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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSHELTON, Anne(b 10 Nov. '27, Dulwich, London; d 30 July '94) Singer, second only to Vera Lynn in UK popularity during WWII. Performed on BBC at age 12, auditioned for Ambrose and went to work for him rather than being evacuated from London with other children. Under contract to Ambrose for years, she also did seven shows with Glenn Miller in the UK: he'd asked for her, and told her as he left for France that he wanted to bring her to the USA after the war, but he didn't make it to France. She worked with Bing Crosby '44 (again at his request); a successful USA tour '50 incl. work with Percy Faith on radio. She was the first to sing the English words to "Lili Marlene' (it was already her theme; she'd hummed it on the air). She had many hits before UK charts began; "Be Mine' and "Galway Bay' charted in USA top 30 '49; no. 1 UK hit with "Lay Down Your Arms' '56; last chart hit was top 10 with "Sailor' '61; sang "I'll Be Seeing You' for film Yanks '79; sang "You'll Never Know' for the Queen Mother on her 80th birthday '80 (her favourite song); sang with ghost Miller band on UK TV '84, the 40th anniversary of D-Day. |