ANNETTE FUNICELLO
DIED
TODAY
Annette Joanne Funicello
was born October 22, 1942 in Utica, New York.
Her family relocated to Southern California when she was four years old.
In 1955, the then 12 year old Annette was discovered by Walt Disney while performing at a dance recital in Burbank California.
In 1955, the then 12 year old Annette was discovered by Walt Disney while performing at a dance recital in Burbank California.
He cast her as one of the original 'Mouseketeers' on The Mickey Mouse Club.
The world would come to know her simply as Annette.
* * * * *
HOW DO YOU REMEMBER ANNETTE?
As a Mouseketeer?
Do you remember reading about her?
I've written extensively about Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tours.
Did you know that Annette was a part of Clark's first tour in 1959.
ANNETTE WITH DICK CLARK |
Along with Frankie Avalon, Anita Bryant, Dody Stevens, Skip & Flip, Duane Eddy, Freddie Cannon, Jan and Dean, Jack Scott and Bobby Rydell . .
ANNETTE & BOBBY RYDELL |
Do you remember her hit records?
"Tall Paul" reached #7 on the Billboard Charts in 1959
To listen to "Tall Paul" click here:
Here's a great clip of Annette performing "Tall Paul" on Dick Clark's Beech-nut Show in 1959
"First Name Initial" rose to #20 in 1959
To listen to "First Name Initial" click here:
In 1960, "O Dio Mio" (#10) put Annette back in the Top 10
To listen to "O Dio Mio" click here:
1960 found Annette back on Dick Clark's Beech-nut Show singing "O Dio Mio"
Watch it here:
"Pineapple Princess" just missed the Top 10 when it
stalled at #11 in 1960
Listen to "Pineapple Princess" click here:
Were you heartbroken when she fell in love with Paul Anka?
The story goes, he wrote his hit song, "Puppy Love" for her . .
She certainly brought him luck; "Puppy Love" rose to #2 on the Billboard Charts in 1960
Watch Anka perform "Puppy Love" on The Beech-nut Show - it begins with Clark counting down the current Top 10 (not to be missed!)
Also in 1960, Annette collaborated with Anka on an album. Entitled, "Annette Sings Anka," you can hear the entire album on Youtube if you'd like (click here):
Here's some random shots from around the same time
ANNETTE'S INTERVIEWED BY DICK CLARK |
ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF HER LABOR |
IN THE STUDIO |
QUEEN OF SOMETHING . . BICYCLES MAYBE? |
WITH BOBBY DARIN |
CLOWNING WITH BOBBY DARIN |
WITH MR. DISNEY |
AT DISNEYLAND WITH PRINCESS SOPHIA OF GREECE (middle) |
Speaking of Disneyland . .
Do you remember Annette on Disneyland After Dark
back in 1962?
She appears with Bobby Rydell, and video is available
on Youtube with a great introduction by Mr. Walt Disney himself:
Watch it here:
ANNETTE & BOBBY RYDELL |
MORE DISNEYLAND MOMENTS . .
AT DISNEYLAND PROMOTING A RECORD |
DISNEYLAND 'DATE NIGHT' 1959 |
AGAIN PROMOTING A RECORD A DISNEYLAND (1958) |
AGAIN WITH PRINCESS SOPHIA (1958) |
MEETING FANS AT DISNEYLAND |
AT DISNEYLAND (1961) AS PETER PAN |
1968 MOUSEKETEER REUNION AT DISNEYLAND |
AT DISNEYLAND WITH HER FAMILY SOMETIME IN THE 1970'S |
Do you remember Annette at Christmas?
America watched her grow up right before our eyes . .
And then came the movies . .
You would've thought she was married to Frankie Avalon
Remember when she got married?
ANNETTE & HUSBAND JACK GILARDI (1965) |
Here's an incredible video clip of her wedding day taken by the 1965 version of the paparazzi, Hollywood Backstage
Watch it here:
Here's something you shouldn't miss
Annette, accompanied by her agent (and soon-to-be husband), Jack Gilardi; joins her cast mates from Beach Party (Frankie Avalon, Harvey Lembeck and Buddy Hackett) to attend the
1964 New York World's Fair.
1964 New York World's Fair.
REMEMBER THAT BIG 'OL HAIR?
For a time it seemed she'd faded away -
guess she was busy . .
Remember when she came back?
ANNETTE WITH DICK CLARK |
and sold us peanut butter!
In time people began to ask Annette to
And in 1987, she did!
Seemed like old times . .
ANNETTE WITH FRANKIE AVALON |
And then this . .
WITH 2ND HUSBAND GLEN HOLT |
she was not forgotten . .
And never will be . . .
ANNETTE FUNICELLO
October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013
U P D A T E !
Last October 22, 2012 Annette Funicello turned 70 years old.
Several of her old friends (four former Mouseketeers and life-long friend, Shelley Fabares) recorded birthday greetings for Annette.
I've posted the links for each birthday message below
Bobby Burgess
TO HEAR BOBBY'S BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO ANNETTE, CLICK HERE:
http://youtu.be/M-p6W1DgZMo
Doreen Tracey
TO HEAR DOREEN'S BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO ANNETTE, CLICK HERE:
http://youtu.be/56BmCwzqQkA
Sherry Alberoni
TO HEAR SHERRY'S BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO ANNETTE, CLICK HERE:
http://youtu.be/leg596HCR4Y
Tommy Cole
TO HEAR TOMMY'S BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO ANNETTE, CLICK HERE:
http://youtu.be/JdmE41hkfyM
Shelley Fabares
SHELLEY FABARES |
SHELLEY FABARES & ANNETTE FUNICELLO |
TO HEAR SHELLEY'S BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO ANNETTE, CLICK HERE:
http://youtu.be/3KKElrHk8t8
As most of you probably know, Annette Funicello's seemingly charmed life changed dramatically in 1987 when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
I do remember hearing about Annette's disease on news broadcasts back in 1992 when she went public; but have heard very little about her and her condition in the twenty years since.
When I heard last Monday that she had died, I decided that
a tribute on my 45 rpm blog would be fitting; as she'd had
hit records (a couple of which I'd owned back when I
was collecting 'oldies' records) and she'd been a part
of the first Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tour.
As I immersed myself into researching Annette
Funicello's life I was struck by the fact that
I found nothing, absolutely nothing negative
written about this woman.
I was also profoundly moved by
the fact that her second husband,
Glen Holt, never gave up on his wife.
Glen Holt |
They were married in 1986, and he loved, supported and cared
for her right up to the end.
ANNETTE & GLEN (2012) |
God bless you Glen - you are a good man
Here's a link to Annette's official website:
annetteconnection.com
Hey Ken, this is a very beautiful tribute to our little Annette from Utica who very deservingly made it big in Hollywood. I hope you can share this blog with the Walt Disney studios, her children, and her friends. You put together a wonderful collection of memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Michael Scolaro
Thanks Michael,
ReplyDeleteAnnette Funicello is truly a beloved American icon, and it was an honor to put this tribute together in her memory.
Thank you for your faithful encouragement.
ken