Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians (Music in American Life)

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but one sided view of the man
Review: This book is a facinating read about the famous choral conductor and his Pennsylvanians, during the early days of radio, television and film. Many amusing and interesting anectdotes punctuate the book throughout. Written by his wife, so it is a rather one-sided (positive) view of the man who many saw as a cold task master....but in whom no one could argue with the fine product he produced. This man truly "taught America how to sing".

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but Dorothy Lee needed to be mentioned more!
Review: This book was very interesting however, it hardly covered Fred Waring's long relationship with 1930s actress Dorothy Lee. Dorothy was a very talented and vivacious actress.

Dorothy Lee was engaged to Mr. Waring on and off over the years and they were a pretty hot item back then. She also toured all over America and Canada with him and the Pennsylvanians, and did many stage shows with them. She and Fred also remained very good friends for the remainder of his life.

They were very much in love in the 1930s and I feel it's a travesty that their relationship was not mentioned in more detail and she was definately a significant part of his wife to be mentioned more!