Mary O'Rourke

Mary O'Rourke (26 July 1913 - 24 December 1964) was a Boy Soprano singer, operating under the stage name Master Joe Petersen. She was billed as 'The Phenomenal Boy Singer' and produced over 59 records for Rex Records. O'Rourke and her elder brother Joe were frequent winners of talent shows, with O'Rourke creating a name for herself in Scottish music halls.

Master Joe Petersen In 1930, aged 17, O'Rourke moved to Islington to live with her aunt and uncle, Minnie Irvine and Edward 'Ted' Stebbings. From 1934 to 1942, she produced 59 records for Rex Records. She also recorded under the names Wilfred Eaton and Michael Dawnay. She became an international star, although she was barred from performing on the BBC due to notions of impropriety.

Later life O'Rourke married violinist George Lethbridge in 1933, and their daughter Margaret was born in 1934, though it was not a happy marriage. O'Rourke developed a drinking problem, which was worsened by the deaths of her father and brother Joe in 1944 and 1945 respectively. Her marriage collapsed in 1952 and she returned to Glasgow. She still performed as Master Joe throughout the 1940s and 50s, together with artists such as Chic Murray. She died of bronchitis on Christmas Eve 1964, age 51.