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Biography American Disaster
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American Disaster
William Morris was the man responsible for almost ending Tom's career. His billing of Burke as... "IRELAND’S GREATEST LIVING TENOR" was to prove a disaster for both men. John McCormack was already well established in America and the Irish American community didn’t take kindly to Burke’s billing. Following the critic’s response to his first appearance at the New York Hippodrome, Burke gave up singing for 18 months. Slowly he began to rebuild his career, eventually becoming a popular performer in New York and Chicago operas. However the wine and women that accompanied his newfound wealth and fame, began to cause problems for Burke. He was shot in the leg by a jealous husband and beaten up by the Mafia. So when he was offered a chance to return to England in 1927, he jumped at it and was soon performing to packed houses once again. His private life and attitude to the establishment began to effect his bookings, and when the Wall Street crash left him bankrupt, the work dried up as well.
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