Ruby Hill (singer)

Ruby Hill Turner (1922 – 2004) was an American singer who starred in the 1946 Broadway production St. Louis Woman. She performed the hit songs "Come Rain or Come Shine"[1] and Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home[2] for more than 100 showings. Capitol Records recorded her.[3] She featured in the 1947 musical compilation film Ebony Parade[3] made using archival clips. She performed at New York City's Cotton Club and the Ed Sullivan Show.[3]

This article is about the singer. For other uses, see Ruby Hill.
Poster for Ebony Parade

Life and career

She was born in Danville, Virginia.[4] The young singer who was a reportedly a high school student in Richmond, Virginia before being discovered and cast in the show[5] was fired in a reorganization, but Pearl Bailey led the St Louis Woman cast in a promised strike unless Hill was rehired.[6] After 113 performances the show closed. She left show business for 5 years, performing some smaller venues, eventually relating that her management was trying to shape her into a Lena Horne cast.[7][8] A film adaption of St. Louis Woman entered into production with Hill reprising her role, but was eventually scrapped.[8]

A different account of her life describes her moving to New York City in 1939 and marrying.[9]

The slight young singer who Jet described as doll like was married to Robert Turner.[7]

References
  1. Tyler, Don (April 2, 2007). Hit Songs, 1900-1955: American Popular Music of the Pre-Rock Era. McFarland. ISBN 9780786429462 – via Google Books.
  2. "ANY PLACE I HANG MY HAT IS HOME" – via Internet Archive.
  3. "Ruby Hill Biography". www.jazzstandards.com.
  4. Benjamin, Ruth; Rosenblatt, Arthur (November 29, 2006). Who Sang what on Broadway, 1866-1996: The singers (A-K). McFarland & Company, Publishers. ISBN 9780786421893 – via Google Books.
  5. Jablonski, Edward (September 23, 1998). Harold Arlen: Rhythm, Rainbows, and Blues. UPNE. ISBN 9781555533663 – via Google Books.
  6. Lees, Gene (November 23, 2004). Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780634099298 – via Google Books.
  7. Company, Johnson Publishing (April 3, 1952). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  8. Company, Johnson Publishing (July 30, 1953). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  9. Sampson, Henry T. (November 29, 1995). Blacks in Black and White: A Source Book on Black Films. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810826052 – via Google Books.

See also
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