Dennis Day Biography
Eugene McNulty, 21 May 1917, New York City, New York, USA, d. 22 June 1988, Brentwood, California, USA. Day was a popular singer, from the late 30s to the 60s, whose distinctive Irish tenor voice and flair for comedy gained him a prestigious spot on the top rated Jack Benny radio show. Day graduated from St. Patrick's Cathedral High School, and attended Manhattan College, planning to study law. He first appeared on Benny's show in 1939, replacing another tenor, Kenny Baker. After military service during World War II, Lewis became the comedian's regular foil, and moved with him to television in the 50s, and until the show ended in the mid-60s. He would continually frustrate Benny with his clowning, and favourite line: "Oh, Mr. Benny"; to which the comedian would invariably reply: "Oh, for heaven's sake. Sing Dennis!". He also had his own show for a while on NBC, and appeared frequently on other programmes such as Max Leiberman Presents, Hour Glass, All Star Review and Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theatre. In the late 40s and early 50s Day had hits with "Mamselle", "Clancy Lowered The Boom", "Dear Hearts And Gentle People", "Goodnight, Irene", "Mona Lisa", "All My Love" and "Mister And Mississippi". He was also well known for his renditions of Irish favourites such as "Peg O' My Heart", "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral", "McNamara's Band" and "Danny Boy". Day's film appearances included Buck Benny Rides Again (1940, with Jack Benny), The Powers Girl (1942), I'll Get By (1950), Golden Girl (1951) and The Girl Next Door (1953). He also provided the voice of "Johnny Appleseed" for the cartoon Melody Time, along with Frances Langford, Ethel Smith and the Andrews Sisters. By the late 60s he had more or less retired from show business, but continued to perform occasionally at conventions and fairs. He was a zealous supporter, and vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He died shortly after being critically injured in a fall at his home in March 1988.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
|
