Entertainer. He started as a child singer on the Toronto vaudeville circuit and went on to become one of Canada's most noted enterainers. In 1952 he became head producer of CBC radio and TV variety, and hosted "The Jackie Rae Show" until 1956. In the late 1950s he moved to London and worked for the BBC and Granada TV networks, hosting "Jackie Rae Presents" and "Sunday Night at the Palladium". As a songwriter he composed the international hits "Please Don't Go", performed by Eddy Arnold, "Happy Heart" by Andy Williams, and "Dream Just a Dream", recorded by Tony Bennett. He returned to Toronto in 1976 and became executive producer of the Canadian Talent Library. In 1981 he formed the Spitfire Band, a dance band that performed in Canada and America and made many recordings. For his contributions to radio and television, Rae received the Order of Canada in 2002. Rae flew Spitfires in World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943.
Entertainer. He started as a child singer on the Toronto vaudeville circuit and went on to become one of Canada's most noted enterainers. In 1952 he became head producer of CBC radio and TV variety, and hosted "The Jackie Rae Show" until 1956. In the late 1950s he moved to London and worked for the BBC and Granada TV networks, hosting "Jackie Rae Presents" and "Sunday Night at the Palladium". As a songwriter he composed the international hits "Please Don't Go", performed by Eddy Arnold, "Happy Heart" by Andy Williams, and "Dream Just a Dream", recorded by Tony Bennett. He returned to Toronto in 1976 and became executive producer of the Canadian Talent Library. In 1981 he formed the Spitfire Band, a dance band that performed in Canada and America and made many recordings. For his contributions to radio and television, Rae received the Order of Canada in 2002. Rae flew Spitfires in World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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