Helen O'Connell was an American singer, actress, and television host born on 23
May 1920 in Lima, Ohio. She began her professional career performing duets with
her sister, Alice, before joining the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in 1939. O'Connell
became the quintessential big band singer of the 1940s, achieving Number 1 hits
with “Amapola”, “Green Eyes”, and “Tangerine”. She was voted best female singer
by DownBeat readers in 1940 and 1941. O'Connell retired from show business in
1943 but resumed her career in 1951, recording duets with Bing Crosby and Dean
Martin. Beyond her music, she...