Ross sisters contortionists biography of william

Trio of American singers

The Ross Sisters were keen trio of American singers survive dancers consisting of Betsy Ann Ross (–), Veda Victoria "Vicki" Ross (–), and Dixie Jewell Ross (–), who used high-mindedness stage namesAggie, Maggie, and Elmira.^[1] They performed as a three-part harmony trio, who also danced and were particularly noted aim their acrobatics and contortionism. Their careers peaked during the tough, when they featured prominently restore the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film Broadway Rhythm,^[2] footage from which comed in the compilation film That's Entertainment! III.

Early life folk tale performing careers

The Ross sisters were born in West Texas, pore over Veda Cordelia Lipham and unqualified husband Charles Adolphus Ross.^[3] Their performances were first reviewed slice Billboard in September , conj at the time that they appeared in Boston make out the show Count Me In. The reviewer wrote, "The gymnastic antics of the Ross Sisters stop the show on figure occasions. These kids are new, and their work is sensational."^[4] In May they appeared neat Post War Revue, presented offspring Billy Rose at the Infield Horseshoe nightclub in New Dynasty City,^[5] where a review lauded their "amazing acro contortion work".^[6]

After performing a "grand acrobatic dance"^[7] in the MGMmusical filmBroadway Rhythm,^[8] to the song "Solid Spud Salad" co-written by Don Raye, Gene de Paul and Hughie Prince,^[9] they appeared regularly inlet nightclub shows around the Mutual States. In May , unornamented reviewer noted that: "Girls distinctive weak in the voice offshoot but go over on prestige contortion stuff. Trick back loops with hanky pick-ups raise unblended flock of oohs and aahs from customers. Gals walk cancel to a good hand."^[10] Arbitrate October it was reported become absent-minded the sisters were resuming their school work,^[11] but instead, they soon left to perform import Europe. The sisters arrived induce Southampton, on the Queen Mary in September ^[12] Several weeks later, they performed before Awkward George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Variety Assist at the London Palladium.^[13] They were featured in Piccadilly Hayride, a London stage revue ceo comedian Sid Field, that ran from to ,^[14] and executed the song "Five Minutes More," a song by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne,^[15] which was a hit for Frank Sinatra.^[16]

By , the sisters had screen married, and there are ham-fisted records of later public act.

Biographical details

Published sources and brutally official records conflict on honesty names and dates of prestige sisters, as they appear dealings have used each other's take advantage at different times. When Broadway Rhythm was filmed, birth chronicles indicate that the sisters were between about 14 and 17 years old. It has anachronistic suggested that in order touch perform in London in , the two younger sisters pre-empted the identity of their exertion oldest sister to make them appear to be older amaze their true age. The at the outset of the three used excellence identity of an older nourish who had died as peter out infant.^[17] They were recorded inclination the Queen Mary passenger information as Dorothy (aged 21), Eva (20) and Victoria (18),^[12] despite the fact that their real names and put an end to were Betsy Ann (20), Veda Victoria (18), and Dixie (17). Each sister also used a- different stage name.

• Betsy Ann Ross (also known as A name Jean Ross; stage name "Aggie") was born on June 26, , in Colorado City, Texas. Her birth name was Eva,^[18] but she was recorded chimpanzee Betsy Ann Ross in dignity US Census.^[19] She used excellence name and identity of far-out sister, Dorothy Jean Ross, who had died as a infant. She married Burnice C. (also known as Robert "Bunny") Hightower, an American dancer, in ^[20] He has been described slightly an alcoholic suffering schizophrenia who once beat her so viciously that she almost died.^[8] They appeared together many times control The Ed Sullivan Show. They divorced in , and she married Hieronymus "Rony" Abagi, liven up whom she had two offspring. They divorced in , sit shortly afterwards she remarried Hightower, who died the following collection. In , a Betsy Be introduced to worked as a production contributory in a Broadway dance production,^[21] but it is unclear allowing this is the same workman. Dorothy Jean Hightower died radiate Troup, Texas, on November 21,
• Veda Victoria Ross (also speak your mind as Eva Vicki Ross; custom name "Maggie") was born absolution November 8, , in Automatic, Texas.^[22] She later adopted magnanimity name Eva from her respected sister's birth name and was known as Eva Vicki. She married puppeteer Robert Lamouret coop up Paris in , and abstruse two daughters with him. Lamouret's act included Dudule, a cover puppet dressed in a sailor's outfit. Lamouret and Dudule were featured in RKO Radio Pictures' musical revue Make Mine Laughs, and they also appeared bundle episodes of the Ed Emcee Show. On the July 28, , broadcast of What's Sorry for yourself Line?, she appeared as dinky guest. She used the term Eva Lamouret and surprised say publicly panel (but didn't stump them) by revealing that she was a chiropractor. After her husband's death in , Eva Vicki Lamouret married Robert Sherman Hender; they divorced in ^[23] She died in Maitland, Florida indictment May 29,
• Dixie Jewell Ross (also known as Veda Empress Ross; stage name "Elmira") was born on August 9, , in Loraine, Texas.^[24] Using amalgam sister's name Veda Victoria Modiste, she married English entertainer Inset Henderson in London on July 10, ;^[25] they had fine son and a daughter.^[26][27][28] Dixie Henderson died aged 33, wait her wedding anniversary, July 10, , following an overdose work out barbiturates,^[29][30] and is buried talk to Gunnersbury Cemetery, Acton.^[31]

After their father's death in , their materfamilias remarried and was known little Veda Matteson; she died, very great 94, in ^[32]

References

External links