Artist:The Song Spinners
Song:Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer
Album:Your Hit Parade: 1943
Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer topped the pop charts in 1943. It was the only WWII song to appear on the top twenty best selling songs of that year. The Song Spinners were backup singers who were used frequently during the musicians strike from 1942-44. That's why the record is a capella. The Song Spinners were led by Margaret Johnson and husband Travis Johnson. She was born Oct. 24, 1907 in La Grange, MO. After graduating from Baylor in 1928, she married Travis and they moved to New York to get into radio. Margaret played Honey Chile on the Bob Hope radio show. The Song Spinners first appeared on The Wayside Cottage radio show. During the musicians strike, Decca Records hired Margaret to arrange and provide backup vocals for Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald. Most notably they appeared on the Dick Haymes hit You'll Never Know. Then they recorded Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer. The song was written by Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh based on a Feb. 26, 1943 incident when a B-17 was damaged by anti aircraft fire and the pilot was able to land it safely in England. The record topped the charts and the B side Johnny Zero reached #7. The Song Spinners never recorded again and once the musicians strike was over, they returned to radio and background singing. You can get Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer on this Time Life various artists budget comp. Margaret Johnson got into writing and performing jingles in the 50s. The Johnsons retired in the late 60s. After Travis died in 1970, Margaret sang in seniors homes until her 2007 death. Here's a video for Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer by The Song Spinners.
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