Margaret Whiting Passes Away at 86

BroadwayWorld.com has just confirmed the sad news that legendary singer Margaret Whiting has passed away at the age of 86.

Margaret Whiting, known as the seminal interpreter of American standards throughout her major recording career in the 40's, 50's, and into the 60's continued to perform regularly until just a few years ago.

Among the songs she introduced are "That Old Black Magic," "It Might as Well Be Spring," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "Moonlight in Vermont." Her father, Richard Whiting, was the composer of numerous popular hits.

She appeared on stage in Dream in 1997, and in Taking My Turn and Do it Again! in the 1970s. Ms. Whiting most recently appeared on Michael Feinstein's highly-acclaimed 3 part television special, The Great American Songbook on PBS. 

She was married 4 times, including to Hubbell Robinson Jr. (a writer, producer and TV executive), pianist Lou Busch, Panavision founder John Richard Moore and to adult fo;, star Jack Wrangler, to whom she was married from 1994 to his death in April of 2009.

About her passing, close friend, and attorney Mark Sendroff told BroadwayWorld.com that "Margaret was one of a kind--Hollywood royalty, being the daughter of  songwriter Richard Whiting (whose hits included "Hooray For Hollywood", "Ain't She Sweet" and "On the Good Ship Lolli-Pop"), God-Daughter of legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer, initial artist on Capitol Records, where she introduced a string of hits (including "Moonlight in Vermont", "My Ideal" and "That Old Black Magic"), co-star of the concert evening titled "FOUR GIRLS FOUR", which toured for 18 or so years and loving wife to the writer, director and famous adult film actor, the late Jack Wrangler.  She loved living in Manhattan and was out on the town most nights, either performing or attending and supporting numerous performers working in every conceivable venue. She will be missed personally and professionally by fans and friends around the world. It was my privilege to know and sometimes represent her."

Photo by Walter McBride