18/06/2024
A TRIBUTE DELAYED ... BUT NOT DENIED ... OR FORGOTTEN. Written immediately upon hearing ... but just releasing NOW with Love and Encouragement for the BEST that is yet to come - when JESUS is in it - and HE always is - IF you'll let Him!!
LEE NICHOLAS of Blessed Memory!!
MARCH 1, 1941 – FEBRUARY 25, 2024
LEE was born in Budapest Hungary … escaped under a wire fence at the Age of 14 from Russian Communists that had invaded and were occupying the Land of his Heritage - Leaving Mother, Father and Brother behind – Who (As Lee shared in a “first ever” reveal after I began asking questions of his past) would start a business manufacturing, “Champagne” and go on to do well, but stayed in Europe – never making it (perhaps by choice) to America.
LEE, however, would land in CANADA … start a Musical Group called, “Nicky Lee” and the Playboys – Record an Album – and then land back in America – where WE would eventually meet –after graduating High School - introduced by a “Friend” – whose brother I had dated once in 2 years (and who looked like a young Paul Newman – as I recall – it was the eyes) – but that was it! The Friend said, “YES” I know a gal who sings and just garnered Honors as 1st Runner Up in the Miss Humboldt County Beauty Pageant, plus, plus! The “fix” was in – I auditioned – was hired – and my first “Gig” – as they call it - was singing with Lee (a highly skilled pianist, organist and Showman) – who didn’t read music, but had a “great ear” and knew how to “back-up” a Singer! It was my “first ever” professional singing “job” – and my outfit of choice was a Black and Silver ensemble – that I was told - looked more like a Baseball outfit – and the Owner of the Club wasn’t too kind either – saying, “Either she goes or you both go” (since singing Soprano, Musicals and S how Tunes was not cutting it – even with my 4 octave range - the Owner wanted an Owl and NOT a Canary!). WELL … to LEE’s credit – WE BOTH left … and from there HIT THE ROAD … traveling, touring, public and private clubs – California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Texas to name a few (AND singing Contralto – in my lower register) – it was FUN, tumultuous at times, entertaining at others – was making great money, spending it all – had a suitcase filled with over 300 SONGS of every kind – from country, jazz, pop, standards – “commercial” music and “Top 40” hits … WE WERE NEVER OUT OF WORK … no starving singer here, lots of driving – it was the LEE NICHOLAS TRIO …. Vocalist, Keyboard and “Crazy Ray” on the Drums! (whose idol was Drummer great, Buddy Rich – and if you didn’t know any better, “eyes closed,” you might think you were hearing “Buddy” – he was just that good!).
AND For 3 Years it was quite the ride and SHOW … that came to an abrupt end … as God would have it!
Much more to the story …. Suffice it to say … LEE opened the DOOR to my professional singing career – where I would go on to form my Own Groups – showcase in Las Vegas (at the then SANDS Hotel – home of the “Rat Pack” (now The Venetian), Vocalist for The Jack Davidson Orchestra – and THEN even more change came … when I ended up in PALM SPRINGS, California – singing for various clubs (The Once Iconic, Paul Di Amico’s with Marco on Piano) and my LAST stop: The Legendary GENE AUTREY Resort and Hotel – singing for the “Singing Cowboy” and Owner of the “Angels” Baseball Team as well as Author of the Classic Christmas Song: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, plus, plus, plus!! Quite the story here … Suffice it to say: I did not know “Back in the Saddle Again” … but I did know JESUS whom I had just recently re-committed my Life to … and was giving my 2 Week Notice during the height of the “Season” – to the chagrin and surprise of Mr. Autry – who, at that time, thought Christianity was a “crutch” – but not for me , as I would be given opportunity to share – despite the “Infamous” Club Manager – not taking “ no” or “goodbye” for an answer - but opportunity, nonetheless, to SHARE with Mr. Autry directly – the HOPE that was within me – and my reason for leaving . It was time to MAKE JESUS the LORD of my LIFE and not merely a “footnote” – and while leaving a Music Career is not for everyone – it was for me a “clean break” to start a NEW … a decision, with the support of Godly friends that are family - I’ve never regretted … and THAT story is still being written … Suffice it to say: Choosing Christ over Career – was just the START of All God would plan … HIS plan, not mine – and what a God Adventure it has been!!
Back to LEE:
I would be re-introduced to LEE, some 20 years later - now back in California – and, of course, all forgiven and amends made – he had stopped drinking – January 15, 1980 – when he gave his life to the Lord (Jesus Christ) in a Church (or so he said ). Thank you, Jesus!
LEE did say he grew up “Catholic” – so in our intermittent times of talking and sharing throughout the years, I always wanted to make sure he “asked Jesus into his heart” so he could be sure (John 3:16) – and not just assume that being Catholic was going to get him there (Heaven, that is!). That Salvation was about “relationship” and not “religion” – it was about being “Born Again” (John 3:3) and not just “warming the Church Seat Pew.” He assured me he had. Enough said! LEE would often say … I was “THE BEST singer he ever worked with” – and the One Singer that didn’t’ get “derailed” by “life” as others, sadly, had. (Let me just say – To God Be The Glory for His Redeeming, Saving, Healing, Delivering Power and Grace - that made this so!). And perhaps he said as much – since he also suggested we might “team up” again – but, for me, “that life” was over – I had moved on and was now Singing a New Song – many of which he would get to hear, that I also composed on other projects (and that’s another story, as well!).
I will always be GRATEFUL for the “DOOR” that was opened by LEE NICHOLAS to begin a “Career” that literally fell in my lap – imperfect as it was! PROOF that GOD not only had and has His Hand on me – BUT on LEE too – WHO just HOURS before his death, was doing what he LOVED at the YOUNG age of 82 - just ONE day shy of his 83rd Birthday, March 1, 2024!!
THANK you LEE for giving this “Girl Singer” a chance – and never giving up on “your calling and dream” – and “overcoming” what could have killed you long ago – but instead, made you a better Man, Musician and Friend! I know that you are REJOICING with the Angels in Heaven as a Born Again Believer – and that GOD’s Almighty Hand never left you … but, instead, UPHELD you as HE does with ALL those who will BELIEVE on His Name (John 3:16).
You will be GREATLY missed by ALL who knew you and were inspired by the BEAUTIFUL MUSIC you so easily shared … In Word, In Song, In “Fighting the Good Fight” until GOD brought you Home!
Every Blessing with All of God’s Comfort and Consolation to Lee’s Family – here on earth, his fans and especially to “Diane” – his faithful Companion and Singer who has a story all her own …!!