.............................
..

This is Warren Snead, the black guy (bass player) you were talking to at the bus station in Wilkes-Barre the other day.  I hope your trip home was safe and uneventful.  See, I told you I would look you up, and I must say that even though I have yet to (knowingly) listen to any of your music, I feel honored to have actually met you.  If the charisma and grace you exuded that day were just a fraction of your stage presence, all I can say is WOW!  Since I cannot turn back the hands of time and actually attend one of your shows, my only other option is to spend hours, hours and hours trying to find pieces of your music on the internet, and I can't wait to get started.  I know there are probably so many more ways you can find to occupy your time, but if you ever get a second or two, I would love to keep in touch. 
. 
Yours truly, 
Warren M. Snead 
August 16, 2011 

P.S.:  Marry a bass player. 

Randy Sheldon 
Jupitor , Florida 
July 15, 2011 
. 

USC Pep Rally 
. 
Every football season I recall your performance at an SC pep rally around 1955.  It was in Bovard Hall on campus.  We were to play against Stanford.  You sang "Get Out Of Town."  When you hit the line, "Why don't you go back to the farm," it brought the house down.  (Stanford was familiarly referred to as the Leland Stanford Farm.)  We loved ya! 
.. 
Charles William Crowl, USC '56m 
Valencia, California 
March 27, 2011 
.. 

Congratulations on being inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame this month.  After seeing you at Rosemead High School (more than a few years ago), I was an instant fan.  Thanks for many years of good music and pleasant memories. 

Shelley Giles 
Northern California 
November 11, 2010 

Shelley went on to add in a second e-mail directed to your editor: 

She [Peggy] has provided a lot of fond memories of days gone by and music that was pleasant to hear.  My hope of hopes is to have our paths cross again someday. Perhaps the Red Cross will send me to Pennsylvania, or Peggy may come to Northern California to visit family. 
. 
Peggy's recognition by Philadelphia is well deserved. Best wishes for a great day and a joyous holiday season. 

I just wanted to drop you a little line to thank you very much for the letter you wrote for me when I was going to Australia to marry the girl of my dreams.  We've been married 8 yrs now and very happy. If you don't remember me, I used to deliver for Little Pete's inside the Philadelphian for many years.  My wife Janet would also like to say thank you.  After I showed her your web page, she said, "Wow, she is just as beautiful as she was 30 yrs ago."  I hope all is well with you, and I keep you in my prayers every night.  Thanks again. 

Love, 
Bobby & Janet Rogers 
October 15, 2010 

I have to say that the past holiday was the best I have had in many 
years.  It was such a pleasure to sit next to you at the dinner table and 
talk to you.  You're a very interesting lady and you kept my attention 
for the entire evening.  You look fantastic and someday I would like to hear 
you sing. 

I hope Haley gets you talent for singing.  As you said, she looks like Jon 
and this will always be with her.  Hope you are doing what you like to do best.  

Keep well and let's hear from you soon, 

Sy Adelson 
October 17, 2009 
.. 

You probably don't know me (or my younger brother PJ).  I am Mary Ann Ryal Perkins and my brother is PJ Ryal Jr.  We are two of PJ Ryal's and Bette Ryal's four children.  We lived in Ravenna, Ohio (843 West Riddle Street) during the early 1950's and remember our dad talking about his association with you.  He was a Ravenna native and a musician.  He had his own dance band and loved music.  We always believed he helped to "discover" you . . . and know that he took enormous pride in your talent and your career. 

I looked at your website today and saw the Ravenna parade pictures.  We were sitting on the curb with him that day in 1955 -- you waved to us from the car.  I was 8 years old at the time and my brother was 7.  

My dad went on to introduce PJ Jr to the public a year later when he arranged for him to perform on the Gene Carroll Show in Cleveland.  PJ Jr played the ukelele and sang . . . much as Daddy did.  

Sadly, he died from leukemia in 1959 (50 years this November 22) . . . at the age of 44.  His widow Bette (age 90) still lives in her hometown of Gallipolis, Ohio.  I was in Ravenna this past weekend and visited his grave in Mantua, Ohio.  

He lives on in our memories as do you.  We would love to reconnect . . .  I work in the casino industry as a management consultant and PJ Jr runs a television station in Charleston, SC.  Maybe you can tell us more about your life and how to reach out? 

Thank you for listening. 

Fondly, 
Mary Ann Ryal Perkins 

Mary Ann Ryal Perkins 
Cody, WY 
September 21, 2009 

Dear Peggy, 

I happened to be lying down at the pool with my music radio playing.  When I was switching stations, I heard someone playing a program called the Peggy King Story.  It had excerpts from the Jack Benny Show and other cuts.  I was just amazed at the beauty of your voice.  What's shocking about it was that I'm from that era and still not familiar with your music.  (Don't be mad!)  One thing we do have in common is that George Gobel and I graduated from the same high school, Roosevelt High School in Chicago. 
At that time I was a Joni James fan (don't be mad!) and also a Sinatra fan. I want to purchase some of your CD's, if you can tell me where to purchase them.  You did have an album out, Wish Upon a Star, and I love that too.  

Anyway, a reply from you sure would be appreciated.  I was also in the service during Korea but never caught your USO tours.  Sure sorry about that!   Anyway, stay healthy and happy, and I hope you answer this mail. 

Sincerely, 
Bob Reisman 

Bob Reisman 
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 
July 19, 2009 

Beautiful and wonderful Pretty Perky Peggy! 

Many, many years ago (in 1985), I sat next to you on a flight to New  York.  
I was going to perform a twirling act in the Netherlands on the Starren  
Show VARA network.  After a wonderful flight in which you treated me as  
someone you had known for years, you offered me a ride to the  international terminal in your limo!  

I will never forget your warmth and kindness.  You sent me an album  (Peggy King Sings Jerome Kern) with a photo and message.  The message read:  

"Dear Mark, 
I'm so glad we met and I hope your trip was wonderful.  Here's an album  
for now and I'll be in touch.  My best to you and your family. 
Love, 
Peggy" 

What a thrill it was then to have met you and to have been introduced to  
your beautiful voice!  You are forever a role model to me of how a  
successful person can also be a person of genuine beauty inside and out, on and  off camera. 

My love to you and your family!  (I didn't know your daughter lives in  
Kelseyville, CA.  I spent a good part of my childhood next door in  Lakeport!) 
.. 
Appreciatively, 
Mark Nash 

Mark Nash 
June 14, 2009 
.. 

Saw you at Bryn Mawr Terrace on Wednesday. Enjoyed myself  beyond 
expectation.  I am the guy who was sitting in the back-center. I  
talked to you about George Gobel, guessing that he was the one who  
gave you the title "Pretty Perky Peggy King," and I also mentioned Bing  
Crosby.  I hope I can get a CD of the pictures that were taken of the  
event, especially when you stood in front of me singing and pointing  
at me. I grew up in Kensington (Philadelphia); I now live in Malvern,  
a suburb of Philadelphia.  I was wondering if you ever appeared at the  
Starlight Ballroom in Kensington. They had a lot of guest performers  
there, but I can't remember most of them.  Franky Avalon held his  
"Teenage Night Club" there in the 50's. 

I will always remember that night at the Bryn Mawr Terrace and  
seeing you perform for us and talking to you. 

 Rich  

Richard Kephart 
Malvern, Pennsylvania 
May 17, 2009 
. 

Miss Carol Kotun  (Click here to go to Carol's tribute page.) 
Retired Math Teacher 
March 19, 2009 
.. 

I love my mom, too!! 

Wow!  Never thought I'd be writing a message to my own mom here, but! 
How exciting to see clips I never have before . . . What's My Line was terrific.  And, reading all of these fabulous messages is such a delight . . . too bad my mom doesn't have her own computer . . . she'd love this . . . I'll  
have to apply more pressure. 

I'm so happy to see how many of you remember Mom and that she added so much to your lives . . . nice.  Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to extend a gigantic thank you to an extraordinary Web Master . . . you ROCK!!! 

Suzy  
Kelseyville, California 
March 7, 2009 
.. 

Is this really you I'm writing to?  I hope you're well.  I'm a new fan. I was watching Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy and I just had to find out who that was singing You Came a Long Way from St Louis.  Your website was fascinating. I really loved your music.  Are there any tracks older than Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe?  That was such an unexpected contrast to St. Louis and I'm Gonna Put Some Glue Round the Christmas Tree - that was cute. I was raised listening to classic rock and it's such a wonderful change to hear something done so tastefully and elegantly and professionally; the standards for musicianship seem so much higher then.   Would it be possible to get an autographed picture?  I'm a musician myself and I have a room filled with pictures of musicians from Duke Ellington to Itzhak Perlman. I'd love to make a place for yours too! 

Thanks! 

Bruce Winters 
Streator, Illinois 
March 2, 2009 

Hi Peggy, 
. 
I mc'd a show at the Presidio, fall 0f 1959, and you were the special guest.   The servicemen loved it! . . . me too . . . (I have a snapshot around, somewhere).  I was at the tail end of my 2-year army hitch, got out and met  Bing Crosby and got into show biz.  50 years later, I get a call from Gene Arnold and Terry L (from Philly) and your name came up.  Stay well.  Best.  

Jack R. English  
73 & 1/2  (ughhh!) 
Los Angeles, California 
December 29, 2008 
.. 

Ruth Cooke from North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania had informed me that you are related to us.  She told me about a month ago. 

I found Ruth after I started my KING genealogy almost twenty years ago and have been searching for all the King families in Pennsylvania who may be related to Christian and Charlotte King's children.  There are many, about 12 or 13 that I can figure.  I understand that you are descended from Homer King.  Ruth and I are descended from David King, our great grandfather.  I have found a descendant of their first born, Mary King, too.  Mary's descendant gave us a copy of Charlotte and Mary King.  I think Ruth told you about the picture. 

I live in Ohio.  My grandfather came here from Manor, Pennsylvania, not far from where Ruth lives in Westmoreland county.  It has been with excitement that I've been blessed to find so many of us.  And now Ruth has found you, adding to the excitement.  I know that you are a very busy person so I don't want to take away from your day.  If you ever have the chance to e-mail, please do.  I would like that.  

Your distant cousin,  
Darlene Steiner 
October 14, 2008 
. 

Hello Peggy, 

One of those coming out of the woodwork.   What good fortune to find your  
website by accident.  Only sorry to have missed your appearance in "What's My Line" as mentioned by others signing your guest book this August.  

When you had your TV show in 1955, we use to watch you.  Not only did  we not want to miss your show because you sounded great, but seeing you was all the more special because Mom said you were related to us.  The photo resembling Judy says you are the one and the fact you were born in Greensburg says you could be related.  Descended  from Christian King, I don't know the details, but David Jefferson King, Jr. was my grandfather.  

Hope to see you on TV again soon. 

Ruth H. Cooke 
North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania 
September 10, 2008 

Villa D'Este 

Will be leaving for Milan in a few weeks and when thinking of a special place to stay thought of the Villa D'Este . . . and you. 

Sue and I are still friends and think of you when we remember our fun friends. 

Hope everything is good . . . 

Blanche (Baker) 
September 10, 2008 

My Dad 

Peggy, 

I'm writing this on behalf of my dad (although I'm quite old enough to 
remember you live on the The George Gobel Show!).  I'm glad to see from 
your website that you've kept involved with music over the few years 
that have elapsed since then.  

My dad, Dr. John F. W. King, has always been particularly fond of your 
singing.   During the 1950-60s, he was the Director of Service for the 
American Cancer Society's National Office in NYC and was delighted to be 
part of a group (that included you) which toured the country for a week 
(1959??) in a single plane helping pitch the message of fighting cancer. 
Beside yourself, the group included musicians Mitch Miller, Percy Faith, 
Tony Bennett & Guy Mitchell (if my memory serves me correctly). 

You probably don't remember him at this point (other than perhaps the 
fact that we all share the same family name). He was thrilled to receive 
a note from you after the tour (we lived in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ at the time). 

My dad is on the verge of turning 94 on October 6 and now lives in a 
senior community in Wilmington, DE.  He's particularly despondent at the 
moment due to the death of his wife (my mom) a few months ago.  

I know this is imposing on you, but I was wondering if you would be able 
to send a short note to him wishing him well.  It would cheer him up 
greatly.  His mind is still quite sharp and he would be thrilled to hear 
from you.  He'd love a photo as well if you had one available. 

If you could do this, his address is: 

Dr. John F. W. King 
Forwood Manor 
Wilmington, Delaware 

I understand that you may not be able to send such a note but I thought 
I'd ask.  I appreciate your consideration in any case. 

John F. King 
Manager, Database Administration 
Ravinia Festival Association 
Highland Park, IL 60035 
September 5, 2008 

Editor's note:  Peggy remembers Dr. John F. W. King most fondly and has already been in touch with the writer. 

Splendid! 

Seeing you on "What's My Line" this morning (08/08/08) made my day.  
Great shows attract the best. 

Regards, 

Don Reed 
August 8, 2008 

What's My Line? 

Just saw the episode you were on - very funny. 

Kenny "Ace" 
August 8, 2008 

From an Old Ravenna School Chum 

Hi Peggy, 

I tried sending another e-mail but don't believe it went through.  At the expense of repeating, I'll try this way.  I am Barbara Maines and have been following your career; however, just found your web site.  My God, you NOW look like Debbie Reynolds . . . it used to be Judy.  I have just published my first novel (Vegas Destiny on Amazon.com and Barnes&Nobel.com) after years of being a columnist for a Baton Rouge, La. newspaper.  Now living just south of Memphis.  I have always 'bragged' I used to play piano for Peggy King.  I still play piano programs; all at once the songs I love have come back into style!  Also, I still fly back to most of the school reunions and us 48 class 'girls' get together as frequently as we can.  Great to see you are still singing. 

Barbara 
July 20, 2008 

A note from Justin Hopkins 

Our Dear Peggy King!! 

Hi there!  I'm lucky enough to call Peggy a dear friend.  I'm a 24 year old aspiring opera singer, and Peggy is one of my greatest musical influences.  It's so wonderful to read all the wonderful comments from people whose lives she touched over the years.  I first sang with Peggy as a little boy soprano singing with the Philadelphia Boys Choir in 1994.  Around that time, she gave me an unreleased studio recording of hers as a gift.  I've been in love ever since, and have added other albums to my collection such as When You Wish Upon A Star, The Boy Next Door, and Oh, What a Memory We've Made Tonight.  What shouldn't be surprising to anyone that knows Peggy is the fact that she sounds just as good today as she ever has.  Love you Peggy, and I can't wait to see you when I'm back in town!  

Justin Hopkins 
July 5, 2008 

Hello from Harry Prime 

Hi Peggy! 

Harry asked us to say hello to you after I found your website. 

Kim Kantner (Harry's daughter) and me, Larry Kantner, say hi too! 

We all wish you well too! 

Stay cool. 

Larry Kantner, V.P. 
Wachovia 
Mortgage Banking Director 
NJ5774 
32 East Front Street 
Trenton, NJ 08608 
June 8, 2008 

Fond Memories of an Era That Will Never Return 

At the age of 13, my first visit to New York City included a trip to the Capitol Theatre to see Duke Ellington's orchestra featuring a little girl vocalist named Lena Horne.  From that day forward I was hooked on Big Bands!  The movie was 'Phantom of the Opera' with Nelson Eddy, Susannah Foster and Claude Rains.  People in those days (the early 1940's) didn't go to see a movie.  It was the thrilling stage shows that attracted folks.  I remember seeing the orchestras of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Ted Lewis, Gene Krupa, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Sammy Kaye and the list goes on and on.  I regret never having seen Glenn Miller.  In 1949, the Ralph Flanagan band grabbed me by my ears and I was floored by Ralph's great Glenn Miller 'sound.'  Other bands with the Miller sound followed. Britain's Ted Heath, Latin America's Luis Acaraz, our own Ray Anthony among others became Glenn Miller 'cover' bands.  But Flanagan had them all beat and became the top dance band in the late 1940's and early 1950's.  I first saw the Flanagan band at Frank Daily's Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove, NJ in 1949 (or 1950), when a young girlby the name of Evelyn Joyce won a contest and became the first girl vocalist with the band.  I and three other Flanagan fans ran Ralph's fan club.  When Peggy Kingcame aboard, it was clear the band had the perfect pairing with boy band vocalist, Harry Prime, who had sung with the Tommy Dorsey, Randy Brooks and Jack Fina orchestras.  One might say Peggy was pretty perky in those days (even before George Gobel dubbed her 'Pretty, Perky, Peggy King') and thankfully that moniker holds true to this very day!  Both Peggy and Harry were gracious to their fans and even allowed me to take a photo (see below) of them back-stage at (I believe) the Statler Hotel in New York City, and I'm sorry I don't remember the year.  Actually, at 78 I'm lucky to remember my name!  I do remember visiting Peggy in a hospital after she suffered an appendicitis attack and even she remembered that incident. I sincerely hope her marvelous music will someday be reissued along with her current offerings and you fans out there can write to your local newspapers and magazines requesting more airtime for songs sung by this great lady who will always be Pretty, Perky, Peggy King to us fans! 
. 

 

        So glad to hear there is now an official site.  I, too, fell in love with Peggy King on the George Gobel Show at the age of 9 or so.  I thought  she was THE cutest, sweetest, most talented young lady ever.  I idolized her, couldn't imagine anyone I would rather grow up to be! 

        At that time I had a rather esoteric collection of 45's (my father worked briefly for a radio station and brought home some interesting stuff).  I  had the Peggy King recording of Zero Hour backed with No Sleep Till Dawn.  I played the B-side so much it's a wonder I didn't wear the record out. Unfortunately, in one of her forays into my record collection, my mother made that single disappear sometime during my teenage years and I have been looking  for a copy ever since - or an album/CD containing the latter song.  If  anyone can help, please let me know! 

Victoria Friscia 
San Carlos, California 
January 7, 2008 
. 

        After hearing Peggy King singing Hunts commercials, Peggy showed up at Rosemead High School, in Rosemead, California and performed at an 'assembly' in 1954 for some very lucky students.  It was a performance that I have not been able to forget.  Her appearance on numerous television shows just added to her allure.  It would have been great to see her in Southern California, if I had only heard about it in time to travel from Northern California.  I hope the web site will let her fans know about future appearances. 
        It might interest Peggy to know that on that day at Rosemead High School there were probably two students in the audience who went on to have careers in the entertainment industry.  I don't remember the exact date of Peggy's appearance.  If it were before June 1954, then Molly Bee was there, a freshman in 1953-1954, before transferring to Hollywood Professional High School.  If it were after September 1954, then Vikki Carr was there, Bob Mackie was there.  I feel very lucky to have been around each of these personalities during my high school days. 
        If possible, I would like to write directly to Peggy King Rudofker, to thank her for all of the pleasant memories of her through 50+ years. Thanks for building a web site to celebrate one of the great singers. 

Shelley Giles 
Northern California 
December 19, 2007 
. 

   I came across your site by accident this rainy evening. I was a little girl (7-10 years old) when I watched the Gobel show and thought Peggy King was just the princess I hoped to be some day.  The forehead-to-forehead routine was about as sensual as anything I could get my brain around at that age!  I even recall missing an outing at the lake at age eleven because I feared I wouldn't be home in time to see the Maverick episode. 
        I spent the last hour enjoying the radio interview - so many pleasant memories - wish it would have been a live call-in question show - I have many.  She still sounds great.  If a new CD becomes available, I hope you'll let me know. 

Anne Scrivner  (Click here for more from Anne!) 
Rochester, Illinois 
November 25, 2007  
.