No one more epitomized female vocalists of the 1950s, a time when America was hooked on novelty songs, than Rosemary Clooney. With her strong, belting, melodious style and novelty hits "Come on a My House," "Mambo Italiano," and "This Old House," Rosemary Clooney swiftly achieved stardom in the early 1950s. She also joined the ranks of the era's top female vocalists, including such stars as Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee, and Patty Page. Her career transcended the concert circuit, including television and film appearances; she proved a perfect match for the rapidly developing television industry. During the later years of Clooney's career, with a more smoky, rich voice, critics compared her with top performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, and Frank Sinatra.

Born in Maysville, Kentucky, on May 28, 1928, Rosemary and her sister Betty often performed at political rallies for their paternal grandfather. When Rosemary...