San Francisco born. As a teenager, she was singing Classics, Torch Songs,
Novelty, Show Tunes, Blues, and Civic Light Opera.
Dorothy's career began at Enrico Banducci's renowned hungry i
with Don Adams, Shelley Berman, Dick Gautier, and Mort Sahl.
Born in San Francisco, between the two World Wars, of Italian, English, French and Irish heritage, she grew up in one of the most beautiful of cities in the world.
Dorothy received her inspiration from the movies and their stars: Deanna Durbin in "A Hundred Men and a Girl;" Kathryn Grayson and Gene Kelly in the movie, "Anchors Aweigh."
At an early age, Dorothy was introduced to Big Band music on the radio, learning the songs as she listened. Around the age of six, Dorothy could be heard singing at neighborhood barbershop in San Francisco. She entertained the patrons getting their haircuts. Her favorite often requested song was "Tippi Tin, Tippi Ton."
She remembers singing "God Bless America" at her first public performance in Gurneyville, California at Russian River. This was the "only song I knew." "I remember a string of light bulbs serving as stage lights for the outdoor wooden stage."
Dorothy was "star struck," and she collected autographs of the famous movie stars who performed in San Francisco. Some of her fifty two (52) autographs included Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Van Johnson, Barbara Hale, and Walter Pidgeon. Dorothy graduated from George Washington High School which is the same school attended by Johnny Mathis, whom she knew briefly.
In her late teens, Dorothy was advised by Freddy Martin to go to Bill Stoker for vocal training. Mr. Stoker also was the vocal coach for Guy Mitchell and others.
During her school years, she performed in many plays. Soon, Dorothy was producing teen musicals. Dorothy still remembers the resounding applause from the high school audience after she sang "In the Spirit of the Moment," in the style of Deanna Durbin. During this time, Dorothy was a lyric soprano.
Once, after a personal appearance at the San Francisco's landmark, Golden Gate Theater, Dorothy asked Frank Sinatra for his autograph. As he signed her book, he touched Dorothy's hand, and remarked, "I'll bet you like spaghetti!" To have stood in the presence of the great Frank Sinatra....this special moment in time is etched in Dorothy's album of memories.
In her early teens, Dorothy sang "Jalousie" as a contestant on Budda's Amateur Hour, which was broadcast from radio station KFRC (at Van Ness and O'Farrell Street in San Francisco). She was declared a winner and did a six-week engagement at a Feather River resort, a short distance from San Francisco.
Dean Maddux (Budda) commented on the air, "Dorothy, you remind me of the late, great, Helen Morgan", who won fame in the role of "Julie" in Jerome Kern's musical masterpiece, "Showboat." Then Dorothy began singing "Can't Help Lovin That Man." She is often been compared to other great singers such as: Jane Froman, Jo Stafford, Anita Bryant, and to Kate Smith's vocal clarity. "Torch songs" became her forte.
3. Dorothy Loyd at Enrico Banducci's hungry i in San Francisco
Dorothy Loyd, in her twenties
As a result of her performance in an Amateur Show sponsored by Horace Heidt, Dorothy Currin got a telephone call from the bands' representative inviting her to sing at the Hollywood Bowl. Here we see Dorothy {photo to the right} as she appeared at San Francisco's famous "Hungry i." For a glamour shot of Dorothy, visit Dorothy Currin at the hungry i. Enrico Banducci, owner of the"hungry i" said that she was "destined for Broadway."
Dorothy sang at army camp shows and at San Francisco's Letterman Hospital in the Presidio.
Frequently Dorothy would go to Sherman and Clay for sheet music and there she met Sylvia White, whointroduced her to the team of Kauer and Silver. In the fifties, Dorothy performed for an extended run at San Francisco's famous Hungry i night club, a showcase for promising talent. She worked with notable performers: Shelly Berman, Mort Sahl, Dick Gautier and Don Adams--the famous TV Team of Agent 99 and a few others. She remembers singing a special material act composed by Gunther Kauer and Hyman Silver. The act was based on Lillian Roth's life story.
She also sang in a show with the lovely Barbara Eden at San Francisco's famous Fairmont Hotel. [ Top of Page ]
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