The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-19
John Steele Gives Real Treat To
 His Audience
BELL OF T" ~"y" AND NEWS HAS ITO c.V ABOUT JOHN STEEL
.eFRoM FUNERAL TO COMEDIES
 HIS RECORD"
.John Steel. Unknown Before Ainei M Entered War, is Haiieu bv ciio

..Ta1k abon4 progress! Here's 1,o,,n, Ioba Steel has done since he went to war* lie one oI big headliners on the DE 'oIit ae O for Thursday, FFloay anq Sat a.ttlt,t as.1i- this week. he's one or tne ean ers'' a phonogFaph conlpalfS +,,I.ad rsaf1 nerformar in zieffeld's "FolEes" and vel, wba Amarfcan decided to go in- fo if ana s4nn the fighting in Europe. he was a nrofhssional singer at fu' nerals.
 sign saving .fIneraI singer" but in with him He says he likes it, be- cause every one was feeling so badly about the perspn who couldn't hear the singing that no particular atten- ton was paid to his vocal eHorts. ne drew a nice stiToen ana was III II LiuG I';,, money. He could sing songs in manner that would make the mourn CTS feel worse than they had felt be- fore the beginnfng ing or tbia ,ne tun9 hn heIieves that first cave him faith in his "ap peal" Still he didn't branch out to any extent. lie dldn nave tlidt much faith in n@msetif 1~ ~ >----
 '-He n4ad skipped away from school at the tender age of fifteen, launched himself in some sort of a business career that wasn't very profitable: and
 
 do the funeral work as a sort of ayocation.
 But as before. noted, along came the War; and with it came his great reached France that the officials want ed men who could sing for the boys to keep up their spirits It was out of his line somewhat, for his previous efforts had been along other lines, but he gladly burst into more rol- licking songs, the boys enjoyed hear ing him and when he came back to his own country, he found that he had brought 9 reputation with him.
 ''No more funerals for John A Broadway theatrical firm offered him opera called Maid of the Mountains.'' 1t had been 8 big success in London, but it fiunked in New York, and the erstwhlle companion of the undertak- cess.
 Then the phonograph people sent for him. he survived the tryout that is given to all new singers and be- fore long Flo Ziegfeld decided that he'd like to have someone who could really sing in the "FoIlies" an en- tertainment which leans toward an Russ 6tnss aeeess foem of of art his sfse made made 8 big reputation everywhere and few weeks ago, MT. Albee of the Keith circuit decided that John
 
 signing his name and vaudeville con sequently. has the pleasure of hearing one of the best tenors in the rising American generation.
 He has accomplished much for youngster Of twenty-six years, but it's nothing to what he aSns for. He thinks of the concert field for the future, of an operatic career-he has mastered four important operatic roles already-and along with his daily work at the theatre. he is keep ing up his studies. And unless signs fail, this young man will one of these days live up to the prophecy so of ten made in regard to others (and so seldom fulflIed) that he is another John Mccormack.
 Certainly there is a quality in John SteePs voice that often reminds one, of the older singer. And on that detail. MT. Steel told me an in teresting tale yesterday.
 II was more nervous the day that went for my photograph test than ever before in my hfe,'' he related. As I stood there and sang at the knowing what to do and what not to do, I felt like condemned criminal waiting for & call to the chair. And the Jury that was to pass on my frightened the life out of me. Then what do you suppose happened? The manager of the company took in the beooTo bH Tohn ana MaEard Sa1d; dve got @ new one l want your opinions. Yes. I heard it and wondered what they'd say. One mf~ (Pd like to say a prayer for him every night the rest of my Mfe) said: That's the best John has done for him
 done in a long time" Of course then the. whole Joke was to1d-yes and much enjoyed by me. had passed muster and the contract was signed. Since then I've made fifteen records and thank you, the company and I are very well satisfied with the results. I'm under contract to make ten records a year"
 Do you like vaudeville asked. because Steel, who comes to Polls Thursday, is a newcomer in this field of entertainment.
 "Never liked anything SO we'll in my life. he replied without hesita- tion- And it isn't entirely because they let me think they like me: they are there for entertainment and en- Joyment Then something pleases them they let a singer or performer or any kind know it. Oh, I'm cer- tain that Keith vaudeville and I will prosper famously together-that we'll become great friends; and right at this time in my life I expect to stick to vaudeville for some little time to come I had eight partsvin musical 1 comedy offered to me this season :. read them all, didn't like them, be- cause they seemed too silly, so it's vaudeville for mine aby preference"
 MT. Steel has captured one of the best known accon1panists in yaude- Vile Tor his partner, Jerry Jarntgan He always gets his measure Of the applause for the soloist he accompan- les-Which again proves that a, vaude- vile audience knows values
 n DAWE,.e 1,uE anDE