Eva Cassidy’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow” is her most iconic performance, though it achieved global fame five years after her death in 1996. The song was originally written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, famously sung by Judy Garland.
Eva Marie Cassidy (February 2, 1963 – November 2, 1996) was an American singer and guitarist known for her powerful, emotive soprano voice and eclectic interpretations of jazz, blues, folk, gospel, and pop. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Maryland, she displayed artistic talent from an early age, learning guitar from her father and performing in local bands like Easy Street and Stonehenge during her youth.
Despite her immense talent, Cassidy remained virtually unknown outside the Washington, D.C. area during her lifetime, partly because she refused to pigeonhole herself into a single musical genre for record labels. She worked various jobs, including as a plant propagator and furniture painter, while building a dedicated local following and releasing her first album, The Other Side, in 1992. She died of melanoma at age 33, shortly after recording the acclaimed live album Live at Blues Alley.
Posthumously, Cassidy achieved international fame and critical acclaim, particularly in the UK after BBC Radio 2 featured her music. Her 1998 compilation album Songbird reached number one on the UK charts and later topped the Billboard pop chart in the US, selling millions of copies worldwide. She is now regarded as one of the greatest voices of her generation, with her recordings continuing to inspire new audiences decades after her death.
Recording and Early History
- Cassidy had performed the song live for years, often inspiring herself by watching talent shows like Star Search.
- She recorded a studio version in July 1992 with producer Chris Biondo for a duet album with Chuck Brown titled The Other Side.
- Despite their efforts, Cassidy and Biondo initially felt the 1992 recording was not good enough, so it remained unreleased on that album.
- Cassidy also performed the song solo at the 1994 Wammies awards, where her performance was described as a “show-stopper” that captivated the audience.
Posthumous Breakthrough
- Cassidy died in November 1996 from melanoma while still relatively unknown outside the Washington D.C. area.
- Her breakthrough came in 2000 when BBC radio producer Paul Walters heard a live recording of her performance at Blues Alley and convinced presenter Terry Wogan to air it.
- The overwhelming positive listener response led to the song being played constantly on the BBC.
- A video of her Blues Alley performance aired on Top of the Pops 2, becoming the show’s most requested video ever.
- This exposure propelled her compilation album Songbird to the top of the UK charts, making Cassidy an international star posthumously.
Musical Style
- Cassidy’s arrangement was entirely her own, featuring her distinctive vocal style and intricate acoustic guitar accompaniment.
- She modified certain notes, such as on the word “far,” to create a version critics and fans often consider superior to the original.
- Her performance is noted for its raw emotion and vulnerability, transforming a well-worn standard into a deeply personal ballad.
