Jo Ann Tolley
Jo Ann Tolley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1928 or 1929 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | Hartford Public High School |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Labels | MGM Records Jubilee Records |
Jo Ann Tolley (born 1928 or 1929).[1] is a vocalist who recorded on the MGM Records and Jubilee Records labels in the 1950s. Among her notable songs are I'd Never Forgive Myself (1953),[2] I Tried Again/That's What I Like (1954) and Don't/Baby Want You Please Come Home (1955).[3] Although her music was once erroneously reviewed as rhythm & blues, it is considered pop music.[4]
Early life and career
Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut[1] (residing for at least the latter portion of those years at Ward Place), during which time she excelled in at least one sport, reportedly becoming "roller skate champ".[5] She briefly attended Hartford Public High School before launching her performing career in the mid-1940s.[1]
Her live appearances, or at least those made billed as Jo Ann–or Joanne–Tolley, began getting media coverage in January 1950, when she was one of "eight vaudeville acts" on the bill with onscreen horror icon Rondo Hatton, starring in Universal's The Brute Man.[6] In 1953 she opened at the Casa Blanca in Canton, Ohio on December 11, for three days. Afterward she performed for two weeks at the Spa Athletic Club in Erie, Pennsylvania, beginning on December 14.[7]
In July 1955, Tolley was heard on the WRC series, The National Radio Fan Club.[8] In December of that year, she was an added attraction on a bill with Bill Haley and the Comets at the Courthouse Square Theatre in Springfield, Massachusetts.[9] Reviewing her January 1957 performance, headlining at Montreal's El Morocco, Gazette critic Harold Whitehead gives Tolley a brief but comprehensive thumbs-up.
[A] dark, statuesque, handsome girl, [Tolley] has a good style and a voice of power and considerable beauty. Unlike most of her colleagues in the recording world, her voice sounds as if it had had quite a bit of training. She has carefully chosen repertory of numbers calculated to show off the deep richness of her tone and she succeeds in giving each song proper consideration. Her arrangements are good and, altogether, she is quite an impressive performer.[10]
Personal life
According to Frank Sinatra biographer Kitty Kelley. Tolley had a romance with Sinatra.[11]
References
- 1 2 3 K., I. M. (January 5, 1957). "Tim Holt's Crew of Ranchers Top Tuneful State Bill". Hartford Courant. p. 21A. Retrieved August 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Tim Holt and his crew make up most of the program but for those who want to hear a few of the popular songs, the State has pretty Jo Ann Tolley, a singer who was born and raised in Hartford and went to Hartford High School. The 23-year-old redhead has been in show business eight years but this is her first appearance in her home town.
- ↑ Pop Memories 1890-1954, Joel Whitburn, Record Research, 1986, pg. 421.
- ↑ Jubilee, Soulful Kinda Music, Magazine & Web Site.
- ↑ Music As Written, Billboard Magazine, August 6, 1955, pg. 42.
- ↑ Stafford, M. Oakley (February 9, 1955). "Informing You". Hartford Courant. p. 17. Retrieved August 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Word Comes That Jo Ann Tolley opens at Wright's in Plainville this week. If she does you will be hearing a Hartford girl who lived on Ward Place and used charm the neighbors with her childish voice for years before she left home to actually get a job at singing . They say she was roller champ when she was in Hartford
- ↑ "Civic Headliner". Washington Evening Star. July 15, 1950. p. A-27. Retrieved August 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Joanne Tolley, song stylist, who will be featured in one of eight acts of vaudeville at the Civic Theater Thursday through Saturday, The screen offering will be The Brute Man. starring Tom Neal, June Adams and Rondo Hatton.
- ↑ Billboard Magazine, December 12, 1953, pg. 19.
- ↑ "Today's Radio Highlights". Washington Evening Star. July 15, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved August 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
8:15, WRC -National Radio Fan Club: Bill Silbert's guests include Jo Ann Tolley, Charlie Applewhite and The Chordettes.
- ↑ Comets Set Mark At Springfield, Billboard Magazine, December 31, 1955, pg. 18.
- ↑ Whitehead, Harold (January 5, 1957). "Jo Ann Tolley At El Morocco". The Montreal Gazette. p. 29. Retrieved August 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
Jo Ann Tolley, a dark, statuesque, handsome girl, is the singing star of the current show at El Morocco. She has good style and voice of power and considerable beauty. Unlike most of her colleagues in the recording world, her voice sounds as if it had had quite a bit of training. She has carefully chosen repertory of numbers calculated to show off the deep richness of her tone and she succeeds in giving each song proper consideration. Her arrangements are good and, altogether, she is quite an impressive performer. Co-starring the show is comedian Bob McFadden.
- ↑ His Way, Kitty Kelley, Random House, 1987.