Helen Forrest

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Helen Forrest was often called the Sweetheart of the Big Band Era and may be the only vocalist to have recorded a million seller with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Harry James! In 1938, Helen began her five years with Artie Shaw that produced two smash hits, "They Say" and "All the Things You Are." With Benny Goodman, Helen sang on the hit "The Man I Love" and "Yours." Beginning in 1942, she performed with Harry James and sang on the band's recordings of "I Don't Want to Walk Without You," "Skylark," "But Not for Me," "I Had the Craziest Dream," and "I've Heard that Song Before." Helen also worked closely with Dick Haynes in the late 1940s and enjoyed a successful solo career, which continued until 1993.  

Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives.