C.C.A. Baldi was the embodiment of the “Great American Dream.” Born in Salernoo, Italy, young Charles Baldi dreamed of going to America. As a teen, he helped his nighbors write letters to relative that had already immigrated to the “New World.” He dreamed of living in America and taking advantage of all the opportunities American …
Hal Smith started off as a DJ in upstate New York. He soon was tapped to be “The Pancake Man” on a morning kids’ show on local Los Angeles television sponsored by International House of Pancakes. Dressed in a classic chef’s uniform, she showed cartoons and told jokes to the amusement of his juvenile audience. …
In the early 1870s, Mississippi lawyer Finis Bates moved with his family to Texas. In 1873, he met a man named John St, Helen, with whom he shared many interests, including the theater, specifically the works of William Shakespeare. The two became friends and saw each other often socially. In 1878, John St. Helens became …
Despite being born with cystic fibrosis, Alice Martineau was determined to succeed. After graduating from college, the pretty blond pursued a career in modeling. She hid her health condition from prospective modeling agencies by arriving very early for interviews so not appear “winded” or tired. She posed for print ads as opposed to runway or …
As a child in Oregon, Daveigh Chase entered local talent shows where her vocal ability was warmly recognized and critically praised. On a trip to Los Angeles, she began attending casting calls, eventually landing a role in a Campbell’s Soup commercial at the age of seven. In 1998, Daveigh was cast in a small role …
Arthur “T-Boy” Ross grew up in a rough part of Detroit. He hung with a rough group until his sister, singer Diana Ross, brought him into Motown Records as a songwriter. T-Boy began a prolific and successful career as a songwriter. He collaborated with Leon Ware and the duo composed songs Marvin Gaye and Michael …
After a successful run on regional stage and summer stock, Queens-born Joy Harmon was a contestant on the final season of Groucho Marx’s game show You Bet Your Life. Groucho was so taken by Joy’s good looks and bubbly personality that she was tagged to appear regularly on his follow-up series Tell It to Groucho. …
Dee Palmer attended the Royal Academy of Music, studying composition under Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, an Oscar-nominated composer. She began her career as a freelance arranger, working with various producers at various studios. In 1968, she was referred to Terry Ellis, then manager of up-and-coming rock band Jethro Tull, as an arranger and orchestrator. Jethro …
June is Pride Month. Billy Preston was an in-demand session musician. He contributed to songs by Ray Charles, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, the Rolling Stones and, famously, the Beatles. Billy was often referred to as “the Fifth Beatle” and was the only musician ever credited on a Beatles recording. In the 70s, Billy enjoyed …
June is Pride Month. Hannah Noke’s early life is sketchy. She was born before the Commonwealth of Virginia began issuing official birth certificates. She used her mother’s name — Johnson — as a child, but registered for the draft under her birth name. It is unlikely that she saw any military service. Hannah was employed …
