Variety said at the time, 'His fresh, clean-cut handling of ballads is solid lure to the younger crowd, both male and female, and his wearing of the army khaki adds a glamour touch.'įisher returned to the recording studio when he had furloughs during his two-year hitch, and while in uniform managed to record ten hits that racked up sales of seven million records. Fisher was soon put to work on the recruiting effort for the Korean War, and he appeared often on television to promote enlistment. In fact, well-publicized photographs of him in uniform helped seal his image as a heartthrob for teenaged girls. His first million-seller was the 1951 release 'Any Time,' a song originally performed in the early 1920s.įisher's induction into the army in 1951 did not slow the flowering of his fame. By 1950 the singer had his first hit, 'Thinking of You,' and his popularity grew with remarkable speed from that point on. Fisher then signed on with Cantor's radio show, and his continued exposure landed him a recording contract with RCA- Victor in 1949. Singer Eddie Cantor was in the audience for the show, and he found Fisher's style so appealing that he invited him to join his traveling tour. Blackstone landed Fisher some work, but he performed only sporadically over the next few years.įisher's timing was perfect when he sang at Grossinger's in New York state's Catskills on Labor Day of 1949. Although Fisher was turned down by the club because he hadn't yet turned 18, the club's director, Monte Proser, was impressed and introduced him to Milton Blackstone, an agent who started representing the singer. He performed regularly at clubs until the late 1940s, but got little recognition outside the Philadelphia area.Īfter landing a singing job with Buddy Morrow's band at age 17, he went with the band to New York City and tried out at the famed Copacabana nightclub. As a teenager he appeared often on radio stations around Philadelphia, earning as little as 15 cents a week for his efforts. At age 13 Fisher won first place in a contest on a local radio show. He has said that an early role model for his powerful delivery was his father, who used to yell to customers when selling fruits and vegetables from his truck. Much of his musical development took place while singing in the local synagogue, and by age seven he was performing in local amateur contests. Fisher has been described as having a freewheeling approach and lack of musical of musical discipline that often tested the patience of his accompanists.Īccording to George Simon in The Best of the Music Makers, 'The title of Fisher's biggest hit record, 'Any Time,' reflects rather accurately his unpredictably wandering rhythmic beat that for years musicians tried valiantly to follow as he gaily and unconcernedly created his own time by decimating or elongating musical measures.' Although Fisher's rhythm difficulties and his unsubtle singing approach sometimes resulted in unfavorable appraisals by critics, the crooner's deficiencies did not deter millions of fans from buying his records.Įdwin Jack Fisher started singing at a young age while growing up in a poor section of south Philadelphia. Fisher's booming voice hardly needed a microphone to carry to the back rows of big theaters, and his early nickname of 'Sonny Boy' reflected his fondness for singing in a style reminiscent of Al Jolson. Hit Parade.Īlthough Fisher is Jewish, his style has been compared to those of famous Italian tenors and baritones. From 1950 to 1956 Fisher recorded 35 Top 40 hits, including 19 in the Top Ten and four that reached Number One on the U.S. His innocent good looks, strong and straightforward voice, and choice of material made him one of the most popular recording artists of the first half of the decade. Skyrocketing to fame after he was 'discovered' by Eddie Cantor in 1949, Eddie Fisher replaced Frank Sinatra as the number-one 'bobby-soxer' singing idol in the early 1950s. Addresses: Management-Neal Hollander Agency, 250 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10016. Born Edwin Jack Fisher, August 10, 1928, in Philadelphia, PA son of Joe (a vegetable and fruit vendor) and Kate Fisher married Debbie Reynolds, 1955 (divorced) married Elizabeth Taylor, 1958 (divorced) married Connie Stevens, late 1960s (divorced) married fourth wife children: actress Carrie Fisher (with Reynolds).

Eddie fisher spouse