Johnny Desmond, 65; Ballad Vocalist of Big Band Era

Singer-actor Johnny Desmond, who rose to fame during the Big Band Era as a lead vocalist for Glenn Miller’s swing band, has died of cancer at the age of 65.

Desmond, a resident of Encino, died Friday night, with his mother, wife and two daughters at his side, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center spokesman Ron Wise said. He had been in and out of the hospital several times over the last few months, Wise said.

Desmond’s manager and producer, Lou Reda, said the dark-haired, quiet-spoken singer maintained an active career on stage and television until his illness became severe about three months ago. He performed as recently as last May in New York City’s Rainbow Room and was scheduled to record an album with the London Philharmonic and film a six-part television series before he learned that he had cancer, Reda said.

‘European Tokyo Rose’

Desmond, born Giovanni Alfredo de Simone in Detroit, gained fame during World War II, recording a number of hits with Miller’s band and becoming a “European Tokyo Rose” as his performances were aired worldwide, Reda said.

“He sang all the popular songs in German and French and Italian and it was broadcast out so the enemy could tune it in,” Reda said. “He was the other Frank Sinatra.”

Although Desmond’s early fame faded after the war ended, he remained popular as a ballad singer, making dozens of radio and television appearances, most recently on NBC’s “Today” show.

He also acted in several Broadway musicals, including “Say Darling” and “Funny Girl,” with Barbra Streisand, and appeared in a number of films, including “Calypso Heat Wave” and “Escape From San Quentin.” He was probably best known for his renditions of such songs as “How Much Will I Miss You,” “Oh, My Darlin’,” “I Wonder What Little Dogs Dream Of,” “Dancing Man” and “When.”

Hosts TV Special

Desmond recently hosted a musical television special, “An Evening of Musical Memories of the ‘40s,” that was to have been the pilot for a six-part series celebrating the heyday of the nation’s ballrooms.

The show, which already has aired on a number of Public Broadcasting System stations across the country, is scheduled to be broadcast soon in Los Angeles, Reda said.

A recording of live sessions Desmond sang with Miller during the 1940s for “V-discs,” large records sent to troops fighting overseas, is also scheduled for release within the next two months, Reda said.

Doing Autobiography

Reda said Desmond was nearing completion of his autobiography, “Once Upon a Time,” when he became ill, and Desmond’s daughters, Patti Martin and Diane Desmond, hope to complete it.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his mother, Lillian DeSimone; his daughters and two grandsons.

Funeral arrangements are pending.