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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 ZCARR, Vikki(b Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona, 19 July '41, El Paso TX) Singer. Eldest of seven children; father an engineer; grew up near L.A. Singing at age four, in Latin: 'Adeste Fidelis' at school concert. Played leads in school shows; worked in bank, sang with local bands; won an audition with Pepe Callahan Mexican-Irish band, opening as 'Carlita' at Palm Springs Chi Chi Club; later to Reno, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii. She opened a solo act in Reno backed by Chuck Leonard Quartet, signed to Liberty and toured Australia, where her first single was a hit. First was LP Color Her Great '63; TV dates included guest shots, 26-week series on Ray Anthony show; her albums displayed a crowd-pleasing talent: Discovery and Discovery Vol. 2 '64; The Way Of Today '66; Anatomy Of Love '67. Single 'It Must Be Him' (from French song 'Seul Sur Son Etoile') was no. 2 UK, no. 3 USA '67; other USA top 40s: 'The Lesson', 'With Pen In Hand'; 'Eternity' reached no. 79 (all '67-9). Played a Command Performance in the UK '67; in the White House for Nixon '70, Ford '74. Switched to Columbia '71 for seven albums, then dropped by the label. She played hospitals, benefits, set up a scholarship foundation for Chicano children; resumed recording '80 with Y El Amor for Mexican CBS. CDs: From The Heart on Pair, Que Sea El on EMI; con el Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan '98 on Rodven. |