Marion Keene

Marion Keene (also known as Marion Davis, born Marion Davison, c. 1933[1]) was a big band singer in the early 1950s with British bands such as the Jack Parnell[2] Orchestra and Oscar Rabin Band.[3]

She began her career aged 16, performing as Marion Davis, when she sang with the bands of Oscar Rabin, Eric Winstone and Jack Parnell. She married saxophone player Ronnie Keene, and later performed as Marion Keene in the late 1950s. In 1960, she reached the finals of the United Kingdom Eurovision Song Contest with her song "Unexpectedly".

"She was a beautiful person in every way" recalled Ron Simmonds, fellow band member and close friend. Keene later appeared on television and cabaret in London's West End. Her second marriage was to trombone player, Ken Goldie.

In a letter published by the Hartlepool Mail on 6 April 1998, Marion Keene related her career memories starting with World War II:

"I remember coming out of the shelters and seeing Musgrove Street in complete devastation...I remember singing and tap dancing in the cellar. They used to shine a torch on me as though I was on stage.

She also wrote:

When I was 14 years I sang with Benny Nelson at the Queen's Rink, then joined Oscar Rabin when I was 16 years. I was offered a four year contract. From there I joined Eric Winstone, then freelanced with "Ambrose", Paul Adams, Felix King and others, then joined Jack Parnell for two years. I worked with Frankie Laine, Al Martino, Billy Holiday [sic], Bob Hope and others. "I started my television career in 1956 with The Dave King Show, then Jimmy Wheeler, Ted Ray, Norman Wisdom, Dickie Henderson, Stanley Black, Bob Hope TV Special. All the shows I did were series so I was appearing to audiences of 20 million. They were live shows and so exciting. I also did commercials, Frys Turkish Delight, was very popular, also Dreft, Dairy Box and Dove Soap."

Recordings

Parlophone Marion Davis with Oscar Rabin Band

Nixa Marion Davis with Eric Winstone Orchestra

  • NY 7742 "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" (with The Stagecoachers) / "Easy Come, Easy Go" (with Franklyn Boyd)
  • NY 7743 March 1952 "I Don't Care"

HMV

RCA

References

  1. ↑ http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/the-hartlepool-star-who-sang-with-bob-hope-and-julie-andrews-1-8028650
  2. ↑ "A Song For Europe 1959". Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  3. ↑ "Oscar Rabin Band". Retrieved 24 August 2011.

Marion Keene was featured in "Hartlepool Life" newspaper in a column called "Hartlepool People" by author John Riddle. He has written several books including one called "Remembering the Queens Rink" where Marion appeared with Benny Nelson and his band. Marion wrote the foreword for "Remembering the Queens Rink".

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