Remembering Lucille Starr
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of honoured StarMeritus, Lucille Starr, who passed away in September, 2020. Beginning in the late 1950s and early ’60s, she was a trailblazer, singing in both English and her native French while becoming the first Canadian woman to sell one million records and the first to perform at Nashville’s famous Grand Ole Opry.
The Globe and Mail shares her story, and memory: “There were many other firsts for the feisty francophone artist, an accomplished yodeller who yodelled Cousin Pearl’s character on TV’s The Beverly Hillbillies. Signed to A&M Records in Los Angeles with Bob Regan, her partner in the Canadian Sweethearts duo, Ms. Starr was simultaneously groomed as a solo artist by A&M’s Herb Alpert, of Tijuana Brass fame, and scored a bilingual global hit with The French Song, the label’s first gold record. “Lucille’s voice went straight to my heart,” Mr. Alpert told The Globe and Mail. “She was one of the best singers I ever heard, and a lovely lady.”
When the 82-year-old Ms. Starr died in Las Vegas on Sept. 4 after a lengthy illness, Canadian musicians were effusive in their praise. “She is Canadian royalty,” the award-winning country singer Michelle Wright tweeted. “Any time I had the opportunity to be around her she was bigger than life with a wonderful laugh and so beautiful and down to earth.” Canadian Music Hall of Famer Sylvia Tyson, who performed and recorded with Ms. Starr, called her “simply the best female country artist Canada ever turned out, with an extraordinary voice and great stage presence – so full of energy.” Added Ms. Tyson: “Plus, she was gorgeous and built like Dolly Parton, which didn’t hurt.”
Others tell stories of Ms. Starr’s generosity and humour. Alt-country singer Lori Yates remembers how the veteran artist made her feel welcome at the Canadian Country Music Awards when she was a newcomer in the business. “I was just this punk-rock kid from Toronto’s Queen Street,” Ms. Yates recalled, “but Lucille was so kind and gracious to me when the rest of the old guard were giving me side eye. I’ll never forget how classy she was.” Bruce Good, of the Good Brothers, recalls the time backstage at a telethon when Ms. Starr hooked pieces of cabbage from a food tray to her earrings – and then promptly when out on stage to perform a duet with Ronnie Prophet. “I couldn’t believe she did that,” Mr. Good says, “but she was a delight, always in for a laugh.”
