Nora Bayes Make Believe

Thanks to comments by sharp-eyed (and sharp-eared!) viewers, I was warned I had included the wrong sheet music of "Make Believe". After further research I found this song was in fact composed by Jack Shilkret, younger brother of the versatile and prolific Nat Shilkret. Accordingly, I added the correct sheet music picture. Born Leonora Goldberg, Bayes (1880-1928) was performing professionally in vaudeville in Chicago by age 18. She became a star both on vaudeville and Broadway, being best remembered for her performances in the Ziegfeld Follies. She was an accomplished singer, comedian and actor. In 1928, Nora Bayes contracted cancer and died during surgery. This record, made in 1921, became a huge success the same year. Miss Bayes was accompanied by Charles Prince & His Orchestra.