The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Governor Flyball wrote: It looks like the era has passed with hardly a whimper.

I think there's probably some around, but I think you'd be looking for one hit wonders or lesser recording artists?

Most of the popular big names with career's before 1948 who were young enough then to still be alive, were probably ask to record something for the new microgroove format if the record companies thought there was a chance to sell more records.

Perhaps a child star from the 1940's?
I thought maybe Bobby Breen might be alive but we lost him in 2016.

Be much easier to compile a list of pre 1959 78rpm era only stars still alive, and I think that would be quite a long list.
I think the last on that list in years to come might be Gayla Peevey, at currently 77 yrs young,
Even Patience and Prudence made a couple recordings in the early 60's, and Brenda Lee of course had a pretty significant career throughout the 1960's.
However Gayla's last recording was in 1958.

Another artist who made her last recording, again in 1958, was the gorgeous Jane Powell.
And I must say, she's still as sexy as ever at 91.

If this list is not restricted to soloists, I spotted one member of a famous orchestra, still living, that recorded at the time that only 78s were recorded and pressed:

Ray Anthony -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Anthony
Also: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/ ... nthony_Ray

This is iffy, but Petula Clark's first record for Columbia, "Put Your Shoes On, Lucy" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS7WsoBaI4s ) was released in 1949, which would have been before Columbia licensed the 45 rpm format, developed by RCA Victor that year for single hit pressings.

Also see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygon_Records



OrthoFan

I had no idea Ray Anthony was still around.

Drummer Roy Haynes would just paradiddle himself into the 78 only era too.

Not 78rpm Only Artists

Baby Washington is still alive. Recorded The Bells in 1959 on Neptune records.
Here is an excellent site on late 78's.

https://78rpmthelastyear.wordpress.com

Quite scary really. I've seen a few of them performing live.
Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and the Everly Brothers.

Did The Beatles not have some 78's released in India up until 1968?

Tony Bennet

He began recording after the war, his first records were 78s. Not only still alive, but singing quite well!

Mary Lee ? She first recorded with Roy Fox in London on 27 September 1935, aged 14.She sang "Mickey's Son And Daughter" and "Truckin'
Mary Lee turned 100 in August 2021

Mary Lee! Great find! Just read her Wiki bio.

She just turned 100!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Lee_(singer)

Julie Andrews and Marilyn Horne both made 78s.

And then there’s Elvis ........

But Andrews, Horne and Pressley made 78's during the LP era. This thread was to include pre LP (1948) artists.

Governor Flyball wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:54 pm But Andrews, Horne and Pressley made 78's during the LP era. This thread was to include pre LP (1948) artists.

Julie Andrews made her record of Mignon in 1947 so she just squeaks in.

Are any of the children of the Manchester Schools Choir still with us? Their famous record of Nymphs and Shepherds was made in 1929. There’s an interview with two of them as recent as 2011.