Evelyn Knight
Encyclopedia
Evelyn Knight was a popular American
singer of the 1940s and 1950s. In 1948, she recorded "A Little Bird Told Me
" with The Stardusters, which was #1 for seven weeks and stayed on the charts for five months. Later that year she recorded "Powder Your Face with Sunshine"; which also hit #1 and remained on the charts well into the following year.
Knight had other hits including "Buttons and Bows
" in 1948, which Bob Hope
also sang in the film The Paleface. The song was also recorded by, and successful for, Dinah Shore
. A list of some of her hits appears below. In 1950, she released "Candy and Cake", originally sung by Mindy Carson
, and "All Dressed Up to Smile" with the Ray Charles singers. In 1951, she recorded a duet with country singer Red Foley
called "My Heart Cries for You
," as well as a pair of titles with Bing Crosby (see link below). She was among the pioneers of early television with several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show
, The Colgate Comedy Hour
and a 1951 TV appearance with Abbott & Costello which can be viewed here.
Born as Evelyn Davis, she began her career in high school when she would sing at Washington D.C.'s Station WRC as “Honey Davis” twice a week over NBC for $16 a broadcast. After high school she started singing in such high-end Washington D.C. supper clubs as The Claridge Hotel. At the age of 18, she married Andrew B. Knight, a war photographer for the Washington Post, and became professionally known as Evelyn Knight.
After many successful years in Washington she moved to New York City where she began headlining at such Manhattan nightclubs as The Blue Angel and the Plaza Hotel
's Persian Room. She launched her recording career in 1945 by signing with Decca records, and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1940s where she headlined frequently at the celebrity-studded Ciro's and Coconut Grove.
For the next ten years she was a staple all over the country on the popular "supper club" circuit of the day. She became a pioneer of national network radio & TV, enjoyed many Top 40 hits, performed for President Truman at the White House, and played to audiences around the world. Her celebrity was literally cemented when she was included among the original 1500 stars on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame in 1960.
Divorced from Knight she married Johnny Lehmann, a songwriter with top ten hits of his own, in 1951. Her son, Andrew Knight Jr. (b. 1940 - d. 1989) became a well-regarded concert tour lighting technician in the seventies working with The Rolling Stones
, Pink Floyd
and The Who
, among others. Her second child, Fran (b. 1954) grew up to enjoy a top-rated career on Los Angeles
and San Francisco radio from 1970 to 2003. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Saira McGan (an officer in the United States Air Force), Jesse Knight (real estate entrepreneur), and Jake Knight (musician, blogger/writer, and network engineer).
in 1969 where she lived until 2007. Following a decline in health in 2007, she moved to San Jose, California
to live with her daughter. She died quietly on the morning of September 28, 2007, aged 89, from lung cancer
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer of the 1940s and 1950s. In 1948, she recorded "A Little Bird Told Me
A Little Bird Told Me
"A Little Bird Told Me" is a popular song. It was written by Harvey O. Brooks and was published in 1947.-Recordings:*The recording by Evelyn Knight was released by Decca Records as catalog number 24514. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on November 12, 1948, and lasted 21 weeks on...
" with The Stardusters, which was #1 for seven weeks and stayed on the charts for five months. Later that year she recorded "Powder Your Face with Sunshine"; which also hit #1 and remained on the charts well into the following year.
Knight had other hits including "Buttons and Bows
Buttons and Bows
"Buttons and Bows" is a popular song. The music was written by Jay Livingston with lyric by Ray Evans. The song was published in 1947. The song appeared in the Bob Hope and Jane Russell film, The Paleface, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song...
" in 1948, which Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
also sang in the film The Paleface. The song was also recorded by, and successful for, Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress, and television personality...
. A list of some of her hits appears below. In 1950, she released "Candy and Cake", originally sung by Mindy Carson
Mindy Carson
Mindy Carson , an American traditional pop vocalist, was heard often on radio during the 1940s and 1950s.She was born in New York City. In 1946, still in her teens, she won an audition to the radio program, Stairway to the Stars. This gave her a chance to perform with Paul Whiteman's band and...
, and "All Dressed Up to Smile" with the Ray Charles singers. In 1951, she recorded a duet with country singer Red Foley
Red Foley
Clyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II....
called "My Heart Cries for You
My Heart Cries for You
"My Heart Cries for You" is a popular song, adapted by Carl Sigman and Percy Faith from an 18th century French melody.The music is from an old French song attributed to Marie Antoinette " La jardinière du Roi"...
," as well as a pair of titles with Bing Crosby (see link below). She was among the pioneers of early television with several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
, The Colgate Comedy Hour
The Colgate Comedy Hour
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show stars many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou...
and a 1951 TV appearance with Abbott & Costello which can be viewed here.
Born as Evelyn Davis, she began her career in high school when she would sing at Washington D.C.'s Station WRC as “Honey Davis” twice a week over NBC for $16 a broadcast. After high school she started singing in such high-end Washington D.C. supper clubs as The Claridge Hotel. At the age of 18, she married Andrew B. Knight, a war photographer for the Washington Post, and became professionally known as Evelyn Knight.
After many successful years in Washington she moved to New York City where she began headlining at such Manhattan nightclubs as The Blue Angel and the Plaza Hotel
Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel in New York City is a landmark 20-story luxury hotel with a height of and length of that occupies the west side of Grand Army Plaza, from which it derives its name, and extends along Central Park South in Manhattan. Fifth Avenue extends along the east side of Grand Army Plaza...
's Persian Room. She launched her recording career in 1945 by signing with Decca records, and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1940s where she headlined frequently at the celebrity-studded Ciro's and Coconut Grove.
For the next ten years she was a staple all over the country on the popular "supper club" circuit of the day. She became a pioneer of national network radio & TV, enjoyed many Top 40 hits, performed for President Truman at the White House, and played to audiences around the world. Her celebrity was literally cemented when she was included among the original 1500 stars on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame in 1960.
Divorced from Knight she married Johnny Lehmann, a songwriter with top ten hits of his own, in 1951. Her son, Andrew Knight Jr. (b. 1940 - d. 1989) became a well-regarded concert tour lighting technician in the seventies working with The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, among others. Her second child, Fran (b. 1954) grew up to enjoy a top-rated career on Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and San Francisco radio from 1970 to 2003. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Saira McGan (an officer in the United States Air Force), Jesse Knight (real estate entrepreneur), and Jake Knight (musician, blogger/writer, and network engineer).
Last years
Evelyn and her family moved to Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
in 1969 where she lived until 2007. Following a decline in health in 2007, she moved to San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
to live with her daughter. She died quietly on the morning of September 28, 2007, aged 89, from lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
.
Selected discography
- "A Little Bird Told MeA Little Bird Told Me"A Little Bird Told Me" is a popular song. It was written by Harvey O. Brooks and was published in 1947.-Recordings:*The recording by Evelyn Knight was released by Decca Records as catalog number 24514. It first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on November 12, 1948, and lasted 21 weeks on...
" #1 - "Powder Your Face with SunshinePowder Your Face with Sunshine"Powder Your Face with Sunshine" is a popular song written by Carmen Lombardo and Stanley Rochinski, and published in 1948. The two biggest hit versions of the song were recorded by Evelyn Knight and by the Sammy Kaye Orchestra....
" #1 - "Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in Her Stocking)" #6
- "Brush Those Tears from Your Eyes" #9
- "Chickery Chick" #10
- "Buttons and BowsButtons and Bows"Buttons and Bows" is a popular song. The music was written by Jay Livingston with lyric by Ray Evans. The song was published in 1947. The song appeared in the Bob Hope and Jane Russell film, The Paleface, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song...
" #14 - "Candy & Cake" #20
- "You're So Understanding" #21
- "It's Too Late Now" #22