June Christy
Jazz Singer
Jazz singer best remembered for her 1954 album Something Cool, which spawned beloved singles like "It Could Happen to You." She was also known for her time as a singer with The Stan Kenton Orchestra.
She was born in Springfield, Illinois and performed with a Chicago band under the pseudonym Sharon Leslie.
She struggled with alcoholism, which led to her semi-retirement in 1969. She returned to show business in 1977 to record her final album, Impromptu.
Her daughter, Shay Cooper, was born in 1954.
She lent her voice to some of Stan Kenton's biggest hits, including 1945's "Tampico."