Helen Reddy (October 25th, 1941 – September 29th, 2020) was a singer, actress, and activist who held dual Australian and American citizenship. Born in Melbourne, Victoria to a show-business family, Reddy started her career as an entertainer at age four. She sang on radio and television, and won a talent contest on a television program, Bandstand, in 1966; her prize was a ticket to New York City and a record audition, which turned out to be unsuccessful. She pursued her international singing career by moving to Chicago and, subsequently, Los Angeles, where she made her debut singles "One Way Ticket" and "I Believe in Music" in 1968 and 1970, respectively. The B-side of the latter single, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" reached No. 10 in Canadian pop chart RPM and she was signed to Capitol Records a year later.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Helen hosted the 1975 NBC Telecast of the 49th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade along with Peter Marshall and Ed McMahon. She additionally sang her song "Free and Easy" on "The Broadway Belle Showboat" at Herald Square.