Helen McKay
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Helen McKay (born Ruby Ellen Northover in Woolwich, London on 15 April 1910 - died 29 August 2008 (aged 98)[1]) was a dance band singer, active during the 1930s and 1940s. She was the first person to sing on the then high-definition standard (405 lines) in test transmissions by the BBC for the RadiOlympia Exhibition from 26 August to 5 September 1936.[2][3][4]
Helen was born in Woolwich, London to Ellen May Edwards, a tailoress from Deptford, London and Albert William Northover, a lance corporal in the Royal Engineers from Surrey.[5] McKay began work at Marshall & Snelgrove's department store in Oxford Street, London but left to pursue a theatrical career. After 12 dancing lessons, her ambition was to become a ballerina. She danced with a touring ballet company but then started in chorus work, notably C. B. Cochran's production, "One Damn Thing After Another."
She was noticed by band leader Lew Stone while in a publisher's office and was offered a contract as a vocalist with his band. However, Lew did not like her name and so she was given the stage name of Helen McKay. After singing in Lew Stone's band, McKay freelanced with bands led by Sydney Baynes, Oscar Rabin and Bram Martin.[6]
