Video Requested by my Friend Roland Skinner of Radio Station CHMR
Video By James R. Yetman, videos@newfoundlandtreasures.com
Joan Morrissey was considered "Newfoundland's First Lady of Song" and was one of the greatest entertainers of her generation. During her career she was involved in every aspect of show business as a singer, actress and talk show host, and was well liked by her colleagues and the Newfoundland public. Born on the Southside of St. John's, Joan was one of ten children. Although her career started professionally in 1959, she made her singing debut on a radio show in 1944 at the age of nine, and it was said that she took to the stage like a duck to water. She received her early education in St. John's and by the time she was 13 she had entered the workforce, employed by Ayre's Department store on Water Street, then Ayre's Supermarket on Parade Street, followed by Knightville Snack Bar on Allandale Road. In 1952, Joan married Thomas Morrissey at the age of 19 and together they had six children: Debbie, Beverly, Colleen, Linda, Sherry and Tommy. In the early sixties people became familiar with her voice on local radio programs on CJON, VOCM, and CBC. Joan was also a frequent guest on CBC Television's All Around the Circle and was host of CJON Television's Talent Showcase and Newfoundland This A.M. seen each weekday. Soon Joan became established as one of the leading local performers of country and western songs. Later, she sang and hosted such TV shows as Variety Showcase and Country Sound, and in a number of Christmas specials. She was also in demand for appearances in nightclubs around the island and, with her brand of country and western along with traditional Newfoundland singing, she regularly filled those demands. She enjoyed performing comical and parody songs which poked fun at everyday life in Newfoundland. Some of them she wrote herself while others were written by Tom Cahill.
20 дек 2013
