Biography
Born Maude Runnels on 17 November 1934 in Natchez, Mississippi, Marion Montgomery died on 22 July 2002 in Bray, Berkshire, England. She left school early in order to perform on television in Atlanta, Georgia. After stints in advertising and publishing, plus stage work in plays and vocal appearances in strip joints and jazz clubs, she developed into a seasoned cabaret artist. Capitol Records offered her a contract once Peggy Lee listened to her demo, resulting in three albums for the imprint. In 1965 Montgomery relocated to Britain to headline at London’s newly opened Cool Elephant club alongside John Dankworth’s orchestra. Later that year she wed composer and musical director Laurie Holloway, after which she built a steady presence on the city’s club circuit, comfortable both at Ronnie Scott’s and on the broader cabaret rounds.
A voice once described as “having a long, cool glass of mint julep on a Savannah balcony” helped her widen her reach through the lead in the 1969 West End revival of Anything Goes, regular radio and television spots, and concerts plus cabaret engagements across the UK and overseas. The BBC broadcast her one-woman show in 1975. Beyond her partnership with Holloway, she worked successfully with classical composer and pianist Richard Rodney Bennett on projects such as Puttin’ On The Ritz, Surprise Surprise and Town And Country. Her instantly recognizable, relaxed and intimate delivery placed her among the few American performers who chose permanent residence in the UK. She succumbed after a prolonged struggle with cancer caused by passive smoking.
A voice once described as “having a long, cool glass of mint julep on a Savannah balcony” helped her widen her reach through the lead in the 1969 West End revival of Anything Goes, regular radio and television spots, and concerts plus cabaret engagements across the UK and overseas. The BBC broadcast her one-woman show in 1975. Beyond her partnership with Holloway, she worked successfully with classical composer and pianist Richard Rodney Bennett on projects such as Puttin’ On The Ritz, Surprise Surprise and Town And Country. Her instantly recognizable, relaxed and intimate delivery placed her among the few American performers who chose permanent residence in the UK. She succumbed after a prolonged struggle with cancer caused by passive smoking.
Albums
