Toni Fisher

Toni Fisher (1931 – February 12, 1999) was an American pop singer. She was known for her recordings of "The Big Hurt", "West of the Wall", "Maybe (He'll Think Of Me)," and "Why Can't The Dark Leave Me Alone".^[1]

Biography

Fisher is best remembered for her 1959 song "The Big Hurt", written by her manager Wayne Shanklin. The song went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. The track also peaked at #30 in the UK Singles Chart.^[2] "The Big Hurt" is notable because it featured phasing effects; indeed, it is claimed to be the first record to have them.^[3] DJ Dick Biondi on WKBW would introduce the record as "Toni Fisher's weird one." The song was recorded in the Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles and engineered by Stan Ross and Dave Gold.

Disc jockey Wink Martindale commented that the record label billed the singer as "Miss Toni Fisher" because of her powerful voice, which is consistently audible over the phasing, the instruments, and the background noise; to confirm to the listener that this is indeed a woman singing.^{[citation needed]}

In 1962 she had another Top 40 hit single with "West of the Wall" (#37), a song about the sadness of lovers separated by the 1961 erection of the Berlin Wall. She had recorded the melody before; an earlier version, "Toot Toot Amorie" on Signet Records had different lyrics.

"The Big Hurt" was later covered by Del Shannon, Scott Walker, Vikki Carr, Nick Cave, and others.

Fisher died of heart attack in Los Angeles on 12 February 1999.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Thedeadrockstarsclub.com
2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 201. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
3. ^ Liner notes of 2003 reissue of Nirvana's album All of Us

External links

• Toni Fisher discography at MusicBrainz

Persondata
Name	Fisher, Toni
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1931
Place of birth
Date of death	February 12, 1999
Place of death