In a 1993 obituary article, the Associated Press described O'Connell as "the darling of GIs during World War II". January 2021. HELEN O'CONNELL Obituary (2014) - Manasquan, NJ - The Jersey Journal In each of these Latin-influenced numbers, Bob Eberly crooned the song which Helen then reprised in an up-tempo arrangement. O'Connell and Eberly became the most popular male-female singing duo on the big-band circuit; they were also linked romantically until both married others. Follow Back to Helen's story Share Obituary She remained active in the music business until her death from cancer in San Diego, California. Big band singer Helen O'Connell dies of cancer at 73 - Tampa Bay Times Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Born in Lima, Ohio, she was a popular vocalist of the 1940s Big Band era. [2], O'Connell retired from show business upon her first marriage in 1943. setonvillageapartments.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Born in Lima, Ohio, on May 23, 1920; died of cancer on September 9, 1993, in San Juan Capistrano, California; dropped out of school after her sophomore year; later received diploma from Hollywood High School; married Clifford Smith, Jr. (a Navy aviator and heir to a Boston investment fortune), in 1941 (divorced 1951); married Thomas T. Chamales Miss OConnell, who was born in Lima, Ohio, and began singing with bands when she was 16, continued to tour until shortly before her death. Helen was born on May 26th, 1949 in Boston, MA. She and Eberly were considered two of the kindest people in the often shrill band business and were the closest of friends. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Helen O'Connell (3083)? A delicate, winsome performer in an era when big-band singers were noted for their stout endurance, the blonde, dimpled Miss OConnell began with Dorsey singing solo on such hits as Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga, Little Curly Hair in a High Chair and the classic torch song When the Sun Comes Out., George T. Simon, in his anthology The Big Bands, said she exploded notes so forcefully that I always pictured some little man standing behind her and pinching her at crucial times in crucial spots.. The duets were established about two years after Miss OConnell joined the Dorsey band in 1939, replacing Ella Mae Morse. She partially blames the city, Incident at East Peoria nursing home partly responsible for man's death. [4] She was singing with Funk's band in Greenwich Village when Jimmy Dorsey's manager discovered her. Try again later. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. In 1957, she joined Dave Garroway on the early morning "Today Show," where she covered the weather and features but sang very little. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. O'Connell's strength was in novelty tunes rather than ballads ("Amapola," "Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga," "The Jumpin' Jive"), and when teamed with Eberly, she most often followed his romantic interpretation of the song with an upbeat, bouncy second chorus. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. NY: Crown, 1970. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. See the article in its original context from. Beloved wife of the late Daniel E. O'Connor. She was born in Breckinridge County on September 15, 1931, daughter of the late Levi and Thelma Whitworth Bates. 22 Feb. 2023
