The word “affable” truly applied to Patti Page, who died on New Year’s Day in California. The photo was taken backstage at the Bell Centre in Surrey.

A few years back I sought out and interviewed “The Singing Rage” for my weekly appearance on Global TV. This was the intro used on one of her many TV shows. Anne Murray told me that Patti was the one singer who impressed her with her almost perfectly clear voice. Her hits were huge in the pre-rock era but she was one of the few singers who carried on through the Sixties with hits such as Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, One Of Us, Old Cape Cod and so many more. Her hit Tennessee Waltz was one of the first recordings to appear on the Country and Pop charts. Her singles and albums sold in the millions and her success made it possible for future female vocalists to make it big on the charts. Patti was to be given a long overdue lifetime achievement award at this year’s Grammy Awards.

When I met her I didn’t know what to expect. I was surprised to discover a down to earth lady who found time to talk about her career and was most pleasant. I cannot overstate the number of records she sold, her many television successes with her own hosted shows, her Broadway career and her appearances in movies like the award winning Elmer Gantry with Burt Lancaster.

Patti Page will be missed… but through the magic of her music, TV and movie recordings her legacy will live on. Here’s my Global TV segment on Patti: