The House Of Blue Lights

 

 Pat Morrissey
Orchestra directed by Sy Oliver

 

The House Of Blue Lights
Don Raye, Freddie Slack

Decca Records, 1955

Pat Morrissey, Buxom blonde, singer and piano rubber

Born in Philadelphia in January 1929, Pat Morrissey made her debut on the Horn & Hardardt Children's Hour. Pat was on the show for a year before moving to New York for three years where she attended Children's Professional School, studied tap and ballet dancing. the big moment came when Sophie Tucker needed a little girl for a one-line spot in one of her shows. The line was "Bless my Mommy and my Daddy." and Pat jazzed it up! When she returned to her home town, Pat had the lead in all the plays at Olney High School.

Her big break was in 1951 when on a Florida vacation Pat and some friends were dining at Mother Kelly's famous retaurant. One of the party dared her to get up and sing, and Pat, shaking, called their bluf.  It was at that moment, as she approached the piano, that Pat saw what was to become her sanctuary at all club appearances -- the bend on the baby grand. Leaning in that comforting curve began to sing "Baby, It Must Be Love," a song she had heard as a child. The reaction was tremendous. On the strenght of her impromptu performance Pat was offered a job there.

Then she hit the road, performing in New York, London, Vegas and Hollywood. According to a few reviews, she created quite the impression.

She recorded for Decca (1953-1955), Mercury (1956-1957) and Addison (1960). Then, she headlined at her own nitery located atop Eros Restaurant on the near Chicago north side.