Skeeter Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skeeter Davis
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Davis performing in 1972
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| Born |
Mary Frances Penick
December 30, 1931 Glencoe, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | September 19, 2004 (aged 72) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) |
Kenneth DePew
(m. 1956; div. 1959)Ralph Emery
(m. 1960; div. 1964)Joey Spampinato
(m. 1987; div. 1996) |
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| Years active | 1950–2004 |
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Skeeter Davis (born Mary Frances Penick; December 30, 1931 – September 19, 2004) was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was famous for her "crossover" pop songs, meaning they were popular in both country and pop music. Her biggest hit was "The End of the World" in 1962.
Skeeter started singing as a teenager in the late 1940s. She was part of a group called the Davis Sisters. Later, in the late 1950s, she became a successful solo artist. She was one of the first women to become a big star in country music by herself. Other famous singers like Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton were inspired by her.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Skeeter Davis was born Mary Frances Penick on December 30, 1931. She was the first of seven children. Her family lived in Glencoe, Kentucky. Her grandfather gave her the nickname "Skeeter" because she had so much energy. "Skeeter" is slang for a mosquito. She used this name for the rest of her life.
Her family moved around a bit when she was young. They lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later in Erlanger, Kentucky. As a teenager, Skeeter loved music and musicals. She would sing and dance in her backyard for other kids.
While attending Dixie Heights High School, Skeeter met Betty Jack Davis. They became very good friends because they both loved music. They sang and played guitar together during school breaks. They even performed in school talent shows. One time, they visited the Grand Ole Opry and met famous singers like Hank Williams.
The Davis Sisters
Starting as a Duo
Skeeter and Betty Jack won a local singing contest in high school. The prize was a chance to sing on a local TV show. They called themselves the Davis Sisters. Skeeter even used Betty Jack's last name, even though they were not related.
Their TV appearance led to more singing opportunities on a radio show in Detroit. After high school, Skeeter moved to Detroit with Betty Jack. They made some demo recordings, and one song, "Jealous Love," was released as a single.
Big Success and a Sad Accident
A producer from RCA Victor, Steve Sholes, heard their songs. He was very impressed by their harmonies. In 1953, Skeeter and Betty Jack signed a recording contract with RCA. They went to Nashville, Tennessee to record their music.
On May 23, 1953, they recorded "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know." This song became a huge hit! It was number one on the country charts for eight weeks in 1953. It also made it into the top 20 on the pop charts. This song is still considered one of the top 100 country singles of all time.
But then, something very sad happened. On August 1, 1953, the Davis Sisters performed in Wheeling, West Virginia. Early the next morning, they were in a car accident near Cincinnati. Betty Jack was killed in the crash. Skeeter was seriously injured.
Continuing with Georgia Davis
After the accident, Skeeter lived with Betty Jack's mother, Ollie. Once Skeeter recovered, Ollie wanted the Davis Sisters to continue. She suggested that Betty Jack's younger sister, Georgia, take her place. Skeeter felt pressured to agree. Six months after the accident, she started singing with Georgia Davis.
Between 1954 and 1956, Skeeter and Georgia released nine more singles. They toured the United States with other famous artists. However, these new songs were not as successful as their first hit. The Davis Sisters officially broke up in 1956.
Skeeter's Solo Career
Becoming a Solo Star
After the Davis Sisters disbanded, Skeeter started performing by herself. She toured with singer Ernest Tubb. She also wrote and recorded a song called "Set Him Free" for RCA. This song earned her a nomination for a Grammy Award.
Around 1958, Skeeter moved to Nashville. That same year, she recorded "Lost to a Geisha Girl." This song became her first solo hit, reaching number 15 on the country charts. Skeeter often used a special recording trick to make her voice sound like more than one person singing. This made her solo songs sound a bit like the Davis Sisters.
In 1959, Skeeter had another top-20 hit called "Homebreaker." That same year, she joined the famous Grand Ole Opry. She also became good friends with June Carter.
Pop Crossover Hits
From 1960 to 1962, Skeeter had many top-10 hits. These included songs like "(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling Too" and "My Last Date (With You)." "(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling Too" was her first song to appear on the pop charts. This was very unusual for a female country singer at the time. She even performed on American Bandstand.
In 1961, "My Last Date (With You)" became an even bigger pop hit. Both of these songs also did very well on the country charts.
The End of the World and Beyond
In 1963, Skeeter had her biggest success with "The End of the World." This song was a huge hit in both country and pop music. It also topped the adult contemporary charts. The song sold over one million copies! "The End of the World" quickly became Skeeter's most famous song.
She had another country-pop hit in 1963 with "I Can't Stay Mad at You." In 1964, she was nominated for another Grammy Award. Skeeter continued to have hits like "I'm Saving My Love" and "Gonna Get Along Without You Now."
In the late 1960s, Skeeter recorded several full albums. She also recorded an anti-war song called "One Tin Soldier" in 1972. This led to her appearing on The Midnight Special TV show.
In 1970, Skeeter had another top-10 hit with "I'm a Lover (Not a Fighter)." However, her chart success started to slow down after that. Her last big hit was "I Can't Believe That It's All Over" in 1973. In the 1970s, she began touring in other countries like Barbados and Sweden.
Grand Ole Opry Suspension
In 1973, Skeeter had a disagreement at the Grand Ole Opry. During a performance, she dedicated a gospel song to some young church workers. These workers had been arrested for sharing their faith at a local mall. The Opry suspended her membership after receiving complaints. She was allowed back at the Opry more than a year later. After this, Skeeter became very involved in religious work. She even spent time sharing her faith in Africa.
Later Life and Career
Skeeter continued to record music in the late 1970s and into the 1990s. Her last song to make the national charts was "I Love Us" in 1976.
She recorded an album called She Sings, They Play with her third husband, Joey Spampinato, and his band, NRBQ. In 1993, she wrote her autobiography, Bus Fare to Kentucky. She also wrote a children's book called The Christmas Note in 1998.
Personal Life
Marriages
Skeeter Davis was married three times. In 1956, she married Kenneth DePew. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1959.
In 1960, she married radio DJ Ralph Emery. Their marriage was difficult, and they divorced in 1964.
Later, in 1987, Skeeter married musician Joey Spampinato. They divorced in 1996.
Vegetarianism
Skeeter became a vegetarian in 1974. She chose not to eat meat for the rest of her life. This decision came after she performed at a concert in Kenya. At the event, organizers had prepared a roasted goat for the meal. Skeeter felt that killing animals for food did not fit with her Christian beliefs. She even turned down offers to appear in advertisements for meat products.
Illness and Passing
In 1988, Skeeter Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery and was healthy for several years. However, the cancer returned in 1996.
By 2001, her cancer had spread and made her very sick. In 2002, she made her last performance at the Grand Ole Opry. She sang her famous song, "The End of the World." Skeeter Davis passed away from breast cancer on September 19, 2004, at the age of 72. She is buried in Franklin, Tennessee.
Legacy and Influence
Skeeter Davis's song "The End of the World" has influenced many artists. Singers like Lou Reed and Lana Del Rey have said it is one of their favorite songs. Bob Dylan also recorded a version of "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know." "The End of the World" was even used in the popular video game Fallout 4.
Skeeter wrote almost 70 songs during her career. She won two awards for her songs "Set Him Free" and "My Last Date With You." Many other artists have also recorded "My Last Date With You."
Discography
See also
In Spanish: Skeeter Davis para niños
