This MySpace page is a fansite only, and has no direct affiliation with Mr. Chakiris.
I repeat, this myspace page is a project of love and respect presented by a fan, Chantelle, and is NOT the personal profile of Mr. Chakiris. Mr. Chakiris does not receive the messages or comments you send to this profile.
Album notes from "The Gershwin Songbook," 1962
Today, when everyone who wants to be a singer, and all singers eventually become actors, it's a rewarding surprise to find an actor-- an Academy Award actor-- who really CAN sing. These are the first recordings ever made by George Chakiris, and at the time they were made, the future winner was starring in the London company of "West Side Story," the same play that eventually brought him Hollywood's highest honors. Listening to the easy stylings of this album, it's a certainty that George Chakiris would have been heard from through his recordings even if there had been no "West Side Story." The meeting of Chakiris and Gershwin was no accident. During Chakiris's formative years in Hollywood, Gershwin melodies were dominating the films, and George grew up listening to the delightful and enduring songs heard on this album. The films' hottest new property got his first tastes of show business when he joined the St. Lukes Choir in Long Beach, California. The choir sang in several movies, and George was on screen with his fellow choristers in one pictures, "Song of Love." When his family moved from the area, George stayed behind and enrolled at the American School of Dance in Hollywood. He persevered through the early years with indifferent success doing bit dancing parts in movies and dancing in night clubs. His most prominent bit came when he was chosen as one of four boys to perform with Rosemary Clooney for her big number in "White Christmas." When the picture was released, Paramount Studios were inundated with letters complete with diagrams and pictures, asking the identity of "the slim, handsome boy, second on the left." Studio executives were impressed and George was signed to a long term contract. Several featured roles and numerous TV appearances followed, and in 1958-- on his first trip to New York-- he auditioned and was promptly signed for "West Side Story."
Picking the "best of Gerswhin is an impossibility, for everything he wrote in his all too short career maintains his own high standard. the songs in this album cover the Gershwin years form one of his earliest tunes, "Stairway to Paradise," written in the early twenties, to "Love Walked In,' which was completed just a few weeks before he died. Other selections were chosen carefully to make the album representative of the many facets of his art. They include "Embraceable You," which practically became the USO theme song during World War II, and of course a selection from "Porgy and Bess," "It Ain't Necessarily So." The respect that Chakiris has for the Gershwin talent is shown in his handling of the verses-- which are not heard often enough. Each number gets a big, lush arrangement and if the swinging sound is familiar it's became the lead men in the orchestra are members of the famed Ted Heath Band-- the acknowledged leader in British popular music. The combination of Chakiris, Gershwin, and a big band sound is a winning one, and with this album George Chakiris will delight his present fans and win many more. Jack Devaney, Cashbox
Hello George, Thanks you for adding me. It's a pleasure to meet you Your songs are very beautyful Very nice voice I love your song I love"West side story" HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008... God Bless Bestfriend Kiss from Belgium Sara
Thanks for adding me. George Chakiris is for me the brilliant dancer and singer in West Side Story. I have watched the film several times, I have the DVD, and this is one of my favourite films. Kind regards, Ami
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Georges Chakiris
