Carol Richards, a singer best known for the Christmas classic “Silver Bells,” which she recorded with Bing Crosby, has died. She was 84.
Richards died of heart disease March 16 in Vero Beach, Fla., her family announced.
After winning a singing contest in 1946 promoted by Bob Hope, she started appearing with him on television and met Crosby.
The duet “Silver Bells” was featured in the 1951 Hope film “The Lemon Drop Kid,” but another version by Crosby and Richards made the song famous, according to the American Music Preservation Web site.
In movie musicals, Richards dubbed the singing voice of several actresses. One highlight was performing for Cyd Charisse with Gene Kelly in “Brigadoon” (1954) and Fred Astaire in “Silk Stockings” (1957), said Jean Laughlin, one of her daughters.
Richards is survived by her fifth husband, Edward Swiedler; numerous children and stepchildren; 19 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Los Angeles Times
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