"Queen of the Jukebox"
1915 - 2003
That Ole Devil Called Love
Doris Fisher was brought up in a household that was ripe with musical creativity. Her father, Fred Fisher, practically ruled Tin Pan Alley in the 20's, writing hit after hit, "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)", "Your Feet's Too Big", "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Be Happy With Someone Else)", "When I Get You Alone Tonight", and
"Peg O' My Heart". His presence in the Brill Building was the source of many a film caricature (usually the emotional, heavily accented German song publisher with the soft heart) and even a highly entertaining, although wildly inaccurate Hollywood biopic Oh You Beautiful Doll.
Both of Doris' brothers also wrote and plugged songs: Dan's "Good Morning
Heartache" and Marvin's "When Sunny Gets Blue" are each unforgettable
contributions to the Great American Songbook.
"Feisty, tenacious and talented" as Michael Feinstein called her, Doris Fisher entered the world of show business as a singer who also loved to write songs. Determined to make her own way without cashing in on her famous name, she began performing under the pseudonym Penny Wise, and appearing on many radio broadcasts with Count Basie and Eddie Duchin. Later she struck out on her own as bandleader "Penny Wise and Her Wise Guys".
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