Ed Sullivan welcomed famed jazz singer Margaret Whiting to his show in 1970. Sullivan loved the big band sound of the 40s and 50s that Margaret was known for. Her upbeat rendition of ‘Gentle on My Mind’ amazed the crowd.
Margaret starts the song by bopping around to the upbeat big band accompaniment. She is wearing a stunning white dress with sequined silver jewels against a mustard and orange-colored backdrop.
The band is full of strong drums, and horn hits throughout. The big band sound is similar to a Frank Sinatra background. Margaret’s voice cuts through the aggressive accompaniment as she belts out the quick lyrics.
Margaret reached the height of her popularity in the 40s and 50s. At age 7, Margaret sang for Johnny Mercer, who later founded ‘Capitol Records’ and signed her to a record contract.
Margaret’s famous father, Richard Whiting, was a composer of popular songs, including ‘Hooray for Hollywood’ and ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop.’ He also penned the hit, ‘Ain’t We Got Fun?’
‘Gentle on My Mind’ was initially written and recorded by Jack Hartford, but the most famous rendition was a cover by Glen Campbell. His version peaked at number 30 on the Billboard charts. It was covered by other famous artists like Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.
This rendition of the hit song with a full big band and Margaret’s incredible voice is a gem from the archives of Ed Sullivan. It is an excellent reminder of an era of music that has come and gone, leaving a lasting impression.
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