. . Who knew they could talk, let alone sing? When talkies came in the late '20s, studios were amazed to find that established silent stars Ramon Novarro, Gloria Swanson, Bebe Daniels, Nancy Carroll and Charles “Buddy” Rogers had terrific, trained singing voices. Even Clara Bow, Janet Gaynor and Joan Crawford had respectible, if not polished, voices.
Either you guys are really young, or one of us is being whooshed.
Doesn’t anyone remember Grease?? Travolta had a couple of huge blockbuster songs off of that with “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” - both are duets with Olivia Newton John. You couldn’t turn on a radio without hearing one of them when that movie came out.
Other popular songs on that soundtrack Travolta sang:
“Greased Lightning”
“Sandy”
“We Go Together”
He has already released SIX solo albums (none of which I’ve heard). Apparently, they are good enough that he’s even released a Two CD greatest-hits package that gets 4.5 stars at AllMusic.com. Sounds bizarre, but maybe he’s big in Europe or something.
Travolta can sing.
Don’t forget, William Shatner released a solo album, too. <shudder>
Matt Damon did a pretty nice job of My Funny Valentine in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
And I thought George Clooney was lip-synching in O Brother?
Not only that, but he came up with the tune himself.
The Simpson’s writers love Kelsey Grammer because “he can sing.” Gives an added dimension to Sideshow Bob. And Bebe Newirth is a Broadway goddess.
I hope Mandy Patemptin can sing, since he was the original Broadway Che in Evita 25 years ago!
Anthony Stewart Head is the brother of Murray Head, best known for “One Night in Bangkok.” Obviously, singing runs in the family.
One more that deserves a mention: Vicky Lewis, of Home Improvement and News Radio. That little redhead is a amazing belter. Everyone should run down to their CD store, get “A Broadway Christmas” and listen to her premiere recording of Irving Berlin’s “The Happy New Year Blues.” It’s the highpoint in a truly extraordinary CD.
[Charlie Baileygates]
Can you believe that’s Gomer Pyle!?
[/Hank Evans]
Hey, Sam Stone?,
WOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSHHHHHHH!!!
Everybody mentioning John Cullum brought to mind his guest appearance in Quantum Leap, where he plays an aged, alcoholic thespian, doing the lead in “Man of La Mancha.” In this episode, we find out that Scott Bakula also is quite the singer. Bakula sings several songs on the QL soundtrack album, which also has a short interview with him where he talks of his theatrical singing roles.
And, Cullum’s performance of “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” in 1776 sent chills down my spine the first time I heard it.
<brief hijack>
That’s not entirely true.
From “That’s not all, Folks!”, Mel Blanc’s autobiography:
One of my favorite parts of his book, that’s the only reason I’m bothering with such a nitpick.
</brief hijack>
I had assumed the switch was made before “What’s Opera Doc”, but that cartoon was 1957, so I am equally amazed at Bryan’s vocal prowess. That’s a beautifully sung role.
That’s where I recognized her from! I couldn’t figure it out. She was on the short-lived musical series “Rags to Riches” too (think “Annie” but with lots more kids.) I remember her in RtoR because at the time I recognized her from LSoH.
That reminds me, on one ep of “Rags to Riches” (and no, I never watched the show, ) Richard Grieco guest starred as a Bad Boy, and of course had the obligatory song.
Meh. Average. His pitch was fine, but not a voice that would make anyone swoon.
Wait… I just remembered, Richard Grieco also released an album back in the 90s sometime that did well in Germany (the same folks that like David Hasselhoff.)
Has anyone mentioned Hasselhoff yet?
I thought he could sing pretty well too, and it appears we’re not alone on this. He sang in just about every skit on that episode of SNL.
And Billy Boyd has made me cry every time I’ve watched ROTK. His voice was so haunting and just perfect for the scene.
I am always amazed when I hear Lea Delaria, the butch-looking lesbian comedienne, sing. She has the voice of an angel.
Suzanne Somers is a respectable caberet performer; I was backstage at a benefit where she performed with Barry Manilow. She is quite delightful.
He was. Thus explaining why he sounds exactly like Dan Tyminski.
Just saw a clip on TV of Hugh Jackman appearing in Oklahoma!. A very robust voice indeed.
zoogirl: Yeah, after I read the message again after I posted my reply, I realized that it was a tongue-in-cheek comment. Oh well. It was worth doing the google search. I had no idea that Travolta had done six solo albums and had a greatest-hits CD.
:::Python Grail king:::
All, right, that’ll be enough of that! There’ll be no singing here! No! Not a note! Stop with that gesturing and go marry the girl with the huge tracts of land!
\Python Grail king
Bronson Pinchot has a pretty decent voice, too – better for patter songs than legato material, but he carried his part in PUTTING IT TOGETHER powerfully enough to make it worth listening to more than once.