Bunny Paul (21 May 1924, Detroit, Michigan - 2014) was an American singer. Between 1948 and 1963 she laid down in excess of almost fifty titles in a wide-ranging selection of styles. Rockabilly collectors will best remember her for some great rockin' songs like "History" or "Sweet Talk" whilst Rhythm & Blues fans will know her from some early recordings cut with the Harptones. She also laid down some tasty pop recordings and concluded her recording career at the early Motown outfit Gordy Records.
Bunny soon showed an interest in music and started singing at age 4. Indeed at the age of 12 she was performing on the stage, singing hit songs of the day with local bands. During the 1940´s she sang with various bands such as Johnny Dicicco Trio, Al Nalli Trio, Baron Bill Kohler & Nova Notes, Bob Hawkins Trio, Manny Lopez Quintet and Nicky Buss plus she appeared as a solo act at the "Chicago Ye Olde Cellar". She soon came to the attention of famous local bandleader Don Pablo, known as Detroit's Lawrence Welk, and in 1946 he offered her the job of becoming the lead vocalist with his orchestra. She took the opportunity, and instead of a few weeks as intended, she stayed for 2 years with the band. In 1948 she recorded her first record together with Don Pablo´s Orchestra for the local VARGO label "Sentimental Rhapsody/ Mickey".
In 1950 she had her own show on WWJ-TV called 'Fifer Time' which was sponsored by the popular local Pfeiffer´s Brewery. On this she had featured guests such as The Gaylords, Dick Noel, Don Cornell, Merv Griffin and Johnny Johnston. Paul was also a songwriter, with at least 26 publishing credits to her name. Her debut single, on the Dot label in 1953, included one of her songs: “Never Let Me Go.” The same year Dot released "Magic Guitar" which hit the top spot in the Detroit area and so her recording career was off to a good start. The record was also issued on the London label in the UK and in Germany.
'Honey Love´, 'Whatcha Gonna Do', and the previously recorded "Lovey Dovey" were included on a various artists album put out on Dave Miller's subsidiary Somerset label. The LP, "Rock & Roll Dance Party", became a popular album because of its artwork and that it was one of the first albums to include early Bill Haley tracks. An interesting point is that it was Bunny's cut of the Bill Haley composition 'Watcha Gonna Do' that was featured on the album and not the recording of the song by Haley.
A brain tumor in 1960 left Paul’s face partially paralyzed. When she recovered sufficiently to record again, she cut a few sides at Motown that were released on the Gordy imprint in 1963. She largely retired from music after that. Paul continued to live in the Detroit area until she passed away in 2014.
