Renowned balladeer of the 20th century
is remembered by Eddie Goggin
Back in the latter half of the 20th century, I often heard my parents, and particularly my grandparents, speak very fondly of a male vocalist, who was very popular on film and radio during the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s era.
He was an American entertainer, who had the tradition of singing the popular ballads of the day, such as, “Marta, Rambling Rose of the Wildwood”, which became his signature tune, and other songs of that ilk and vintage. He did become almost a household name in the entertainment and music hall era, and is even well remembered up to the present day, and still requested on radio.
Arthur Tracy, for that was his given name, was born on the 25th June, 1899, in the country known as the Ukraine, with the family name of Abba Avrom Tracovutsky, and, when he was about six years old, his entire family moved to the United States in 1906. After they were allowed through the Ellis Island Immigrant Station, they settled in Philadelphia, and soon had a name-change, his parents becoming Morris and Fannie Tracy, and the young Abba became Arthur Tracy.