Patti Page
Patti Page (born Clara Ann Fowler, November
8, 1927)
was one of the best-known female singers in traditional pop music. She is unusual in that
she came to traditional pop from country
music, and some of her recordings are somewhat country flavored. She is
sometimes considered the first major crossover artist to popularize country
music to the general public. Her records span the era from 1949 to 1981.
Records vary as to whether Clara Ann
Fowler was born in Claremore or Muskogee, Oklahoma. In either case, she became a
featured singer on a 15-minute radio program on radio station KTUL, Tulsa, Oklahoma, at age 18. The program was
sponsored by Page Milk Company
and so Clara Ann Fowler became Patti Page.
In 1946, Jack Rael,
a band manager, came to Tulsa to do a one-nighter. He turned on the radio, and
heard the musical program with the 18-year-old featured vocalist. He liked what
he heard, and asked her to join the Jimmy Joy band, which Rael managed.
Eventually both left the band; and Rael became Patti's personal manager and
leader of the backup orchestra for many of her recordings.
Although both Mary Ford and Jane Turzy
became known for it, Patti Page was the first singer to record multiple tracks
on the same song, on her recording of "Confess" in 1947. On some of
the records, she was billed as "Vocal by Patti Page, Patti Page, and Patti
Page," in at least case being given quadruple billing.
Among the songs she is known for
recording: