In addition to her many album releases, Vikki Carr has played concerts for fans around the world, as well as appeared on stage, and television. She has starred in productions of South Pacific, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road. In 2002 she starred in the Reprise production of Steven Sondheim's beloved musical Follies in Los Angeles, garnering glowing reviews from the LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. Two years later, Los Angeles PBS affiliate, KCET, filmed a special Vikki Carr: Memories, Memorias: a salute to the English-language hits of the 1940s and 1950s originally composed by Latinos, and featuring guest appearances by Jack Jones, Pepe Aguilar and Arturo Sandoval. PBS again tapped Vikki to host and star in a production celebrating the music of Mexico, Fiesta Mexicana, which was featured on all PBS stations for their June 2008 pledge drive.
Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in the San Gabriel Valley of California, Vikki Carr, the eldest of seven children, began performing at the tender age of four singing "Adeste Fidelis" in Latin at a Christmas program. She was signed to a contract with Liberty Records in 1961. She recorded "He's a Rebel", which first became a hit in Australia. That title was soon followed by the unforgettable release, It Must Be Him, which charged up the charts in England. A year later, the single was released in the United States and earned Carr three Grammy Award nominations. The international hit emerged again when she and the song were featured in the storyline of the Academy Award winning movie Moonstruck. After "It Must Be Him" came a string of hits, including With Pen in Hand, for which she received her fourth Grammy Award nomination, The Lesson, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, and For Once in My Life.
Her international appeal was so great that she was invited to perform at a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II, followed by sold-out shows throughout Europe. In the States, Carr became a darling of the White House, performing regularly at State Dinners and at President Richard Nixon's 1973 Inaugural celebration. President Gerald Ford called her his "favorite Mexican dish". She also performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and at the 1992 Presidential Summit hosted by President Bill Clinton.
A frequent musical guest on major network variety shows of celebrities like Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, and Carol Burnett, Carr also taped six specials for London Weekend TV. As an actor, she appeared on the Bing Crosby Show, Mod Squad, Fantasy Island, and co-hosted the Mrs. America and Mrs. World of the World pageants. She was the first woman to regularly guest host for Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. She was also a visitor and guest host on Michael Jackson's ABC radio show.
The diversity of her rich voice is impressive. She can belt out the blues or touch the heart with a soft romantic ballad. Frank Sinatra once said, "She possesses my kind of voice", Dean Martin called her "the best girl singer in the business", and Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald named her among their three favorite female singers of all time. Elvis Presley was also very fond of her and even remarked on stage in Las Vegas many times that Vikki Carr was one of his favorite singers and that he liked her because "she sang from the gut" and introduced her at many of his personal appearances in which she attended.
Vikki Carr has received numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
- National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)
- Latino Spirit Award (2003)
- Tito Guizar Award (2003)
- Trefoil Award (2002)
- Inductee of the Latino Legends Hall of Fame (2000)
- Imagen Foundation "Humanitarian Award (1998)
- Hispanic Heritage Award (1996)
- Nosotros Golden Eagle Award (1988)
- Hispanic Woman of the Year (1984)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1981)
- Doctorate in Law from San Diego University (1974)
- Doctorate in Fine Arts from St. Edwards University (1974)
- American Guild of Variety Artists' "Entertainer of the Year" (1972), and
- The Los Angeles Times' highly respected "Woman of the Year" (1970)
She has also earned the career achievement award of the Association of Hispanic Critics, Chicago's Ovation Award, the YWCA Silver Achievement Award, and was honored in 1990 by the City of Hope with the Founder of Hope Award. In 1991, she was presented the Girl Scouts of America Award.
Respected both as an artist and a humanitarian, Carr devotes time to many charities including The United Way, The American Lung Association, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, and St Jude's Hospital. For 22 years she held benefit concerts to support Holy Cross High School in San Antonio. In 1971 she established the Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation, dedicated to offering college scholarships to Latino students in California and Texas. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 280 scholarships totaling over a quarter of a million dollars.
"My voice is a gift and a gift is nothing unless you can share it. The Foundation is one of the ways that I am able to share my gift", said Carr. "The Foundation seeks to help young Mexican-American students achieve their goals through a college education, something I myself was never able to do."
Official website: http://www.vikkicarr.com/
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Vikki Carr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
My, he holds his head up high
When he goes walking by, he's my guy
When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
Cause he's not just one of the crowd
My baby's always the one to try the things they've never done
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
But just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
That's no reason why I can't give him all my love
He's always good to me, always treats me tenderly
Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
If they don't like him that way
They won't like me after today
I'll be standing right by his side when they say
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
Just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
That's no reason why we can't share a love
He's always good to me, good to him, I try to be
Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
Oh, he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
The lyrics to Vikki Carr's song "He's a Rebel" tell the story of a woman who is proud to be with a man who is different from everyone else. She admires his confidence, the way he walks, and the fact that he is always willing to try new things. Despite the fact that some people perceive him as a rebel who never does what he should, she sees him as someone who is simply true to himself. She loves him unconditionally and is willing to stand by him no matter what others may say.
The song seems to be a commentary on society's tendency to label people based on their behavior and appearance. The woman in the song is making a stand against this, asserting that her love is not conditional on her partner conforming to societal norms. The lyrics are also a call to reject superficial judgments and embrace people for who they truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
See the way he walks down the street
I admire the way he walks, the confidence and the way he carries himself.
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
He walks with all the grace and ease of someone who is completely comfortable in his own skin.
My, he holds his head up high
He has complete confidence in himself, and is not afraid to express it.
When he goes walking by, he's my guy
Even when surrounded by other people, he stands out to me and I feel connected to him.
When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
I feel lucky to be with him and I want everyone to know it.
Cause he's not just one of the crowd
He stands out because he is unique and doesn't blend in with everyone else.
My baby's always the one to try the things they've never done
He is always exploring new things and pushing himself, which I find exciting.
And just because of that, they say
Others judge him negatively because he takes risks and breaks from the norm.
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
Others label him as a rebel and view him as bad because he doesn't conform to societal expectations.
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
He is a rebel because he can't be easily controlled or influenced by others.
But just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
His uniqueness should be celebrated, not condemned.
That's no reason why I can't give him all my love
I love him for who he is, regardless of what others think of him.
He's always good to me, always treats me tenderly
He is kind and loving to me, which is all that really matters.
Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He is not a rebel to me; he is simply being true to himself.
If they don't like him that way
If others cannot accept him for who he is.
They won't like me after today
I will stand by him and defend him, even if it means others will judge me too.
That's no reason why we can't share a love
The judgment of others should not dictate who we choose to love.
He's always good to me, good to him, I try to be
Our relationship is based on mutual respect, kindness, and love.
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He is not a rebel to me; he is simply living his life on his own terms.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Pitney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimmalizzy
1967. I am 6 years old and my mother, 28, picks me up, twirling us around, singing and dances with me to this song on the radio. She’s 83 now. These songs can spark her memory. Now she sings along more quietly. Sometimes I play music so we get a glimpse of us in 1967.
@ia2025
God bless you and your mother, beautiful memories ❤️
@neilwilliams2409
Wicked❤
@jeanettegriffin2439
I was 5, and my mom and dad had just immigrated with 5 little kids from England.
We did the same thing with my mother before she passed. Bless you!
@mariamercedeslineiro4777
Of course, it's good for you both...😊
@amandacolina2622
My dad is 95 and had written on little pieces of paper some of his favorite songs. This is one of them. He is listening now and enjoying it. I am too. :)
@jennybroad1763
Gosh I was 8 yrs old! I remember this so well. Music has a way to put you straight back into your past. ❤
@DRNEGOLICIS
Now thats a real voice! no computers or garbage like 99% of what you hear today.
@johnzaragoza8576
That's RIGHT!
@larryalbano5921
You are one hundred percent right the garbage songs today are nothing but shit and don’t forget about the wardrobe back in the day it was all about class class and nothing but class