Louise Tobin (1918–2022), singer who helped discover Frank Sinatra
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2 min readLouise Tobin was a big band singer who helped Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) get his first big break with her husband’s band.
- Died: November 26, 2022 (Who else died on November 26?)
- Details of death: Died at her granddaughter’s home in Carrollton, Texas at the age of 104.
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Musical career
Tobin began singing professionally in her teens in the 1930s, working with notable bandleaders including Bobby Hackett (1915–1976) and Jack Jenney (1910–1945). In 1939, she joined Benny Goodman’s (1909–1986) band, singing on hits including “I Didn’t Know What Time it Was” and “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.” She married bandleader Harry James (1916–1983) in 1935; the marriage didn’t last long, but it did result in one important musical partnership. Tobin was listening to the radio in 1939 and heard a broadcast from the New Jersey club the Rustic Cabin. Their young emcee, Frank Sinatra, was singing, and she told James he should tune in another night to hear Sinatra’s skill. James was impressed and hired Sinatra as part of his band. The gig with James was the steppingstone to Sinatra’s meteoric rise to fame. Tobin took time off from her singing career to raise her children with James, but she returned to performing in the 1960s, including at the Newport Jazz Festival. She married jazz clarinetist Michael “Peanuts” Hucko (1918–2003) and toured with his band for years.
Tributes to Louise Tobin
Full obituary: The New York Times
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