Jo Stafford

Stump (with Red Ingle and the Natural Seven) and Darlene Edwards (with Paul Weston using the name Jonathan Edwards). In 2003 No Doubt released a cover version of "It's My Life" which became a international hit. In addition to the records she made in her own name, Stafford also made comedy records as Cinderella G. Webb also collaborated under the name of Rustin Man with Beth Gibbons and released Out of Season in 2002. By Weston she had two children, Tim and Amy. In 1998, Mark Hollis released his eponymous debut Mark Hollis. She had two husbands, John Huddleston (of the original Pied Pipers) and Weston, the latter of whom was also her orchestra leader for most of her career. Paul Webb and Lee Harris went on to form the band .O.rang.

In 1966, Stafford went into semi-retirement, retiring completely from the music business in 1975 except for one appearance in 1990 to honor Sinatra. After Laughing Stock, the band broke up. In 1948 Stafford and Gordon MacRae had a million-seller with their version of "Say Something Sweet to Your Sweetheart" and in 1949 repeated their success with "My Happiness". Laughing Stock crystallized the experimental sound the band started with Spirit of Eden (which has been retroactively categorized as "post-rock" by some critics) and both are widely regarded as the group's masterpieces. At Columbia, she was the first recording artist to sell twenty-five million records. The less commercial sound did not go well with their label EMI, so they moved to Verve Records to release Laughing Stock in 1991. In 1944, Stafford left the Pied Pipers to go solo, doing a lot of performances for military personnel, thus acquiring the nickname "GI Jo." In 1950, she left Capitol for Columbia Records, returning to Capitol in 1961. They eventually abandoned the New Romantic style completely with Spirit of Eden (1988), an album founded on improvised structures and diverse, natural instruments (violin, harmonica) instead of a synth-driven, pop song mold.

The couple married in 1952. With the addition of unofficial fourth member Tim Friese-Greene in 1983, replacing Simon Brenner on keyboards and becoming producer for the band, each successive Talk Talk release became more sophisticated and original. Capitol's music director was the same Paul Weston who had been instrumental in introducing Stafford to Dorsey. Though they were identified with the New Romantic movement and bands such as Duran Duran, Talk Talk had a progressive depth their contemporaries lacked. In 1942, the group had an argument with Dorsey and left, but in 1943 it became one of the first groups signed to Johnny Mercer's new label, Capitol Records. The band achieved moderate success in the early to mid 1980s with several hit singles, including, "Today" (1982), "Talk Talk" (1982), "Such A Shame" (1984), "Its My Life" (1984) and "Life's What You Make It" (1986). The group also backed Frank Sinatra in some of his early recordings. Talk Talk were an English synth-pop group formed in 1981 by Mark Hollis (vocals/guitar/songwriter), Paul Webb (bass), Lee Harris (drums), and Simon Brenner (keyboards).

This led to success for the whole group, but especially for Stafford, who was also featured in solo performances. Ascension Day (1991). Half the members of he Pied Pipers Returning to Los Angeles, but they had a difficult time trying to make a living until they got an offer from Dorsey to join his big band 1939. New Grass (1991). They stayed in New York for three months, but landed only a single job that paid them just $3.60 each, though they did record four sides for RCA Victor Records. After The Flood (1991). Dorsey liked them enough to sign them for ten weeks, but after the second broadcast the sponsor heard them and disliked them, firing the group. Living In Another World (1991).

In 1938, Weston persuaded Dorsey to sign The Pied Pipers for his radio show, and they went to New York for a broadcast date. Such A Shame (1990). The group became very popular, working on local radio and movie soundtracks, and caught the attention of two of Tommy Dorsey's arrangers, Axel Stordahl and Paul Weston. Life's What You Make It (1990). This group consisted of eight members: John Huddleston (who was Stafford's husband at the time), Hal Hooper, Chuck Lowry, Bud Hervey, George Tait, Woody Newbury, and Dick Whittinghill, besides Stafford. It's My Life (1990). When her sisters married, the group broke up and Stafford joined a new vocal group, The Pied Pipers. I Believe In You (1988).

Originally, she wanted to become an opera singer and studied voice as a child. However, because of the economic Great Depression, she abandoned that idea and joined her sisters Christine and Pauline in a popular vocal group which performed on Los Angeles radio staton KHJ. I Don't Believe In You (1986). Stafford was born in Coalinga, California to Grover Cleveland Stafford and Anna York Stafford, a distant cousin of Sergeant Alvin York. Give It Up (1986). Stafford is greatly admired for the purity of her voice and is considered one of the most versatile vocalists of the era. Living In Another World (1986). Jo Elizabeth Stafford (born November 12, 1917) is a singer whose career spanned the late 1920s through the early 1960s. Life's What You Make It (1986) (USA #90, UK #16).

Candy. Dum Dum Girl (1984). "Whispering Hope". Such A Shame (1984) (USA #89). "Say Something Sweet To Your Sweetheart". It's My Life (1984) (USA #31). "My Darling, My Darling". My Foolish Friend (1983).

" "A" You're Adorable" (better known version by Perry Como). Today (1982) (UK #14). "White Christmas" (better known version by Bing Crosby). Talk Talk (1982) (UK #23). "You Belong to Me" (her best-selling hit). Mirror Man (1982). "The Things We Did Last Summer". Remixed (2001).

"There's No You". 12X12 Original Remixes (2000). "That's For Me". History Revisited (1991). "Thank You for Calling". Time It's Time (2003). "Teach Me Tonight" (better known version by The DeCastro Sisters). Introducing (2003).

"Symphony". Essential (2003). "Suddenly There's a Valley" (better known version by Gogi Grant). Missing Pieces (2001). "Some Enchanted Evening" (better known version by Ezio Pinza). The Collection (2000). "Shrimp Boats". Asides Besides (1998).

"Serenade Of the Bells". The Very Best of Talk Talk (1997). "September Song". Natural History (1990). "Ragtime Cowboy Joe". London 1986 (live) (1999). "Out Of This World". Laughing Stock (1991).

"On London Bridge". Spirit of Eden (1988). "No Other Love" (a different song from the one of the same name done by Perry Como). The Colour of Spring (1986). "Make Love to Me!". It's My Life (1984). "Long Ago (And Far Away)". The Party's Over (1982).

"Let's Take the Long Way Home". "The Last Mile Home". "Just One Way To Say I Love You". "Jambalaya".

"Ivy". "It's Almost Tomorrow" (better known version by The Dream Weavers). "It Could Happen To You". "Indiscretion".

"I Love You". "Here I'll Stay". "Goodnight Irene" (better known version by The Weavers). "Feudin' and Fightin' ".

"Early Autumn". "Day By Day". "Black Is The Color". "Allentown Jail".

Download sample of "Basin Street Blues" by Stafford and Frankie Laine.