Kitty Kallen, one of the last of the great big band singers died yesterday (January 7). Most people remember her from her No. 1 UK single Little Things Mean a Lot but it was her earlier recording with Harry James of I'm Beginning to See the Light that first drew her to my attention. It was the first time I'd heard the song. It also had a catchy guitar intro and coda by Allan Reuss.
Kallen started out with Jack Teagarden and, as well as James, sang with Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Bobby Sherwood and many other name bands before taking off on her successful solo career. Even today the song Little Things Mean a Lot is used in an ITV car insurance commercial albeit not by Kitty.
Kitty Kallen was 94.
Sadly missed.
Obituary.Lance.
2 comments :
I loved Kitty Kallen, my era!
Yes, what memories! Interestingly listening to a Kenny Baker version of I'm Beginning to See the Light he picks up on one of Harry James' phrases. Re Little Things Mean a Lot; as a callow youth, a girl friend was crooning in my ear Little Things Mean a Lot. When she got to the line "Say I Look Nice When I'm Not" I inadvertently said "You look nice" - it took awhile for the bruises to heal...!
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