Irene Daye

Born

  • January 17, 1918
  • Lawrence, MA

Died

  • November 1, 1971
  • Greenville, SC

Marriages / Children

Irene Daye

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, singer Irene Daye landed her first professional singing job with orchestra leader Jan Murphy shortly before her high school graduation. She flew back to her hometown on graduation night to receive her diploma. She remained with Murphy two-and-a-half years before joining Mal Hallett. Shortly after, bandleader Gene Krupa heard Daye singing at an engagement in Philadelphia and asked her to audition. When her night's work with Hallett had ended she made a 4 a.m. audition for Krupa and landed the job.

With Krupa, Daye found success, singing on such hit records as ''Drum Boogie'' and ''Drummin' Man.'' She quickly became one of the top vocalists in the country. Daye remained with Krupa from 1938 to 1941, when she married left-handed trumpeter Corky Cornelius, who had recently left Krupa to join the Casa Loma Orchestra.

After the birth of their daughter in 1943 Daye retired from show business to raise her family. Sadly, Cornelius passed away soon after, and Daye decided to return to singing. She auditioned for Charlie Spivak in 1944 and won the job, replacing June Hutton, who had left to join the Pied Pipers.

With Spivak, Daye found even greater success, making several hit records with the band, including ''Baby Won't You Please Come Home,'' ''It's Been a Long, Long Time,'' ''Golden Earrings'' and ''I'll Never Say Goodbye.'' Daye also found romance. She and Spivak were married in 1950.

In the late 1950s Spivak and Daye moved to Miami, Florida, where he fronted a small outfit and Daye managed his business affairs. Illness forced him to retire briefly in 1963. After recovering he led bands in Las Vegas and Miami. In 1967 he organized another small outfit that played regularly at the Ye Olde Fireplace restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina, with Daye as vocalist. Daye battled cancer during the last years of her life, finally losing that battle in 1971.