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Elisabeth Welch

Sue Lawley's castaway is singer Elisabeth Welch.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is the black American singer Elisabeth Welch, who, in a career spanning 60 years, made famous such songs as Love For Sale, Soloman and Stormy Weather. Her first big break came in 1931 in the Broadway show The New Yorkers. The show made her a star and also gave her the lasting friendship of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. Having been the toast of London, Paris and New York in pre-war years, her music still appeals across the generations.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Just One Of Those Things by Frank Sinatra
Book: Who's Who In The Theatre
Luxury: Photo of mother

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Nov 1990 09:05

Music Played

  • Elaine Stritch

    Broadway Baby

    • Follies/Concert Cast.
    • RCA.
  • John Dankworth & Cleo Laine

    April In Paris

    • The Unforgettable Cleo Laine.
    • PRT.
  • Mabel Mercer

    Little Girl Blue

    • The Art of Mabel Mercer.
    • Atlantic.
  • Beatrice Lillie

    A Marvellous Party

    • A Marvellous Party with Beatrice Lillie.
  • Mary Ellis

    Waking And Sleeping

    • Ivor Novello: Original Cast Recordings.
    • SH.
  • Peggy Lee

    Don't Smoke In Bed

    • Capitol Collector's Series Vol 1.
    • Capitol.
  • Peter Sarstedt

    Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?

    • The Love Collection.
    • Music For Pleasure.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Frank Sinatra

      Just One Of Those Things

      • Screen Sinatra.
      • Music For Pleasure.
  • Book Choice

    • Who's Who In The Theatre

  • Luxury Choice

    • Photo of mother

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Elisabeth Welch

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Nov 1990 12:15
  • Fri 23 Nov 1990 09:05

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