Unchained Melody sung by Dorothy Collins on Your Hit Parade

[@richardskola3570]

She never got the recognition that she deserved.

[@robertmeyer7836]

I saw Dorothy Collins opposite Robert Rounseville (Met Opera), at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO in 1959. She sang Magnolia to his Gaylord in Showboat. I'd seen and heard her on Your Hit Parade - and was blown away by her voice. I spoke to her after the performance and learned she was trained to sing Opera. What a wonderful memory. I was truly blessed to have lived during those exciting years. I'll never forget her.

[@diegoss3563]

Hermosa versión!

[@florealalvarez1]

Dorothy Collins sang Unchained Melody with so much passion, and the vocals and background orchestra was superb!

[@mikeylorene]

I was 9 yrs old when this aired and my family used to watch Your Hit Parade every week- good stock singers would sing the hits of the day (that were heard on the radio)- a very popular show. Dorothy Collins was the most popular singer and the one best remembered from that show.

[@paj6488]

And I was 13.

[@Johnny35130]

She had 2 daughters and one Elizabeth was about my age. I wonder whatever happened to the daughters.

[@reneehughes5013]

TEANAGE "STAR CRUSH!" As a teen I never missed "Your Hit Parade!" Dorothy Collins was my favorite. During the early 70's while working in NYC I was thrilled to see and, once again, hear her "crystal clear tones" as part of the Broadway Show, "Follies!" THEN, while in an NYC racquetball competition I met a member of that cast. He was a friend of Dorothy's and ( to my thrill & excitement) he arranged for us to take her to lunch. We went to the "China Song" which was as a favorite place of hers. SHE WAS EVERY BIT WHAT I HAD EVER ENVISIONED! Conversation at lunch was so spontaneous and sincere. On the way back to the theater (The Wintergarden) she slipped her arm thru mine. I prayed SO HARD: "PLEASE let me see someone from my home town (Williamsport PA)!!! My last time seeing her was At the Pocono PLayhouse where she was doing Follies. She saw me over the crowd seeking autographs and called out my name. I don't know why but I didn't ask to take her to lunch the next day. One of my greatest regrets ever! Anyway, I know she is now singing in Heaven with her Hubby Raymond Scott directing I'm sure he is understanding of my continuing crush on his wife!!!! Her only Hit Single was a song called. "My Boy Flat Top" (a 50's men's hair style). It described so well during those Hit Parade Days!! !

[@collinsfollower]

Thanks Renee for sharing your thoughts on Dorothy Collins and your time spent with her at that lunch. I'm sure you will always remember those moments. I never had the chance to meet her even though she came to my hometown and recorded a Holiday on Ice special. I did get her to autograph one of her LP's for me. I have been a fan of hers since I was about 15 and watched her on television through Your Hit Parade. Do you by chance have the Playbill for the Follies at the Pocono Playhouse. Would love to have a picture of it for my file and to include on my tribute website I have on her. Thanks again for your sharing.

[@paj6488]

Another thing that just occurred to me, on my umpteenth listen to this excellent rendering of UM, I think Dorothy's husband/manager Raymond Scott, really missed the boat by not having this recorded for the pop charts. This would have been one of few (if not only) female performances, a distinction in itself but it was also recognized for its passionate quality, which further sets the rendering apart, imo.

[@johncritchley2429]

Recomend you hear Annette kleinbard's of the The Teddy Bears version - Unchained Melody, Incredible.

[@Tiz604]

White soul !!!..Amazing .

[@kata4794]

Takes me back....my dad loved this song by Errol Garner back in the day...

[@mike89128]

Show done live before a studio audience. No retakes.

[@collinsfollower]

@iotbs7 I am glad you enjoyed this selection. I agree with your comments. True, Dorothy was not a smoker herself. Maybe there is something to be said for the harm of second hand smoke. Thanks again for your comments.

[@FrdineArekla]

Wow.my 2nd and elvis my 1st.

[@hamilton1191]

Singers on this show had to do a little bit of a spin on survey records that were very popular at the time, and Dorothy had no easy task styling her version of Al Hibbler's top hit song. Not a bad effort, though.

[@alanpolasky4062]

Dorothy was not only an excellent singer and interpreter of this song, her very demeanor epitomized both charm...and class. It's regretful that she also came to be so closely associated with the supposed virtues of cigarette smoking, and most ironic that she ultimately succumbed to lung cancer, at the relatively young age of 67.

[@florealalvarez1]

where could I purchase a copy of her recording Unchained Melody from that special?

[@florealalvarez1]

awe

[@michaelmckenna6464]

She died of asthma and heart disease.

[@XaviRonaldo0]

This is a much more upbeat version than Bobby Hatfield's. While this woman had a lovely voice she didn't seem to have anywhere near the range Bobby had.

[@blueskyfox99]

That water looks awfully rough--she should seek higher ground!

[@johnparker8588]

She can’t or at least doesn’t hit the high notes which makes Bobby Hatfield’s version so great. Few have the vocal range to sing it like he did. The only person who can do it is Johnny Maestro, the best male vocalist of all time.

[@XaviRonaldo0]

Unfortunately very very very few women can have the range that a man who can hit and maintain a falsetto can.

[@KajiVocals]

She can. She was a natural soprano. She just doesn't. It's a stylistic difference. Dorothy's highest note in her range was a high D-flat above the high C.

[@oliviaqp]

@iotbs7 huh? she died at the age of 67.... that's what I know... : )

[@florealalvarez1]

Would anyone know where or how I could obtain a copy of this telecast of Dorothy Collins singing Unchained Melody please