Maureen McGovern

Maureen McGovern Artistfacts

  • July 27, 1949
  • Her full name is Maureen Therese McGovern. She was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio.
  • After completing her education, she worked as a secretary and performed part-time as a folk singer.
  • In 1972, Russ Regan, head of 20th Century Records, discovered her when he heard a demo recorded by her. He then hired her to sing the Oscar-winning song "The Morning After" (theme from the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure) for release as a record. After recording the song "The Morning After", her debut album of the same name was released next year.
  • In 1974, she recorded another Oscar-winning song, "We May Never Love Like This Again" from the disaster film The Towering Inferno, and the Oscar-nominated song "Wherever Love Takes Me" from the disaster film Gold. Soon, she became known to fans as "the Disaster Queen."
  • In 1980, she made a cameo appearance as Sister Angelina in the comedy-disaster movie Airplane!. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie occurred when she played the guitar and sang Aretha Franklin's hit "Respect" to the black Jive-speaking guys, making them vomit.
  • Her father was a member of a barbershop quartet.
  • At the beginning of the '80s, McGovern gave up her career of movie themes and Pop music to start a career in musical theater, even though she had no acting experience. In 1981, she made her Broadway debut as Mabel in a revival in Gilbert And Sullivan's musical The Pirates of Penzance. She continued performing in theater productions on and off Broadway and originated the role of Mary in the off-Broadway production of Brownstone. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above
  • Before she was discovered, she performed with a band called Sweet Rain around her hometown. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tom - Conway, AR
  • In 1987, she recorded her first album in eight years: a sole-piano album entitled Another Woman in Love. She followed it with a fully-orchestrated album entitled State Of The Heart one year later. It was then she began to establish herself as a pop-standard singer.
  • In 1989, she made her debut performance at Carnegie Hall, where she performed a series of songs by George Gershwin (including a lost Gershwin piece entitled "A Corner of Heaven With You"). This performance was recorded live for an album entitled Naughty Baby.
  • McGovern continues her careers in musical theater and performing in concerts. She occasionally makes television appearances and new recordings. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 3

Comments: 1

  • Marie from Sarasota, FlMaureen McGovern's newest CD will be out in May entitled "A Long and Winding Road."

    The Maureen McGovern "Works of Heart" Foundation for Music and Healing was founded to provide a musical library of life-affirming, positive music for patients and caregivers and to educate the public regarding the power of music to aid in the healing process, to enrich the quality of life and to inspire, soothe and relax the mind, body and spirit. Ms. McGovern is an artist spokesperson for the American Music Therapy association.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.