On this day, Jan. 16, 1909, a woman known for her powerful voice was born in Astoria, New York.
Ethel Merman was born Ethel Zimmermann. She was an American singer, actor and Broadway musical star remembered for her strong, clear voice.
Many major songwriters of her era favored her—including Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin.
She starred in both stage and screen versions of Porter’s “Anything Goes.” But “Annie Get Your Gun” was her greatest success.
In 1972, Merman was given a special Tony Award for her lifetime contribution to show business, and she published two autobiographies.
One of them was called, "Who Could Ask for Anything More?"
