Gale Storm was born Josephine Cottle in Bloomington, Texas
on April 5, 1922.  In 1939, while still a high school student, she won a
“Gateway To Hollywood” talent contest that led to roles in 37 movies
between 1940 and 1952.  It also led to marriage -- to the male winner of
that very same contest, Lee Bonnell.  Gale Storm’s pert and peppy
personality was best showcased in her two hit sitcoms of the 1950s:
My Little Margie (1952-5) and The Gale Storm Show
(a/k/a Oh Susanna!) (1956-60).

Between those two series, Gale hosted The NBC Comedy Hour
and appeared on other programs -- including one watched in the
home of Dot Records owner Randy Wood.  “His daughter Linda, who
was about 12, saw me guesting on Gordon MacRae’s television show,”
Gale wrote in her autobiography.  “She called her dad in to see
‘My Little Margie’ singing on TV.”  Wood phoned Storm, kicking
off her recording career. “Mostly I just covered records that
were hits or looked like they were going to be,” Gale recalled.
“My first hit record was ‘I Hear You Knockin’. It was her 1955
million-selling cover of a then-current R&B hit by Smiley Lewis. 
Storm later covered Dean Martin’s “Memories Are Made Of This,”
Gloria Mann’s “Teen-Age Prayer,” The Teenagers’ “Why Do
Fools Fall In Love” and The Charms’ “Ivory Tower.”

In the studio, Storm simply followed the dictates of Randy
Wood and the leader of Dot’s house band, Billy Vaughn.
“When I did ‘Dark Moon’ [in 1957] I did protest,” Gale wrote.  “Bonnie
Guitar has not only written it and recorded it but I liked
her record.”  What made the whole thing surprising was the fact
that Bonnie’s hit was then on the charts -- on the Dot label!  “I refused
to do it unless she gave me permission herself,” said Storm.  “By golly,
they brought her to the studio and she did give it to me.”  Gale’s
record climbed to #4, while Bonnie’s peaked at #6.
“I only recorded for 18 months,” wrote Storm. “I loved everything
about the business -- learning new songs, developing a style, going
into the studio, working with backup singers and an orchestra… 
It was an enormously exciting experience that sends shivers
down my spine when I think about it.” 

With her TV run ending in 1960 Gale Storm turned to dinner theatre.
She is honored with three stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame --
one for radio, one for TV and one for recording.

Visit Gale Storm’s official website here.