Goodnight, Jo

JO STAFFORD AT THE BEGINNING OF CAREER IN  THE 1940'S

We were saddened to learn of the July 19 passing of Jo Stafford, at age 90. Her immaculate voice and perfect pitch made her a superstar in the 1940's and 1950's; she also had a successful second career as part of the comedy act, "Jonathan and Darlene," with her husband, conductor/musician Paul Weston -- Stafford portrayed Darlene, a tone-deaf nightclub chanteuse. She and Weston actually won a 1961 Grammy in the Comedy category for their album, Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris.

STAFFORD AT THE HEIGHT OF HER 1950'S FAME

Largely forgotten today, Stafford sold millions of records in her prime, and was nicknamed "G.I. Jo" by the many servicemen who saw her perform at countless USO shows overseas. She retired by the late 1960's, her brand of pop crooning no longer in fashion during the Age of Aquarius. As the following photo demonstrates, she did, however, look just fabulous in 1960's fashion (are those Roger Vivier pumps?).

AT A 1969 RECORDING SESSION

Goodnight, Jo Stafford. Thanks for the music and the memories.