The Recording Academy Releases Statement on Passing of Patti Page

According to published reports, singer Patti Page Passed away yesterday in Encinitas, California. She was 85 years old. The Recording Academy's President/CEO Neil Portnow has released the following statement:

"GRAMMY winner Patti Page was an extremely talented artist known for her unique and smooth vocal style. Throughout her seven-decade career, Page had hits such as "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window?," "Old Cape Cod" and her version of "Tennessee Waltz," which kept her on the top of the charts and made her one of the top-selling female artists in music. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Ms. Page and informing her that she would be recognized with The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award this upcoming February, and she was grateful and excited to be receiving the honor. Our industry has lost a remarkable talent and a true gift, and our sincere condolences go out to her family, Friends and fans who were inspired by her work."

Page was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and sold over 100 million records. Page signed with Mercury Records in 1947, and became their first successful female artist, starting with 1948's "Confess". In 1950, she had her first million-selling single "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming", and would eventually have 14 additional million-selling singles between 1950 and 1965.

Page's signature song, "Tennessee Waltz", recorded in 1950, was one of the biggest-selling singles of the 20th century, and is also one of the two official state songs of Tennessee. "Tennessee Waltz" spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard magazine's Best-Sellers List in 1950. Page had three additional No. 1 hit singles between 1950 and 1953, with "All My Love (Bolero)", "I Went to Your Wedding", and "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window".

In 1997, Patti Page was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. She will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2013.