By my count, Beverly Kenney recorded seven albums between 1955 and 1959. She had a singing voice that was somewhere between Blossom Dearie and Marilyn Monroe, but her approach on songs was courageous, taking risks on melodies that made her interesting to hear. What wasn't evident from her publicity photos—showing a poised, attractive and seemingly upbeat woman—was her deep depression. Kenney suffered terribly at a time when medications for mental illness were barely effective or were powerfully strong. Those who suffered often were left with a terrible choice—take the pills and remain unable to function or don't take them and fend for yourself. The latter, of course, came with enormous peril. In April 1960, at age 28, Kenney took her own life by consuming a bottle of prescription medicine.
Earlier this week, Brett Gold sent along a link to a 10-minute documentary by Tony Guerrero and a link to Guerrero's Beverly Kenney tribute page. Here's the documentary...
