Renowned cabaret singer Ruth Wallis passed away a few weeks back, on December 22nd, 2007, at age 87.
During the 1940's, '50's and '60's she was known for her risqué novelty songs and 'party' records.
As with so many other things in our jaded modern world, her music is awfully tame by today's standards - - even charmingly quaint, perhaps - - like about a half-step beyond Benny Hill, okay?
She caused a stir in her day, however.
The double entendres peppered throughout her songs were considered shocking to many, if not just plain lewd.
It was likely the fact that her records couldn't be played on most radio stations that eventually led her to found her own record label.
- Follow link to her
New York Times Obituary.
Listen to:
Ruth Wallis -
Psycho Mambo
(Wallis Original Records 78, circa 1954)
(click for audio)
Listen to:
Ruth Wallis -
This Old House
(Wallis Original Records 78, circa 1954)
(click for audio)
(This song ⬆ parodies 'This Ole House', a popular song from 1954. Rosemary Clooney's version reached #1 in the US charts.)
Listen to:
Ruth Wallis -
Stay Out of My Pantry
(Wallis Original Records 78, circa 1953)
(click for audio)
Listen to:
Ruth Wallis -
The New Yo-Yo Song
(Wallis Original Records 78, circa 1953)
(click for audio)
See also:
- Ruth Wallis Album cover scans and more at Queer Music Heritage
- Collected Works of Ruth Wallis - -
39 more songs from 78s available as streaming audio at Internet Archive
