Kate Smith

One of America’s most popular entertainers in the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, vocalist Kate Smith graced radio, vinyl, films, TV, and concert halls well into the ‘60s. A singer of showtunes and traditional pop, Smith had a string of hits that included “The White Cliffs of Dover,” “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You,” and her theme song, “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain.” Yet Smith is probably best known for her version of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” which appeared in the 1943 film THIS IS THE ARMY and became a huge hit. Smith became associated with the song, and often performed it for radio, TV, and sporting events. With her powerhouse voice and plus-sized stature, Smith was and remains an imposing American icon. She died of diabetes in 1986 at age 79.