Dorothy Claire

Dorothy Claire (born Marietta Wright,[1] January 5, 1925)[2] is an American former singer on Broadway and with big bands.

Early years

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Wright,[1] Claire was born in La Porte, Indiana.[2] At age 4, she began singing, joining her sisters to form a trio that performed at parties[1] and on WSBT radio in South Bend, Indiana.[3] She later attended La Porte High School, where she was a cheerleader.[1]

Career

Orchestra leader Ayars Lamar hired Claire as a singer when she was 16, changing her name from Marietta Wright to Dorothy Claire. Two of her sisters later adopted that last name for their own professional work. She debuted professionally when she appeared with Lamar's orchestra in Indianapolis at the Indiana Roof.[1] She went on to sing for notable band leaders including Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey,[3] Sonny Dunham,[4] and Bob Crosby.[1] Her rendition of "Perfidia" with Miller's orchestra sold more than 1 million records.[3]

Breaking away from orchestras, Claire began singing in night clubs in Chicago, including Chez Paree and The Palmer House,[5] then performed at the Copacabana in New York.[1] She sang on Bing Crosby's radio program and on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club.[4] She also had her own program on radio station WJZ in New York City and toured in vaudeville.[6] Her work on television included appearances with Jack Carter and Paul Winchell.[4]

On Broadway, Claire performed in Face the Music (1932),[7] Finian's Rainbow (1947) and Jimmy (1969).[2]

References
  1. Long, Bob (September 28, 1947). "Hoosier Cinderella". The Indianapolis Star. Indiana, Indianapolis. p. 88. Retrieved June 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Dorothy Claire". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  3. Welsh, Beverly (August 1, 1971). "Dorothy Claire Brought Back to NY by 'Nanette'". The South Bend Tribune. Indiana, South Bend. p. 31. Retrieved June 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Lockerbie, Sarah (July 5, 1953). "End of the Rainbow". The South Bend Tribune. Indiana, South Bend. p. 79. Retrieved June 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Sider, Don (January 13, 1961). "Dorothy Claire A 'We Want More' Singer". Tampa Bay Times. Florida, St. Petersburg. p. 56. Retrieved June 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Dorothy Claire Won Part, But Dyed Hair to Get It". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York, Brooklyn. December 14, 1947. p. 33. Retrieved June 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Dorothy Claire". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
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