Georgia Gibbs

Introduction

American jazz and pop singer (1918–2006) Georgia Gibbs (born Frieda Lipschitz; August 17, 1918December 9, 2006) was an American popular singer and vocal entertainer rooted in jazz.American jazz and pop singer (1918–2006) Georgia Gibbs (born Frieda Lipschitz; August 17, 1918December 9, 2006) was an American popular singer and vocal entertainer rooted in jazz.

Already singing publicly in her early teens, Gibbs achieved acclaim and notoriety in the mid 1950s copying songs originating with the black rhythm and blues community and later became a featured vocalist for many radio and television variety and comedy programs.Already singing publicly in her early teens, Gibbs achieved acclaim and notoriety in the mid 1950s copying songs originating with the black rhythm and blues community and later became a featured vocalist for many radio and television variety and comedy programs.

Her father died when she was six months old, and she and her three siblings spent the next seven years in a local Jewish orphanage.Her father died when she was six months old, and she and her three siblings spent the next seven years in a local Jewish orphanage.

Revealing a natural talent for singing at a young age, Frieda was given the lead in the orphanage's yearly variety show.Revealing a natural talent for singing at a young age, Frieda was given the lead in the orphanage's yearly variety show.

When her mother, who had visited her every other month, found employment as a midwife, she came back for Frieda, but her job often forced her to leave her daughter for weeks at a time with only a Philco radio for company.When her mother, who had visited her every other month, found employment as a midwife, she came back for Frieda, but her job often forced her to leave her daughter for weeks at a time with only a Philco radio for company.

Career

While still in Worcester at age 13, Frieda auditioned for a job at the Plymouth Theatre, one of the prime vaudeville houses in Boston.While still in Worcester at age 13, Frieda auditioned for a job at the Plymouth Theatre, one of the prime vaudeville houses in Boston.

The Plymouth's manager had already heard her sing on the local Worcester radio station, and Gibbs was hired and moved to Boston, eventually landing at the Raymor Ballroom.The Plymouth's manager had already heard her sing on the local Worcester radio station, and Gibbs was hired and moved to Boston, eventually landing at the Raymor Ballroom.

She joined the Hudson DeLange Orchestra in 1936 (age 17), and toured with them for 10 months as Fredda Gibson.She joined the Hudson DeLange Orchestra in 1936 (age 17), and toured with them for 10 months as Fredda Gibson.

"You don't really know loneliness unless you do a year or two with a one night band", Gibbs said of her life on the big band circuit, "Sing until about 2 a. m. Get in a bus and drive 400 miles."You don't really know loneliness unless you do a year or two with a one night band", Gibbs said of her life on the big band circuit, "Sing until about 2 a. m. Get in a bus and drive 400 miles.

Stop in the night for the greasy hamburger.Stop in the night for the greasy hamburger.

Arrive in a town.Arrive in a town.

Try to sleep.

Get up and eat."

She found steady work on radio shows including Your Hit Parade, Melody Puzzles, and The Tim And Irene Show and freelanced in the late 1930s and early 1940s singing with the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Hal Kemp, Artie Shaw, and Frankie Trumbauer.She found steady work on radio shows including Your Hit Parade, Melody Puzzles, and The Tim And Irene Show and freelanced in the late 1930s and early 1940s singing with the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Hal Kemp, Artie Shaw, and Frankie Trumbauer.

While a Billboard article reports that her first time on disk was with Trumbauer's orchestra (The Laziest Gal in Town on Brunswick Records), liner notes from a 1998 Simitar compilation report her appearance on some of DeLange's recordings on Brunswick, and a recording exists with Hal Kemp from 1939.While a Billboard article reports that her first time on disk was with Trumbauer's orchestra (The Laziest Gal in Town on Brunswick Records), liner notes from a 1998 Simitar compilation report her appearance on some of DeLange's recordings on Brunswick, and a recording exists with Hal Kemp from 1939.

She first charted with Shaw's band in 1942 on Absent Minded Moon (Victor 27779), which received a lukewarm review at the time.She first charted with Shaw's band in 1942 on Absent Minded Moon (Victor 27779), which received a lukewarm review at the time.

In 1943, with her name changed to Georgia Gibbs, she began appearing on the Camel Caravan radio program, hosted by Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore, where she remained a regular performer until 1947.In 1943, with her name changed to Georgia Gibbs, she began appearing on the Camel Caravan radio program, hosted by Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore, where she remained a regular performer until 1947.

It was Moore who bestowed upon her the famous nickname "Her Nibs, Miss Georgia Gibbs," ironically using the title to describe the singer of diminutive stature who had an enormous "authoritative" prominence in American pop music.It was Moore who bestowed upon her the famous nickname "Her Nibs, Miss Georgia Gibbs," ironically using the title to describe the singer of diminutive stature who had an enormous "authoritative" prominence in American pop music.

Gibbs signed with Majestic Records in 1946 cutting multiple records, but her first solo hit single, "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake" (on the Coral label) did not come until 1950.Gibbs signed with Majestic Records in 1946 cutting multiple records, but her first solo hit single, "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake" (on the Coral label) did not come until 1950.

During this period she also was the featured vocalist on tours with comedians Danny Kaye and Sid Caesar.During this period she also was the featured vocalist on tours with comedians Danny Kaye and Sid Caesar.

Success as a singer outside of radio and variety shows continued to elude her, as noted in a 1952 Time article: "Georgia", they kept telling her, "you gotta get a sound."Success as a singer outside of radio and variety shows continued to elude her, as noted in a 1952 Time article: "Georgia", they kept telling her, "you gotta get a sound."

Musical soothsayers were trying to get Songstress Georgia Gibbs into line with the latest fashion.Musical soothsayers were trying to get Songstress Georgia Gibbs into line with the latest fashion.

Perhaps, they thought, she should sing mechanized duets with herself (like Patti Page), or she might try an echo chamber background (like Peggy Lee).Perhaps, they thought, she should sing mechanized duets with herself (like Patti Page), or she might try an echo chamber background (like Peggy Lee).

But gimmicks were not Georgia Gibbs's cup of tea.But gimmicks were not Georgia Gibbs's cup of tea.

She had a big, old fashioned voice, a good ear, a vivacious personality, and she knew how to sing from the shoulder.She had a big, old fashioned voice, a good ear, a vivacious personality, and she knew how to sing from the shoulder.

She would stick with plain Georgia Gibbs.She would stick with plain Georgia Gibbs.

Through 1949 and 1950 she appeared on TV shows Cavalcade of Stars and All Star Revue.Through 1949 and 1950 she appeared on TV shows Cavalcade of Stars and All Star Revue.

In 1951 she signed with Mercury Records where she ultimately had success "sticking with plain Georgia Gibbs".In 1951 she signed with Mercury Records where she ultimately had success "sticking with plain Georgia Gibbs".

Possessed of a versatile voice, she cut a long list of well received records in every category from torch songs to rock and roll, jazz, swing, old fashioned ballads and cha chas.Possessed of a versatile voice, she cut a long list of well received records in every category from torch songs to rock and roll, jazz, swing, old fashioned ballads and cha chas.

The most successful, 1952's "Kiss Of Fire", which she performed on The Milton Berle Show in that spring, reached No.The most successful, 1952's "Kiss Of Fire", which she performed on The Milton Berle Show in that spring, reached No.

1 on the pop music chart.

The disc sold in excess of one million copies giving Gibbs her first gold disc.The disc sold in excess of one million copies giving Gibbs her first gold disc.

"Kiss of Fire" borrows the tune of the tango El Choclo by Ángel Villoldo, and the lyrics, arrangement and delivery communicate passion on a Wagnerian scale."Kiss of Fire" borrows the tune of the tango El Choclo by Ángel Villoldo, and the lyrics, arrangement and delivery communicate passion on a Wagnerian scale.

Sultry and throbbing, with a touch of vibrato, Gibbs's voice is best showcased on romantic ballads and torch songs like "My Melancholy Baby", "I'll Be Seeing You", "Autumn Leaves", and "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song".Sultry and throbbing, with a touch of vibrato, Gibbs's voice is best showcased on romantic ballads and torch songs like "My Melancholy Baby", "I'll Be Seeing You", "Autumn Leaves", and "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song".

Yet she could also belt out steaming jazz numbers like "Red Hot Mama", "A Razz A Ma Tazz"; jive with tunes like "Ol Man Mose", "Shoo Shoo Baby"; or rock out with "I Want You to Be My Baby".Yet she could also belt out steaming jazz numbers like "Red Hot Mama", "A Razz A Ma Tazz"; jive with tunes like "Ol Man Mose", "Shoo Shoo Baby"; or rock out with "I Want You to Be My Baby".

Her Swingin' With Her Nibs album (1956) demonstrated her natural affinity for improvisation as well.Her Swingin' With Her Nibs album (1956) demonstrated her natural affinity for improvisation as well.

In 1957, Gibbs signed with RCA Victor They had first met in Paris in the 1930s, but lost touch with one another for 12 years.In 1957, Gibbs signed with RCA Victor They had first met in Paris in the 1930s, but lost touch with one another for 12 years.

The marriage lasted until his death in 1990; they had one child who predeceased Georgia.The marriage lasted until his death in 1990; they had one child who predeceased Georgia.

Georgia Gibbs died of leukemia on December 9, 2006, aged 88, at New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Georgia Gibbs died of leukemia on December 9, 2006, aged 88, at New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Survivors included grandson Sacha Gervasi (from her husband's previous marriage), her brother Robert Gibson and nieces Patty Turk, Jody (Babydoll) Gibson, and Jody's sister Amy.Survivors included grandson Sacha Gervasi (from her husband's previous marriage), her brother Robert Gibson and nieces Patty Turk, Jody (Babydoll) Gibson, and Jody's sister Amy.

Gibbs' last interview, conducted by Greg Adams, was subsequently published online.Gibbs' last interview, conducted by Greg Adams, was subsequently published online.

Legacy

Interest in Gibbs' work has enjoyed a revival with the re issue on CD of long unavailable material.Interest in Gibbs' work has enjoyed a revival with the re issue on CD of long unavailable material.

In her 2006 book, Great Pretenders: My Strange Love Affair With 50s Pop Music, Newsweek music critic Karen Schoemer wrote: "What really turned me around, though, were her R&B covers Georgia was the rare fifties canary with a genuine flair for rock and roll by the time I was through listening I had a healthy new respect for Georgia, and a sense of indignation over her neglect by critics."In her 2006 book, Great Pretenders: My Strange Love Affair With 50s Pop Music, Newsweek music critic Karen Schoemer wrote: "What really turned me around, though, were her R&B covers Georgia was the rare fifties canary with a genuine flair for rock and roll by the time I was through listening I had a healthy new respect for Georgia, and a sense of indignation over her neglect by critics."

Singles

Year Single (A side, B side) Both sides from same album except where indicatedChart positionsAlbum US CB USAC UK 1947 "You Do"b/w "Feudin' and Fightin'" — — — —Non album tracks 1950 "If I Knew You Were Comin' (I'd've Baked A Cake)"b/w "Stay With The Happy People" (Non album track) 5 — — —Her Nibs, Georgia Gibbs "Simple Melody "b /w "A Little Bit Independent"Both tracks with Bob Crosby 25 — — —Non album tracks "Cherry Stones "b /w "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" Both sides with Bob Crosby — — — — "Red Hot Mama "b /w "Razz A Ma Tazz" — — — —Her Nibs, Georgia Gibbs 1951 "I Still Feel The Same About You"b/w "Get Out Those Old Records" 18 — — — "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White"b/w "Get Him Off My Hands" — — — —Non album tracks "Tom's Tune"b/w "I Wish, I Wish" 21 — — — "Good Morning, Mr. Echo"b/w "Be Doggone Sure You Call" 21 — — — "While You Danced, Danced, Danced"b/w "While We're Young" 6 — — — "Cry"b/w "My Old Flame" 24 — — — 1952 "Kiss of Fire"b/w "A Lasting Thing" 1 — — — "So Madly In Love"b/w "Make Me Love You" 21 22 — — "Sinner Or Saint" / — 28 — — "My Favorite Song" 22 12 — — "A Moth and A Flame"b/w "The Photograph On The Piano" — — — — 1953 "What Does It Mean To Be Lonely"b/w "Winter's Here Again" — — — — "Seven Lonely Days"b/w "If You Take My Heart Away" 5 9 — —Song Favorites Of Georgia Gibbs "For Me, For You" / 21 — — —Non album tracks "Thunder and Lightning" — 20 — — "Say It Isn't So"b/w "He's Funny That Way" — — — —Music and Memories "The Bridge Of Sighs" / 30 — — —Non album tracks "A Home Lovin' Man" 30 — — — "Under Paris Skies"b/w "I Love Paris" — — — — 1954 "Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell"b/w "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" 18 15 — — "My Sin"b/w "I'll Always Be Happy With You" (Non album tracks) 21 27 — —Song Favorites Of Georgia Gibbs "Wait For Me, Darling "b/ w "Whistle and I 'll Dance" 24 32 — —Non album tracks "The Man That Got Away "b /w "More Than Ever" (Non album track) — — — —Music and Memories "Mambo Baby"b/w "Love Me" (Non album track) — 41 — —Song Favorites Of Georgia Gibbs 1955 "Tweedle Dee"b/w "You 're Wrong, All Wrong" (Non album track) 2 3 — 20 "Dance With Me Henry (Wallflower)"Original B side: "Ballin' The Jack"Later B side: "Every Road Must Have A Turning" 1 3 — — "Sweet and Gentle" / 12 8 — — "Blueberries" — 45 — — "I Want You To Be My Baby"b/w "Come Rain Or Come Shine" (Non album track) 14 13 — — "Goodbye To Rome (Arrivederci Roma)" / 51 44 — —Non album tracks "24 Hours a Day (365 A Year)" 74 36 — — 1956 "Rock Right"b/w "The Greatest Thing" 36 37 — — "Kiss Me Another"b/w "Fool Of The Year" 30 27 — 24 "Happiness Street"b/w "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe" (from Swinging With Her Nibs 20 30 — — "Tra La La"b/w "Morning, Noon and Night" 24 36 — — 1957 "Silent Lips"b/w "Pretty Pretty" 68 50 — — "The Sheik Of Araby"b/w "I Am A Heart, A Heart, A Heart" — — — — "I'm Walking The Floor Over You"b/w "Sugar Candy" 92 — — — "Fun Lovin' Baby"b/w "I Never Had The Blues" — — — — "I Miss You"b/w "Great Balls Of Fire" — — — —1958 "Way Way Down"b/w "You're Doin' It" — — — — "Hello Happiness, Goodbye Blues"b/w "It's My Pleasure" — — — — "The Hula Hoop Song"b/w "Keep In Touch" 32 37 — —1959 "The Hucklebuck"b/w "Better Loved You'll Never Be" — — — — "Pretend"b/w "Hamburgers, Frankfurters and Potato Chips" — — — —1960 "Seven Lonely Days"b/w "The Stroll That Stole My Heart" — — — — "So In Love "b /w "Loch Lomond" — — — —Georgia Gibbs 1963 "Candy Kisses"b/w "I Will Follow You" — — — —Georgia Gibbs' Greatest Hits "Tater Poon"b/w "Nine Girls Out Of Ten Girls" — — — —Non album tracks 1964 "You Can Never Get Away From Me"b/w "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way" — — — —Call Me Georgia Gibbs 1965 "Let Me Cry On Your Shoulder"Original B side: "You Can Never Get Away From Me"Later B side: "Venice Blue (Que C'est Triste Venise)" 132 87 — — "Call Me"b/w "Don't Cry Joe" — — — —1966 "Let Me Dream"b/w "In Time" — — 37 — "Kiss Of Fire"b/w "Blue Grass" — — — — 1967 "Where's The Music Coming From"b/w "Time Will Tell" — — — —Non album tracksYear Single (A side, B side) Both sides from same album except where indicatedChart positionsAlbum US CB USAC UK 1947 "You Do"b/w "Feudin' and Fightin'" — — — —Non album tracks 1950 "If I Knew You Were Comin' (I'd've Baked A Cake)"b/w "Stay With The Happy People" (Non album track) 5 — — —Her Nibs, Georgia Gibbs "Simple Melody "b /w "A Little Bit Independent"Both tracks with Bob Crosby 25 — — —Non album tracks "Cherry Stones "b /w "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" Both sides with Bob Crosby — — — — "Red Hot Mama "b /w "Razz A Ma Tazz" — — — —Her Nibs, Georgia Gibbs 1951 "I Still Feel The Same About You"b/w "Get Out Those Old Records" 18 — — — "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White"b/w "Get Him Off My Hands" — — — —Non album tracks "Tom's Tune"b/w "I Wish, I Wish" 21 — — — "Good Morning, Mr. Echo"b/w "Be Doggone Sure You Call" 21 — — — "While You Danced, Danced, Danced"b/w "While We're Young" 6 — — — "Cry"b/w "My Old Flame" 24 — — — 1952 "Kiss of Fire"b/w "A Lasting Thing" 1 — — — "So Madly In Love"b/w "Make Me Love You" 21 22 — — "Sinner Or Saint" / — 28 — — "My Favorite Song" 22 12 — — "A Moth and A Flame"b/w "The Photograph On The Piano" — — — — 1953 "What Does It Mean To Be Lonely"b/w "Winter's Here Again" — — — — "Seven Lonely Days"b/w "If You Take My Heart Away" 5 9 — —Song Favorites Of Georgia Gibbs "For Me, For You" / 21 — — —Non album tracks "Thunder and Lightning" — 20 — — "Say It Isn't So"b/w "He's Funny That Way" — — — —Music and Memories "The Bridge Of Sighs" / 30 — — —Non album tracks "A Home Lovin' Man" 30 — — — "Under Paris Skies"b/w "I Love Paris" — — — — 1954 "Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell"b/w "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" 18 15 — — "My Sin"b/w "I'll Always Be Happy With You" (Non album tracks) 21 27 — —Song Favorites Of Georgia Gibbs "Wait For Me, Darling "b/ w "Whistle and I 'll Dance" 24 32 — —Non album tracks "The Man That Got Away "b /w "More Than Ever" (Non album track) — — — —Music and Memories "Mambo Baby"b/w "Love Me" (Non album track) — 41 — —Song Favorites Of Georgia Gibbs 1955 "Tweedle Dee"b/w "You 're Wrong, All Wrong" (Non album track) 2 3 — 20 "Dance With Me Henry (Wallflower)"Original B side: "Ballin' The Jack"Later B side: "Every Road Must Have A Turning" 1 3 — — "Sweet and Gentle" / 12 8 — — "Blueberries" — 45 — — "I Want You To Be My Baby"b/w "Come Rain Or Come Shine" (Non album track) 14 13 — — "Goodbye To Rome (Arrivederci Roma)" / 51 44 — —Non album tracks "24 Hours a Day (365 A Year)" 74 36 — — 1956 "Rock Right"b/w "The Greatest Thing" 36 37 — — "Kiss Me Another"b/w "Fool Of The Year" 30 27 — 24 "Happiness Street"b/w "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe" (from Swinging With Her Nibs 20 30 — — "Tra La La"b/w "Morning, Noon and Night" 24 36 — — 1957 "Silent Lips"b/w "Pretty Pretty" 68 50 — — "The Sheik Of Araby"b/w "I Am A Heart, A Heart, A Heart" — — — — "I'm Walking The Floor Over You"b/w "Sugar Candy" 92 — — — "Fun Lovin' Baby"b/w "I Never Had The Blues" — — — — "I Miss You"b/w "Great Balls Of Fire" — — — —1958 "Way Way Down"b/w "You're Doin' It" — — — — "Hello Happiness, Goodbye Blues"b/w "It's My Pleasure" — — — — "The Hula Hoop Song"b/w "Keep In Touch" 32 37 — —1959 "The Hucklebuck"b/w "Better Loved You'll Never Be" — — — — "Pretend"b/w "Hamburgers, Frankfurters and Potato Chips" — — — —1960 "Seven Lonely Days"b/w "The Stroll That Stole My Heart" — — — — "So In Love "b /w "Loch Lomond" — — — —Georgia Gibbs 1963 "Candy Kisses"b/w "I Will Follow You" — — — —Georgia Gibbs' Greatest Hits "Tater Poon"b/w "Nine Girls Out Of Ten Girls" — — — —Non album tracks 1964 "You Can Never Get Away From Me"b/w "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way" — — — —Call Me Georgia Gibbs 1965 "Let Me Cry On Your Shoulder"Original B side: "You Can Never Get Away From Me"Later B side: "Venice Blue (Que C'est Triste Venise)" 132 87 — — "Call Me"b/w "Don't Cry Joe" — — — —1966 "Let Me Dream"b/w "In Time" — — 37 — "Kiss Of Fire"b/w "Blue Grass" — — — — 1967 "Where's The Music Coming From"b/w "Time Will Tell" — — — —Non album tracks