It would have been the birthday today of Mr Dick Haymes.
Who? I hear the youngsters out there ask...
Mr Haymes was quite simply one of the most popular singers of the Big Band era and beyond - in his day he was a genuine rival to the likes of Bing and Frank. As this clip proves, he certainly had the looks and vocal tone of what would latterly become known as "a heartthrob":
Unfortunately, plagued by drink problems (and seemingly, a wandering eye - he married six times, once to Rita Hayworth), his career was never a straightforward success story, and, despite several attempts at "comebacks" in Europe and America, he died a largely forgotten man.
Such a shame.
But he and Betty Grable made a good go of it when they got together again on a 1970s variety TV show:
Richard Benjamin "Dick" Haymes (13th September 1918 – 28th March 1980)
Thank you for that I like a bit of 'Dick' now and then.
ReplyDeleteHe has such a nice one! Voice, that is... Jx
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