Gibbs, Georgia (1920–)

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Gibbs, Georgia (1920–)

American pop singer. Born Fredda Gibson (also seen as Lipson or Gibbons) in Worcester, Massachusetts, Aug 17, 1920; never married.

Began singing career as a young teenager, performing on local radio shows and at clubs; signed with the Jimmy Durante—Garry Moore radio show (it was Moore who dubbed her "Her Nibs, Miss Georgia Gibbs"); had her own bi-weekly show on NBC; recorded "Kiss of Fire," which sold over 2.5 million copies and became her 1st gold record (1953); followed that with 3 additional gold records: "Dance With Me, Henry," "Arrivederci Roma," and "Tweedlee Dee" (which had originally been recorded by African-American LaVern Baker but in the practice of the day was "covered" or rerecorded by a major label with a white singer, this time Gibbs).

See also Women in World History.