HARRY BABBITT - CROONER BABBITT DIES

Crooner HARRY BABBITT, who fronted the KAY KYSER BIG BAND, has hit his last high-baritone note after dying in a California nursing home. He was 90.

Babbitt's biggest hit was THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER, but he'll probably be best remembered for voicing WOODY WOODPECKER's laugh.

Babbitt sang with the Kyser band from 1938 to 1948, but took a break from performing to serve in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946.

The crooner's other hits include ON A SLOW BOAT TO CHINA, THE UMBRELLA MAN and ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH.

Babbitt retired from showbusiness in 1964.