Jill Corey

Italian-American,{{cite book |last1=Summers |first1=Anthony |last2=Swan |first2=Robbyn |date=2010 |title=Sinatra: The Life |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-dAKzGzfeOgC |location=U.S. |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |pages=202-203, 205, 393, 574 |isbn=9780307427762}} Corey was born in Avonmore, Pennsylvania, a coal mining community about forty miles east of Pittsburgh. Her father, Bernard Speranza, was a coal miner,{{cite news|title=Jill Corey To Marry Brazil Envoy|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/24702249/?terms=%22Norma%2BJean%2BSperanza%22|work=The Indiana Gazette|date=April 11, 1969|location=Pennsylvania, Indiana|page=1|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = June 13, 2017}} {{Open access}} and she was the youngest of five children. Her mother died when she was four years old.{{cite magazine |author= |title=From Speranza to Corey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I0gEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA137 |magazine=Life |location=New York City |publisher=Time Inc. |date=November 9, 1953 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=137–143}}

She was a 1953 graduate of Bell-Avon High School.{{cite news|last1=Hastings|first1=Bill|title=The Lottery Winner's Right|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11652316/indiana_gazette/|work=The Indiana Gazette|date=July 16, 1981|location=Pennsylvania, Indiana|page=13|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = June 12, 2017}} {{Open access}} Corey began singing as an imitator of Carmen Miranda at family gatherings, on amateur shows in grade school, and contralto in the local church choir. At the age of 13, she began to develop her own style. She won first prize at a talent contest sponsored by the Lions Club, which entitled her to sing a song on WAVL in Apollo, Pennsylvania. This got her an offer to have her own program. By the age of 14 she was working seven nights a week, earning $5-$6 a night, with a local orchestra led by Johnny Murphy.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Help! Help! Help! |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37 |magazine=Billboard |location=New York City |publisher=Eldridge Industries |date=July 22, 1957 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=37}} By the age of 17 she was a local celebrity talent.

Image:Jill-Corey 2013-11-16.jpg

At the home of the only owner of a tape recorder in town, with trains going by in the background and no accompaniment, she made a tape recording to demonstrate her singing skills to the outside show business world. The tape came to the attention of Mitch Miller,{{cite magazine |author= |title=Columbia Signs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4EQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20 |magazine=Billboard |location=New York City |publisher=Eldridge Industries |date=October 10, 1953 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=20}} who headed the artists & repertory section at Columbia Records. He normally received over 100 record demos a week, and this one, with a 17-year-old girl and its train background, would not have been likely to gain his attention.

He telephoned her in Avonmore, and the next morning she flew to New York to be heard by Miller in a more normal studio setting. Miller had Life Magazine send over reporters and photographers, and had her audition with Arthur Godfrey and Dave Garroway. The Life photographers reenacted her signing a contract with Columbia, and all this happened in a single day, with her headed back to Avonmore that night.

Both Garroway and Godfrey called her, and it was her choice to pick one; she picked Garroway, who took the name Jill Corey out of a telephone book.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Columbia Signs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ynYcAQAAMAAJ |magazine=Woman's Home Companion |volume=82 |location=New York City |publisher=Crowell & Kirkpatrick Company |date=1955 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |page=36}} Within six weeks the Life article, with a cover picture and seven pages, came out. Jill Corey became the youngest star ever at the Copacabana nightclub,{{cite book |last1=Baggelaar |first1=Kristin |date=2006 |title=The Copacabana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cPZlsH51vZUC&pg=PA110 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |pages=110 |isbn=9780307483201}} where she was hit on by Frank Sinatra, and had numerous hit records.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Best Sellers in Stores For Survey Week Ending August 31, 1957 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QSEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46 |magazine=Billboard |location=New York City |publisher=Eldridge Industries |date=September 8, 1957 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=43, 45, 46, 48, 50}}{{cite magazine |author= |title=Reviews of New Pop Records |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nx4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20 |magazine=Billboard |location=New York City |publisher=Eldridge Industries |date=July 3, 1954 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=20}} Even so, in May 1956, Billboard described Corey as a performer who "hasn't made it big" despite the amount of publicity she received.{{cite magazine |last=Grevatt |first=Ben |title=Canned Milk Can't Cow Canned Music on Quota of Laughs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA21 |magazine=Billboard |location=New York City |publisher=Eldridge Industries |date=May 5, 1956 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=21}}

Corey was a regular on the television variety programs Robert Q's Matinee (1950–1956){{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|date=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-6477-7|page=900|edition=2nd}} The Dave Garroway Show (1953–1954),{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|date=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-6477-7|page=239|edition=2nd}}{{cite book |last1=Brooks |first1=Tim |last2=Marsh |first2=Earle F. |date=2014 |title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8KztFy6QYwC&pg=PA517 |location=New York |publisher=Random House |pages=517 |isbn=9780307483201}} and the 1958–1959 version of Your Hit Parade.{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|date=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-6477-7|page=1209|edition=2nd}}{{cite book |last1=Terrace |first1=Vincent |date=2010 |title=From Radio to Television: Programs That Made the Transition, 1929-2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nI-WEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA216 |location= |publisher=McFarland & Company |page=216 |isbn=9781476646930}} She was co-host of Music on Ice, a variety program on NBC (1960).{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|date=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-6477-7|page=725|edition=2nd}}

She also worked on television with Ed Sullivan. In 1956 she became a regular on Johnny Carson's CBS-network comedy-variety show from California.{{cite book |last1=Brooks |first1=Tim |last2=Marsh |first2=Earle F. |date=2014 |title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8KztFy6QYwC&pg=PA713 |location=New York |publisher=Random House |pages=713 |isbn=9780307483201}} In addition, she had her own syndicated radio and television shows, like The Jill Corey Show hosted by the National Guard Bureau,{{cite magazine |last=Havell |first=George F. |title=Radio-TV Tells the Army Story |volume=13 |issue=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTvLoLGi2uIC&pg=PA55 |magazine=Army Information Digest |location=Alexandria, Virginia |publisher=U.S. Army |date=August 1958 |access-date=December 31, 2022 |pages=55}} the Jill Corey Sings radio show,{{cite report |author=National Guard Bureau |author-link=National Guard Bureau |date=1960 |title=Annual Report of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K6nK2BS8jzYC&pg=RA2-PA12 |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=12 |access-date=December 31, 2022 }} and episodes of "Stop the Music" radio show.{{cite book |last1=Terrace |first1=Vincent |date=2010 |title=From Radio to Television: Programs That Made the Transition, 1929-2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nI-WEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA196 |location=U.S. |publisher=McFarland & Company |page=196 |isbn=9781476646930}}{{cite book |last1=Kaplan |first1=James |date=2016 |title=Sinatra: The Chairman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ANsiDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA54 |location=U.S. |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |page=54 |isbn=9781476646930}} She also appeared at a Delta Gamma gathering in 1957, where she sang and greeted guests.{{cite magazine |last=Starkey |first=Bette |date=Winter 1957 |title=Highlights |volume=74 |issue=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BEz4dmp-zy0C&pg=PA20 |magazine=The Anchora of Delta Gamma |location=Columbus, Ohio |access-date=December 31, 2022 |publisher=Delta Gamma fraternity |pages=17–20 }} She is known for her cover of a French song, "Let It Be Me", in 1957 for Columbia Records{{cite book |last1=Leszczak |first1=Bob |date=2014 |title=Who Did It First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-dAKzGzfeOgC |location=New York |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |pages=122–123 |isbn=9781442230682}} and her 1956 song, Egghead, which focuses on "failed masculinity" of an egghead.{{cite book |last1=Lecklider |first1=Aaron |date=2013 |title=Inventing the Egghead: The Battle over Brainpower in American Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yoxvqh2DvtoC&pg=PA204 |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |page=204 |isbn=9780812207811}} In 1959 she starred in a feature-length musical film for Columbia Pictures, entitled Senior Prom, which was co-produced by Moe Howard of The Three Stooges.

A two-CD compilation of her complete singles was released in June 2015 by Jasmin Records.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jasmine-records.co.uk/acatalog/jascd-817.html|title=COREY, Jill - Love Me To Pieces - The Complete Singles|website=Jasmine Records|language=en|access-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323170332/http://www.jasmine-records.co.uk/acatalog/jascd-817.html|archive-date=March 23, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Corey suspended her careerWhether she suspended her career might be questioned in light of the United Press International story about the wedding, which said, "The newlyweds will honeymoon in Hot Springs, Ark., and Bermuda where Miss Corey has singing engagements." to marry Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Don Hoak on December 28, 1961, in Pittsburgh.{{cite news|title=Hoak's Bride Is Tardy for Wedding|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11650875/the_weirton_daily_times/|work=The Weirton Daily Times|agency=United Press International|date=December 28, 1961|location=West Virginia, Weirton|page=12|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = June 12, 2017}} {{Open access}}{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Jack V. |date=2013 |chapter=Don Hoak |title=The Year of the Blue Snow: The 1964 Philadelphia Phillies |editor-last1=Marmer |editor-first1=Mel |editor-last2=Nowlin |editor-first2=Bill |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=udYAAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA128 |location=Phoenix, Arizona |publisher=SABR, Inc. |pages=128 |isbn=9781933599526}} They had a daughter, Clare. Hoak died of a heart attack at age 41 after they had been married eight years.{{cite book |last1=Morris |first1=Jack V. |date=2013 |chapter=Don Hoak |title=The Year of the Blue Snow: The 1964 Philadelphia Phillies |editor-last1=Marmer |editor-first1=Mel |editor-last2=Nowlin |editor-first2=Bill |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=udYAAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA129 |location=Phoenix, Arizona |publisher=SABR, Inc. |pages=129–130 |isbn=9781933599526}} She then resumed her career in New York City.{{cite web|url=http://www.azarchivesonline.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/uoa/UAMS476.xml|title=Jill Corey Collection 1953-2004 (bulk 1953-1989)|website=Arizona Archives Online|via=University of Arizona Libraries|access-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516184207/http://www.azarchivesonline.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/uoa/UAMS476.xml|archive-date=May 16, 2022|url-status=live}}

Following the death of Hoak, she starred in plays on and off Broadway including Annie Get Your Gun, Sweet Charity, and played to a sold out crowd at Carnegie Hall in 1989.

An Associated Press article published in February 1973 pointed out the difficulties that Corey faced in attempting a comeback. "Today I don't know how to audition, how to get people interested in booking me," she said.{{cite news|title=Former 'Hit Parader' Finds Comeback 'Not So Grand'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11652013/the_baytown_sun/|work=The Baytown Sun|agency=Associated Press|date=February 8, 1973|location=Texas, Baytown|page=12|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = June 12, 2017}} {{Open access}} Determined to succeed, she said, "Somehow, I'm going to find a way to tell people I'm back, and that I want to sing."

Corey died on April 3, 2021, from septic shock{{cite magazine |date=April 2022 |page=44 |title=Jill Corey, 85 |magazine=Classic Images}} in Shadyside Hospital, Shadyside (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, at age 85.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Singer-Jill-Corey-Dies-at-85-20210417|last=Wild|first=Stephi|title=Singer Jill Corey Dies at 85|website=Broadway World|date=April 17, 2021|access-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506123530/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Singer-Jill-Corey-Dies-at-85-20210417|archive-date=May 6, 2021|url-status=live}}

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• Robe of Calvary
• Minneapolis
• Cleo and Meo (with the Four Lads)
• Do You Know What Lips Are For? (with the Four Lads)
• A Good Night Kiss Is a Good Night's Work (with Percy Faith)
• One God
• He Is a Man (with Percy Faith)
• Where Are You? (with Percy Faith)
• Number One Boy . .
• I'm Not at All in Love
• Edward
• That's All I Need
• Come to Me for Everything
• Look Look (with Ray Conniff)
• Ching-Ching-a-Ling
• Nobody's Heart (with Ray Conniff)
• Cry Me a River (bigger hit for Julie London)

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• First Love (with Buddy Cole)
• Wait for Tomorrow (with Buddy Cole)
• Summer Night
• Your Prayers Are Always Answered
• Let Him Know
• What Am I to Do?
• I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Me) (US #28, 1957)
• Egghead
• Let It Be Me (US #57, 1957)
• Make Like a Bunny, Honey (US #95, 1957)
• Love Me to Pieces (her biggest hit) (US #18, 1957)
• Love
• I Feel Pretty
• How Can I Tell?
• Exactly Like You
• I Told a Lie to My Darlin'
• Give It All You've Got

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• Uh Huh, Oh Yeah
• Sweet Sugar Lips
• Loveable
• Big Daddy (US #96, 1958)
• Wherefore Art Thou, Romeo?
• My Reverie 1958
• I Found a New Baby 1958
• Love Will Find Out the Way
• Dream Boy . .
• Have I Told You Lately that I Love You?
• The President Song
• Seems Like Old Times
• I Can't Hide a Mountain
• Have You Ever Been Lonely?
• I Gotta Have My Baby Back
• Lonely Life
• One Boy
• Ten Gallon Hat/Stick 'Em Up, Stuck up!

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{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://jillcorey.net/ Official website]
• {{IMDb name|id=0179788|name=Jill Corey}}
• [https://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/collections/jill-corey-collection Jill Corey Collection at University of Arizona Libraries]

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Category:1935 births

Category:2021 deaths

Category:People from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Category:American women pop singers

Category:American musical theatre actresses

Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:Traditional pop music singers

Category:Singers from Pennsylvania

Category:21st-century American women