Whiting, Margaret (1924–)

American pop singer. Born July 22, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan; dau. of Richard Whiting (songwriter); sister of Barbara Whiting (singer and actress, d. 2004); m. Hubbell Robinson (executive at CBS, div. a year later); m. Lou Busch (pianist and conductor), 1950 (div. 1953); m. John Richard Moore (cinematographer, div.); children: (2nd m.) Debbie Whiting.

Sang on Johnny Mercer's radio show as part of an anniversary tribute to her father (1941); by 16, was singing under contract with NBC on many musical shows; signed with Capitol (1943) and had 1st hit with "That Old Black Magic," followed by hit #2 "My Ideal"; during WWII, was a nationwide star, with recording of "Moonlight in Vermont" selling 2 million copies (1944); had 13 gold records and 40 hit songs, including "It Might As Well Be Spring," "Now is the Hour," "Faraway Places," "(I'm in Love with) A Wonderful Guy," "A Tree in the Meadow," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and "Come Rain or Come Shine" (1946–54); teamed with country star Jimmy Wakely for a number of duets, including the #1 hit "Slippin' Around" (1949); was resident vocalist on "The Bob Hope Show" and costarred with sister Barbara Whiting on their series, "Those Whiting Girls" (1955–56); was a longtime member of the touring revue 4 Girls 4, which also featured Rosemary Clooney, Helen O'Connell, and Rose Marie.

See also autobiography It Might as Well Be Spring (Morrow, 1987); and Women in World History.