Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Doris Day Gone @ 97: RIP

Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff
1922-2019 aged 97

Condolences to Ms. Doris Day's family.

I was still very young when I watched Doris Day's On Moonlight Bay and By The Light Of The Silvery Moon, about 11 or 12 years old? But most of us remember the lyrics:

We were sailing along
On moonlight bay
We could hear the voices singing
They seem to say...

Easy, down the lazy river lyrics; it was some years after World War Two and human beings were relaxed. Entertainment was an entity everyone wanted to devour. And she came on the silver screen.
Doris Day was the simple, pretty lady whose long list of songs and movies was very popular even in little Singapore. She went on to become one of Hollywood's great icons from the 1950s. She had short-clipped blonde hair and dressed simply, the typical school marm every student would want to have in the classroom. And yes, she was a Teacher's Pet, when both movie and song became just as popular.

She was no Susan Hayward, Za Za Gabor or Gina Lollobrigida but attracted the world just as much with her Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes charm and a cheerful, sparkling voice. I learned one of my first few songs from her and to this day sing, Sentimental Journey without forgetting the lyrics. And Secret Love (from Calamity Jane), was another big hit.

But then she could act and starred in a thriller, The Man Who Knew Too Much, an Alfred Hitchcock movie, where she sang her most famous Que Sera Sera. Even Mrs. Lee Kuan Yew, the wife of our first Prime Minister knew this song, rare indeed.

Lots to write about her but then, most who followed her career know about her so well. So Ms. Doris Day, rest in peace.

You are truly one of the greatest stars when you were on earth and definitely the brightest in the sky at night now. 
Nancy Renjaan won the Doris Day of Singapore Contest at the Cathay Cinema in November 1958 (Straits Times).

Doris Day Connections on this blog:

Singapore's Doris Day Contest:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2014/05/singapores-first-female-pop-singer.html

Teacher's Pet Movie:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/01/heres-dd-from-ll-doris-day-at-87-sings.html

Doris Day with Lulu:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-happy-teachers-day-with-lulu-and.html
Doris Day tells us to Enjoy Yourself before it's too late. We should take her advice seriously. Life is too short to worry, worry... The years go by as quickly as a wink.
Images: Google.

6 comments:

WHATSAPP said...

WHATSAPP CHAT BOX

Stephen Han
Yes read the news in FB

Richard Rajoo
Bless her beautiful soul.
Givin the world all the lovely melodies

Dr. Angeline Khoo
I love all her songs

Tan Tee Peng
She was such a good singer
but sadly she has a fair share
of bad luck in her life.
RIP DORIS DAY.

Jerry Saram
One of my favorite singers.
It was a joy to listen to her velvety voice
May she rest in peace.

Jimmy Chng
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.

FL said...

Hi, Andy, I saw the CNA news this morning on the demise of Doris Day. She was a popular icon of the 50s/60s. A great actress and singer. I think our younger generations have no idea of Doris. I will always remember her as she had brought joys and happiness to us. May she rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

RIP Doris.

Her son and only child Terry Melcher predeceased her by many years. He was also very involved in the music industry, forming a vocal surf group in the early 1960s. He became a record producer and was involved in some of the most important early recordings by The Byrds. He worked with many different artists including,I am sure, some of the favourites of many people who follow this blog.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Melcher

Best
Steve

FACEBOOK CHATBOX said...

ANDY YOUNG
Many Singaporeans don't know there was a SINGAPORE DORIS DAY. Find out who she is? Click the blog post.

Stephen Han
Now I know who is Singapore’s Doris Day, Nancy Renjaan

Andy Young
Thanks, Stephen. You are so kind. I hope others will find out too. :-)

Koh Daisy
Ya, I only know there’s a Spore Paul Anka, Elvis. Connie Francis ...

Koh Sui Pang
RIP Doris Day ..love your great smile

Andy Young
VICTOR, ROOP, SUI PANG, FREDA, JIMMY, DAISY, STEPHEN, CHYNNA.
Thank you for the thumbs up.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks again my good readers for the thumbs up and for connecting with DD's post.
A legend is gone.
Whatever, there's a level playing field.
Famous or otherwise, we meet on that happy hunting ground.

Very true FL, our new millennials never know who she was.
She had a voice so melodious, she will be remembered for some time.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

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