Emma Kelly, 82, nightclub singer
T.E. Goodell
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Pianist and singer Emma Kelly, the ``Lady of 6,000 Songs''
made famous by the book ``Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,'' died
Wednesday from a liver ailment. She was 82.
Kelly's nightclub act, in which she tapped her vast repertoire of American
popular standards five nights a week until she became ill a month ago, was a
must-see for Savannah tourists itching to meet a real-life character from
author John Berendt's Southern Gothic best seller.
Though the book helped her book performances from New York to Switzerland,
Kelly continued to crisscross south Georgia to play church socials and high
school graduations, Kiwanis luncheons and wedding receptions.
Berendt devoted an entire chapter to Kelly in the 1994 book, describing her as
a teetotaling Baptist who would play smoky cocktail lounges Saturday nights and
Sunday school classes the next morning.
Kelly performed at her own nightclub, Emma's, in Savannah, for five years in
the late 1980s. She then bounced between lounges near the downtown riverfront.
She also independently recorded three albums, the last of which will be
released posthumously, her son said.
=================
We all shine on
like the moon, and the stars, and the sun
--John Lennon
R. Kane
>SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Pianist and singer Emma Kelly, the ``Lady of 6,000 Songs''
>made famous by the book
With the passing of Emma and Steve Allen, we've just lost a repository
of over 10,000 songs.
--
Some usenet hall monitors feel credibility requires a valid email
address. For those misguided do-gooders, here's one for you:
[some assembly required]
PlentyCoups at mail dot GunControlKills dot com
brigidnelson
>
> On 19 Jan 2001 00:21:34 GMT, tgoo...@aol.com (T.E. Goodell) wrote:
>
> >SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Pianist and singer Emma Kelly, the ``Lady of 6,000 Songs''
> >made famous by the book
>
> With the passing of Emma and Steve Allen, we've just lost a repository
> of over 10,000 songs.
>
brigid
R. Kane
<irja...@teleport.com> wrote:
>> >SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Pianist and singer Emma Kelly, the ``Lady of 6,000 Songs''
>> >made famous by the book
>> With the passing of Emma and Steve Allen, we've just lost a repository
>> of over 10,000 songs.
>Assuming there was no overlap in their respective repetoires.
Steverino made his share up.
Mary Campbell
> On 19 Jan 2001 00:21:34 GMT, tgoo...@aol.com (T.E. Goodell) wrote:
>
>>SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Pianist and singer Emma Kelly, the ``Lady of 6,000 Songs''
>>made famous by the book
>
> With the passing of Emma and Steve Allen, we've just lost a repository
> of over 10,000 songs.
She just sang them, she didn't write them. As I recall the book, she
knew every song by Johnny Mercer, who was also from Savannah.
Apparently she was a charming and generous person who brought a lot of
pleasure to others; may she rest in peace.
Parkerspy
hottest and most humid weather I have ever experienced. My traveling
companions and I collapsed in our hotel's lobby for cookies and tea. As we
awaited our refreshments the lobby filled with what turned out to be a huge
wedding party setting up for the wedding pictures. At one point a woman from
the party came over to us and apoligized for intruding on our afternoon. She
noticed that I was reading THE BOOK (Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil)
and asked me if I was enjoying it. I assured her that I was really enjoying
reading it while I was in the city and could so easily see many of the
locations mentioned in the book. She then called over her mother over and
introduced me to Emma Kelly (her youngest daughter was the bride)! Ms. Kelly
graciously autographed my book (she kind of insisted).
They were a large, loud and spirited family whose love for one another filled
the room. I was happy to see how every member of her family treated her like a
queen, making sure she was comfortable and surrounded with respect and family.
God bless you Emma Kelly you certainly underlined a special vacation experience
and gave us a memory we will never forget.