Andersen, Lale (1905–1972)

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Andersen, Lale (1905–1972)

German singer. Born Mar 23, 1905, in Lehe-Bremerhaven, Germany; died Aug 29, 1972, of a heart attack at the Vienna Airport, Austria.

Became a moderately successful cabaret performer; traveled the circuit, appearing in small clubs throughout Germany and Central Europe; recorded "Lilli Marlene" in 1939 (though Anderson had a reputation of being openly critical of the Nazi regime, the song became a war-time hit in Germany and around the world and was later performed by Marlene Dietrich); after years in obscurity, recorded the theme from Never on Sunday, a smash hit both as a movie and as a song (1960); won the Eurovision Song Contest (1961).

See also Women in World History.

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Andersen, Lale (1905–1972)

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