Canadian musicians who were born in 1921
Here are 6 famous musicians from Canada were born in 1921:
Deanna Durbin
Deanna Durbin (December 4, 1921 Winnipeg-April 20, 2013 Neauphle-le-Château) also known as Winnipeg`s Sweetheart, deanna_durbin, Edna Mae Durbin or Durbin, Deanna was a Canadian singer and actor. She had two children, Jessica Louise Jackson and Peter David.
Her albums include Can't Help Singing, America's Sweetheart of Song! and The Golden Voice Of.
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Pierrette Alarie
Pierrette Alarie (November 9, 1921 Montreal-July 10, 2011 Victoria) was a Canadian singer.
She was known for her soprano voice and her performances in operas and concerts around the world. Alarie started singing at a young age and made her professional debut in 1940 with the Montreal Opera. She went on to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera, among others. Alarie was also known for her collaboration with her husband, the tenor Léopold Simoneau, with whom she recorded numerous duets. In 1984, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions to the performing arts.
Alarie was born in Montreal, Canada, and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a choir singer, and they encouraged their daughter's musical talent from a young age. Alarie studied at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in Montreal, where she honed her skills as a soprano.
After her debut with the Montreal Opera, Alarie quickly gained recognition for her incredible vocal range and expressive performances. She performed in a wide variety of operas, from light, comedic works to serious dramas, and impressed audiences with her technical skill and emotional depth.
In addition to her stage work, Alarie also recorded extensively, both as a solo artist and in duets with her husband. She recorded for several major record labels, including Decca and RCA, and her recordings continue to be highly regarded by classical music aficionados.
Despite her fame and success, Alarie and Simoneau maintained a strong connection to their Canadian roots. They frequently performed in Canada, and were known for their support of young Canadian musicians and composers.
Alarie's legacy continues to inspire generations of aspiring singers and musicians, and she is remembered as one of Canada's greatest voices.
In addition to her talent for singing, Pierrette Alarie was also known for her knowledge of languages. Fluent in French, English, and Italian, she was able to master a wide range of repertoire that allowed her to perform in many different countries around the world. Alarie was also a supporter of charitable causes and was involved with organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Red Cross. She was awarded numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1991. In her later years, Alarie retired to Victoria, British Columbia, where she continued to be involved in music as a teacher and mentor. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 89.
Throughout her career, Pierrette Alarie was widely praised for her technical skill, expressive performances, and vocal range. Critics frequently noted her ability to effortlessly transition between light and serious works, and her collaborations with her husband, Léopold Simoneau, were highly regarded for their emotional depth and technical brilliance.
In addition to her work on stage and in recordings, Alarie also taught voice at the University of Victoria and was known for her dedication to passing on her knowledge and expertise to the next generation of singers. Her legacy continues to inspire singers and musicians around the world, and she is remembered as one of Canada's most important cultural figures.
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Billie Mae Richards
Billie Mae Richards (November 21, 1921 Toronto-September 10, 2010 Burlington) otherwise known as Billie Mae Dinsmore, Billie Richards or Billy Richards was a Canadian actor and voice actor. Her child is called Judi Richards.
Richards was most famously known for her role as the voice of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the classic 1964 animated television special of the same name. She also lent her voice to other beloved children's shows such as The Care Bears, The Raccoons, and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. In addition to her voice acting career, Richards also had a successful stage career, appearing in various productions across Canada. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2008 for her contributions to children's entertainment. Richards passed away in 2010 at the age of 88.
Born in Toronto in 1921, Billie Mae Richards began her career as an actor in the 1940s. She started out in stage productions and moved on to radio, where she honed her voice acting skills. Richards eventually transitioned to television and film, where she became a sought-after voice actor in Canada and the United States.
Richards was especially well-known for her role as the voice of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the 1964 animated holiday classic. Although she was not credited for the role at the time, her contribution to the beloved special has since been recognized and celebrated by fans and critics alike.
In addition to her iconic performance as Rudolph, Richards lent her voice to a wide range of animated characters, including characters in The Care Bears, The Raccoons, and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. She continued to work as a voice actor well into her eighties.
In 2008, Richards received the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to children's entertainment. She passed away in Burlington, Ontario in 2010 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of beloved performances that have entertained generations of children and adults alike.
Richards' talent also extended beyond voice acting. In the 1950s, she co-founded the Toby Show, a traveling children's theater company that performed across Canada. She continued to act on stage throughout her career, appearing in productions such as Anne of Green Gables and The Sound of Music. Richards was also a pioneer in the field of audio description, providing narration for the visually impaired in Canadian television programs.
Throughout her life, Richards remained humble and dedicated to her craft. Despite her success, she never forgot her roots and was known to be kind and generous to those around her. In an interview with The Toronto Star, she once said, "It's a privilege to get up and go to work and do something you really love doing. And if you love doing it, you do it well." Her passion and talent have left an indelible mark on the world of animation and children's entertainment, and she will always be remembered as a beloved icon.
Richards' contribution to children's entertainment also extended beyond her voice acting career. She was a vocal advocate for literacy and education and was involved in numerous charitable organizations. She served as a board member for the Canadian Institute for the Blind and was a dedicated supporter of the United Way. In addition to her charitable work, Richards was also a proud mother, raising her daughter Judi as a single parent while balancing her career in the entertainment industry.
Richards' legacy continues to live on through her iconic voice roles and her dedication to improving the lives of others. In 2014, the city of Burlington, Ontario, where she lived for many years, named a street after her in honor of her contributions to the community. Her impact on children's entertainment and her dedication to making a difference in the world will continue to inspire generations to come.
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Stafford Smythe
Stafford Smythe (March 15, 1921-October 13, 1971) was a Canadian , .
businessman and hockey executive. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and attended Upper Canada College before serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. After the war, Smythe joined his father Conn Smythe's construction company, Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd., and eventually became its president.
His involvement in hockey began in the late 1940s when he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant manager. He later became the team's general manager and was instrumental in building the team that won four Stanley Cup championships in the 1960s.
Along with his success as a businessman and hockey executive, Smythe had a controversial side. He was known for his aggressive and confrontational management style, which often led to clashes with players, coaches, and other executives. He was also involved in a major scandal in 1969, when he and two other Maple Leaf Gardens executives were charged with fraud related to the sale of securities. Smythe was ultimately acquitted of the charges, but the scandal tarnished his reputation.
Smythe died of cancer in 1971 at the age of 50. Despite his controversial legacy, he is remembered as an important figure in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Canadian hockey.
Smythe's contributions to the Toronto hockey team were numerous. He had a keen eye for talent and was responsible for bringing in some of the best players in the team's history, including Dave Keon, Tim Horton, and Johnny Bower. He was also known for his innovative approach to the game, implementing new training methods and strategies that helped the team stay on top. Smythe was a strong supporter of amateur hockey in Canada and helped to establish the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association in 1961.
Outside of hockey, Smythe was involved in numerous business ventures. He oversaw the growth of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. and helped to develop other properties owned by the company. He was also involved in real estate development and owned several companies in the construction industry. Smythe was a respected member of the Toronto business community and served on the boards of several organizations, including the Toronto Board of Trade.
Despite his reputation for being tough and uncompromising, Smythe was known for his generosity and his commitment to charitable causes. He supported numerous organizations, including the United Way and the Canadian Cancer Society. After his death, the Stafford Smythe Memorial Fund was established to provide financial assistance to young people pursuing careers in hockey or the construction industry.
Smythe was married with four children and was a devoted family man. He was known for hosting elegant parties at his home, which were attended by many notable figures from the worlds of business and sports. Smythe was also a lover of the arts and was a patron of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He was known to attend concerts regularly and made significant donations to the orchestra throughout his life.
After Smythe's death, his legacy continued through his family. His son, Walter, took over as president of Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. and continued to oversee the growth and success of the company. In 1998, the company was sold to a telecommunications company, and the iconic Maple Leaf Gardens arena was closed. However, Smythe's memory lives on through his contributions to Canadian hockey and his lasting impact on the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise. Today, there is a street named after him near the site of the old Maple Leaf Gardens arena, and his name is still revered among the team's fans.
In addition to his business and hockey pursuits, Stafford Smythe was also an avid golfer and was a member of many golf clubs, including the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. He was one of the first Canadians to be invited to play in the Masters Tournament in 1956 and was a regular attendee of the tournament for many years. Smythe was also a collector of fine art and owned a valuable collection of Canadian and European artwork. His collection was featured in several exhibitions, including a 1966 showing at the Art Gallery of Toronto. Smythe was a man of diverse interests and passions, and his legacy continues to inspire Canadians to this day.
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Stu Davis
Stu Davis (July 1, 1921 Canada-March 25, 2007) was a Canadian singer.
Genres he performed: Country.
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Peter Dyneley
Peter Dyneley (April 13, 1921 Hastings-August 19, 1977 London) also known as Peter was a Canadian actor and voice actor. His children are Richard Dyneley and Amanda Dyneley.
Peter Dyneley is best known for his work on Gerry Anderson's "Thunderbirds" where he provided the voice for Jeff Tracy, the founder of the International Rescue organization. He appeared in many other TV shows and films throughout his career, including "Counter-Attack!", "The Ship That Died of Shame", and "The Baron". Dyneley also regularly lent his voice to radio dramas and commercials. Prior to his acting career, Dyneley served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. After his death in 1977, the character of Jeff Tracy was retired from the "Thunderbirds" franchise as a tribute to Dyneley's contribution to the show.
Peter Dyneley was born in Hastings, Sussex, England, but grew up in Canada. He studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. After the war, he returned to England to pursue a career in acting.
Dyneley's first major acting role was in the 1953 film "The Intruder" and he went on to appear in numerous British TV shows such as "The Saint", "The Avengers", and "Doctor Who". He also starred in several films throughout the 1960s, including "The Devil-Ship Pirates" and "Station Six-Sahara".
In addition to his on-screen work, Dyneley had a successful career as a voice actor. He provided the voice for several characters in the "Captain Scarlet" series, and also worked on other Gerry Anderson productions such as "Stingray" and "Joe 90".
Aside from his work in entertainment, Dyneley was also a car enthusiast and participated in several motor racing events during his lifetime.
Peter Dyneley passed away in London in 1977 at the age of 56. His legacy as the voice of Jeff Tracy in "Thunderbirds" continues to be remembered by fans of the show.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Peter Dyneley was not only an actor, but also a skilled narrator. He provided the voice-over for several documentaries, including the 1967 film "Africa: Texas Style". Dyneley's deep, authoritative voice made him a sought-after narrator for many years, and he lent his talents to a variety of projects. He was known to be a perfectionist, often spending hours in the recording studio to ensure that his performances were just right.
Dyneley was also a family man and devoted father. His son Richard followed in his footsteps and became an actor, while his daughter Amanda worked as a casting director. Dyneley himself was known to be a kind and generous person, with a great sense of humour. He was beloved by his colleagues in the entertainment industry, and his death was a great loss to all who knew him.
Today, Peter Dyneley is remembered as one of the greats of British television and film. His contributions to the "Thunderbirds" franchise will always be remembered by fans of the show, and his legacy as a talented actor and narrator lives on.
In addition to his work as an actor and voice actor, Peter Dyneley was also a talented musician. He played the guitar and sang, and would often entertain his colleagues during breaks on set. Dyneley was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing golf and tennis in his free time. He was known to be a very competitive player and often participated in charity tournaments.
Despite his many talents, Dyneley was always humble and down-to-earth. He never sought the limelight and was always happy to support his colleagues and friends. His passing was a great loss to the entertainment industry, and he is deeply missed to this day.
To honor Peter Dyneley's contributions to the world of entertainment, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts established the Peter Dyneley Scholarship in his name. This scholarship is awarded annually to a student who shows exceptional talent in voice acting or narration, and is a fitting tribute to a man who was such an important part of the industry.
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