reisman Orchestra. In 1931, she recorded three songs with them. These songs were "Take It from Me," "Time On My Hands," and her own song, "Got the South in My Soul."
Radio and Recordings
Lee Wiley began her radio career at KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1932, she sang on a program for Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt on NBC. She was also featured on Victor Young's radio show in 1933. From June to September 1936, she had her own show called Lee Wiley on CBS.
In 1939, Wiley recorded eight songs by George Gershwin. She recorded these on 78 rpm records. These records sold very well. After that, she made more 78 rpm records. These featured music by Cole Porter (1940) and Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart (1940 and 1954). She also recorded songs by Harold Arlen (1943). Later, she released LPs (long-play records) with music by Vincent Youmans and Irving Berlin (1951).
She also sang with famous bands like Paul Whiteman and the Casa Loma Orchestra. She worked with composer Victor Young. Together, they created several songs. Lee Wiley wrote the words for songs like "Got the South in My Soul" and "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere."
In 1963, a TV show called Bob Hope Theater featured an episode about Lee Wiley. It was titled "Something About Lee Wiley." The actress Piper Laurie played Lee Wiley in the episode. Another singer, Joy Bryan, provided Lee Wiley's singing voice for the show.
Personal Life
Lee Wiley was born with the last name Willey. She was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She was buried in her family's burial ground in the Cherokee Nation. In 1943, Lee Wiley married jazz pianist Jess Stacy. They later divorced in 1948.
Discography
- Night in Manhattan (Columbia, 1951)
- Lee Wiley Sings Vincent Youmans (Columbia, 1952)
- Lee Wiley Sings Irving Berlin (Columbia, 1952)
- Lee Wiley Sings Rodgers & Hart (Storyville, 1954)
- Duologue with Ellis Larkins (Storyville, 1954)
- West of the Moon (RCA Victor, 1957)
- A Touch of the Blues (RCA, 1958)
- Back Home Again (Monmouth Evergeen, 1971)
- On the Air (Totem, 1977)
- The Complete Session of April 10, 1940 with Benny Berigan (Blu-Disc, 1984)
- Live on Stage: Town Hall, New York (Audiophile, 2007)
