Margaret Whiting: 1924-2011

Singer Margaret Whiting has died at the age of 86.  An artist of the great American songbook, she was born and raised in Beverly Hills, the daughter of songwriter Richard Whiting.   She sang for family friend Johnny Mercer at the age of 6 and began a professional association  of many years.  Her hits included It Might as Well Be Spring, Moonlight in Vermont, Come Rain or Come Shine, and That Old Black Magic.  She was a popular radio and television presence in the 40s and 50s and had a successful cabaret act up to recent years.  She performed at the 92nd Street Y in New York in 2006.  She appeared in numerous touring companies, regional theater and off-Broadway shows.  Her one Broadway foray was in the 1997 musical Dream, which was a Mercer tribute.  Dream was conceived by Miss Whiting's fourth and final husband, Jack Wrangler, the 70s gay porn star.  He died in 2009.  When the unlikely pair first became involved he told her he was gay to which she replied "only around the edges, dear."