Arthur Godfrey's Popular Music Videos
About Arthur Godfrey
Hometown
United States of America
Born
August 31, 1903
Genre
Vocal
Arthur Godfrey was an active entertainer for most of his life -- he spent at least half a century performing in radio, television, and movies, singing and playing ukulele and guitar, and stepping up to microphones to give voice to his latest promotional scheme. Whether it was new talent he was promoting or a brand of tea, he did it with oodles of sincerity, convincing most of America that he was a person who could be trusted. His importance is considered paramount to the television medium, an innovative new technology during the most energetic period of Godfrey's career that needed its own celebrity and spokesman, and all the better if the roles could be rolled into one.
During the '50s it was impossible to escape from Godfrey if either a radio or television had been turned on. There are many aspects of his mystique -- his facial expressions, some say his hair -- that seem best experienced in a visual medium, such as classic television programs. His performances have also been included on audio recordings, some relating to reissues of vintage radio programs, but others suggesting that the range of environments comfortable to Godfrey is indeed quite broad. He shows up on collections of novelty songs and polka compilations, even on a classic bit of far-out psychedelic music when San Francisco's Moby Grape invited him to drop in on their sessions, jamming on ukulele and banjo. Unlike any members of that band, Godfrey could rightfully claim to have been one of the highest paid individuals in America at one time. His ticket to fame circa the late '40s was the idea for a talent show he had come up with; beyond that, all he had to deliver was his friendly manner and a selection of the talented, struggling young performers lining the streets. The list of recording artists Godfrey boosted with these programs includes Pat Boone, Tony Bennett, Eddie Fisher, Connie Francis, and Patsy Cline. ~ Eugene Chadbourne
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