Ella Mae Morse (September 12, 1924 – October 16, 1999[1]), was an American popular singer. One of the most talented and overlooked vocalists of the 1940s, Morse blended jazz, country, pop, and R&B; at times she came remarkably close to what would be known as rock and roll.[1]
Career
Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her.[1] In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie," Capitol Records' first gold single.[1] "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack[2] and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet," which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.
In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she had a cameo appearance in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's "South of Dixie" and "The Ghost Catchers" with Olsen and Johnson. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star.[1]
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues".[3]
In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists.[4][5]. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" (1952). The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952.[6] Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.[7] Morse ceased recording in 1957 but continued performing until the early 1990's at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.
Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.
In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.[1]
Note
It is sometimes erroneously reported that Morse recorded with Bill Haley & His Comets in the 1950s. This is not true, although she did record versions of songs also recorded by Haley such as "Razzle-Dazzle" and "Forty Cups of Coffee".
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Allmusic biography
- ^ Beatresearch2.blogspot.com
- ^ Capitol Records in the 1500 to 1999 series
- ^ Nick Tosches, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll:The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years before Elvis, 1991, ISBN 0-436-53203-4
- ^ Jim Dawson and Steve Propes, What Was The First Rock 'N' Roll Record, 1992, ISBN 0-571-12939-0
- ^ Lonergan, Hit Records, 1950-1975, p. 163,
- ^ Levinson, September in the Rain, p. 104: "... he contacted Nelson [Riddle] to write for Ella Mae Morse. Their first endeavor together was "Oakie Boogie," which turned out to be a minor hit."
External links
