Karla DeVito
Encyclopedia
Karla DeVito is an American
singer, actress and voice artist.
DeVito and her three brothers were raised by a very musical mother, Vivienne, who, when not working to support the family, was always singing at home. Karla attended Willow Crest Grade School in Mokena, where she was a cheerleader.
Karla attended Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox, Illinois
. In her senior year, Karla appeared in the high school's production of "Brigadoon" and "The Odd Couple
" (as one of the giggly Pigeon sisters) she was also runner-up to the Homecoming Queen.
At Loyola University Chicago
, she majored in theatre. During her freshman year she joined the Chicago cast of "Godspell
." In 1971-72 Karla studied with Jo Forsberg at Second City
Company in Chicago and was part of the Children's Theatre group, with Bill Murray
and many other improvisational actors. In 1973, she was in the cast of the popular play Hair
.
She subsequently became a backup singer for Meat Loaf
, supporting the Bat out of Hell
tour (and also performed lip sync
to Ellen Foley
's vocals in the music videos). Karla then contributed background vocals for such groups as Blue Öyster Cult
and the Sorrows. Later she became a solo performer in her own right, and opened for such prominent artists as Hall & Oates
and Rick Springfield
as well as headlining solo concerts at New York's The Bottom Line.
In the early days of MTV, Karla was featured on their first New Year's Eve concert and hosted the series Rock Influences. When she sang "Where The Boys Are" on the David Letterman show, Letterman affectionately called Karla "The Sweetheart of Rock and Roll."
In 1981, Karla DeVito released her debut solo album, Is This a Cool World or What? In addition to original material, the album contained covers of three well-known songs: Jim Steinman
's "Heaven Can Wait", The Grass Roots
' "Midnight Confessions
," and John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night".
Also in 1981, Karla covered the leading role played by Linda Ronstadt
in The Pirates of Penzance
on Broadway. She won critical and audience acclaim when she went on for Ronstadt during a press preview, then took over the role when Ronstadt left the show. Robby Benson
later joined the company as the romantic lead.
A seasoned musician himself, Benson was very impressed by Karla's performance. He marveled at her ability to belt out rock tunes, and yet effortlessly master the operatic range of Gilbert and Sullivan. Benson fondly recalled a rare moment when Karla's voice broke onstage, and her characteristic reaction: she laughed.
The show's conductor started bringing Benson out to lunch to acquaint him with members of the company. The first lunch meeting was with Karla, and the rest is history. They were married in 1982 and have two children, Lyric Benson and Zephyr Benson.
After becoming a mother, Karla chose to concentrate on her family rather than her career. This was her decision and not Robby's. In fact when Robby was approached by A&M's Herb Alpert to record an album of his own, Robby convinced Alpert to record Karla instead. Karla's second album, "Wake 'Em Up in Tokyo" - featuring more songs written by Robby and Karla - was released by A&M in 1986. It has not been reissued on CD.
One of Robby and Karla's songs, "We Are Not Alone", was a popular hit featured in the motion picture The Breakfast Club
(1985). Another, "Nobody Makes Me Crazy Like You Do" was covered by Diana Ross in her album "Swept Away."
Karla can also be heard in two solo tracks "White Bird" and "Don't Walk Away, Renee" on an album entitled "Desolation Angels Anthem" and a duet "Gimme The Word" with Paul Anka on one of his later albums.
In 1990, Karla co-starred with Benson in the film Modern Love where she gave an engaging performance and sang two songs on the soundtrack. That film also introduced Karla and Robby's daughter Lyric Benson.
After Robby voiced the title role in Disney's classic 1991 animated feature "Beauty and the Beast," Karla voiced a role in Disney's popular "Bonkers" animated TV series.
In 2002 Karla sang the part of Elizabeth for the CD recording of Graham Russell
's rock opera The Heart of the Rose. In 2004 Robby wrote an acclaimed new musical called "Open Heart" that he has dedicated to, and performed with, Karla. The recording of "Open Heart" is available through iTunes and Amazon.
The Benson family are based on the East coast, where Robby has been a favorite professor at NYU. Lyric and Zephyr Benson are now pursuing their own creative careers. Robby's latest project is a new book, called "I'm Not Dead...Yet."
Many of Karla's vocal performances are viewable on her YouTube channel, where fans have left appreciative comments.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, actress and voice artist.
DeVito and her three brothers were raised by a very musical mother, Vivienne, who, when not working to support the family, was always singing at home. Karla attended Willow Crest Grade School in Mokena, where she was a cheerleader.
Karla attended Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox, Illinois
New Lenox, Illinois
New Lenox is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The village population is estimated to be 24,938 as of 2006. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning forecasts New Lenox will have a population of 90,652 in 2030.-Geography:...
. In her senior year, Karla appeared in the high school's production of "Brigadoon" and "The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple is a 1965 Broadway play by Neil Simon, followed by a successful film and television series, as well as other derivative works and spin offs, many featuring one or more of the same actors. The plot concerns two mismatched roommates, one neat and uptight, the other more easygoing and...
" (as one of the giggly Pigeon sisters) she was also runner-up to the Homecoming Queen.
At Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
, she majored in theatre. During her freshman year she joined the Chicago cast of "Godspell
Godspell
Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival now playing on Broadway...
." In 1971-72 Karla studied with Jo Forsberg at Second City
Second City
Second City or The Second City may refer to:* The second largest city in a country. See: List of largest cities and second largest cities by country...
Company in Chicago and was part of the Children's Theatre group, with Bill Murray
Bill Murray
William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor and comedian. He first gained national exposure on Saturday Night Live in which he earned an Emmy Award and later went on to star in a number of critically and commercially successful comedic films, including Caddyshack , Ghostbusters , and...
and many other improvisational actors. In 1973, she was in the cast of the popular play Hair
Hair (musical)
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement...
.
She subsequently became a backup singer for Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
, supporting the Bat out of Hell
Bat out of Hell
Bat Out of Hell is the second album by American rock musician Meat Loaf, and his first collaboration with composer Jim Steinman, released in October 1977 on Cleveland International/Epic Records #PE-34974. Selling approximately 200,000 copies per year as of 2010, it is the fifth best-selling album...
tour (and also performed lip sync
Lip sync
Lip sync, lip-sync, lip-synch is a technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals...
to Ellen Foley
Ellen Foley
Ellen Foley is an American singer and actress, who has appeared on Broadway and television, where she co-starred in the sitcom Night Court. In music, she has released three solo albums but is best known for her collaborations with the singer Meat Loaf.- Early life and career :Foley was born in St....
's vocals in the music videos). Karla then contributed background vocals for such groups as Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
and the Sorrows. Later she became a solo performer in her own right, and opened for such prominent artists as Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
and Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield is an Australian-born singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He was a member of pop rock group Zoot from 1969 to 1971 and then started his solo career with his début single "Speak to the Sky" reaching the top 10 in Australia. In mid-1972, he relocated to the United States...
as well as headlining solo concerts at New York's The Bottom Line.
In the early days of MTV, Karla was featured on their first New Year's Eve concert and hosted the series Rock Influences. When she sang "Where The Boys Are" on the David Letterman show, Letterman affectionately called Karla "The Sweetheart of Rock and Roll."
In 1981, Karla DeVito released her debut solo album, Is This a Cool World or What? In addition to original material, the album contained covers of three well-known songs: Jim Steinman
Jim Steinman
James Richard "Jim" Steinman is an American composer, lyricist, and Grammy Award-winning record producer responsible for several hit songs. He has also worked as an arranger, pianist, and singer...
's "Heaven Can Wait", The Grass Roots
The Grass Roots
The Grass Roots is an American rock band that charted between 1966 and 1975 as the brainchild of songwriting duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri.In their career, The Grass Roots achieved two gold albums, one gold single and charted singles a total of 21 times. Among their charting singles, they...
' "Midnight Confessions
Midnight Confessions
"Midnight Confessions" is a song written by Lou T. Josie and originally performed by the Evergreen Blues Band. It was later made famous by American rock band The Grass Roots, who released the song as a single in 1968...
," and John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night".
Also in 1981, Karla covered the leading role played by Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
in The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well received by both audiences...
on Broadway. She won critical and audience acclaim when she went on for Ronstadt during a press preview, then took over the role when Ronstadt left the show. Robby Benson
Robby Benson
Robby Benson is an American film and television actor, television director, educator and singer.-Early life:Benson was born Robin David Segal in Dallas, Texas, the son of Freda Ann , a singer, actress, and business promotions manager, and Jerry Segal, a writer...
later joined the company as the romantic lead.
A seasoned musician himself, Benson was very impressed by Karla's performance. He marveled at her ability to belt out rock tunes, and yet effortlessly master the operatic range of Gilbert and Sullivan. Benson fondly recalled a rare moment when Karla's voice broke onstage, and her characteristic reaction: she laughed.
The show's conductor started bringing Benson out to lunch to acquaint him with members of the company. The first lunch meeting was with Karla, and the rest is history. They were married in 1982 and have two children, Lyric Benson and Zephyr Benson.
After becoming a mother, Karla chose to concentrate on her family rather than her career. This was her decision and not Robby's. In fact when Robby was approached by A&M's Herb Alpert to record an album of his own, Robby convinced Alpert to record Karla instead. Karla's second album, "Wake 'Em Up in Tokyo" - featuring more songs written by Robby and Karla - was released by A&M in 1986. It has not been reissued on CD.
One of Robby and Karla's songs, "We Are Not Alone", was a popular hit featured in the motion picture The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is a 1985 American teen drama film written and directed by John Hughes. The storyline follows five teenagers as they spend a Saturday in detention together and come to realize that they are all deeper than their respective stereotypes.-Plot:The plot follows five students at...
(1985). Another, "Nobody Makes Me Crazy Like You Do" was covered by Diana Ross in her album "Swept Away."
Karla can also be heard in two solo tracks "White Bird" and "Don't Walk Away, Renee" on an album entitled "Desolation Angels Anthem" and a duet "Gimme The Word" with Paul Anka on one of his later albums.
In 1990, Karla co-starred with Benson in the film Modern Love where she gave an engaging performance and sang two songs on the soundtrack. That film also introduced Karla and Robby's daughter Lyric Benson.
After Robby voiced the title role in Disney's classic 1991 animated feature "Beauty and the Beast," Karla voiced a role in Disney's popular "Bonkers" animated TV series.
In 2002 Karla sang the part of Elizabeth for the CD recording of Graham Russell
Graham Russell
Graham Cyrill Russell is a British musician and, with Russell Hitchcock, is one of the mainstays of soft rock group Air Supply which formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 and had top ten hits nationally and in United States.He released The Future, his 10-track, debut solo album...
's rock opera The Heart of the Rose. In 2004 Robby wrote an acclaimed new musical called "Open Heart" that he has dedicated to, and performed with, Karla. The recording of "Open Heart" is available through iTunes and Amazon.
The Benson family are based on the East coast, where Robby has been a favorite professor at NYU. Lyric and Zephyr Benson are now pursuing their own creative careers. Robby's latest project is a new book, called "I'm Not Dead...Yet."
Many of Karla's vocal performances are viewable on her YouTube channel, where fans have left appreciative comments.