Ann-Margret

  Ann-Margret began recording with RCA Victor back in 1961. "Lost Love" was her first RCA Victor recording. Marty Paich arranged and conducted her debut album, "Lost Love", in Hollywood. The subsequent albums were recorded in Nashville with Chet atkins on guitar and the Jordanaires (Elvis Presley's backup singers) as well as the Anita Kerr Singers. Liner notes were composed by George Burns, her mentor. Her singing voice was powerful and sexy. [88 RCA Victor tried to capitalize on her "female Elvis" image by allowing her to sing a cover of "Heartbreak Hotel" as well as other tracks which were stylistically similar to Presley. The minor success "I Don't Understand" from her second album was her most successful hit. It climbed to the Billboard Top 40 in August 1961, and remained there for six weeks, and was ranked 17. The Beatles later performed the song in the following year. The song was recorded live at the BBC on the 16th of July 1963, and was broadcast on August 20th in 1993. Beauty and the Beard (1964) was her sole charting album. Al Hirt, her trumpeter, was also on her. Ann-Margret appeared on The Jack Benny Program (season 11, episode 24) in the year 1961. In 1962, she performed the Oscar-nominated "Theme from Bachelor in Paradise" at the Academy Awards presentation. In the year 1966, her contract with RCA Victor was terminated.