Lucille Starr

Canadian singer/songwriter and yodeler Lucille Starr (born Lucille Marie Raymonde Savoie) was one of Canada's most popular country performers. She started her career singing with a British Columbia choir, Les Hirondelles, and then became the female lead with the Keray Regan Band. Eventually she and band member Bob Regan left to tour the country as Lucille and Bob. The duo had several successful singles in both the U.S. and Canada, including "No Help Wanted." With her powerful voice and vibrant performances, Starr soon attracted notice from several label executives, one of whom dubbed the act the Canadian Sweethearts. While in California, the two frequently appeared on local country music shows and on ABC's Country America show, where they appeared regularly for two years. They also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, and toured North America with Hank Snow, Wilf Carter and Little Jimmy Dickens. Both Starr and the Canadian Sweethearts signed to A&M Records in 1963, the latter reaching the Top 50 with "Hootenanny Express." They also had two top-rated hits in Canada, including "Looking Back to See." Starr went solo with The French Cut, which was produced by Herb Alpert and featured his Tijuana Brass. The title cut became a chart-topper, and the album produced five more hits. In 1967, the Canadian Sweethearts recorded in Nashville with producer Billy Sherrill. She appeared regularly on the charts through the mid-'70s. In 1977, she put an end to the Sweethearts partnership and cut another solo album, The Sun Shines Again, and it did quite well. Her subsequent album, Back to You, did very well in Canada and produced three hits, including a number one. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Music Guide