Linda Scott
Encyclopedia
Linda Scott is a former pop singer
who was active in the early to mid 1960s. Her biggest hit
was the 1961 million-selling single
, "I've Told Every Little Star
". She went on to place twelve song
s on the charts
over the next four years, the last being "Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed," which was one of the first collaborations between the songwriting
team of Hal David
and Burt Bacharach
.
and was still in school (Teaneck High School
Class of '63) when she auditioned for Arthur Godfrey
's CBS Radio
show in 1959. After having won a place on the show, Scott and other young performers became regular guests on the show. During the show's run, the young singer
came to the attention of Epic Records
, and Scott made her recording
debut (singing as Linda Sampson) with the single, "In-Between Teen".
Though still in high school
, in 1961 she signed with Canadian-American Records
, which had struck gold with the Santo & Johnny
's "Sleep Walk
". The label changed her performing name to Linda Scott, producing
and releasing the hit "I've Told Every Little Star
," a standard written by Oscar Hammerstein II
and Jerome Kern
for their 1932 production Music In The Air. The track sold over one million copies, earning Scott a gold disc
.
Scott's three biggest hits came in that first year, with "I've Told Every Little Star" (U.S. #3), "I Don't Know Why
" (U.S. #12), and "Don't Bet Money, Honey" (U.S. #9). The first two were standards, while the third was one of Scott's own compositions.
Scott was the showcase artist when Canadian-American started a subsidiary label, Congress Records, in 1962, and in fact both labels released new material of hers simultaneously. The following year, she sang her hit "Yessirree" in the Chubby Checker
vehicle
, Don't Knock The Twist.
Scott's final U.S.
chart appearance was "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed," released in January 1964, the same month that The Beatles
made their first chart appearance. In 1965, she became a cast member of the TV
rock
show Where the Action Is
, which she co-hosted with singer Steve Alaimo
.
Though she continued recording for Congress and Kapp Records
in the mid-1960s, her singles were less and less commercially successful, although they demonstrated a more progressive, soulful feel than her earlier recordings, with Scott's voice growing more supple and mature.
Scott's last U.S. recording, "They Don't Know You", was released in 1967 on RCA Records
. She continued to record as a backing vocalist
(most notably on Lou Christie
's 1969 hit, "I'm Gonna Make You Mine") and also released a handful of singles in the UK
(on CBS
and Bell
) before finally quitting show business
in the early 1970s to pursue studies in theology
.
Scott was an army medical laboratory
technician for two years, stationed in Fort Sam Houston
, Texas
, and also received a degree in Theology from Kingsway Christian College and Theological Seminary in Des Moines
, Iowa
, according to an interview she gave to Goldmine
in 1987. During her time in the army
, she met and married a fellow serviceman. The marriage produced one child, in 1973, and ended in divorce. She later taught music at the Christian Academy in New York
.
The CD
compilation album
, The Complete Hits of Linda Scott, was released by Eric Records in 1995; while her recording of "I've Told Every Little Star" was included in director David Lynch
's film
, Mulholland Drive
.
chart positions indicated in parentheses following titles)
Pop Singer
"Pop Singer" is the début single from London-based glam rockers Rachel Stamp. It was released in February, 1996 through WEA. The single was released as a 2 track CD Single and limited edition pink 7" vinyl of 1000 copies...
who was active in the early to mid 1960s. Her biggest hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
was the 1961 million-selling single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "I've Told Every Little Star
I've Told Ev'ry Little Star
"I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" is a popular song with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, published in 1932.The song was introduced in the musical play, Music in the Air. It has since been recorded by a large number of artists....
". She went on to place twelve song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s on the charts
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
over the next four years, the last being "Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed," which was one of the first collaborations between the songwriting
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
team of Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
and Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
.
Biography
Born in Queens, New York, Scott was 11 when she moved with her family to Teaneck, New JerseyTeaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
and was still in school (Teaneck High School
Teaneck High School
Teaneck High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school, which is part of the Teaneck Public Schools district in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States...
Class of '63) when she auditioned for Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Morton Godfrey was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname, The Old Redhead...
's CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
show in 1959. After having won a place on the show, Scott and other young performers became regular guests on the show. During the show's run, the young singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
came to the attention of Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, and Scott made her recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
debut (singing as Linda Sampson) with the single, "In-Between Teen".
Though still in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, in 1961 she signed with Canadian-American Records
Canadian-American Records
Canadian-American Records was a record label based in both New York City and Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was started in February, 1959 by Gene Orndorf of Deering, ND. The most popular artists for the label were the duo of Santo & Johnny and singer Linda Scott....
, which had struck gold with the Santo & Johnny
Santo & Johnny
Santo & Johnny were an Italian-American rock and roll duo from Brooklyn, New York, comprising brothers Santo and Johnny Farina.They are best known for their instrumental "Sleep Walk", which became a regional hit and eventually reached the top of the Billboard pop chart when it was released...
's "Sleep Walk
Sleep Walk
"Sleep Walk" is an instrumental steel guitar-based song written, recorded, and released in 1959 by brothers Santo & Johnny ....
". The label changed her performing name to Linda Scott, producing
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and releasing the hit "I've Told Every Little Star
I've Told Ev'ry Little Star
"I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" is a popular song with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, published in 1932.The song was introduced in the musical play, Music in the Air. It has since been recorded by a large number of artists....
," a standard written by Oscar Hammerstein II
Oscar Hammerstein II
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II was an American librettist, theatrical producer, and theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. Hammerstein won eight Tony Awards and was twice awarded an Academy Award for "Best Original Song". Many of his songs are standard repertoire for...
and Jerome Kern
Jerome Kern
Jerome David Kern was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works, including such classics as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "A...
for their 1932 production Music In The Air. The track sold over one million copies, earning Scott a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
Scott's three biggest hits came in that first year, with "I've Told Every Little Star" (U.S. #3), "I Don't Know Why
I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)
"I Don't Know Why " is a popular song.The music was written by Fred E. Ahlert, the lyrics by Roy Turk. The song was published in 1931. It had three periods of great popularity: in 1931, right after its publication; in 1946; and in 1961...
" (U.S. #12), and "Don't Bet Money, Honey" (U.S. #9). The first two were standards, while the third was one of Scott's own compositions.
Scott was the showcase artist when Canadian-American started a subsidiary label, Congress Records, in 1962, and in fact both labels released new material of hers simultaneously. The following year, she sang her hit "Yessirree" in the Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker is an American singer-songwriter. He is widely known for popularizing the twist dance style, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard's R&B hit "The Twist"...
vehicle
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Don't Knock The Twist.
Scott's final U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
chart appearance was "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed," released in January 1964, the same month that The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
made their first chart appearance. In 1965, she became a cast member of the TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
show Where the Action Is
Where the Action Is
Where the Action Is or ' was a music-based television variety show in the United States from 1965–67. It was carried by the ABC network and aired each weekday afternoon...
, which she co-hosted with singer Steve Alaimo
Steve Alaimo
Steve Alaimo was an American teen idol pop singer in the early 1960s who later became record producer and label owner, but he is perhaps best known for hosting and co-producing Dick Clark's Where the Action Is in the late 1960s...
.
Though she continued recording for Congress and Kapp Records
Kapp Records
Kapp Records was an independent record label started in 1954 by David Kapp, brother of Jack Kapp . David Kapp founded his own label after stints with Decca Records and RCA Victor Records. Kapp licensed its records to London Records for release in the UK.In 1967, David Kapp sold his label to MCA Inc...
in the mid-1960s, her singles were less and less commercially successful, although they demonstrated a more progressive, soulful feel than her earlier recordings, with Scott's voice growing more supple and mature.
Scott's last U.S. recording, "They Don't Know You", was released in 1967 on RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. She continued to record as a backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(most notably on Lou Christie
Lou Christie
Luigi Alfredo Giovanni Sacco , known professionally as Lou Christie, is an American singer-songwriter best known for three separate strings of pop hits in the 1960s , including his 1966 smash, "Lightnin' Strikes" and his incredible 3 octave vocal range.-Biography:Sacco was born in Glenwillard,...
's 1969 hit, "I'm Gonna Make You Mine") and also released a handful of singles in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(on CBS
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
and Bell
Bell Records
Bell Records was an American record label founded in 1952 by Arthur Shimkin in New York, the owner of children's record label Golden Records, and initially a unit of Pocket Books, after the rights to the name were acquired from Benny Bell who used the Bell name to issue risque novelty records. A...
) before finally quitting show business
Show business
Show business, sometimes shortened to show biz, is a vernacular term for all aspects of entertainment. The word applies to all aspects of the entertainment industry from the business side to the creative element ....
in the early 1970s to pursue studies in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Scott was an army medical laboratory
Medical laboratory
A medical laboratory or clinical laboratory is a laboratory where tests are done on clinical specimens in order to get information about the health of a patient as pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.-Departments:...
technician for two years, stationed in Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and also received a degree in Theology from Kingsway Christian College and Theological Seminary in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, according to an interview she gave to Goldmine
Goldmine (magazine)
Goldmine, established in 1974, is an American magazine that focuses on the collectors' market for records, tapes, CDs, and music-related memorabilia. Each issue features news articles, interviews, discographies, histories, current reviews on recording stars of the past and present. Discographies...
in 1987. During her time in the army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, she met and married a fellow serviceman. The marriage produced one child, in 1973, and ended in divorce. She later taught music at the Christian Academy in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
The CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, The Complete Hits of Linda Scott, was released by Eric Records in 1995; while her recording of "I've Told Every Little Star" was included in director David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
's film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Mulholland Drive
Mulholland Drive (film)
Mulholland Drive is a 2001 American neo-noir psychological thriller written and directed by David Lynch, starring Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts, and Laura Harring. The surrealist film was highly acclaimed by many critics and earned Lynch the Prix de la mise en scène at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival...
.
Singles
(Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart positions indicated in parentheses following titles)
- 1959 "In-Between Teen" as Linda Sampson (B-sideA-side and B-sideA-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
was "Lover Of The Year" (Epic #5-9341) - 1961 "I've Told Every Little StarI've Told Ev'ry Little Star"I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" is a popular song with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, published in 1932.The song was introduced in the musical play, Music in the Air. It has since been recorded by a large number of artists....
" (#3) (UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#7) b/w "Three Guesses" (Canadian AmericanCanadian-American RecordsCanadian-American Records was a record label based in both New York City and Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was started in February, 1959 by Gene Orndorf of Deering, ND. The most popular artists for the label were the duo of Santo & Johnny and singer Linda Scott....
123) - 1961 "Don't Bet Money Honey" (#9) (UK #50)b/w "Starlight, Starbright" (#44) (Canadian American 127)
- 1961 "I Don't Know WhyI Don't Know Why (I Just Do)"I Don't Know Why " is a popular song.The music was written by Fred E. Ahlert, the lyrics by Roy Turk. The song was published in 1931. It had three periods of great popularity: in 1931, right after its publication; in 1946; and in 1961...
" (#12) b/w "It's All Because" (#50) (Canadian American 129) - 1961 "Christmas Day" b/w "Twistin' Bells" (b-side by Santo and Johnny) (Canadian American 132)
- 1962 "Count Every Star" (#41) b/w "Land of Stars" (Canadian American 133)
- 1962 "Yessiree" (#60) b/w "Town Crier" (Congress 101)
- 1962 "Bermuda" (#70) b/w "Lonely for You" (Canadian American 134)
- 1962 "Never In a Million Years" (#56) b/w "Through the Summer" (Congress 103)
- 1962 "I Left My Heart in the Balcony" (#74) b/w "Lopsided Love Affair" (Congress 106)
- 1962 "I'm So Afraid Of Losing You" b/w "The Loneliest Girl In Town" (Congress 108)
- 1963 "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a LetterI'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter"I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" is a 1935 popular song with music by Fred E. Ahlert and lyrics by Joe Young. It has been recorded many times, and has become a standard of the Great American Songbook....
" b/w "Ain't That Fun" (Congress 110) - 1963 "Let's Fall In LoveLet's Fall in Love"Let's Fall In Love" is a song written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler and published in 1933. The major hit at the time of introduction was by Eddy Duchin. It was originally written in C major with a "Moderately Bright" tempo marking...
" b/w "I Know It, You Know It" (Congress 200, reissued in 1964 as Congress 206) - 1963 "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed?" (#100) b/w "My Heart" (Congress 204)
- 1964 "I Envy You" b/w "Everybody Stopped Laughing At Janie" (Congress 209)
- 1964 "That Old FeelingThat Old Feeling (song)"That Old Feeling" is a popular song.The music was written by Sammy Fain, the lyrics by Lew Brown. The song was published in 1937.The song first appeared in the movie Vogues of 1938, actually released in 1937. It was immediately a hit in a version recorded by Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm...
" b/w "This Is My Prayer" (Kapp 610) - 1965 "Patch It Up" (#135) b/w "If I Love Again" (Kapp 641)
- 1965 "Don't Lose Your Head" b/w "I'll See You In My Dreams" (Kapp 677)
- 1965 "You Baby" b/w "I Can't Get Through To You" (Kapp 713)
- 1966 "Toys" b/w "Take A Walk Bobby" (Kapp 762)
- 1967 "They Don't Know You" b/w "Three Miles High" (RCA Victor 47-9424)
- 1968 "The Composer" b/w "You Made A Fool Out of Me" UK only (CBS # unknown)
- 1969 "First Of All" b/w "The Answer's In My Eyes" UK only (CBS 4246)
- 1971 "Sweet Sweet Reason" b/w "You Wanted Me To Be Your Baby" UK only (Bell 1138)