Saucy Sylvia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saucy Sylvia
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in 1962
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| Born |
Sylvia Cadeski
July 27, 1920 Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | May 25, 2017 (aged 96) Newport, Rhode Island, US
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| Occupation | Entertainer, pianist, comedian, humorist |
| Spouse(s) | Meyer J. Stoun (?–1960s; his death), Michael L. Mureddu (1970s–2013; his death) |
Sylvia Cadeski (July 27, 1920 – May 25, 2017), known as Saucy Sylvia, was a talented entertainer. She was born in Canada and became an American comedian, a trained pianist, a singer, and a radio host. Saucy Sylvia was famous for her funny acts and for making her audience feel like part of the show.
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About Saucy Sylvia
Growing Up and Starting Out
Saucy Sylvia was born Sylvia Cadeski in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, in 1920. She grew up in a small village called Mount Forest. When she was just six years old, she started playing the piano. Nuns at the Sisters of St. Joseph Academy taught her. In high school, she played in a country band.
Sylvia later graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She also earned a teaching degree and a master's degree in languages from the University of Toronto. While studying, she worked at a small local radio station. She even had her own radio show in college.
Becoming a Star
Sylvia decided she wanted to work in show business. She traveled around, performing in different places. While playing in Indiana, a bandleader helped her get an audition at WLW radio station in Cincinnati. Soon, Saucy was on the air! WLW was a very powerful station, so people across the country could hear her.
Sylvia worked as a staff singer there. Two young sisters, Rosemary Clooney and Betty Clooney, also sang at the station. Many famous musicians visited "The Sylvia Show," including Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. At the same time, Sylvia performed regularly at the La Normandie Restaurant for five years.
Later, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, with her first husband, Mike Stoun. There, she started adding comedy to her act. She toured often, and in Arizona, a promoter called her "Saucy Sylvia" on a sign. That's how she got her famous stage name! After her husband passed away, she kept performing all over the country. She even recorded an album called "0069." Eventually, she moved to Newport, Rhode Island, where she met her second husband, Mike Mureddu.
Her Unique Style
Saucy Sylvia was known for making her audience part of her show. She would talk directly to them and include them in her act. Many fans, estimated to be over half a million women worldwide, wore "I walk for Sauce" buttons. This showed they were part of the "Walk for Sauce" fan club. Their fan club even had its own song!
Saucy had an amazing memory. As part of her act, she would ask audience members for their names and where they were from. Then, she would include each person's name in her songs and jokes. She could do this no matter how big the audience was. People of all ages, from college students to seniors, loved her shows.
Later Years and Achievements
For Saucy, performing was something she truly loved. She became the President of the Newport Federation of Musicians. She held this important role for more than 20 years. She worked hard to find jobs for local musicians in movies and big shows.
Saucy was a true icon in Newport, Rhode Island. She performed at the Auld Mug Lounge for over 30 years. This lounge was part of a hotel that changed names many times. Millions of people, including important leaders and celebrities from around the world, came to see her.
Saucy also had one of the last live music radio shows, "The Miss Saucy Sylvia Show." It aired on WADK every Sunday for 26 years! When the radio station first asked her to do the show, her husband Mike was very excited. He convinced her to say yes. Saucy agreed, but only if he wrote the show each week. Mike wrote, produced, and directed the show, and even became part of the act. The show started in 1976 and featured many local artists and musicians visiting for festivals.
In 2002, Saucy was honored in the Newport Jazz Hall of Fame. She was inducted along with Ella Fitzgerald and George Wein for her great achievements in music.
Other Contributions
Saucy was very active in the American Federation of Musicians. As President of the Newport, Rhode Island Federation of Musicians, she started a music scholarship program for Newport public schools. This program helped young students learn music.
She received many awards for her work. Both the City of Newport and the State of Rhode Island gave her special recognition. In 2014, she was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame.
Her Family
After her first husband passed away, Saucy was on her own for three years. Then, she married Mike Mureddu, who had eight children. Mike passed away in May 2013. Together, Saucy and Mike had 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Sylvia died on May 25, 2017, when she was 96 years old.
Music Albums
- Agent 0069 (LP)
- "Rindercella Spoonerism" (45)
- "Little Hood Riding Red Spoonerism" (45)
- "The Three Little Bears – Italian Style Spoonerism" (45)
Movies and Films
- Here's Saucy (2004)
- Newport Jazz '94 (1994) PBS Concert Film. Saucy appears at the beginning and end of the film. She also helps tell the story, showing the spirit of Newport.
