Joan Edwards (radio singer)
| Joan Edwards | |
|---|---|
Edwards in 1945
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| Born | February 13, 1919 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 1981 (aged 62) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Hunter College |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Spouse(s) | Julius Schachter |
| Children | 3 daughters, 1 son |
| Parent(s) | Mr. and Mrs. Ben Edwards |
Joan Edwards (February 13, 1919 – August 27, 1981) was an American singer in the old-time radio era. She was perhaps best known for her work on the radio version of Your Hit Parade. She also was a vocalist for Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra.
Edwards' father was Ben Edwards, a song plugger. Music ran in her family; uncle Gus Edwards was a vaudeville entertainer, uncle Leo Edwards wrote music, and aunt Dorothy Edwards was a vocal teacher. Despite the family's show business background, she was urged to go in a different direction. In fact, Gus Edwards told her, "Stay out of show business."
As a child, Edwards had a heart murmur, and doctors advised her to start playing the piano "to keep her busy outside of school hours." She graduated from George Washington High School in Manhattan, where she directed the glee club. She went on to major in music at Hunter College, planning to be a teacher. However, her interest in singing and playing the piano won out, leading to a career in music.
Edwards' early appearances on radio came "via small stations in New York City." Her first network appearance was on Fred Allen's program.
Beginning March 3, 1941, Edwards had her own program, Girl About Town, on CBS. The 15-minute show was broadcast Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time. Although her singing was featured, she played the piano for one song in each episode.
In December 1941, Edwards was selected as the new female soloist on Your Hit Parade. Three years later, an article in Tune In magazine observed, "Joan Edwards sets something of a record, lasting through the regimes of three male singers -- Barry Wood, [Frank] Sinatra, [Lawrence] Tibbett -- in a three-year period." Her tenure on the program eventually reached five years, and the list of male singers' names grew to include Dick Todd and Johnny Mercer. She was dropped from Your Hit Parade in 1947 when the sponsor, American Tobacco Company, changed format, using guest stars rather than regular soloists.
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