Rosemary Clooney biography

Rosemary Clooney was born on May 23, 1928 to mother Frances and father Andrew Clooney in Maysville, Kentucky. Rosemary had two younger siblings, sister Betty and bother Nick Clooney. Rosemary and Betty were quite close, though Rosemary was very quiet and shy and Betty was out going and loud. The sisters both had a natural gift for song, and their voices blended to the point where it was hard to tell one voice from the other.

Childhood was not easy, Rosemary always was worrying about where the next meal would come from, where she and her siblings would live, and where she would get her next pair of shoes for school. Most of her youth, Rosemary and her sister lived with her Grandfather Clooney, who was really the stable adult figure in her life.

Yet, even with constant worry and instability, Rosemary had a gift for phrasing words and had a natural gift of pausing at the right moment, even as a young girl. Betty was really good at doing the back up and the girls would audition for radio at the suggestion of Betty and got a solid job. Soon, they would be singing with Tony Pastor's band and record for Columbia Records. The success the two had together, did not come with easier decisions to make for Rosemary. The time came when Rosemary had to make the decision to split up the sister act and start a solo career. Betty saw this coming and let her sister rise, while she dropped into the background.

With such idols as Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary might never have believed that she would be friends with both of them and work with them later in her career. Rosemary's father adored Bing Crosby, while Rosemary adored "Old Blue Eyes," Bing, it turns out became one of her closest friends and helped her through many ups and downs and motivated her continually to keep her career moving.

It wasn't until 1951, that she came into a big hit song and "overnight success" with Come On A My House. Although many ups and downs would follow that success, friends were always there to lift her from her troubles and keep her laughing, especially friends like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Especially, when her marriage to Jose Ferrer crumbled.

When Hollywood came into the picture, Clooney took it head on and even though her career was short by Hollywood standards, her music career has always been constant and her voice has always been present at some time on radio, film, concerts, and television. Her nephew, George Clooney has helped out a bit as well, Rosemary herself said that girls who have never heard her sing, go to her concerts to see George Clooney's aunt.

On a more personal note, I really hope there are more of the younger set like me who appreciate the talents of this Chanteuse. I saw Rosemary live recently and shivers went up and down my spine, not only when she sang, but when she spoke about her family --- she obviously loves her family dearly. And for that, I respect and admire her even more.

The world lost a treasure in Rosemary Clooney in 2002. We were lucky to have her as long as we did. She will always be remembered for her gracious presence and eloquence and timing in song. Rosemary Clooney was certainly America's most enduring girl singer.