Phyllis Lynne

Photo of Phyllis Lynne

Often described by critics as a competent but unexciting singer, Phyllis Lynne kept busy during the 1940s but never set the world on fire. Lynne, whose name was sometimes misspelled Lynn, came from a wealthy California family and was adept at tennis and horsemanship. She sang with Paul Pendarvis in 1939 and 1940 as well as other “name and semi-name” bands in the West before joining Russ Morgan’s orchestra sometime before June 1941, staying until June 1942. June 1943 found her with Chico Marx, and in late July of that year she signed with Vaughn Monroe, where she replaced Marilyn Duke. She left Monroe in April 1944 to join Frankie Carle’s orchestra, passing up a contract offer from 20th Century Fox in August that year to remain with the band.

Lynne left Carle at the first of September 1945. In mid-1946, she was singing with Bob Crosby’s band, and in early 1947 she appeared in the Broadway musical Toplitzky of Notre Dame. In September 1951, she joined a new Western orchestra formed by Gene Autry musical director Carl Cotner. In summer 1952, she sang with Autry on his recording of “Don’t Believe a Word They Say.” Beyond that, Lynne disappears into the mists of history.

Sources

  1. Liner Notes. Russ Morgan and His Orchestra. 1941-1954, Circle, 1997.
  2. “Town Turns Out For Pendarvis Opening.” Down Beat 15 Nov. 1939: 21.
  3. “Beauty.” Down Beat 1 Feb. 1940: 24.
  4. “Rarin'.” Down Beat 1 May 1940: 24.
  5. “And She Sings.” Down Beat 15 Jun. 1941: 24.
  6. “Russ Morgan.” Down Beat 1 Mar. 1941: 23.
  7. “Orchestra Notes.” Billboard 13 Jun. 1942: 25.
  8. “Vaudeville Reviews: Orpheum, Los Angeles.” Billboard 19 Jun. 1943: 16.
  9. “Phyllis Lynne With Vaughn Monroe Ork.” Billboard 7 Aug. 1943: 12.
  10. “Vaudeville Reviews: Paramount, New York.” Billboard 25 Sep. 1943: 17.
  11. Smith, Bill. “On the Stand: Vaughn Monroe.” Billboard 8 Apr. 1944: 20.
  12. “Car Strike Cuts Carle Gross.” Billboard 12 Aug. 1944: 28.
  13. “Music Grapevine.” Billboard 19 Aug. 1944: 16.
  14. “Heat Chills San Fran Take.” Billboard 30 Jun. 1945: 34.
  15. “Vaudeville Reviews: Oriental, Chicago.” Billboard 22 Sep. 1945: 35.
  16. “Crosby Chirp.” Billboard 1 Jul. 1946: 1.
  17. “Broadway Openings: Toplitzky of Notre Dame.” Billboard 4 Jan. 1947: 24.
  18. “Music as Written.” Billboard 1 Sep. 1951: 19.
  19. “Los Angeles Band Briefs.” Down Beat 5 Oct. 1951: 8.
  20. “The Hollywood Beat.” Down Beat 16 Nov. 1951: 8.
  21. “Country & Western (Folk) Record Reviews.” Billboard 16 Aug. 1952: 38.