Eula Parker

Australian singer & songwriter (b. St Kilda 9 May 1923 died 31 December 1985 Sussex England) Eula began her career as the youngest member of the singing sister trio The Parker Sisters. Under the guidance of her two older sisters Pat and Marie, Eula developed a deep ambition for a musical career. She commenced singing as a soloist while maintaining her role with the Parker Sisters in the latter part of WW2. Her solo career began in earnest with radio shows such as "The Happy Gang" and in 1954, which appears the turning point of her career, she joined the vocal quartette "Tune Twisters. In the same year she recorded her own compositions "Hello Cocky" featuring Dick Cranbourne with "My Dog and me" on the B side. Eula, always felt that Australia was holding her back, and in December of 1954 sailed for the U.K. But breaking into the UK entertainment world was not as easy as she imagined. Her chance came when fellow Australian Marie Benson of the Stargazers left to pursue a solo career leaving an opening for Eula. In the same year she appeared with the Stargazers at the Royal Variety Performance. Her career continued to grow and her name began to appear in important circles. Her writing association with Barry Gray and Steve Allen led to her own composition "The Village of St Bernadette" being recorded by international singer Andy Williams, for which she would win the Ivor Novello Award. She has, perhaps, not received the recognition in her native country for her truly amazing musical career. Eula also recorded under the name Mary Jane for Barry Gray's composition Robot Man