Eileen Rodgers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Eileen Rodgers | |
|---|---|
 The Best of Eileen Rodgers, 2003 compilation
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Eileen Rodgers |
| Born | 1933 |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | 2003 |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Showtunes |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, Singer |
Eileen Rodgers (1933 - July 13, 2003) was an American singer and Broadway performer. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1933, she began her career as a nightclub performer, later singing as lead vocalist with Charlie Spivak's orchestra. She later recorded more than 30 singles and two LPs for Columbia Records.[1] Her broadway debut was in 1959's Fiorello!, where she sang the show-stopping "Gentleman Jimmy". In 1960, she appeared in Tenderloin. In 1962, she headed the off-broadway revival cast of Cole Porter's classic musical Anything Goes in the role of Reno Sweeney, a recording of which is currently available on CD. The show won the New York Outer Circle Critics' Award as Best Revival of 1962.[2]
In 1965, Rodgers appeared in the infamous musical flop Kelly which closed on Broadway after one performance. The Saturday Evening Post reported that Rodgers had broken into tears during a Philadelphia performance, remarking that "I wish I was back in Tenderloin. It was a flop, but at least people were friendly."[3] She served as a standby for Ethel Merman in the 1966 revival of Annie Get Your Gun.[1] Rodgers made frequent appearances on television variety shows and starred with Art Carney in a Chevrolet 50th Anniversary special.[1] Rodgers died of lung cancer on July 13 of 2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina, leaving behind her husband, two sons and three grandchildren.
