Kay Starr, born Katherine Laverne Starks on July 21, 1922, was an American pop and jazz singer who enjoyed considerable success in the 1940s and 1950s. Starr's unique blend of pop, jazz, and country styles made her voice one of the most distinctive and versatile of her time. She began her professional career as a teenager, singing in nightclubs and with orchestras, gradually honing a strong, resilient voice that could traverse the emotional landscapes of blues, jazz, and pop with equal conviction.

Starr's career was marked by a string of hits that showcased her powerful vocal prowess and her ability to tackle a wide range of material. Some of her most famous songs include the classic "Wheel of Fortune" and the enduring holiday favorite "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man with the Bag." While Starr's popularity peaked in the mid-20th century, she continued to record and perform for dedicated audiences well into her later years. Her albums "I Cry By Night" and "Just Plain Country" speak to her genre-crossing appeal and her enduring talent as a singer. Even though Kay Starr passed away on November 3, 2016, she left behind a rich musical legacy that continues to captivate listeners with its emotion and authenticity.

Genres

Torch Song

Related Artists

Frank Sinatra

Ella Fitzgerald

Nina Simone

Billie Holiday

Tony Bennett

Dinah Washington

Peggy Lee

Sarah Vaughan

Bessie Smith

Lena Horne

Latest Release

Bright Harmony

Kay Starr

Album - 36 Tracks - Released December 8, 2023