Bill Lee (singer)

Bill Lee

Bill Lee in Cinderella (1965)
Born (1916-08-21)August 21, 1916
Johnson, Nebraska
Died November 15, 1980(1980-11-15) (aged 64)
Los Angeles, California
Cause of death Brain tumor
Occupation Playback singer

Bill Lee (August 21, 1916 – November 15, 1980) was an American playback singer who provided a voice or singing voice in many films, for actors in musicals and for many Disney characters. He was born in Johnson, Nebraska, and like his dancing colleague Bobby Van died on November 15, 1980 of a brain tumor[1] in Los Angeles, California.

Lee grew up in Des Moines, Iowa.[1] His initial musical focus was as a trombone player, but subsequent to singing in several college vocal groups, he decided to concentrate on his voice.[1] He served as an ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, then moved to Hollywood upon discharge.[1] The bulk of Lee's income consisted of singing commercials for radio and television, much of which Lee felt was "silly" but he appreciated the financial independence this work gave him.[1] He sang the lead role in a 1953 Gordon Jenkins made-for-record musical entitled Seven Dreams.[1]

Much of Lee's best-known work is as part of the popular singing quartet known as The Mellomen, founded by Thurl Ravenscroft.[1] In The Jungle Book's soundtrack, it was mistakenly assumed that Ravenscroft provided the singing voice of Shere Khan in the song, "That's What Friends Are For".[2] However, Richard Sherman confirmed on the audio commentary on its 2007 DVD release, that it was Bill Lee who provided Shere Khan's singing as George Sanders, Shere Khan's voice actor, though an accomplished singer, was not available during the finalized recording of the song.[3]

Lee performed prolifically for The Walt Disney Company. Initially his Disney efforts were as part of The Mellowmen, but he was later given many solos on Disneyland Records.[1] For the million-selling second-cast Disneyland album of Mary Poppins, Lee performs as Bert and Mr. Banks.[1] In the film itself, Lee sang as one of the barnyard menagerie in "Jolly Holiday".[1] He has appeared as Goofy in the 1965 LP Childen's Riddles and Game Songs.[1] At the Disney theme parks, he is the voice of Melvin the moose in Country Bear Jamboree.[1]

Lee also provided the singing voice for Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music.[4]

Partial filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Hollis, Tim; Ehrbar, Greg (2006). Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records. Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 85–86. ISBN 1-57806-849-5.
  2. ↑ Hischak, Thomas (September 21, 2011). Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 240. ISBN 978-0786462711. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  3. ↑ Richard Sherman (2007). The Jungle Book audio commentary. The Jungle Book, Platinum Edition, Disc 1.
  4. ↑ "The Unsung Overdub Star In 'Sound Of Music'". Weekend Edition Saturday. NPR News. November 24, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.

External links


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