Eddie Fisher was one of America’s most popular singers of the early 1950s. With a string of hit singles and widespread television exposure, he became a teen idol before the rise of rock and roll. However, a high-profile personal scandal involving his marriages to Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor damaged his career.
Despite the setbacks, Fisher continued performing for decades.
| Artist Name | Eddie Fisher |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Edward John Tisch |
| Born | August 10, 1928 |
| Died | September 22, 2010 |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Genres | Traditional pop |
| Occupation | Singer, Actor |
| Years Active | 1946–1980s |
| Labels | RCA Victor, Dot Records, Bainbridge |
| Notable Songs | “Oh! My Pa-Pa”, “I’m Walking Behind You”, “I Need You Now”, “Dungaree Doll”, “Lady of Spain” |
| Spouses | Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Connie Stevens |
| Children | Carrie Fisher, Todd Fisher, Joely Fisher, Tricia Leigh Fisher |
Early Life and Start in Show Business
Born Edward John Tisch on August 10, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fisher grew up in a working-class Jewish family. He developed a passion for singing at an early age. While in high school, he participated in and won numerous amateur contests. He also sang on local radio stations, eventually becoming a local celebrity.
Fisher left school to pursue a music career full-time. In the mid-1940s, he performed with bands led by Buddy Morrow and Charlie Ventura. These early gigs helped him hone his stage presence and vocal skills.
Rise to Fame
In 1949, Fisher signed with RCA Victor. His first big hit, “Thinking of You,” reached No. 5 on the Billboard chart in 1950. More hits followed, including “Turn Back the Hands of Time” and “Any Time.” In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. There, he served as the official soloist for the Army Band and continued performing on television.
While still in uniform, Fisher appeared on popular shows such as The Perry Como Show and The Martha Raye Show. After his discharge, his fame grew even more. He starred in his own NBC television series, Coke Time with Eddie Fisher, which ran from 1953 to 1957.
Between 1952 and 1954, Fisher scored multiple hits, including:
- “I’m Walking Behind You”
- “Oh! My Pa-Pa (O Mein Papa)”
- “I Need You Now”
These songs topped the Billboard charts and cemented his status as one of America’s leading pop vocalists.
Peak and Popularity
Fisher became known not only for his music but also for his clean-cut image and widespread appeal. He was a frequent guest on variety shows and regularly performed in nightclubs. By the mid-1950s, he was one of the most popular entertainers in the U.S.
Fisher also released many other hit singles:
- “Lady of Spain”
- “Outside of Heaven”
- “With These Hands”
- “Dungaree Doll”
- “Cindy, Oh Cindy”
He recorded 18 albums over his career, most of them for RCA Victor. However, his singles were far more commercially successful.
Scandal and Career Decline
In 1955, Fisher married actress and singer Debbie Reynolds. They became a popular Hollywood couple and had two children, Carrie and Todd. However, tragedy struck in 1958 when Fisher’s friend, producer Mike Todd (Elizabeth Taylor’s husband), died in a plane crash. Fisher comforted Taylor, which eventually led to an affair.
In 1959, Fisher divorced Reynolds and married Taylor. The affair and swift remarriage caused a media frenzy. The public backlash was severe. NBC canceled The Eddie Fisher Show, and RCA dropped him from its roster.
Though Fisher later recorded with Dot Records and eventually returned to RCA, his career never regained its earlier heights. Still, he had modest success with songs like “Games That Lovers Play.”
Later Career and Personal Life
Fisher continued performing in the U.S. and the U.K., often selling out venues. In the 1970s and 1980s, he performed occasionally and released albums on smaller labels such as Ramrod and Bainbridge. He also wrote two autobiographies:
- Eddie: My Life, My Loves (1981)
- Been There, Done That (1999)
In these books, he openly discussed his marriages, career, and struggles with drug addiction. He revealed how the pressures of fame and personal choices shaped his life.
Despite several comeback attempts, Fisher struggled to regain major popularity. Still, his earlier work remained popular among oldies fans.
Family and Legacy
Fisher had four children. With Debbie Reynolds, he had actress and writer Carrie Fisher and director/producer Todd Fisher. With actress Connie Stevens, he had two daughters, Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher, both of whom also pursued acting careers.
Eddie Fisher passed away on September 22, 2010, at the age of 82 due to complications from hip surgery. Despite personal missteps, he left behind a legacy of hit songs and paved the way for pop singers in the pre-rock era.
Eddie Fisher remains an important figure in American pop history. His early career set a standard for vocal performance before the rock revolution changed the musical landscape.