English music icon Dame Vera Lynn has died at the age of 103. The singer's family confirmed her death in a statement reported by BBC. Vera is considered Britain's best-loved entertainer. She is famous for performing for the soldiers during World War II. Before her death, her song once again gained popularity as part of the celebration of VE Day. It speaks of a message of resilience to many people, especially this time of coronavirus lockdown.
A Natural Entertainer
At an early age of 7, Vera Lynn started performing at local clubs. She was spotted performing by a bandleader who signed her.
The young performer had her first solo album at the age of 19. Vera Lynn had sold more than a million records by the age of 22.
During World War II, she joined concerts to boost the morale of troops fighting at that time. Vera Lynn's involvement in these concerts gained her the title as The Forces' Sweetheart. Her famous song We'll Meet Again was released in the middle of the war in 1939. It easily relates to the public at that time, given the situation.
Vera Lynn was voted to travel and entertain the British troops in Myanmar, India, and Egypt.
The war is over, but her popularity survived. She toured the Commonwealth, performed in Las Vegas cabaret, and entertained the British Royal Family.
We'll Meet Again
The song We'll Meet Again became one of the most popular songs of World War II. It portrays the usual situation at that time that relates to soldiers being sent to the forefronts of war and the sentiments of their families and loved ones. Vera Lynn's popular hit was later adapted into a musical film where she played the lead role. It has since become a favorite recording being used in subsequent war movies in the following decades. Even during the Cold War, the song was played to boost people's morale after the nuclear attack.
Death of an Icon
Vera Lynn thought that the start of war marks the death of her career. Not clear to her that time, it turned out to be just the beginning of worldwide popularity of her songs and charm. Based on the obituary released by BBC, after the war, Vera Lynn became the first British to hit number one in America. With another single two years later, she had her British number one single. Vera Lynn also outsold Arctic Monkeys and the Beatles as she was labeled as the oldest living artist topping the British chart.
Aside from her timeless hit, Vera was also an active charity worker involved in different organizations. She founded her school for disabled parents and children.
She was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Classic BRIT Awards 2018 for her successful music career. At 80, her last public performance at the Buckingham Palace was attended by thousands of crowd and no less than Queen Elizabeth II. It was the golden anniversary of the end of the war. Her death left an icon not only to her country but also to the people of the 20th century. On her death, now that the world is facing another fight, perhaps her legacy will reassure us that we will meet again.
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