Anne MargaretSwedish-born American actress and singer, who rose to fame in cinema in the 1960s with films such as long live Vegaswho co-starred with Elvis Presley, will release his album next Friday, aged 81 Born to be wild (Born to be wild).
The singer, born on April 28, 1941, collaborates in her work with veteran rock artists such as the co-founder of WHO Pete Townshend, guitarist of AerosmithJoe Perry and Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom of the rockabilly group Stray cats.
Ann-Margret performs classics such as Born to be wildpopularized by Canadian group Steppenwolf o bye bye loveas well as other successes such as Volare (by Domenico Modugno), Rockin’ around the Christmas tree or the classic Rock around the clock (Rock around the clock), which in the version of Bill Halley and his comets started the rock and roll movement.
The woman Elvis Presley
Ann-Margret, actress who was nicknamed at the time “The Female Elvis Presley”, releases his new album, in two formats: compact disc and vinyl. In the latter format, she also sells three songs: Born to be wild, Rockin’ around the Christmas tree AND splicing splash.
The Cleopatra record company presents her as one of the brightest stars in Hollywood, which also highlighted her work with Elvis Presley in long live vegasthe musical film Bye bye little birdin which he starred in 1963.
The New York Times newspaper dedicates a special to her in which it points out that “at 81, Ann-Margret is finally living her Rock and Roll dream”. And dreams are to make them come true.
A bit of history
Ann-Margret Olsson, her full name, was discovered as a nightclub singer by actor and comedian George Burns.
With a softly husky and sultry voice, she was considered one of the sexiest female singers around. She and she has been compared to other stars of the time, such as Eartha Kitt or Nancy Sinatra.
In the plan to turn her into the “female Elvis”, the RCA label prepared an album with Elvis’ version of the song Heartbreak hotel (Broken Hearts Hotel) and other songs of a style very similar to that of “King of Rock”.
With the song I Just Don’t Understand he achieved his first success, entering the Top 40 of the Billboard charts during the third week of August 1961. It remained there for six weeks, reaching number 17.
His most notable album in artistic terms is The Beauty and the Beard (1964) which he performed with trumpeter Al Hirt. The contract with RCA ended in 1966.
Naturally, his musical work would be eclipsed by his acting, in the early 80’s he continued to perform in Las Vegas.
His first film role was in the film A gangster by miracle (1961). Her portrayal of her earned her the Golden Globe for ‘New Star of the Year-Actress’ and garnered her rave reviews.
It was followed by the musical film State Fair, where he shared the stage with Bobby Darin and Pat Boone the following year. But it was his starring role in Bye bye little bird (1963) what launched her to stardom.
After filming Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley, the two began a relationship that attracted the attention of the press. It is even said that Presley came to ask Ann to marry her but that she refused the proposal.
Although Margret and the singer’s relationship ended soon after, Presley remained a close friend of the actress until her death. Of all the Hollywood stars Elvis had worked with, Ann-Margret she was the only one to attend his funeral.
In 1963, Ann-Margret starred in one episode of the cartoon series The Flintstones, whose character was called “Ann-Margrock”.
Source: Clarin
