Dean Whitbread 2020
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I’ve been a Ruth Wallis fan since finding her records in a bargain basement in 1991. Ruth was a combination of Madonna and Benny Hill, or perhaps Bette Midler, but with all the sexual references sleight of hand and a expert glint in the eye. This song “Johnny Had A Yo-Yo” was responsible for getting this suggestive and highly successful chanteuse / writer banned in Boston. Listen to the lyrics… amazing for the 1950s / early 60s which was her heyday.
Like many successful women, Ruth Wallis has been pretty much airbrushed from history and deserves to be revived. If you think sexism is died in the 1970s, recall that when Madonna shipped platinum to every continent, the big music business awards that year were won by Michael Jackson for his not particularly good album, Bad.
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Ruth Wallis wrote words and music to all of her (125+) recordings. Typecast as solely a risque cabaret performer, her music has only recently made it to the airways.
December 22nd will be the 2nd anniversary of my mother's passing. It's a pleasure to know that a new generation is just discovering “the saucy chanteuse”.