“...when he sang, the stammer vanished.”
I had a friend in the service like that. He always stammered in English, but spoke in French like a native. His mother was a French war bride. He said it was because of the rhythm.
Mel’s stutter made him an endearing joke teller. In between songs he would recognize people: I I wa wa want to recognize Mi mi Miss D d Dolly Parton out there in the audience. Wh wha what? Wait. Oh uh I I I’m sorry it is just two b ba bald-headed men sitting together.”