Singer Julie London (originally Gayle Peck) was born September 26, 1926 in Santa Rosa, California.
The daughter of a song and dance vaudeville team, her beauty was recognized early on and she began appearing in movies as a teenager in 1944.
London was a pin-up girl during World War II, married to actor-jazz fan Jack Webb during 1947-53, and met songwriter Bobby Troup in 1954, marrying him in 1960.
A well regarded actress, in 1955 she began recording as a cool sensuous jazz singer, sticking to the melody and lyrics but giving the music her own intimate and inviting personality.
She had a huge hit with “Cry Me A River” both on record and in the film The Girl Can’t Help It, and recorded 32 albums during a 14 year period which were as famous for the album covers as for her breathy singing.
Ironically London was shy to sing before audiences.
She retired from recording after 1969 but continued acting with a regular role on the television series Emergency (produced by first husband Jack Webb and co-starring Bobby Troup) until 1979.
Julie London is featured in Japan on May 28, 1964, singing “Cry Me A River.”
-Scott Yanow
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