'Doggie In The Window' Singer Patti Page Dies At 85

Patti Page, leading lady of 50s pop music, died in Encinitas, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 1. She was 85.

Throughout her career, Page sold over 100 million records – making her one of the top selling female singers in history. She landed on the charts over 100 times, and had 19 gold singles, as well as 14 platinum.

Born Clara Ann Fowler in Claremore, Okla., Page got her stage name from the country-music show called “Meet Patti Page” on a Tulsa radio station that served to set off her career. She eventually signed with Mercury Records and released her first hit record in 1950. In her thirties, Page took a turn at acting and appeared in films alongside Burt Lancaster and Kim Novak. She continued to tour throughout her 70s, and released three albums between 2002 and 2003.

Page is perhaps best known for her hits “(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window,” “Old Cape Cod” and “Tennessee Waltz” (one of the best-selling recordings ever, and the state song of Tennessee.) With stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Country Music Walk of Fame, Page is known as one of the first successful crossover artists – appearing in both the pop and country charts.

Despite her heyday predating the Grammy Awards, Page took home the coveted music award in 1999 for her first live album, Live at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert. And, on Feb. 9, she was set to receive a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s pre-Grammy ceremony.

Page is survived by her son, Daniel O’Curran; daughter, Kathleen Ginn; sister, Peggy Layton; and a number of grandchildren.