Ethel Lang Obituary

Ethel Lang attended Bayside High School in Bayside, NY. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Ethel Lang.

Graduation Year	Class of 1958
Date of Passing	Jan 25, 2008
About	Debbie Lang LANG, DEBBIE - professional vocalist who starred with the Glenn Miller Orchestra died on Friday of a heart attack in her home in Florida. She was 67. Ms. Lang was the vocalist of the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Ray McKinley in the late 1950's early 1960's. She began her career at nine when she began studying with Carmen Cortez of the Metropolitan Opera and both voice and piano with Hans Furmann of CBS. By age 10 she was singing professionally. At age 15 Ms. Lang was modeling with the Candy Jones Agency. During that time she singed with Walt Disney Productions but later left to pursue her love "singing". Ms. Lang sang at top New York City venues with the Lester Lanin's Society Orchestra. In June 1958, Ray McKinley approached Ms. Lang to sing with the band. In years to come Ms. Lang sang at President Kennedy's inaugural ball. She later married the lead tenor sax and clarinet Lou Chev (Ciavolella) in the Miller band. It was then that she quit the band to settle down in Glen Rock, to have her two daughters. Described as having style "reminiscent of Ella's with a touch of June Christy, Anita ODay and Sarah Vaughn thrown in for good measure". She became involved in the Rev. Gensil's St. Peter's Lutheran Church in New York and sang Jazz Vespers with Duke Ellington. Ms. Lang sang at the local church and played at clubs in New Jersey. She was in the process of doing a CD with Jazz Pianist Mike Longo, and recently sang with the legendary guitarist Les Paul. A few years back Ms. Lang owned and operated a 100 year old gas station she inherited from her Aunt Dolly in Bedford New York. Known for her overalls and her famous railroad cap where she spread her warm smile and sultry voice. She moved from Bedford to Margate, where she lived on her houseboat "All That Jazz" until she recently built here home in Weeki Wachee, Florida where she split her time. According to her daughter Patty Ciavolella Burgos, she was living a beautiful life, she always wanted to be by the water, that's where she was happiest. Fishing with her grandchildren, Jackie, Joey and Jesse and singing. She had many fiends there. She was a wonderful woman. She was my best friend "She was always there to help everyone that's what she did". She pretty much could do anything she set her mind to". She recently traveled to Las Vegas where she graduated with three degrees including her masters and doctorate. She was a brilliant woman. She was extremely talented, a wonderful musician, a wonderful mother and grandmother, a friend to everyone. She will be sadly missed by a lot of people. Ms. Lang is survived by her daughter Theresa Mahr and five grandchildren. Funeral from D'Agostino Funeral Home 881 Ringwood Avenue, Haskell on Saturday 8:15 a.m. and a 9 a.m. mass at St. Francis RC Church, Haskell. Interment Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow New York. Viewing Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Published in The Press of Atlantic City on 1/31/2008.