Lee Halliday
American singer and producer (1927–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lemoine Gardner Ketcham (December 25, 1927 – September 5, 2023), better known as Lee Halliday, was an American singer, dancer, and record producer.[1]
December 25, 1927
Lee Halliday | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Lemoine Gardner Ketcham December 25, 1927 Sapulpa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | September 5, 2023 (aged 95) Marseille, France |
| Occupations | Singer, producer |
Biography
Born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on December 25, 1927, Ketcham became a singer and dancer in music hall productions under the name "Lee Halliday". He met the Menen and Desta Mar sisters, who were dancers and paternal cousins of Johnny Hallyday, during a tour in London, with whom he formed an acrobatic dance trio called "The Hallydays".[2] He married Desta,[3] but later divorced her in the 1970s.[4][5] The couple had two children: daughter Carol-Makéda Ketcham, and son Michael Ketcham Halliday.[6]
Ketcham met Johnny Hallyday while on tour with the Mar sisters.[7][8] The two formed a "father and son" bond for life.[9] Hallyday chose his stage name after choosing a rock career inspired by Elvis Presley[10] and Ketcham's stage name.[11] Ketcham became Hallyday's agent after the latter signed with Philips Records in 1961.[12] He produced almost all of Hallyday's songs from 1961 to 1975. His name last appeared on a Johnny Hallyday album in 1979, Pavillon de Paris : Porte de Pantin.[13]
Aside from Johnny Hallyday, Ketcham also worked as an artistic producer for the likes of Les Lionceaux, Herbert Léonard, Nanette Workman,[14] Lucky Blondo,[15][16] and William Sheller.[17]
Lee Halliday lived in London with his wife until her death in 2018. He then joined his daughter in Marseille,[18] where he died on September 5, 2023, at the age of 95.[19]
Publications
- Lee Hallyday raconte Johnny (1964)
- Johnny Hallyday, l'enfance d'une star (2000)