Fred Astaire – Life Is Beautiful!
- Place – De Lane Lea/CTS Recording Studios, Wembley
- Time – July 1975
- Artist – Fred Astaire
On completing the duet album with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire wanted to stay on at the studio for one more week in order to complete his own solo album.
During this week, whilst recording, Fred received the very sad news that his Mother had passed away in back at home in the USA.
Being the consummate professional, Fred decided to remain in the UK and fulfill all of his up-coming commitments, including finishing the album recording.
Being so popular, he also had various TV interviews that had been arranged for him.
At a quiet moment over lunch in the studio restaurant, Fred reminisced about his Mother and told the following story:
Writing a song for Tony Bennett.
Back in 1957 I wrote a song called Life is Beautiful, Tony Bennett recorded it and was to set to release it as a single.
As the writer, the record company sent a copy to me.
I was so proud when I received a finished version of the record, I immediately sent the copy to my Mum back home in Philadelphia.
I couldn’t wait to hear her reaction.
After a few days I rang her to ask, “Mum what do you think?”
“Fred it’s marvellous, how on earth did they get your voice to sound like that?”
Only a mother could get away with that.
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