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Julie London

Biography:
Julie London was born June Webb on the 26th of September 1926, at Santa Rosa, California, USA.

Actress-singer London is inextricably linked to the sultry Andy Hamilton song 'Cry Me A River', which gave the artist her sole million-seller in 1955. Her memorable performance of the song in the film 'The Girl Can't Help It', showcased a lachrymose delivery best exemplified on Julie Is Her Name,
which also featured the talent of jazz guitarist Barney Kessel.

London continued to record prodigiously throughout the late 50s to the mid-60s, but this aspect of her career vied with roles in films, notably 'The Great Man and A Question Of Adultery'.

She later appeared in several television series, often alongside her second husband and long-time producer and songwriter Bobby Troup. Her popularity underwent a revival in the UK in the early 80s after Mari Wilson gained a hit with London's classic lament.

London's looks were stunning, she oozed style, but unfortunately she did not possess the vocal range or expression to make her a truly great singer.

   Taken from the Encyclopedia of Popular Music.

Note:
We have to disagree with the last paragraph of the biography taken from the Encyclopedia. I have printed their comments as it is believed that everyone should have their opinions but as most people are aware, vocal range is not necessary to make a great singer and expression can be a matter of opinion.

   With thanks to David Bruce.

19 - 10 - 2000 Update

LOS ANGELES Julie London, the smoky-voiced "Cry Me A River" nightclub
singer who played TV nurse Dixie McCall on the old "Emergency!" series,
died Wednesday. She was 74.

London had been in poor health since suffering a stroke five years ago. She
was taken by ambulance from her San Fernando Valley home to a nearby
hospital, where she died Wednesday morning, her business manager Meyer Sack
said.

London was born Julie Peck in Santa Rosa, and moved to Los Angeles at 14
with her vaudeville song-and-dance team parents. She had roles in movies
including "Jungle Woman" (1944), "The Red House" (1947) with Edward G.
Robinson, "Task Force" (1949) with Gary Cooper, "The Fat Man" (1950) with
Rock Hudson and "A Question of Adultery" (1958).

London was married to "Dragnet" star Jack Webb for five years. Her second
husband, Bobby Troup, was the composer, jazz musician and actor who penned
the classic song "Route 66."

Troup booked London for a nightclub engagement that was followed by her hit
"Cry Me A River" in 1955 and eventually 32 albums.

In 1955, '56 and '57, she was voted one of Billboard's top female vocalists.

Among her songs: "Around Midnight," "In the Middle of A Kiss," "In the Wee
Small Hours of the Morning" and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy."

When nightclubs began losing their appeal and closing in the 1960s, London
moved to television.

She appeared on an episode of "Big Valley," then got the role of the head
nurse at fictional Rampart General Hospital on "Emergency!" Her husband,
Troup, played neurosurgeon Dr. Joe Early on the 1970s TV drama. He died of
heart failure last year at 80.

Webb was the show's executive producer, which ran from 1972 to 1977. Cable
TV reruns have brought "Emergency!" renewed popularity.

London is survived by a daughter from her marriage to Webb and three
children from her 39-year marriage to Troup.