Singer. As one of the top female vocalists during the 1940s and 1950s, she displayed unique versatility with her recordings of popular songs, folk music and later comedy albums. She is best known for the songs "You Belong to Me," "You'll Never Know" and "Make Love to Me." She was born Jo Elizabeth Stafford in Coalinga, California and began her career in entertainment appearing on radio with her two sisters in the music trio The Stafford Sisters. By the late 1930s, she joined the group the Pied Pipers and later performed with the Tommy Dorsey Band. They would contribute backing vocals to several early Frank Sinatra songs including the hit "I'll Never Smile Again." Stafford would embark on a successful solo career and by 1954 was hosting her own television series "The Jo Stafford Show." In addition, she would make guest appearances on several programs including "The Perry Como Show," "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" and "Toast of the Town." Along with her husband Paul Weston, they would record a series of comedy albums. As Darlene Edwards, she won a Grammy Award in 1960 for the record "Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris." She retired from the entertainment industry during the 1970s and devoted her time to family and charitable causes. She died at her California residence from congestive heart failure at the age of 90.
Singer. As one of the top female vocalists during the 1940s and 1950s, she displayed unique versatility with her recordings of popular songs, folk music and later comedy albums. She is best known for the songs "You Belong to Me," "You'll Never Know" and "Make Love to Me." She was born Jo Elizabeth Stafford in Coalinga, California and began her career in entertainment appearing on radio with her two sisters in the music trio The Stafford Sisters. By the late 1930s, she joined the group the Pied Pipers and later performed with the Tommy Dorsey Band. They would contribute backing vocals to several early Frank Sinatra songs including the hit "I'll Never Smile Again." Stafford would embark on a successful solo career and by 1954 was hosting her own television series "The Jo Stafford Show." In addition, she would make guest appearances on several programs including "The Perry Como Show," "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" and "Toast of the Town." Along with her husband Paul Weston, they would record a series of comedy albums. As Darlene Edwards, she won a Grammy Award in 1960 for the record "Jonathan and Darlene Edwards in Paris." She retired from the entertainment industry during the 1970s and devoted her time to family and charitable causes. She died at her California residence from congestive heart failure at the age of 90.
Bio by: C.S.
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Records on Ancestry
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U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current
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U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current
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Canada, Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current
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California, U.S., County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980
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U.S., Newspapers.com™ Marriage Index, 1800s-2020
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