Maureen McGovern

Maureen McGovern Artistfacts

  • July 27, 1949
  • Her full name is Maureen Therese McGovern. She was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio.
  • After completing her education, she worked as a secretary and performed part-time as a folk singer.
  • In 1972, Russ Regan, head of 20th Century Records, discovered her when he heard a demo recorded by her. He then hired her to sing the Oscar-winning song "The Morning After" (theme from the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure) for release as a record. After recording the song "The Morning After", her debut album of the same name was released next year.
  • In 1974, she recorded another Oscar-winning song, "We May Never Love Like This Again" from the disaster film The Towering Inferno, and the Oscar-nominated song "Wherever Love Takes Me" from the disaster film Gold. Soon, she became known to fans as "the Disaster Queen."
  • In 1980, she made a cameo appearance as Sister Angelina in the comedy-disaster movie Airplane!. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie occurred when she played the guitar and sang Aretha Franklin's hit "Respect" to the black Jive-speaking guys, making them vomit.
  • Her father was a member of a barbershop quartet.
  • At the beginning of the '80s, McGovern gave up her career of movie themes and Pop music to start a career in musical theater, even though she had no acting experience. In 1981, she made her Broadway debut as Mabel in a revival in Gilbert And Sullivan's musical The Pirates of Penzance. She continued performing in theater productions on and off Broadway and originated the role of Mary in the off-Broadway production of Brownstone. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above
  • Before she was discovered, she performed with a band called Sweet Rain around her hometown. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tom - Conway, AR
  • In 1987, she recorded her first album in eight years: a sole-piano album entitled Another Woman in Love. She followed it with a fully-orchestrated album entitled State Of The Heart one year later. It was then she began to establish herself as a pop-standard singer.
  • In 1989, she made her debut performance at Carnegie Hall, where she performed a series of songs by George Gershwin (including a lost Gershwin piece entitled "A Corner of Heaven With You"). This performance was recorded live for an album entitled Naughty Baby.
  • McGovern continues her careers in musical theater and performing in concerts. She occasionally makes television appearances and new recordings. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 3

Comments: 1

  • Marie from Sarasota, FlMaureen McGovern's newest CD will be out in May entitled "A Long and Winding Road."

    The Maureen McGovern "Works of Heart" Foundation for Music and Healing was founded to provide a musical library of life-affirming, positive music for patients and caregivers and to educate the public regarding the power of music to aid in the healing process, to enrich the quality of life and to inspire, soothe and relax the mind, body and spirit. Ms. McGovern is an artist spokesperson for the American Music Therapy association.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.