Uh, oh…Pat Morrissey….
To some, she belongs in the Top-5-Jazz-singers of all time. Others think she’s simply the most beautiful vocalist of the 50s. However, most have simply never heard of her.
Pat Morrissey was born in 1929 and experienced her entry to showbiz as a child actress in radio plays. As a professional singer, she had her debut 1952 in a nightclub in Florida. Quickly, word of mouth about her talent had its way and she played in famous clubs such as the New Yorker La Vie En Rose or the Crescendo in Hollywood. By the end of 1953, the accompanying photo was published. It was part of a press release, saying that this blonde newcomer was about to play the leading rose in a film about Mae West.
The movie never came into fruition. But audio recordings of Pat, they existed! A handful of singles and two LPs are still proof of Morrissey’s vocal talent.
“Why Don’t You Do Right” is, in its original, a 1941 blues-classic by Lil Freen. In 1943, Benny Goodman released his version with the singer Peggy Lee, and by 1957 the song was part of the first album by Pat Morrissey – a sensation! However, a sensation without any result…
Already in the 50s, Pat could be seen and heard in some of London’s nightclubs. By the early 60s, she travelled through the whole UK, married a royal millionaire and lived there happily ever after.
One more photo, from a press release from the 9th of January 1956: Pat Morrissey introduces the world to a ground-breaking novelty in a Chicagoan beauty salon – a hairdresser hood with built-in speakers! Pure science fiction!
