Vince Williams of the International Al Jolson Society, Malta branch writes about two singers who passed away recently and who were closely associated with legendary Al Jolson: Rudy Wissler and Frankie Lane

Lately the International Al Jolson Society lost two of its celebrity honoraries. On Thursday 11 January, Rudy Wissler passed away at the age of 78 years.

The first image of Al Jolson seen in the biography musical picture The Jolson Story is neither Al Jolson nor Larry Parks who played the part of Al Jolson but child actor Scotty Beckett.

Years later it was revealed that the voice heard when Scotty Beckett opened his mouth belonged to a young Rudy Wissler, whose uncredited voice characterised the young Al Jolson in the movie. Rudy Wissler provided the voice for songs such as When You Were Sweet Sixteen and By the Light of the Silvery Moon.

For several years Rudy Wissler delighted Al Jolson festival audiences with his personality and presentation. I had the opportunity to meet Rudy Wissler during the Al Jolson Jamboree which was held in May 2005 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

Rudy Wissler has been in numerous movies such as Tomorrow the World, Jack London and Cover Girl. He has appeared on stage in such plays as Flower Drum Song Annie and The Music Man. A winner on The Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts, his beautiful tenor voice has been heard on radio and TV programmes throughout the years.

On Tuesday 6 February, singer Frankie Laine passed away at the venerable age of 93 years from complications to hip replacement surgery.

In The Jolson Journal number 76 which was published in the spring of 1992, Frankie Laine wrote a short article entitled Memories of Jolson. Here it is: “Al Jolson was one of the greatest performers of all time, and I have some very fond memories associated with his name.

“When I was a youngster, Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong awakened my interest in jazz and the blues. After discovering popular music, it was Al Jolson who first motivated me to actually seek out a career as a singer.

“I remember skipping class one day back in Chicago and sneaking downtown to catch an early showing of the film The Singing Fool. Jolson just electrified me! When I watched him sink to his knees to sing Sonny Boy, I felt I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life.

“I sat through the picture twice, rounded up my kid brothers when I got home to give them a sample of my new Jolson impersonation. My mother correctly guessed that Sonny Boy hadn’t been the lesson of the day in class and I soon found myself in a lot of trouble!

“Many years later, after a long and hard struggle, I finally broke through my Mercury records recording of That’s my Desire. It received a lot of airplay in Los Angeles courtesy of my good friend Al Jarvis and his Make Believe Ballroom show on station KFWB.

“He later told me that one afternoon Jolson called him up and asked to know the name of this new singer. Jarvis told him it was Frankie Laine, and Jolson replied: ‘This kid’s terrific! He’s going to put all of us old-timers out of business!’

“Believe me, if you’re ever fortunate enough to receive praise like that from a childhood idol, the memory stays with you for the rest of your life.

“Sadly, it wasn’t too long after our first encounter that the world lost Al Jolson, but his wonderful memory lives on in the records and films that he left us, as well as the work of fine organisations like the International Al Jolson Society.”

Frankie Laine recorded at least two Al Jolson’s songs as cover versions which were Way down Yonder in New Orleans and Rainbow Round my Shoulder. Up to a few years ago in every public performance, Frankie Laine always included an Al Jolson song.

He had completed the forward to the book When Jolson was King which was published in February 2006 by author and music historian Richard Grudens.

Among Frankie Laine’s hits were Mule Train, Jezebel, Cry of the Wild Goose, On Sunny Side of the Street, I Believe and Moonlight Gambler.

His screen credits include Make Believe Ballroom, When You’re Smiling, Sunny Side of the Street, Rainbow Round my Shoulder, Meet Me in Las Vegas, Gunfight at the OK Corral. In a number of these films he just sang the title song.

When Mel Brooks was looking for someone to record the theme for his film Blazing Saddles (1974), he sent out word that he was looking for a Frankie Laine type singer. Mr Laine himself showed up and got the job.

Frankie Laine will definitely be missed but not forgotten by many. These include members of the International Al Jolson

Society.