Beth Challis

American vaudeville singer (born June 12, 1901 in Morrisville, NJ – died September 8, 1986 in Miami Beach, Florida)

Challis entered the vaudeville circuit as a child guitarist at the age of 8. Later, she sang on the radio where she had her own show on WABC and a show with Ohman and Arden on WOR, both in New York City.

As a popular commedienne, Challis recorded more than three dozen titles for various labels, beginning with three titles for Edison in May 1926. In October 1926 and February 1927, she recorded four titles that were issued on Edison. Her most sustained association was with the Edison label, for which she recorded more than 20 titles between 1927 and 1928, including several where she fronted The Goofus Five. On both the Harmony (4) and on many OKeh recordings, she is accompanied by pianist [a=Eddie Lambert (5)], who remained her stage partner at least until 1930.

In the late summer and early fall of 1928, Challis toured Britain, performing at the Kit Kat Club, the Palladium and the Hippodrome in London. During that time, she also recorded a few titles for Edison.

In 1934, she recorded four titles under the pseudonym Peggy Johnson that were released on Edison.

In the early 1940s, she moved to Miami, Florida, where she continued to perform in clubs. In 1960, she worked as the Social Hostess of the diLido hotel in Miami, Florida.

Challis was married to fellow musician Frederick W. Thompson (died 1969).