Etting, Ruth (1907–78), singer. Born in David City, Nevada, the blonde torch singer, whose personal life often mirrored the sad songs she sang, was best known as a nightclub performer but appeared in several Broadway shows. She introduced “Shaking the Blues Away” in Ziegfeld Follies of 1927, “Love Me or Leave Me” in Whoopee (1928), “Get Happy” in 9:15 Revue (1930), and “Ten Cents a Dance” in Simple Simon (1930). She also revived “Shine on Harvest Moon” in Ziegfeld Follies of 1931.

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. Copyright © 2004 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.