Comments on: Jo Stafford (November 12, 1917-July 16, 2008)

By: Kip W

Kip W — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:34:59 +0000

Tim, your parents were musical geniuses, with wicked senses of humor and the technical chops to carry it off. It was years before I knew that my Red Ingle 78 with “Cinderella G. Stump” was yet another manifestation of her all-around abilities. My dad’s a pianist as well, and probably introduced me to their dark side, and my mom died just over three months ago, so I have a clue as to how you might be feeling. All I can add is that your folks are definitely going to be remembered, and not just for the priceless humor, but for their place in popular music.

By: J—

J— — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:58:12 +0000

My condolences to you and your family, Tim.

By: comsympinko

comsympinko — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:42:49 +0000

I’m simply amazed that I knew so many of her songs.

Particularly “Long Ago,” for me made famous by the “Tommy Boy” scene when Farley and Spade start wailing along with the song and bawling.

We are all better for her having been here.

By: Davis

Davis — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:51:17 +0000

What a great clip. You had to be really good to sing with Ella, no doubt about it. I usually don’t like to engage in nostalgia, but you don’t see that sort of thing on TV any more, and it’s a pity.

By: jim

jim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:17:47 +0000

Sorry to hear of your Mom being taken from you. I lost mine too, in 2004.
Take care.

By: anangryoldbroad

anangryoldbroad — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:16:27 +0000

I’m sorry for your loss Tim, your Mom was a gem.

By: Alicia Morgan

Alicia Morgan — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:18:57 +0000

Tim – so very sorry to hear about your mom. There is never a ‘good time’ to lose someone you love, even if they live to be 100. My husband and I are singer/piano players, and we have been longtime fans both of your mom and of Jonathan and Darlene. Naturally someone with as much talent, intelligence and humor as your mom would have a son with the brains and wit to grace the pages of Sadly, No!

By: Dr Zen

Dr Zen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:43:05 +0000

Condolences, Tim. Sad loss for anyone who loves music.

By: NobodySpecial

NobodySpecial — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:50:21 +0000

Sorry for your loss, Tim.

By: jack fate

jack fate — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:18:48 +0000

Tim, my best wishes and condolences to you, your family and everyone you mother has touched. Godspeed.

By: Pinko Punko

Pinko Punko — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:15:49 +0000

I also wanted to share the Telegraph UK story. We can't ever know Jo, but I feel the Brits do due diligence, and I felt it was quite sweet.

By: Pinko Punko

Pinko Punko — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:03:54 +0000

“I’ll Be Seeing You” makes me want to cry in the best way possible. It embraces the human feeling for another person, and the loss of that person from ones life, but also the simultaneous presence of them in life as it goes on. Condolences, and feeling, truly from my heart. What a wonderful voice.

By: Tim (The Other One)

Tim (The Other One) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:50:13 +0000

Also, on behalf of Darlene I would like to thank Gary Ruppert for his comment from the Heartland.

Sadly, Darlene’s sophistication prevented her from actually giving a crap about the Heartland per se.

For Jonathan & Darlene, the Heartland was only really “flyover” country. They were too hip for that room.

By: Tim (The Other One)

Tim (The Other One) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:40:11 +0000

It’s pretty hectic out here as you might imagine, but I just chose to come up for air and “check-in”.

I haven’t read any comments yet but believe it or not, this means a lot to me.

This is a hip place to hang. Thanks kids.

Tim

By: Athenawise

Athenawise — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:14:25 +0000

I remember Jo Stafford fondly from 15-minute TV shows in the 50s when I was a kid (we had one of the first TVs in the nabe). She did a bit where she’d sing perfectly off-key. Brilliant and very funny. My condolences to Ms. Stafford’s family.

By: jcricket

jcricket — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:56:57 +0000

Tim, our deepest sympathies. What a great voice, and what a personable performer! It’s easy to tell that she loved every minute of performing. How many of us get the chance to do what we love? Even so, saying goodbye to our loved ones is the toughest thing in the world to do…

Take care.

By: Wes F. in Cincinnati

Wes F. in Cincinnati — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:42:59 +0000

Tim, my deepest condolences. Your mother’s version of “I’ll Be Seeing You” has long been one of my favorite standards. Our thoughts are with you and yours.

By: ice weasel

ice weasel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:32:32 +0000

Clint beat me to it, “You Belong to Me” alone is wonderful. My condolences to her family on their loss, well, our loss.

I listened to Terry Gross’s interview with her this afternoon. She was a delightful woman.

By: GoatBoy

GoatBoy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:21:55 +0000

Condolences, Tim. Pure melody. A terrific loss.

—
Your mom held her own with Ella FitzGERald!¹
I’d tattoo that on my chest if it was my mom.

¹While Ella had most of the good melodies, no less!

By: another jim

another jim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:07:25 +0000

I was just listening to her on the radio, on the way home here. My condolences. She was a great talent and shined on us all while she was here.