Artist:Toni Tennille
Song:Let's Do It
Album:Do It Again
Most music fans probably remember Toni Tennille when she performed with her husband Daryl Dragon as The Captain & Tennille in the 70s. They were very successful until they faded in the early 80s. Toni launched a solo career mostly performing standards like Cole Porter's Let's Do It. She was born May 8, 1940 in Montgomery, AL. Her father was a singer with Bob Crosby's Bob-Cats and then he owned a furniture store. Her mom hosted a local TV talk show. After her dad's furniture store closed, the family moved to the Newport Beach area of California. Toni worked a day job while appearing with South Coast Repertory. She wrote songs for a musical called Mother Earth. That's when she met Dragon and he got her a job with The Beach Boys playing piano on their 1972 tour. That's when they started performing and signed with A&M Records. After Captain & Tennille faded, Toni returned to session singing. Then influenced by Linda Ronstadt, Toni decided to launch a singing career singing pop standards. She signed with Atlantic's Mirage label and released the 1994 album More Than You Know. There's nothing wrong with standards but she writes songs so I don't know why she didn't mix some originals in. Arranging and conducting was Count Basie arranger Sammy Nestico. This 1988 album is a mix of two of her albums. Toni released eight albums, most recently in 2001. I think Toni is now retired. Daryl Dragon died in 2019. Here's Toni Tennille performing Let's Do It on The Merv Griffin Show 1984.
She was a great singer and I had a crush on her when she first started with Daryl Dragon as the Captain and Tennille. She was so pretty. They had some good songs, then as you have pointed out Frank, they faded. Thanks again for the memories. David.
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