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Lola Dee is a American singer and recording artist with Mercury Records and Columbia Records labels in the 1950's and 1960's. At the age of 14, she was heard in an amateur contest and asked to audition for a network teen-aged show called "Junior Junction". At 16 she was signed to a recording contract. She recorded over 40 sides, including the half million best seller "Only You" in 1955. Her popularity as a recording artist gave her the opportunity to tour with such stars as Bob Hope, Johnnie Ray and Jimmy Durante in the late 1950's and 1960's.

Background
Born Lorraine DeAngelis in Chicago, IL, Lola Dee grew up on Chicago's west-side communities. Her father was a drummer and she started singing before the age of 2, delighting her family. Her first public engagements were amateur shows starting at age 9 with the support of her mother. At the age of 14, she was heard on an amateur program and was asked to audition for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network teen-aged show called "Junior Junction", a national show based in Chicago, Illinois with Dick York as Master of Ceremonies. Dee appeared on Chicago's WLS Barn Dance and she referred to as "The Little Princess" that appearance lead to three years as staff singer for ABC and during that time she signed to a recording contract with Mercury Records.

Recording Career
Lola Dee changed her given name to the performance name Lola Ameche in honor of her mother's maiden name on signing the Wing (Mercury Records) label contract, then to Lola Dee on the same label. Over time she also worked under contract with Columbia Records as Lola Dee, and recorded over 40 sides in total. Her biggest selling record was "Only You". During her recording career and after, Dee performed worldwide and became a member of several tours that included such stars as Bob Hope, Johnnie Ray and Jimmy Durante. She toured clubs and theatres in Australia, the Far East, Mexico, the Philippines, the Caribbean, Japan, South America, Cuba, Canada.

Later Career
Starting in 1965, Lola Dee performed more intimate venues at nightclubs through the 1980's. She continued to be a featured singer with WGN radio and Television in Chicago. Her national career continued through 1978 and included annual appearances at the Illinois State Fair doing live broadcasts for WGN with Orion Samuelson from 1971 to 1978. Lola appeared as "Klondike Kate" first lady of Edmonton, Canada, and performed on Royal Caribbean International cruise line for three years. Lola limited her travel to care for her mother who developed Alzheimer's disease. Her last two public performances were singing the national anthem on television for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in 1978.

Charitable Activity
As a regional celebrity, Lola Dee was Honorary Chairwoman of the Illinois chapter of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Foundation in 1978 and 1979, which brought in thousands of dollars for research for "Lou Gehrig’s Disease". Due to her mother's struggle with Alzheimer's disease, she has also has worked with fund raising for that cause.

Later Life
Lola Dee became an Executive Concierge in 1988 in Oak Brook, Illinois to be near her mother. She was the top vote getter among Hilton Hotels & Resorts Honors-program guests in 2007 nationally for satisfaction. 'Concierge Preferred' magazine appointed her to the advisory council from 2005 to 2010 (present).

Selected Discography
Wing Label/Mercury Records (78 rpm)

1950 to 1953 Lola Ameche

- Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes

- Hotsity, Hotsity

- Josephine

- Big Blue Eyes

- Piana Anina

- Ragtime Melody

- Copycat

- Walk Right In

1953 to 1955 Lola Dee

- Takin' the Trains Out

- You're the One

- Padre

- Altar of Love

Wing Label/Mercury Records (45 rpm)

1954 W 90004 Lola Dee - I Love You Stop c/w Cha Cha Cha

1955 W 90015 Lola Dee - Paper Roses c/w Only You (And You Alone)

1955 W 90035 Lola Dee - In The Year Of Our Love c/w Hey Ba Ba Re Bop

1956 W 90052 Lola Dee - I'll Be Forever Loving You c/w Ma Petite