HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Doris Day

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 3 April 1922, actress, Doris Day, was one more of those singers who bore the burden of va va voom. "You oughta be in movies" said God upon her birth, though she began her career in radio singing at WLW. While there she changed her last name from Kappelhoff to Day in 1939. Her first recording was per radio transcription in June of 1939 with Barney Rapp (drums) in a session with vocalist, Lee Johnson, and unknown personnel: 'I'm Happy About the Whole Thing'. She briefly worked with Bob Crosby and the Bobcats before recording with Les Brown and his orchestra on October 25 of 1940 for 'Maybe' and 'There I Go'. Day and Brown struck a match to as late as latter 1946.

'I'm Happy About the Whole Thing' Doris Day w Barney Rapp and His New Englanders

17 June 1939 'One Night Stand' radio show See Joyce 1058

Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

'There I Go' Doris Day w Les Brown and His Orchestra

25 Oct 1940 in NYC Radio from the Glen Island Casino See Joyce LP1020 / Sandy Hook SH2011

Trumpet: Eddie Bailey / Bob Thorne / Joe Bogart

Trombone: Warren Brown / Si Zentner / Ronnie Chase

Clarinet / alto sax: Brown / Steve Madrick / Abe Most

Tenor sax: Wolfe Tayne / Eddie Scherr (soprano / baritone)

Piano: Billy Rowland Guitar: Joe Petrone

Bass: Charlie Green Drums: Eddie Julian

Music: Irving Weiser Lyrics: Hy Zaret

'Let's Be Buddies' Doris Day w Les Brown and His Orchestra

29 Nov 1940 in NYC Matrix CO29169-1 Okeh 5937

Composition: Cole Porter

Among Day's numerous popular duets were those with Buddy Clark, among them 'Love Somebody' and 'My Darling, My Darling' in 1948, charting at #1 and #7 respectively. Day was, of course, a major film star, yet with no intention of such when she was recommended for her first acting role in 'Romance on the High Seas', that released in New York City on 26 June 1948 (preceding 'My Darling' with Clark above). Two weeks later Day's 'It's Magic' (Columbia 38188) reached #2 on 17 July of 1948, that with George Siravo directing the orchestra. Nine more of her titles reached the Top Ten to as late as 1958. Day's top recordings in chronological order below, along with associated films:

   Love Somebody   #1   1948   Film: My Dream Is Yours 1949
   My Darling, My Darling   #7   1948
   It's Magic   #2   1948   Film: Romance On the High Seas 1948
   Again   #2   1949
   Bewitched   #9   1950
   Would I Love You   #10   1951   (w Harry James)   Film: Young Man with a Horn 1950
   Shanghai   #7   1951
   A Guy Is a Guy   #1   1952
   Mister Tap Toe   #10   1953
   Secret Love   #1   1954   (best-selling title overall)   Film: Calamity Jane 1953
   If I Give My Heart   #3   1954
   Que Sera, Sera   #2   1956   (2nd best-selling title overall)   Film: The Man Who Knew Too Much 1956
   Everybody Loves a Lover   #6   1958

'It's Magic' Doris Day Film w Jack Carson

From the film 'Romance on the High Seas' directed by Michael Curtiz

Featuring Russo do Pandeiro and the Samba Kings

Premiere in NYC 26 June 1948 Nationwide release 3 July 1948

Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Sammy Cahn

IMDb Wikipedia

'My Darling, My Darling' Doris Day w Buddy Clark

1948 Matrix CO 40060 Columbia 38353

Composition: Frank Loesser

Other of Day's popular recordings had been duets such as 'Let's Take an Old-Fashioned Walk' with Frank Sinatra in 1949. She quickly followed that with her first of numerous albums, 'You're My Thrill', released on 10" vinyl in August 1949. Though more famous as a popular singer, Day had made wonderful contributions as a jazz vocalist, especially swing. She had opportunity to work with swing veteran, Harry James, on a number of occasions from 1949 to 1951. Their release of 'Would I Love You' the latter year charted at #10. 'Sugar Bush' with popular singer, Frankie Laine, saw issue in 1952. Come Johnnie Ray in 1952 and 1953 with 'A Full Time Job' and 'Let's Walk That-a-Way'. In 1955 Day issued the soundtrack, 'Love Me or Leave Me', her initial 12" LP of completely original songs not issued before on 10". Another of Day's strong releases was 'I'll Never Stop Loving You' at #13 in July 1955.

'Let’s Take an Old Fashioned Walk' Doris Day w Frank Sinatra and the Ken Lane Singers

1949 Matrix HCO 3748 Columbia 38513

Composition: Irving Berlin

'You're My Thrill' Doris Day w the Mellomen Orchestra led by John Rarig

1949 Columbia CL 6071

Music: Jay Gorney Lyrics: Sidney Clare

'Again' Doris Day w the Mellomen Orchestra led by John Rarig

1949 Columbia 38467

Music: Lionel Newman Lyrics: Dorcas Cochran

'Silver Bells' Doris Day w George Sirava and His Orchestra

1950 Matrix RHCO 4273 Columbia 39032 / 4-39032

Composition: Jay Livingston / Ray Evans

'Would I Love You' Doris Day w Harry James and His Orchestra

5 Jan 1951 in Hollywood Matrix RHCO4413-1 Columbia 39032 / 4-39032

Trumpet: James / Nick Buono / Phil Cook / Everett McDonald / Ralph Osborn

Trombone: Ziggy Elmer / Jimmy Palmer / Tom Greco / Juan Tizol (vibe)

Alto sax: Willie Smith / Mascagni "Musky" Ruffo

Tenor sax: Corky Corcoran / Jimmy Cook Baritone sax: Bob Poland

Piano: Bruce MacDonald Guitar: Bob Bain

Bass: Norman Seelig Drums: Louie Bellson

Violin: Mike Russell / George Kast / Samuel Cytron

Dan Lube / David Frisina / Jacques Gasselin

Felix Slatkin / Walter Edelstein / Sam Middleman

Viola: Maurice Perlmutter / Stanley Spiegelman / David Sterkin

Composition: Bob Russell / Harold Spina

'Shanghai' Doris Day w Paul Weston and His Orchestra

15 May 1951 Matrix RHCO 4489 Columbia D.B.2909

Composition: Bob Hilliard / Milton DeLugg

'Sugar Bush' Doris Day w Frankie Laine and the Norman Luboff Choir

1952 Matrix RZSP 10118 Columbia 39693 / 4-39693

Composition: Josef Marais

'Let's Walk That-A-Way' Doris Day w Johnnie Ray and the Paul Weston Orchestra

1953 Matrix RZSP10365-1A Philips PB 157

Composition: Ben Weisman / Fred Wise / Kay Twomey

'I'll Never Stop Loving You' Doris Day w Cameron Mitchell Film

From the film 'Love Me Or Leave Me' directed by Charles Vidor Released 10 June 1955

Music: Nicholas Brodszky Lyrics: Sammy Cahn

Ken Anderson IMDb Letterboxd TCM Wikipedia

'Love Me Or Leave Me' Doris Day w James Cagney Film

From the film 'Love Me Or Leave Me' directed by Charles Vidor Released 10 June 1955

Music: Walter Donaldson Lyrics: Gus Kahn

Ken Anderson IMDb Letterboxd TCM Wikipedia

Among such as for which she is most famous is Day's relationship with actor, Rock Hudson. Their first of three films was 'Pillow Talk' in 1959. 'Lover Come Back' was released in 1959. 'Send Me No Flowers' saw theaters in 1964. In December of 1961 Day was accompanied by the André Previn Trio consisting of Red Mitchell (bass) and Frank Capp (drums) for 'Duet'. She released the last of numerous albums in 1965: 'Latin for Lovers' and 'Sentimental Journey'. She recorded 'The Love Album' in 1967, though it wasn't issued until 1994. Day wasn't interested in acting on television, but got saddled to 'The Doris Day Show', which she didn't like doing, from November 1968 to 1973. She'd been contracted without her knowledge by husband (third) and manager, Martin Melcher. Upon Melcher's death in 1968 Day discovered she was deeply in debt due to Melcher's partner, her attorney and business manager, Jerome Rosenthal. Day sued Rosenthal and was awarded nigh 23 million, yet settled out of court for six million. Yet to small avail since countersuits occurred into the eighties.

'Duet' Doris Day Album

30 Nov/16 Dec 1961 in Hollywood Columbia CL1752

Piano: Andre Previn Bass: Red Mitchell Drums: Frank Capp

Discogs Wikipedia

'Por Favor' Doris Day w orchestra led by Mort Garson

From the album 'Latin for Lovers' recorded 2-9 Nov 1964 Released 22 March 1965

Composition: Joe Sherman / Noel Sherman

Discogs Wikipedia

'Sentimental Journey' Doris Day w the Mort Garson Orchestra

From the album 'Sentimental Journey' recorded 11-21 Nov 1964 Released 12 July 1965

Composition: Bud Green / Ben Homer / Les Brown

Discogs Wikipedia

Day hosted the talk show, 'Doris Day's Best Friends', during the 1985-86 season. After well above forty years since recording material for an album Day issued her last, 'My Heart', in the UK in 2011. Beyond music, Day was deeply involved with animal welfare. She'd cofounded Actors and Others for Animals in 1971, the Doris Day Pet Foundation in 1978, the Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center in 2011. Reportedly a Republican, Day died on 13 May 2019 in Carmel Valley, California. She had owned the Cypress Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Her son and sole child was producer, Terry Melcher (Paul Revere & the Raiders, Byrds, Gentle Soul), born in 1942. He had died on 19 November 2004, approaching fifteen years before Doris, of melanoma.