Harry Babbitt

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Harry Babbitt (November 2, 1913 - April 9, 2004) was an American singer and star during the Big Band era. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he joined the Kay Kyser band in 1938, with whom he recorded several hits, sometimes in his rich baritone, but also novelty tunes in which he affected a high-pitched falsetto.

He sang such hits as "Three Little Fishies", "On A Slow Boat to China" and "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle", but his biggest hit was the cover of the Vera Lynn classic "White Cliffs of Dover". He also sang "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" and did the laugh on Kyser's "Woody Woodpecker" song. He appeared as a regular on Kyser's radio program, Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge, and in seven movies with Kyser, including That's Right - You're Wrong in 1939, Thousands Cheer in 1943 and Carolina Blues in 1944.

Babbitt served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946, then returned to Kyser's band, which he eventually left for good in 1949.

Babbitt retired from show business in 1964, and made money in real estate in Orange County, California. He died at the age of 90 in Newport Beach, California.

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