Remember when our favorite stars seemed to do it all? While many celebrities of the ’60s and ’70s were known for their acting chops or comedic timing, quite a few harbored musical talents that flew under the radar. These multifaceted entertainers released albums that might have escaped your notice during those whirlwind decades when you were busy raising families, building careers, or perhaps enjoying some of that famous flower power spirit. Let’s take a nostalgic journey back to discover some familiar faces who stepped up to the microphone when you weren’t looking!
1. Leonard Nimoy
Everyone knows him as the logical Mr. Spock from “Star Trek,” but Leonard Nimoy moonlighted as a recording artist with five albums to his name. His 1967 album “Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock’s Music from Outer Space” featured songs like “Highly Illogical” and the unforgettable “Ballad of Bilbo Baggins,” complete with psychedelic music video. His rich baritone voice surprised fans who only knew his stoic on-screen persona, proving there was more to the man than pointed ears and Vulcan philosophy. Stereogum explores the surreal nature of this particular music career.
Nimoy later recorded more serious folk music and even covered songs like “Proud Mary” and “I Walk the Line” with his distinctive style. His musical endeavors weren’t just novelty acts but genuine artistic expressions that showcased a different side of his creative personality. Though his music career never eclipsed his acting fame, these recordings remain beloved treasures for both Trekkies and music collectors who appreciate this unexpected dimension of Nimoy’s talent.
2. Goldie Hawn
Before becoming America’s giggling sweetheart on “Laugh-In” and later a major movie star, Goldie Hawn tried her hand at singing with a surprisingly sweet voice. In 1972, she released the country-pop album “Goldie” featuring the single “Pitta Patta,” which demonstrated her versatile talents beyond comedy. Her light, airy vocals complemented the easy-listening style popular during that era, showing she had genuine musical ability beyond her trademark laugh. As reported to USA Today, Hawn’s musical work has earned her admiration from her family.
Hawn actually began as a professional dancer before fame found her, giving her performances a natural rhythmic quality that translated well to music. She performed several songs in her films over the years, including a memorable rendition of “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” in the 1980 film “Private Benjamin.” Though her singing career was brief, it demonstrates how multitalented many of our favorite stars truly were during an era when entertainment required versatility.
3. William Shatner
Captain Kirk boldly went where few actors had gone before—into the recording studio—producing some of the most distinctive spoken-word albums of the era. His 1968 album “The Transformed Man” featured dramatic interpretations of songs like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” delivered with Shatner’s signature dramatic pauses and emotional intensity. While initially met with mixed reactions, these recordings have achieved cult status for their unique approach to musical interpretation. American Songwriter strums out some titles that even the biggest Trekkies might not know Kirk penned himself.
Shatner’s theatrical delivery style turned standard songs into dramatic monologues that were utterly unique in the music landscape. His 1978 live performance of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” at the Science Fiction Film Awards became legendary for its dramatic delivery and has been referenced in pop culture for decades since. Though critics were often unkind, Shatner’s musical experiments represented a fearless creativity that matched his pioneering spirit as Captain Kirk.
4. Telly Savalas
The lollipop-loving “Kojak” star surprised fans in 1975 with his album “Telly,” showcasing a smooth, deep voice perfectly suited for romantic ballads. His cover of Bread’s “If” became a number one hit in the UK, with his spoken-word delivery and distinctive baritone creating an intimate listening experience. Savalas recorded several albums throughout the ’70s, proving that his appeal extended beyond solving crimes on television.
His musical style featured minimal singing, relying instead on his hypnotic speaking voice set against lush orchestral arrangements. While American audiences primarily knew him as the tough detective from Queens, British fans embraced his musical persona with surprising enthusiasm. His recordings captured the romantic, slightly melancholic mood of the mid-’70s, offering a glimpse into Savalas’s softer side beneath the tough-guy exterior.
5. Donna Douglas
The beautiful “Beverly Hillbillies” star Donna Douglas (who played Elly May Clampett) had a successful career as a gospel and country singer when not wrangling critters on television. Her 1965 album “Donna Douglas Sings Gospel” revealed a pure, heartfelt voice that connected deeply with her Southern roots and Christian faith. She frequently performed songs about her faith and Southern heritage, showing that her country girl persona wasn’t just an act for television.
Douglas often collaborated with fellow Hillbillies star Buddy Ebsen, recording duets that delighted fans of the show. Her 1982 album “Here Come the Critters” featured animal-themed songs that reflected her character’s love of animals and connected with her young fans. Though her music career was modest in commercial terms, it represented an authentic expression of her personal values and background that resonated with audiences who loved her on-screen persona.
6. Eddie Albert
The star of “Green Acres” had a folk music career dating back to the 1940s, long before he became known as gentleman farmer Oliver Wendell Douglas. Albert’s pleasant tenor voice graced several albums including “The Eddie Albert Album” (1966), where he performed thoughtful folk songs with gentle, understated arrangements. His musical tastes reflected his real-life environmental activism and appreciation for simple country living that paralleled his most famous television role.
Eddie frequently performed with his “Green Acres” co-star Eva Gabor, creating musical chemistry that mirrored their on-screen relationship. His recordings of rural-themed songs particularly resonated with fans who appreciated his character’s fish-out-of-water struggles with farm life. Albert’s musical career demonstrated how blurred the lines between performer and character could become when actors brought their personal passions to both their music and acting roles.
7. Rue McClanahan
Years before becoming Blanche Devereaux on “The Golden Girls,” Rue McClanahan released a jazz album titled “Rue, Rue” in 1972 that showcased her sultry vocals. Her cabaret-style performances featured interpretations of standards like “The Man I Love” and “Honeysuckle Rose,” delivered with the same charismatic presence she later brought to television. Though the album had limited distribution, it revealed McClanahan’s musical theater background and impressive vocal range.
McClanahan continued to incorporate singing into her various stage and television roles throughout her career. Her musical background helped shape her most famous character’s vivacious personality, bringing depth to Blanche’s Southern belle charm. While never achieving major success as a recording artist, her musical abilities added another dimension to her considerable talents as a comedic and dramatic actress.
8. Burt Reynolds
The mustachioed heartthrob surprised fans when he released his country album “Ask Me What I Am” in 1973 at the height of his film fame. Reynolds’ rugged vocals suited the country-western genre perfectly, with songs that played on his good ol’ boy image while revealing a vulnerable side rarely seen in his action movies. His single “She’s Just The Woman I Need” briefly charted, proving his musical appeal wasn’t just riding on his star power.
Burt actually began his entertainment career singing on television before becoming America’s top box office draw. He occasionally performed duets with close friend and frequent co-star Dom DeLuise, adding a musical dimension to their legendary friendship. Though his music career was overshadowed by his tremendous success in films, these recordings preserve a more tender, reflective side of the charismatic star that his biggest fans treasure.
9. Joe Pesci
Before his Oscar-winning acting career and long after his childhood performances, the “Goodfellas” star recorded as “Little Joe” in the 1960s and released an album called “Little Joe Sure Can Sing!” His doo-wop influenced style showcased impressive vocal abilities that few movie fans realized he possessed. Vincent LaGuardia Gambini was actually a stage name he used early in his career when performing in lounges around New Jersey, combining his musical talents with comedy.
Pesci later revisited his musical roots with his 1998 album “Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just for You,” which tied into his character from “My Cousin Vinny.” His friendship with Frankie Valli (they played together in bands before either was famous) influenced his musical style and eventually led to his role in “Jersey Boys” decades later. Though primarily known for intense dramatic performances, music remained a lifelong passion that preceded and paralleled his acting career.
10. Linda Lavin
Before starring as the titular waitress in the sitcom “Alice,” Lavin had an extensive Broadway musical career that many television viewers never knew about. Her 1968 album “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman” featured her vocals from the Broadway show where she originated the role of Sydney, showcasing her powerful, trained voice. Lavin continued performing musical theater throughout her career, demonstrating range and abilities far beyond her television persona.
On “Alice,” she occasionally got to showcase her singing talents, particularly with the show’s memorable theme song “There’s a New Girl in Town.” Her musical background added depth to her portrayal of Alice Hyatt, whose character was a struggling singer-songwriter. Lavin’s recordings preserve performances from key Broadway productions of the era, documenting important musical theater history while revealing the full scope of her talent.
11. David Soul
Hutch from the popular buddy cop show “Starsky & Hutch” enjoyed substantial success as a singer with several chart-topping hits in the mid-1970s. His tender ballad “Don’t Give Up on Us” reached number one in both the US and UK in 1977, selling over a million copies worldwide. Soul followed with several more hits including “Silver Lady” and “Going in With My Eyes Open,” establishing himself as a legitimate recording artist apart from his television fame.
Soul’s gentle tenor voice and heartthrob status made him a natural for the romantic pop ballads popular during that era. He frequently performed his songs on television variety shows, reaching audiences who might never have seen his police drama. Though his music career cooled as the ’70s ended, his recordings stand as perfect time capsules of the decade’s soft rock sound, preserving the romantic sensibility that defined so much of the period’s music.
12. Lorne Greene
The patriarch from “Bonanza” recorded several albums throughout the ’60s, with his spoken-word hit “Ringo” reaching number one on the Billboard charts in 1964. Greene’s deep, authoritative voice—the same one that made him believable as rancher Ben Cartwright—lent gravity to his recordings of frontier ballads and Western stories. His 1965 album “Welcome to the Ponderosa” capitalized on his television fame while showcasing his natural storytelling abilities through music.
Greene frequently performed with his “Bonanza” co-stars in television specials, creating musical moments that delighted fans of the western series. His recording of the “Bonanza” theme song with lyrics became a favorite among the show’s devoted audience, further blurring the line between his television and musical personas. Greene’s recordings preserve not just his voice but the mythic American frontier spirit that made “Bonanza” one of television’s most enduring westerns.
The crossover between acting and singing seems natural today, but back then, these musical forays often came as delightful surprises to fans who knew these stars primarily through weekly television visits or movie theater appearances. These albums—some successful, others wonderfully obscure—capture a moment when entertainment was broader and stars were encouraged to showcase multiple talents. Next time you’re browsing through vintage vinyl or digital archives, keep an eye out for these hidden musical treasures from the stars who soundtracked our memories in more ways than one!
