Manny P. here…
“`Two fabulous song-stylists have passed away within hours of each other. They also dabbled in motion pictures.
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“`A performer since childhood, Helen Reddy was part of a show-business family in Melbourne, Australia. She won a contest that brought her to the United States and launched her recording career.
“`Helen Reddy shot to stardom in the 1970s with a rousing feminist anthem, I Am Woman, and also recorded a string of other hits. I Don’t Know How to Love Him, from Jesus Christ Superstar, launched a decade-long string of Top 40 hits, including Ain’t No Way To Treat a Lady, Delta Dawn, Angie Baby, and You and Me Against the World.
“`Her success led to a brief screen career, with roles in Airport ’75 and Pete’s Dragon. On television, guest-starred in The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and The Jefferson’s. She was one of the many fronts on The Midnight Special; and for one season, she was the host of The Helen Reddy Show.
“`Reddy retired from performing in the 1990s and returned to Australia, getting her degree in clinical hypnotherapy. She later returned to California, where in the 1970s she had served on a statewide Parks and Recreation Commission, and returned to the stage occasionally.
“`Helen Reddy was seventy eight.

HELEN REDDY MAC DAVIS
“`Mac Davis was a singer, songwriter, and actor, originally from Lubbock Texas, who enjoyed much crossover success. His early work writing for Elvis Presley produced the hits Memories, In the Ghetto, Don’t Cry Daddy, and A Little Less Conversation (written for Aretha Franklin). Davis was originally inspired by fellow Lubbock native Buddy Holly.
“`Davis decided to pursue a career of his own in country music; he was signed to Columbia Records in 1970. After several years of enriching the repertoires of other artists, his success came two years after signing with Columbia. He topped the Country and Pop charts with the song, Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me.
“`He turned to cinema with appearances in North Dallas Forty and The Sting II. For two seasons, he hosted his own television variety program on NBC, The Mac Davis Show. He also starred in the lead role in the Broadway production of The Will Rogers Follies. Mac was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.
“`Mac Davis was seventy-eight.
Until next time> “never forget”
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