Long Before Taylor Swift Sold Out Stadiums, Her Grandmother Toured the ABC Radio Network in the 1950s—The Hidden Voice That Inspired the Tear-Inducing Song “Marjorie.”

While Taylor Swift’s record-breaking career is often seen as a singular phenomenon, her artistic heritage runs deep. Few fans realize that the foundation for her global stardom was laid generations ago by her maternal grandmother, Marjorie Finlay. Finlay was herself a professional opera singer and television personality with a substantial career in the 1950s.

This inspiring family history not only provides a rich artistic context for Swift’s talent but directly inspired one of the most touching, emotionally raw tracks of her career: the song “Marjorie.”

The Opera Singer Who Toured the ABC Network

Marjorie Finlay (née Moehlenkamp) was far from an amateur; she was a genuine professional who built a successful career in the mid-20th century. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Finlay trained as a coloratura soprano. In the early 1950s, she moved to Havana, Cuba, where she hosted a children’s television show.

Her biggest professional achievement came when she signed a contract to tour and perform on the prestigious ABC Radio Network in the 1950s, a major platform that reached millions of American households before television dominated. Finlay also had her own television program in Puerto Rico, showcasing her musical and stage talents. She was a working, traveling entertainer, demonstrating the same dedication to performance that defines her granddaughter’s career.

The Unexpected Tribute: The Song “Marjorie”

Marjorie Finlay passed away in 2003, before Taylor Swift achieved global fame. However, Swift has repeatedly spoken about the profound influence her grandmother’s life and music had on her.

The most notable event came with the release of Swift’s ninth studio album, Evermore, in 2020. The track, “Marjorie,” is an emotional, haunting tribute to her grandmother and the artistic DNA they share.

The lyrics of the song offer listeners glimpses of wisdom and advice that Swift learned from her grandmother. It includes moving lines like, “Never be so kind, you forget to be clever” and “Never be so clever, you forget to be kind.”

The song incorporates the most moving and unexpected artistic element: The Voice. Swift subtly incorporated Finlay’s actual, operatic vocals into the track as backing harmonies. This use of her grandmother’s recorded voice ensures that a previous generation’s artistic heritage literally supports and guides the voice of the present. The song “Marjorie” became a powerful data point in Swift’s career, moving beyond the usual pop subject matter to explore themes of family, legacy, and memory. It ensures that the voice and inspiring story of a professional performer from the 1950s—the “voice of a previous generation”—continues to resonate with millions of listeners today.

Would you like to know more about the Finlay family’s history in Puerto Rico? That is a fascinating detail about Marjorie Finlay’s career in Puerto Rico! Her artistic life was clearly vibrant and extensive, providing an incredible foundation for Taylor Swift’s own global career.

Here are the key details about Marjorie Finlay’s professional life in Puerto Rico:

 Marjorie Finlay: A Star in Puerto Rico

After she and her husband, Robert Finlay, moved from Havana, Cuba, to Puerto Rico due to political unrest, Marjorie Finlay fully immersed herself in the local arts scene. She quickly became a recognized figure, showcasing her talents not just in opera but also across local television and nightlife.

Television Hostess and MC

Marjorie Finlay hosted her own television program and served as the Mistress of Ceremonies (MC) for a show that aimed to bridge cultural understanding through music.

• The Show: El Show Pan-Americano on APA-TV in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

• Duration: Her television show ran an impressive six nights a week for 17 months, a testament to her popularity and demanding schedule.

• The Style: The program’s format was similar to a late-night talk show, leading to Finlay being nicknamed the “Parr of Puerto Rico,” after American TV host Jack Paar.

• Bilingual Charm: Finlay was an American who spoke Spanish that was “bad” enough to be funny to her audiences, a charming flaw that seemingly endeared her to viewers.

Versatile Performer

In addition to television, Finlay performed actively across the island, showcasing her versatility as a performer:

• Operas and Concerts: As a trained coloratura soprano, she performed in local concerts and opera productions and was active in the Pro Arte Societies, a civic music organization.

• Supper Clubs: She performed in various supper clubs, including a two-week stint at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, confirming her status as a high-profile local entertainer.

• Military Honor: In 1962, she was even named an Honorary Captain in the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, where guardsmen affectionately nicknamed her “madrina” (godmother).

This period in Puerto Rico confirms that Marjorie Finlay was a dynamic and working entertainer who built a career using her voice and stage presence, providing a direct, inspiring, and professional legacy for her granddaughter, Taylor Swift.