Jackie Rae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jackie Rae CM (May 14, 1922 – October 5, 2006) was a Canadian singer, songwriter and television performer.
He was born John Arthur Rae in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1922. Rae began performing at the age of three with his brother and sister on the vaudeville circuit in Canada. Rae flew Spitfires as a member of the Canadian Air Force during World War II and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the 1950s, he was the host of the Jackie Rae Show, a variety show on CBC Television. Rae later moved to London where he performed on television for the BBC, ATV, and Granada Television. He formed a dance band known as the Spitfire Band in 1981 which toured across Canada. In 2002, he was awarded the Order of Canada.
Songs written by Rae were hits for Eddie Arnold and Andy Williams. He collaborated with Les Reed on songs performed by Engelbert Humperdinck and Tony Bennett.
Rae died in Toronto in 2006.
His nephew, Bob Rae, is a former premier of the province of Ontario. His brother Saul was a Canadian diplomat.
