ELAINE McKENNA

Elaine McKenna, a petite singer from Melbourne born in 1937, was working as a receptionist when she auditioned for GTV-9 in 1956. Her successful audition led to frequent television appearances during the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Melbourne, where she was a regular on shows like Melbourne’s Tarax Show, The BP Super Show, and Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight. Her television work earned her the Logie Award for Most Popular Female Vocalist in 1961. That same year, she recorded her first single, ''Tammy'', with the W&G label, which charted, followed by an EP.

In late 1961, McKenna moved to the United States, appearing on The Bob Newhart Show. She married American actor and performer Tim Evans in October 1963 in Texas, despite earlier plans for a Melbourne wedding at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Continuing her singing career across the USA, she eventually returned to Melbourne with Tim in 1968, where he became a cabaret entertainer. By 1980, Tim had transitioned into TV comedy writing and was a long-time judge on the talent show New Faces. In the 1980s McKenna resumed her drama and musical theatre roles, Reedy River (September–November 1980) at the Organ Factory, Clifton Hill, Come to Australia, They Said (May 1982) at La Mama Theatre, Carlton, Hotel Bonegilla (November–December 1983) at Universal Two Theatre, Fitzroy, Isadora (September–October 1984) at Universal Two, The Barricade (June 1985) and An Un-Australian Story (July) both at La Mama. Elaine also appeared on TV: A Test of Love (1984), Prisoner (1979) and Carson's Law (1983). She died in 1992.

SINGLES

''Tammy (#55) / Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home?'' 1961 W&G

EPs

'Elaine McKenna' 1961 W&G

 

References

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/