Childhood was not easy, Rosemary always was worrying about where the next meal would come from, Most of her youth, Rosemary and her sister, Betty, lived with her Grandfather Clooney.
Rosemary had a gift for phrasing words and had a natural gift of pausing at the right moment.She is an excellent lyric interpreter, has fine timing, phrases skillfully and intelligently, and performs with the dramatic quality evident among all great singers. It wasn't until 1951, that she came into a big hit song and "overnight success" with Come On A My House. Although many ups and downs would follow that success, friends were always there to lift her from her troubles and keep her laughing. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope are two of her good friends. Especially, when her marriage to Jose Ferrer crumbled.
When Hollywood came into the picture, Clooney took it head on and even though her career was short by Hollywood standards, her music career has always been constant and her voice has always been present at some time on radio, film, concerts, and television. Her nephew, George Clooney has helped out a bit as well, Rosemary herself said that girls who have never heard her sing, go to her concerts to see George Clooney's aunt.
She joined the Columbia roster in 1950 and made several hits for them, among them "You're Just in Love," "Beautiful Brown Eyes," "Half As Much," "Hey There," the number one hit "Come on-A My House," and "If Teardrops Were Pennies." Clooney had 13 Top 40 hits in the early '50s, among them duets with Guy Mitchell and Marlene Dietrich. The rock revolution and a decision to spend more time with her family resulted in Clooney going into semi-retirement.
She returned in the late '70s, singing with renewed power and confidence while making swing-influenced dates and combo sessions for Concord. She's maintained that relationship through the '80s and '90s, doing standards, repertory albums, and demonstrating a resiliency and energy that validates her position among the fine jazz-based vocalists in American music.
Rosemary passed away in 2002. She will always be remembered for her gracious presence and eloquence and timing in song. Rosemary Clooney was certainly America's most enduring girl singer.
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