Popular African-American vocalist and entertainer Barbara McNair dazzled audiences with her singing prowess and exceptional beauty for well over four decades until her death on February 4, 2007 of throat cancer in Los Angeles. The Chicago-born entertainer and one-time secretary was raised in Racine, Wisconsin, one of five children born to Horace and Claudia Taylor McNair. She sang in her church choir and was encouraged by her parents to pursue voice. Following music studies at the Racine Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory of Music in her hometown Chicago, she moved to Los Angeles and attended USC before relocating once again to New York to pursue her dream. Barbara worked her way up from typist to singer of small supper clubs to headlining large showrooms as one of America's more visible singers of the late 50s and 60s. A jazz stylist influenced by the great 'Sarah Vaughan in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Married four times in all, Barbara died at age 72 and was survived by husband, Charles Blecka.
Toured frequently with Nat King Cole in the 1960s.
Went to UCLA for a year before going to New York.
Biggest influences were jazz greats Sarah Vaughan , June Christy and Peggy Lee.
Won "Talent Scouts" (aka "Arthur Godfreys Talent Scouts") by singing "Lullaby of Broadway."
The 1970s were tragic times personally and professionally for her. Professionally, her TV variety show was canceled, she was out of recording contracts and could find no film work. On the personal side, her career suffered after she and husband Rick Manzie were charged in 1972 with heroin possession, even though she was later cleared of the charge. On December 15, 1976, Manzie, who had underworld ties, was executed gangland-style in their Las Vegas home while Barbara was in Chicago performing at a nightclub. Six months later she was testifying against her tax accountant, who cheated the IRS by compromising his rich clients (including Barbara, who wound up owing back taxes of over $137,000). In 1977 her brother Horace was arrested for forgery and burglary and imprisoned for a couple of years (he was found shot to death in 1981). Her father Horace died in 1979.
She was once voted one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Mafia boss-turned-FBI-informant Aladena Fratianno (aka "Jimmy the Weasel") wrote in his book, "The Last Mafioso", that McNairs late husband, Rick Manzie, was a Mafia associate who tried to put a contract on the life of a mob-associated tax attorney with whom he had a legal dispute, but he was murdered in 1976 before the contract was fulfilled.
Has a sister, Jacqueline Gaither.
During her career Barbara experienced racism from time to time. When she appeared in "No Strings"--a musical by Richard Rodgers set in Paris in which a black fashion model falls in love with a white novelist--she endured obscene phone calls and hate mail. She once walked out of a hotel in Miami that offered her a room but forbade her to swim in the hotel pool. A few times she was forced to eat in the employees dining room in hotels at which she was performing because blacks werent allowed to eat in the main dining room.
Within a span of four years experienced the losses of her mother - Claudie McNair (August 12, 1976), husband - Rick Manzie (December 15, 1976), mother-in-law - Pearl Manzie (June 1977), and father - Horace McNair (November 14, 1979).
Friends with Joyce Bulifant.
Lenny Bruce used to say about me that I was a Caucasian, that someone,took a paintbrush and painted me brown. White people are not aware that,Negroes look all kinds of different ways.
