Musical Groups in the Movies 1929-1970
Author: Roy Liebman
Date: 2009-01-26 20:08:15+00:00

Musical Groups
in the Movies,

1929–1970

ALSO BY ROY LIEBMAN

AND FROM MCFARLAND

Vitaphone Films: A Catalogue
of the Features and Shorts (2003) The Wampas Baby Stars: A Biographical Dictionary, 1922–1934 (2000; paperback 2008) From Silents to Sound: A Biographical Encyclopedia of Performers Who Made the Transition to Talking Pictures (1998; paperback 2008) Silent Film Performers: An Annotated Bibliography of Published, Unpublished and Archival Sources for More Than 350 Actors and Actresses (1996)

Musical Groups
in the Movies,

1929–1970

ROY LIEBMAN

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Jefferson, North Carolina, and London

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Liebman, Roy.

Musical groups in the movies,

1929–1970 / Roy Liebman.

p.

cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-7864-3484-8
softcover : 50# alkaline paper

1. Motion picture music — Bio-bibliography — Dictionaries.

2. Musical groups — Dictionaries.

3. Motion pictures and music.

I. Title.

ML102.M68L54

2009

780.92' 2 — dc22

2008037715

British Library cataloguing data are available

©2009 Roy Liebman. All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Cover photograph: The Mills Brothers, circa ¡940s–¡950s (Photofest) Manufactured in the United States of America McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Box 611, Je›erson, North Carolina 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com

Janine, Marissa and Hannah — and the friends who have made The Big Decision worthwhile

This page intentionally left blank

Contents

Preface

1

MUSICAL GROUPS

IN THE MOVIES

7

Appendix One:

Other United Kingdom Bands

201

Appendix Two:

Dance Teams, Skaters and Other Specialty Acts 202

Bibliography

205

Index

207
vii

This page intentionally left blank

Preface

During the reign of silent movies, music the 1926 feature Don Juan, was the 107-mem-was always present to underscore the onscreen ber strong New York Philharmonic Orchestra action. Of course, it did not come from the playing the overture to Richard Wagner’s screen itself unless it was one of the early, un-Tannhauser. Other pioneering shorts included successful experiments in sound, of which the Dixie Jubilee Singers and the Metropoli-there were many. In the often shabby nick-tan Opera Chorus accompanying opera star elodeon “theaters” (usually storefronts) the Anna Case, the singing/instrumental group music may have been produced by a tinny the Four Aristocrats, Vincent Lopez and his piano. As the great art of silent films matured, orchestra, and many others.

the music could be played by full orchestras It was Al Jolson’s epochal The Jazz Singer, re-in magnificent movie palaces.

leased in October 1927, which energized the Films usually reflect the era in which they emergence of full-length sound features. It had are made and the 1920s was, after all, the Jazz very little talking (and that largely accidental) Age. So even though they were silent, such but several songs. During the next year sev-motion pictures as Jazz Cinderella, The Jazz eral part-talking films and a few all-talkies Girl, The Jazz Hounds, Jazz Mad, Jazzland and were released, some with songs, but apparently Jazzmania were seen in theaters. There may none included musical groups. In 1928 Jol-have been jazz bands pictured in them but son’s part-talkie The Singing Fool was a massive their music was soundless and was interpreted hit, further encouraging the production of off-screen.

sound films.

Several years before all movies officially The year 1929 saw musical films in full

“talked” (which was a fait accompli almost flower and the emergence of musical groups everywhere by 1930) music did actually em-as part of that blossoming. Hordes of singers anate from the screen — or, more technically, and musical ensembles were enticed from from a synchronized turntable. Beginning in radio, records, opera, Broadway and vaude-the summer of 1926, this was primarily due to ville. Every kind of singing act seemingly had the success of the Vitaphone sound-on-disc its turn. If a group could get anywhere near technology introduced by Warner Brothers the right notes it was put into pictures.

studio. More sophisticated technology soon Established Hollywood silent movie old-produced sound-on-film.

timers like Bebe Daniels, Walter Pidgeon, Almost from the first, musical groups were John Boles, Bessie Love, Janet Gaynor and part of the sound revolution that initially enMarion Davies suddenly found themselves compassed films running one or two reels. Ap-warbling onscreen. Greta Garbo only talked pearing in one of the short subjects in the very but they sang. For a couple of years it was to first Vitaphone program, which accompanied be “All-singing! All-dancing! All-talking!” all 1

2

Preface
the time, until a weary public said it was all too used in feature films largely reflected the pop-much.

ular taste of the day. For that reason, it is in-Among the very first musical ensembles to structive to see and hear them in the context be heard in features were the three Brox Sisters, of their films, however silly some of the movies Patricia, Lorayne and Dagmar, who co-intro-were and however badly some of the groups duced “Singin’ in the Rain” in MGM’s The were utilized.

Hollywood Revue of 1929. They were precursors In features, for the most part, groups were to such female close-harmony acts of the 1930s inserted into a film for momentary diversion, as the Boswell, Pickens and Andrews Sisters.

not as integral parts of the plot; often multi-Not too long thereafter the enormously ple ensembles appeared in the same film. Even popular (and enormously-girthed) Paul White-in that limited role they could still increase a man had the 1930 film King of Jazz built picture’s profitability. This was certainly true around his ample frame. It was one of the last in the case of the dominant music of the 1930s films to celebrate the Jazz Age and use that and ’40s, the Big Band Era. And it was also word in its title. It seems probable, though, true of the other dominant music of those two that Fred Waring was the first bandleader to be decades, western swing, heard on the radio featured in a film, 1929’s Syncopation.

and in that staple of neighborhood movie Innumerable music groups also appeared in houses, the “B” western.

the thousands of short subjects that were made A few of the big bands had long-term con-well into the 1950s by nearly all the major stu-tracts with studios, among them those of dios. Many of these groups were never seen in Tommy Dorsey and Xavier Cugat at MGM
full-length features and thus are rarely enand Harry James at 20th Century–Fox. Fans countered today, even on recordings, having flocked to their films even though their fa-for all intents and purposes disappeared into vorites usually had only brief screen time. This (perhaps) undeserved obscurity.

may have been the start of Hollywood’s great There was even a way to see many of them appeal to teenagers because they formed the in short films outside of theaters. To meet the backbone of the Big Bands’ fan base.

public demand for entertainment just before, Occasionally film plots would revolve during, and a little while after World War II, around a bandleader such as Glenn Miller (as the Panoram, a kind of coin-operated juke the thinly-disguised “Gene Morrison”) in Or-box/video machine, could be found in ven-chestra Wives and Kay Kyser in several films.

ues like bars and nightclubs and even some Usually orchestra leaders and most other music restaurants. For ten cents the machines played personalities played “themselves”; i.e., their short (usually three minutes) black-and-white public personas, if indeed they were called musical films known as “soundies” that fea-upon to act at all. This was partly due to the tured many of the top bands and singers of fact that few of them could really act beyond the time.

delivering a few woodenly-spoken lines.

Some of these shorts were a bit more “far Some, like Harry James, took acting lessons —
out” than Hollywood product and they were or so the publicity said.

shot at minimal cost as well. It is estimated Because diversion for the home front was there were some 1,800 produced and lately so important during World War II these few there has been a concerted effort to preserve years probably marked the epitome of on-these almost-neglected slices of Americana screen music groups. Musicals were at the which were the precursors of music videos.

height of their popularity and nearly every stu-Since Hollywood has always been better at dio, from MGM and 20th Century–Fox at the following, exploiting and capitalizing on more prestigious end (they usually made theirs trends than setting them, the musical groups in blazing Technicolor) to the less exalted Uni-

Preface

3
versal produced a string of them. The latter early 1940s and is often attributed to musician studio generally starred lesser-known young Spade Cooley.

and bouncy performers in their minor “A”

Although it never gained much popularity black-and-white programmers, usually with east of the Appalachians, western swing did short running times.

spread to the West Coast and ultimately to the The end of World War II brought about the notice of Hollywood. Los Angeles became the beginning of the end of the Big Bands for sev-home base to many western and even hillbilly eral reasons. Among them were changing mu-bands (e.g., the original Beverly Hill Billies).

sical tastes and the economics of maintaining By the 1950s so-called western bop and rock-such large-sized groups when the public no abilly had become subgenres of western swing longer flocked to see them. However the gen-music.

esis of their decline probably came during the There were of course economic reasons for war itself when the draft took many if not even the most cheaply-made westerns to pro-most of the best players.

vide musical interludes. For one, western-style Hollywood, behind the curve as usual, de-music increased the box office take in areas like cided about ten years later that the era’s legacy the South and Southwest where it was very was worth preserving. Such celebratory films popular. Secondly, there were major cowboy as The Glenn Miller Story, The Eddy Duchin stars who could not themselves sing, among Story, The Benny Goodman Story, The Gene them Charles “Durango Kid” Starrett, Wil-Krupa Story and The Five Pennies (about Red liam “Hopalong Cassidy” Boyd and Johnny Nichols) came to the screen, usually with mis-Mack Brown.

cast stars as the title characters. The earliest of Another reason was simple padding; the these fictionalized biopics did come at the tail plots of these films were usually very similar end of Big Band Era, The Fabulous Dorseys and musical interludes made for a welcome di-made in 1947. It was not, however, a fabulous version and filled out the running time. If a film.

film needed to be cut for some reason, as for During the heyday of the so-called singing television viewing, the extraneous musical western from the mid–1930s to the early ’50s, numbers could often be eliminated. Perhaps it was not only the oater stars like Gene Autry the simple bottom line was that cowboy heroes and Roy Rogers who warbled. Almost all of needed their sidekicks and if they could sing these films had a group of musicians in the so much the better!

cast who doubled as the “boys,” i.e., ranch Sometimes one or more of the “boys” had hands, deputies and other secondary characters lines and were even second male leads, like who often had no spoken lines but were usu-Bob Nolan of the Sons of the Pioneers. And ally ubiquitous. It seems that job responsibil-sometimes the songs they played became con-ities in Hollywood’s version of the West al-siderable hits among a much larger audience ways included singing and/or playing at least than went to see “B” westerns. Some of their two or three songs.

songs, indeed, have lived on long after the for-So-called “western swing” had slowly gettable movies in which they were first heard.

evolved from traditional country music and Nearly always, though, the individual by the early 1930s such bands as the Light members of musical ensembles remained Crust Dough Boys, Bob Wills and the Texas anonymous onscreen. They were usually not Playboys and Milton Brown and His Brown-given lines to speak except in the case of top-ies were popularizing it regionally in the billed performers like the Andrews Sisters, and Southwest. It contained elements of blues, even then very sparingly. Sometimes one Dixieland, jazz and even ragtime. The term member would break from the bunch to western swing itself gained currency in the launch a successful solo career. Among them

4

Preface
were Bing Crosby who emerged from the the Supremes, as were the “ski” pictures that Rhythm Boys, Judy Canova, who split from followed.

her family’s singing hillbilly act, Jo Stafford The British Invasion beginning in 1964 gave (the Stafford Sisters) and Andy Williams (the the movies more material with which to ex-Williams Brothers).

ploit the popular music of the day. The Beat-For a few years after the postwar decline of les and more transitory British groups had the Big Bands, easy-listening ballads were films devoted to them, usually produced by chart-toppers. There was really no dominant British companies. Several Brit bands appeared musical movement and the movies reflected in American films and a few U.S. groups were this accordingly; many of the early 1950s mu-seen in British films. The 1970s saw the featur-sicals harked back to an earlier time. This ing of musical groups diminish to almost the largely changed in 1955 with the release of The vanishing point, but many rock bands ap-Blackboard Jungle, featuring the feverish Bill peared in hard-edged documentaries like Don’t Haley song “Rock Around the Clock” on its Look Back, Monterey Pop, Gimme Shelter and soundtrack. It did not take long for Holly-Woodstock.

wood to notice the emerging rock-and-roll Television took its turn keeping the flame of culture.

musical ensembles burning. With great fan-It was a repeat of the 1920s, only with fare, variety shows like that of Ed Sullivan fea-

“Rock” instead of “Jazz” frequently appearing tured the top musical acts of the day as did in film titles. In a short time a movie titled teen magnets like American Bandstand, Hul-Rock Around the Clock appeared followed by, laballoo! and Shindig. Interestingly, the so-among others, Rock, Pretty Baby, Rock All called “girl groups” were rarely seen on main-Night, Don’t Knock the Rock, Mister Rock and stream shows like Ed Sullivan’s, presumably Roll, Shake, Rattle and Rock, and inevitably because of their more blatant sexuality, but Rock, Rock, Rock. For the next fifteen years or frequently were guests on American Band-so the studios continued to follow the mostly stand. On record charts the girl groups, most teen trends in music.

of them African-American, accounted for the When a new dance craze emerged there highest proportion of hits before the British were generally at least a couple of movies to Invasion but were not so well-represented in capitalize on it, Twist Around the Clock, Don’t movies.

Knock the Twist and Calypso Heat Wave being Trends rarely die a permanent demise, how-examples. Country, Latin-American and folk ever. After the time covered in this book such music also had their cycle of pictures, the for-ensembles as The Village People and the Ramer mostly popular in rural areas, the latter mones appeared in pictures; more recently the two mostly in urban ones. Even classical music Spice Girls had their turn. The success of such groups had had their day in films like One stage shows as Dreamgirls (also a movie), For-Hundred Men and a Girl and Carnegie Hall.

ever Plaid and Jersey Boys shows a continuing The plots of the rock pictures were mini-nostalgia for the “good old days” of golden mal: the older folks disapproved of rock-and-oldies. And of course Hollywood has pro-roll and thought the kids were hoodlums, al-duced many films about fictional musical though they only really wanted to have a bit of groups ranging from the mockumentary This fun. Mainly the plots were just thin frame-Is Spinal Tap to That Thing You Do! to Velvet works on which to hang the music. When the Goldmine.

popular “beach” films emerged in the early There will probably never be a time when 1960s their premises were mostly an excuse to Hollywood does not hope to strike box office go surfing. They were also crammed with gold, so perhaps very popular “flavor of the

“now” musical groups like the Beach Boys and month” groups will make films in the future.

Preface

5

There is no question that some of the music and thus are more closely related than it might groups that did appear in features seemed em-appear; for example, those under the heading inently forgettable, and at the time were only of Jimmie Davis.

considered to be passing entertainment. But If it is known what movie song(s) a group it would be a mistake to completely overlook performed, the title or titles follow the name them.

of the film in the filmographies at the end of Now we understand that they were part of each entry. The great majority of films listed the history of musical entertainment and even are features but there are some documentaries somewhat of the social history of their time.

included. While most groups made only fea-For those that performed prior to the days of tures, a small number made a mixture of fea-modern media, their films (if they are not tures and documentaries and a few made only lost), old stills and photographs are all we have documentaries. It was deemed useful not to to preserve their visual existence. As for their omit major musical ensembles because they sounds, scratchy recordings may have to suffice can be seen only in fact-based films.

if indeed they even exist. Perhaps as impor-In a relatively few instances there seems no tant, when we do get a glimpse of them they reliable way of confirming what the nature of can still have the power to entertain us.

the group was. In cast lists and reviews they simply appear as “Specialty” or “Specialty act”

* * *
or the even more unhelpful “Themselves.”

The book is arranged according to the way Thus there may be some non-singing/non-groups were actually billed in films; e.g., Cab instrumental groups inadvertently included.

Calloway and His Band, not Calloway, Cab, In cases of doubt the word “unknown” in and His Band. Commonly-occurring alternate brackets follows the group’s name, as: Two Fat forms of billing like Hal Grayson and His Or-Men [unknown].

chestra and Hal Grayson’s Orchestra appear A relatively few British groups have been together.

included because, as mentioned above, some Ample “see” references are supplied, such as bands from Great Britain appeared in Amer-Night Jumpers see Jimmy Bryant and the ican movies. They are meant to be a represen-Night Jumpers. In cases where a “see” refer-tative sampling and not all may have appeared ence leads to more than one form of billing, the in U.S. films. Appendix One contains a more name is followed by an ellipsis: Hall, Juanita comprehensive listing of British bands that ap-see Juanita Hall... (and not see Juanita Hall peared in films, but it is also not intended to Singers and Juanita Hall Choir).

be a complete accounting.

In a relatively few cases disparate groups Finally, Appendix Two has a lengthy list of that were led by the same performer have been groups that were neither singers nor instru-placed together for the reader’s convenience, mentalists but, to the audience’s enjoyment, not because they are alternate forms of billing.

caused music to issue from the screen. These Example: Herb Jeffries and the Four Tones are primarily dance duos (but sometimes larger and Herb Jeffries’ Calypsomaniacs. Other dis-ensembles), skaters and other specialties. It is parate-sounding groups are placed together not meant to include performers like Fred As-because they may have changed their names taire and Ginger Rogers who were primarily over time, or had many of the same members, actors teamed together to dance for given films.

This page intentionally left blank

MUSICAL GROUPS

IN THE MOVIES

Abe Lyman and His Band; Abe Lyman career and opened for acts that included the Jef-and His Californians; Abe Lyman and ferson Airplane. They disbanded in 1972 with-His Orchestra
out making any recordings as far as is known.

Their name was derived from the tarot card por-Abe Lyman (Abraham Simon, Chicago, Illinois, traying five streams of water issuing from the 1897–1957)

hand of God.

Having begun as a nickelodeon and club Revolution (1968) [documentary]

drummer in his mid-teens, Abe Lyman brought his musicality to his own orchestra The Califor-Acker Bilk and His Paramount Jazz nians beginning in 1921. They began making records a couple of years later, among the first Band
to record on the West Coast. Not surprisingly, Acker Bilk (Bernard Bilk, Pensford, England,

“California, Here I Come” was their theme song.

1929–)

Lyman gave up the band a while later to tour If he were known for nothing else, Acker Bilk in vaudeville but eventually re-constituted it and would still be world-famous for his hauntingly it became a fixture at the famed Cocoanut Grove beautiful instrumental recording of “Stranger nightclub in Hollywood. The orchestra was in on the Shore.” Aside from that he has been con-the right place at the right time to appear in sev-sidered one of the world’s great clarinetists since eral early talkies, and it remained popular into the the late ’50s. Usually billed as Mr. Acker Bilk mid–1940s.

(the nickname Acker derives from the British Among the band’s successful recordings were slang term for friend), he began playing in jazz

“Shake That Thing” and “California Blues.” Abe orchestras before forming his own group about Lyman himself was not considered a particularly 1956.

talented bandleader but he had a personal style With the British Invasion Bilk’s brand of that appealed to audiences. He was also a noted music — generally called trad jazz — became less songwriter with such standards as “I Cried for saleable, but he continued to perform in cabarets You,” “After I Say I’m Sorry” and “Mandalay.”

and release albums, and had occasional record-Hold Everything (1930) * Pardon My Gun ing successes like “Aria.” He has referred to (1930) * Madam Satan (1930) * Ten Cents a

“Stranger on the Shore” as his “old age pension”

Dance (1931) * Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933) and indeed it perseveres as one of the great

* Sweet Surrender (1935) * Junior Prom (1946) melodies of all time.

It’s Trad, Dad! (1962) * It’s All Over Town Ace of Cups

(1963)

Denise Kaufman; Mary Ellen Simpson; Maria Hanson; Mary Gannon; Diane Vitalich Acuff, Roy see Roy Acuff...

One of the very few all-female bands of the 1960s, the Ace of Cups was a San Francisco Airliners [unknown]

group which performed locally for most of its Junior Prom (1946)

7

8

Al

Al Clauser and His Oklahoma Outlaws way musicals like the Ziegfeld Follies and The Al Clauser (Henry Clauser, Manito, Illinois, Band Wagon.

1911–1989); Curly Bray; Bud Roberts; Speed The Talk of Hollywood (1929) Foreman; Tex Hoeptner

Guitarist and songwriter Al Clauser may have Al Trace and His Silly Symphonists; Al been one of the first to popularize the term Trace’s Orchestra

“western swing” in the late ’20s. From the mid–

Al Trace (Albert Trace, 1900–1993) 1930s he and his string band (none of whom had The very different songs “Mairzy Doats” and ever previously been to Oklahoma despite their

“You Call Everybody Darling” were the theme name) were staples on Midwestern and Okla-songs of Al Trace’s orchestra. The latter, his own homa radio.

composition, was a number one hit in 1948. Al-In the 1930s The Outlaws were carried on though his band worked primarily in the Mid-more than 230 stations. By the end of World west, his 300-plus compositions, some written War II the band had nine members and a very under pseudonyms like Clem Watts and Bob young singer named Clara Ann Fowler, later to Hart, earned him a more national reputation.

be the famous Patti Page, who recorded her first Among these were the novelty hit “If I’d song with them. The group disbanded in the Known You Were Comin’ I’d Have Baked a 1950s; Clauser himself went to work on a televi-Cake,” “Monkey Doodle Doo” (sung in the Marx sion kiddie show.

Brothers’ first film The Cocoanuts) and “Wishin’.”

Rootin’ Tootin’ Rhythm (1937) As the name Silly Symphonists implies, many of the songs performed by the band were comic Al Donahue and His Orchestra; Al ones, played with great Spike Jones–like gusto.

Donahue’s Orchestra

A drummer and sometime singer, Al Trace Al Donahue (1903–1983)

appeared with various groups and then formed Nineteen twenty-five was the year in which his first band for the Chicago World’s Fair in the original orchestra of Al Donahue made its 1933. Thereafter they played at fashionable debut. They played everywhere from Boston to Chicago restaurants and hotels and on the radio.

Florida and on steamships in between. So great One of his ensembles was known as the Shuffle became the demand from a particular hotel chain Rhythm band. He continued his musical activ-that he actually franchised his name so that there ities up to 1975, and had also acted in some were numerous Donahue orchestras playing at Charles Starrett westerns, even playing a sheriff any one time. Its (their) theme song was “Low in a few of them.

Down Rhythm in a Top Hat.”

Rustlers of the Badlands (1945) * Frontier Gun By the 1940s Donahue’s group became less of Law (1946)

a hotel society band and more of a swing ensemble in order to compete with other big bands.

Albee Sisters [unknown]

He continued to tour extensively after relocating Turn Off the Moon (1937)

to the West Coast and ultimately became music director for a Bermuda-based steamship line.

Sweet Genevieve (1947)

Albert, Don see Don Albert and His Orchestra

Al Goodman and His Orchestra

Al Goodman (Alfred Goodman, Nikopol, Rus-Alice Cooper Band
sia, 1890–1972)

Alice Cooper (Vincent Furnier, Detroit, Michi-In the mid–1930s Al Goodman’s orchestra was gan, 1948–)

the house band on radio’s popular Your Hit Pa-For a while Alice Cooper was the enfant ter-rade, and also appeared with Al Jolson and on rible of the rock scene with his jet black hair, eye the Texaco Star Theater. Later they worked on makeup and female drag costuming. He was no-early television. Goodman also was a songwriter torious for supposedly biting the heads off chick-with such ditties as “Call of Love” and “Twi-ens and thus was a pioneer of so-called “shock light” to his credit, and he contributed to Broad-rock.” Snakes were also a big part of the act,

Ames 9
sometimes being used in most erotic ways. Other The so-called “King of the Guitar,” Alvino props seen in onstage were electric chairs, guil-Rey assumed his Spanish-sounding stage name lotines and gallows. He was also fond of misan-at a time when Latin music was a hot commod-thropically impaling female mannequins and ity. He founded his dance orchestra in 1938 or smashing dolls.

’39 with four of the singing King Sisters, one of Cooper first had a band called the Spiders, whom, Luise, he married. His opening theme later to be the Nazz. He claims he got the profes-song was the self-referential “Blue Rey”; the sional name Alice Cooper when he asked a Ouija other was “Nighty Night.”

board whom he had been in a previous life. Such A steel guitarist, Rey was a professional mu-songs as “School’s Out,” “Only Women Bleed”

sician by age nineteen and had been a sideman and “I Never Cry” were popular, but it was his with the Phil Spitalny, Russ Morgan and Ho-shtick that the public went for, and for a time race Heidt orchestras. In the 1940s his own band in the early 1970s his was the hottest band in the had hits with the novelty tunes “Cement Mixer”

world. He also appeared on his own in a few film and “Strip Polka,” and with “Deep in the Heart roles.

of Texas.”

Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970) “Ride with Alvino Rey also is credited with developing Me” * Welcome to My Nightmare (1975) [docu-several improvements to the guitar which led to mentary]

the modern-day pedal guitar. In the 1960s he became a regular on the popular King Family All American Dance Band
television show; his last group was a jazz quartet that he formed in 1994 when he was well into Charlie Barnet; Benny Goodman; Harry James; his eighties.

Gene Krupa; Alvino Rey [and others]

Sing Your Worries Away (1942) * Larceny with The All American Dance Band was special in-Music (1943) * Jam Session (1944) deed. It was made up of band leaders selected in a Saturday Evening Post poll and contained many Amaral, Nestor see Nestor Amaral...

of the great leaders of the day. Undoubtedly it was intended that they appear together in but American G.I. Chorus
one film.

Syncopation (1942)

In their one film, which was baritone Nelson Eddy’s final cinema outing, the American G.I.

All American Girl Band

Chorus played prisoners.

Northwest Outpost (1947)

The Joint Is Jumpin’ (1949?) American Legion Band

All Girl Golden Slipper Band

Meet John Doe (1941)

Tall, Tan and Terrific (1946) American Revolution; Band Without All-Stars see Teddy Buckner and His a Name

All-Stars; Tobin Mathews and the All The garage band American Revolution was pre-Stars
viously called the Band Without a Name.

Thunder Alley (1967) “Thunder Alley” and Allen and Allen [unknown]

“Time After Time” * Born Wild (1968) “Love Has Got Me Down”

Beale Street Mama (1946?)

American Rough Riders [unknown]

Allon Trio [unknown]

The Way of the West (1934) This Is the Army (1943)

Americans see Jay and the Americans Alvino Rey and His Orchestra

Alvino Rey (Alvin McBurney, Oakland, Califor-Ames, Ramsay see Ramsay Ames and nia, 1908–2004)

Her Tropicanans

10

Andre

Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra The three Andrews Sisters were perhaps the Andre Kostelanetz (St. Petersburg, Russia, 1901–
most iconic of all the sister acts. They were the 1980)

very symbols of the home front during World Well-known for his great success in bringing War II with such standards as “Boogie Woogie so-called light classics to a mass public, Andre Bugle Boy” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Kostelanetz sold a huge number of recordings, es-Tree,” and also had big hits with “Beer Barrel timated to be in the fifty million range. His Polka,” “Rum and Coca Cola,” “Bei Mir Bist arrangements of popular music came to be called Du Schoen” (their first big success) and “Beat the “Kostelanetz sound,” and he was both praised Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar.”

and criticized for stripping (some said bastardiz-The Andrews’ numerous hit records, alone or ing) classics down to their “essential” themes.

with others such as Bing Crosby and Glenn He also commissioned several new works from Miller, ranged from patriotic to comic to roman-prominent American composers like Aaron Cop-tic and suited almost every taste. They are cred-land, Virgil Thompson, Ferde Grofe and Alan ited with recording several hundred songs (of Hovhaness.

which nineteen garnered gold records) and sell-Kostelanetz had conducted opera companies ing some 90 million records.

in Europe prior to working at American radio Performing since about 1931, the Sisters toured networks starting in the late 1920s. He led the on Midwest vaudeville circuits as admitted emu-CBS Symphony Orchestra and was guest con-lators of the then-popular Boswell Sisters. For ductor for the New York Philharmonic for al-the entire decade of the 1940s they remained at most thirty years. One legendary concert he con-the top, but eventually the same changes that ducted in New York’s Central Park in the 1960s sent the big bands into decline affected their ca-was said to have attracted 200,000 people.

reers as well. In 1951 they more or less officially Artists and Models (1937) * Music in My Heart disbanded.

(1940)

For a brief time both Patty and Maxene (considered the “pretty” one) tried to make it as solos but they re-teamed and continued performing, Andrews Sisters
mainly in nightclubs, until Laverne’s death. Over Laverne Andrews (Minneapolis, Minnesota, There! , a nostalgic stage musical based on their 1911–1967) (alto); Maxene Andrews (Minneapo-career, proved a smash hit and there was even a lis, Minnesota, 1916–1995) (2nd soprano); Patty 1990s ballet, Company B, which used many of Andrews (Patricia Andrews, Mound, Minnesota, their hit records as its predominant musical score.

1918–) (soprano/lead vocals)

In movies the Andrews were sometimes top-billed and always played “themselves,”

with rubber-faced Patty getting the most attention. She had the majority of the lines and proved adept at comedy, more than holding her own with such veterans as Abbott and Costello. In later years she appeared solo in 1970’s The Phynx and The Gong Show Movie (1980). Most often the Sisters were dressed exactly alike, as if they were triplets, because in its typical way Hollywood saw them as an inseparable ensemble, not individuals.

Argentine Nights (1940) * “Rhumboo-gie,” “Oh He Loves Me,” and “Hit the Road” * Buck Privates (1941) * “I’ll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time,”

The Andrews Sisters (from left, Maxene, Patty, La Verne) dur-

“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “You’re ing World War II.

a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith” * In the

Anestos 11

Navy (1941) * Hold That Ghost (1941) “Aurora” *
an offshoot of the group called the Dark Clouds What’s Cookin’? (1942) * Private Buckaroo (1942) of Joy. He re-dubbed it Andy Kirk and the

“Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and “Three Twelve Clouds of Joy and it was active for al-Little Sisters” * Give Out, Sisters (1942) “Pennsyl-most twenty years, until 1948. One of their rec-vania Polka” and “The New Generation” * How’s ord hits was “Until the Real Thing Comes About It? (1943) “Beer Barrel Polka” with new Along” which became their theme song.

lyrics and re-titled “Here Comes the Navy,”

Killer Diller (1948)

“East of the Rockies” and “Going Up” * Swingtime Johnny (1943) * Always a Bridesmaid (1943) Andy Parker and the Plainsmen

“Thanks for the Buggy Ride,” “That’s My Affair”

Andy Parker (Mangum, Oklahoma, 1913–1977); and “As Long As I Have You” * Follow the Boys Hank Caldwell (bassist); Charlie Morgan (gui-

(1944) * Hollywood Canteen (1944) * Moonlight tar); George Bamby (accordion); Earl “Joaquin”

and Cactus (1944) * Her Lucky Night (1945) Murphey (steel guitar); Harry Simms (fiddle);

“Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Is You Is or Is Paul “Clem” Smith (bassist); Leroy Kruble (ac-You Ain’t My Baby?” and “The Polka Polka” *
cordion); Deuce Spriggins; Noel Boggs Make Mine Music (voices only) (1946) * “Johnny A most popular western swing group, Andy Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet” * Road to Rio Parker and his Plainsmen were familiar sights (1947) * Melody Time (voices only) (1948) in radio and television, “B” oaters and even nightclubs. They also made numerous record-Andy Iona and His Recording
ings, among them the hit “When It’s Lamp Hawaiians; Iona’s Islanders

Lighting Time in the Valley.” Unlike most other Andy Iona (Andy Long, Honolulu, Hawaii, country groups most of the members were not 1902–1966)

Southerners and they had had formal music A composer, songwriter and conductor, Andy training.

Iona and his band the Islanders became the res-Parker had been an announcer and the voice ident Hawaiian ensemble for Columbia Records.

of the “Singing Cowboy” on radio’s Death Val-They played the kind of music that the haoles ley Days before the Plainsmen was formed in the (tourists) considered “typical” Hawaiian music mid–1940s. The group started out as a trio but as well as more traditional native music and pop-soon expanded. The ensemble’s longest associa-ular tunes.

tion with any western movie star was the one In their 1930s heyday the Islanders were cer-with Eddie Dean for seven films beginning in tainly one of the most famous Hawaiian bands 1947.

in the world, performing at top hotels and clubs.

The Plainsmen also branched out with a Betty They also recorded hundreds of tunes, many Grable “A” film. Andy Parker was a songwriter written by Iona himself, including “The Palm with hits to his credit like “Trail Dust,” “A Cal-Trees Sing Aloha,” “An Island Melody,” “Pretty ico Apron and a Gingham Gown,” “Serenade to Red Hibiscus” and “On a Cocoanut Island.”

a Coyote” and the title song of the movie Throw Besides the couple of films in which he ap-a Saddle on a Star. He disbanded the group in peared onscreen, Andy Iona composed for pic-the late 1950s; they were later inducted into the tures, toured with ice skating queen Sonia Henie Western Music Hall of Fame.

for many years and recorded with another fa-Cowboy Blues (1946) * Singing on the Trail mous Hawaiian ensemble, the Sal Hoopii Trio.

(1946) * That Texas Jamboree (1946) * Shadow He was named to the Royal Hawaiian Steel Gui-Valley (1947) * The Black Hills (1947) * Check tar Hall of Fame and Museum.

Your Guns (1948) * The Hawk of Powder River I Cover Chinatown (1936) * Honolulu (1939) (1948) * The Tioga Kid (1948) * The Westward Trail (1948) * Tornado Range (1948) * The Beau-Andy Kirk and His Orchestra
tiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949) * River of No Return (1954)

Andy Kirk (Denver, Colorado or Newport, Kentucky, 1896/98–1992)

Saxophone player Andy Kirk played in various Anestos [unknown]

orchestras before establishing his own in 1929, Minstrel Man (1944)

12

Animals

Animals

Place” * Tonite Let’s All Make Love in London (1967) Eric Burdon (Walker-on-Tyne, England, 1941–)

[documentary] “When I Was Young” * Monterey (vocals); Alan Price (keyboard); Charles Chan-Pop (1969) [documentary] “Paint It Black”

dler (1939?–1996) (bassist); John Steel; Hilton Valentine; Dave Rowberry (1941?–2003) (key-Anita Kerr Singers
board)

Anita Kerr (Anita Grilli, Memphis, Tennessee, One of the greatest bands to come to the 1927–); Dottie Dillard (alto); Gil Wright (tenor); shores of America in the wake of the British In-Louis Nunley (baritone)

vasion were the Animals whose recording of Country singer Anita Kerr founded an ensem-

“The House of the Rising Sun” became an en-ble that proved very popular as back-up singers during classic. Other big hits were “We’ve Gotta for many country artists in the 1950s and ’60s.

Get Out of this Place” and “Don’t Let Me Be It is estimated that they were heard on hundreds Misunderstood.”

of recordings and they also appeared much on They had begun as the Alan Price Combo and television, including the Arthur Godfrey and became the Animals about 1964 with the arrival Smothers Brothers’ shows. She also was a music of lead singer Eric Burdon. Hearing his passion-arranger and composer of scores for television ately raw voice, seemingly almost untrained, was and movies.

a powerful experience. Besides the films in When an entirely reconstituted group re-which the Animals appeared together, Burdon corded with pop poet Rod McKuen they were played solo parts in the 1970s and ’80s. After dubbed the San Sebastian Strings and Singers.

the Animals disbanded in 1966 he formed the They also bore other names like Anita and the So bands Fire Department, War, and the Eric Bur-and So’s, under which handle they recorded the don Band.

rock song “Joey Baby,” and were known as the Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) * “Blue Feel-Little Dippers for “Forever.”

ing” and “Around and Around” * Pop Gear (1965) At times the Anita Kerr Singers numbered as

[documentary] “House of the Rising Sun” and many as eight performers. Their own records

“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” * Go-Go Big were a mix of popular, gospel and “golden” clas-Beat (1965) [documentary] “Baby Let Me Take sic tunes and they issued numerous albums, ul-You Home” * Go-Go Mania (1965) * It’s a Bikini timately winning two Grammys. Kerr herself is World (1967) “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This credited with being one of the progenitors of the so-called Nashville Sound.

Country Music on Broad-
way (1964) [documentary]

Anson Weeks and

His Orchestra

Anson Weeks (Oakland,

California, 1896–1969)

“Come dancin’ with

Anson” was Anson Weeks’

snappy tagline; his theme
song, “I’m Writing You

This Little Melody.” He
had formed his dance or-
chestra in 1924 and re-
mained the house band-
leader at San Francisco’s
fashionable Mark Hopkins

Hotel for several years into
the mid–1930s. The or-

The Animals. Eric Burdon, second from right.

chestra’s shows there were

Artie 13
broadcast on local radio; it was not long before Phoenix, Arizona. This rather unique beginning they got a national radio show as well.

led to radio where the members assumed nick-Moving to New York sometime in the 1930s, names like Slicker, Hungry, Sleepy, Iron Tail, the orchestra established itself at the tony St.

Nubbins and Dynamite.

Regis Hotel. After being injured in an accident, Their real names were not publicized. Hulk-Weeks could only lead a band sporadically in the ing Glenn Strange, who later became a charac-1940s, mainly in San Francisco, and gave it up alter actor with such roles as Frankenstein’s mon-together in the post–War period.

ster and a stint on television’s Gunsmoke to his Anson Weeks ultimately returned with smaller credit, was, not unexpectedly, dubbed Pee Wee.

groups and was still working with a combo in The band had originally been known as the 1960s, albeit at venues far removed from

“Sheriff ” Loyal Underwood and His Arizona those of his glory days. Among his alumni were Wranglers during the late ’20s and early ’30s.

several who later became famous in their own With shifting membership, the Wranglers were right: Dale Evans, Tony Martin, Bob Crosby and also variously called the Range Ranglers, the the inimitable Xavier Cugat.

Singing Constables, the Wranglers, the Radio Melody Parade (1943) * The Big Show-Off Buckaroos and perhaps other names as well.

(1945) * Rhythm Inn (1951) Stormy (1935) * Cyclone of the Saddle (1935)

“Goin’ Home,” “The Old Wagon Train,” “There’s Anthony, Ray see Ray Anthony...

No Place Like Home” and “Range Riders” * His Fighting Blood (1935) * The Law of 45’s (1935) *

Ape Men see Sam and the Ape Men Lawless Range (1935) * Westward Ho (1935) Armstrong, Louis see Louis Apollon, Dave see Dave Apollon and Armstrong...

His Orchestra

Arnall, Red see Red Arnall and the Appel, Dave see Dave Appel and the Western Aces

Applejacks

Arnaz, Desi see Desi Arnaz and His Applejacks see Dave Appel and the Orchestra

Applejacks

Arnheim, Gus see Gus Arnheim...

Arcaraz, Luis see Luis Arcaraz and His Orchestra

Art Davis and His Rhythm Riders Art Davis (Audrey Davis, Texas, 1913–1987); Ace Arias, Jose see Jose Arias...

Dehne (guitar); Gene Haas; Rusty Cline (bassist); Tony Fiore (accordion)

Arizona Wranglers; Range Ranglers; Besides the feature film the Riders made a muSinging Constables; Wranglers
sical short, and Art Davis appeared as a solo performer in numerous “B” oaters.

Hungry ( Joe Ivins or Ivans) (mandolin); Iron The Texas Marshal (1941)

Tail (Charles Hunter) (banjo); Dynamite (Len Dossey) (fiddle); Nubbins ( J. E. Patterson) (gui-Art West and His Sunset Riders
tar); Slicker (Laverne Costello) (banjo); Sleepy (Calvin Short) (harmonica); Loyal Underwood; Over the Santa Fe Trail (1947) Pee Wee (Glenn Strange, Weed, New Mexico, 1899–1973); Jack Kirk; Jack Jones; Chuck Bal-Artie Shaw and His Band
dra; Curtis McPeters; Ace Spriggins Artie Shaw (Arthur or Abraham Arshawsky, New The three men who were to form the Arizona York, New York, 1910–2004)

Wranglers first came together as part of a band Clarinetist Artie Shaw was indisputably one sponsored by the XXX Rootbeer Drive-in in of the greats of swing music. As a teenager he

14

Artie
was already playing tenor sax in orchestras before Astronauts
switching to the clarinet, the instrument that Rich Fifield (guitar); Bob Demmon (guitar); made him a legend. In the mid–’30s he formed Dennis Lindsey (guitar); Jon Patterson (bassist); a string quartet that played his own composi-Jim Gallagher; Steve Douglas (Steve Kreisman) tions; the use of strings in a swing ensemble (saxophone)

caused a sensation.

Formed in the Boulder, Colorado area as the In 1936 he formed his first small band, then Stormtroopers about 1959, the Astronauts as-subsequently a big band that had its first major sumed their final name in 1962. They were a surf hit with “Begin the Beguine.” This recording is band in the style of the Beach Boys. Their only among the biggest-selling of all time. Other hits real hit was “Baja,” but there were eight albums were “Frenesi,” “Indian Love Call,” “’S’wonder-issued from 1963 to ’65.

ful” and “What Is This Thing Called Love?”

Surf Party (1964) * “Fire Water” and “Surf In an era when bandleaders were expected to Party” * Wild on the Beach (1965) “Rock This connect with their audiences, Shaw was touted World,” “Little Speedy Gonzalez,” “Snap It” and as an intellectual and was considered something

“Pyramid Stomp” * Out of Sight (1966) “Baby, of an aloof snob. He openly disdained his fellow Please Don’t Go” * Wild Wild Winter (1966) “A musicians for their lack of interests outside of Change of Heart”

music. “I’m cursed with serious-mindedness,”

he lamented. He also complained “I’m unhappy in the music business. Maybe I don’t even belong Atkins, Tommy see Tommy Atkins in it ... for me the business part plain stinks.”

Sextet

Because of his dislike of being in the public gaze, Artie Shaw kept disbanding and re-starting Atlanta Stone Mountain Choir
bands, a pattern that went on into the 1980s. (At Stars and Stripes Forever (1952) some point his theme song was the tellingly-titled “Nightmare.”) His interest in classical music Avalon Boys
grew and he often appeared with symphony orchestras. He also satisfied his desire to be a Chill Wills (1902–1978) (bass); Art Green; Wal-writer, something that seemed to be his ultimate ter Trask; Don Brookins
goal in life. (One of his works of fiction was enLed by deep-voiced Chill Wills, who went on titled I Love You, I Hate You, Drop Dead! ) to have a noted career as a character actor, the At times, Artie Shaw was as much publicized Avalon Boys were a popular quartet in the 1930s.

for his chaotic personal life (several non-lasting They are without doubt best remembered for marriages with glamorous actresses like Ava appearing with Laurel and Hardy in the classic Gardner, Evelyn Keyes and Lana Turner) and western spoof Way Out West, in which the com-acerbic personality (he said his epitaph should edy duo did a charming dance to one of their read “Go away”) as for his great musicianship.

tunes.

His celebrity always seemed a burden to him, It’s a Gift (1934) * Bar 20 Rides Again (1935) but in spite of his efforts to escape it he never

* Anything Goes (1936) * Call of the Prairie (1936) could. A 1985 documentary Artie Shaw: Time Is

* Nobody’s Baby (1937) * Hideaway Girl (1937) *

All You’ve Got was produced in Canada.

Way Out West (1937)

The Dancing Co-Ed (1939) * Second Chorus (1940) “Concerto for Clarinet” and “Frenesi”

Ayres, Mitch see Mitch Ayres and His Orchestra

Artie Sims and His Band

The Fight Never Ends (1948) Bachelors

Conleth Cluskey (1941–); Declan Cluskey Ascencio Del Rio Trio

(1942–); John Stokes (1940–)

Ofelia Ascencio; Sara Ascencio; Emmy Del Rio In 1957 three young Irish lads founded the Tropic Holiday (1938) * The Three Caballeros harmonica band the Harmonichords, later to be-

(1944) (voices only?)

come the Bachelors. They specialized in playing

Basin 15
really old sentimental tunes with girls’ names Bantams
from the 1920s and ’30s like “Ramona,” “Marie,”

Mike Kirchner (1954?–); Jeff Kirchner (1956?–);

“Charmaine” and “Diane” and somewhat newer—

Fritz Kirchner (1957?–)

but still sentimental — ones like “Chapel in the Dubbed the “Kid Beatles,” the Bantams re-Moonlight” and “I Believe.” Given their lovely leased a mid–1960s album that featured cover sound, all were recording hits. The original versions of popular Beatles tunes. Signed by group split in the 1980s and now there are two Warner Brothers to a five picture contract when trios touring as the Bachelors.

the oldest brother was only twelve, they were It’s All Over Town (1963) * I’ve Gotta Horse billed as “three pre-teens with a rocking sound (1965) * Disk-O-Tek Holiday (1966) “Teenage three times their size.” In their second film they Valentino,” “The Fox” and “Low in the Valley”

were billed as Mike, Jeff and Fritz Bantam.

The Cool Ones (1967) “I’m so Happy” * You’ve Ball, Kenny see Kenny Ball and His Got to Be Smart (1967)

Jazzmen

Barbarians

Ballew, Smith see Smith Ballew and Victor Moulton (drums)

the Sons of the Sage

A Cape Cod, Massachusetts, garage band, the Barbarians formed about 1963 and had a mild Band Without a Name see American hit with “Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?” They Revolution
may have stood out from other such groups because their drummer had only one hand and a Banda da Lua; Carmen Miranda Band hook on the other. Their song “Moulty” memorialized him before the group disbanded about Itelio Jordao; Osvaldo Moraes Eboli; Aloysio 1966.

Oliveira; Afonso Osorio; Stenio Osorio; Anibal The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary] “My Augusto Sardinha

Little Girl”

The colorfully-garbed band that accompanied

“Brazilian Bombshell” Carmen Miranda (1909–

Barber, Chris see Chris Barber...

1955) to the United States in the late 1930s was alternatively known as the Banda da Lua and the Carmen Miranda Band. The latter name was Barefield, Eddie see Eddie Barefield’s undoubtedly used to capitalize on the somewhat Trio
meteoric American rise of the performer, who had been a major star in Brazil.

Barnet, Charlie see Charlie Barnet Miranda first appeared on Broadway before and His Orchestra
making her American film debut in Down Argentine Way. Her colorful (not to say garish) cos-Barra, Cappy see Cappy Barra...

tumes, garbled English and spirited singing and dancing made her a much-imitated star in early Barrett, Curt see Curt Barrett...

1940s 20th Century–Fox musicals. Her popularity — and therefore screen opportunities for the Banda da Lua — waned in the second half of Bar-Six Cowboys see Ray Whitley the decade.

and His Bar-Six Cowboys

Down Argentine Way (1940) * That Night in Rio (1941) * Springtime in the Rockies (1942) *

Basie, Count see Count Basie...

The Gang’s All Here (1943) * Greenwich Village (1944) * Something for the Boys (1944) * Nancy Basin Street Boys

Goes to Rio (1950)

Steve Gibson; Louis Dandridge; Joe Walls; Lloyd Mitchell; Pods Hollinsworth; George Thomp-Bangles
son; Perry Anderson; Sam Hutcherson The Hooked Generation (1968) There were two distinct groups called the

16

Beach

Basin Street Boys and the one formed in the Get Around” came one of the all-time greats, 1940s was probably the more memorable. How-

“Good Vibrations,” a groundbreaking song that ever, it was the earlier group which appeared in supposedly took Brian Wilson six months to per-motion pictures. They were apparently given fect.

their name by a bandleader who thought that Eventually the successfully reinvented Beach famous New Orleans landmark would give the Boys were touring and playing at venues like group cachet, even if they had no known connec-Carnegie Hall. From 1962 to 1981 they were only tion with that city.

off the pop charts for two years and in the late Also previously known as the Four Dots and

’80s came additional hits. Their golden image the Esquires, the Basin Street Boys began per-survived years of struggle and continues to shine.

forming in the 1930s. They apparently issued A documentary about their career, The Beach only a single record (the racy “Come John Boys: an American Band, came out in 1985 and Come”) but were featured in some animated they were the subject of a made-for-television shorts like Clean Pastures, a parody of the famous movie.

Green Pastures. Steve Gibson went on to found One Man’s Challenge (1962) “Surfin’ Safari” *
the well-known Redcaps.

The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

Top of the Town (1937) * The Duke Is Tops

“Surfin’ U.S.A.,” Surfer Girl” and other songs *

(1938)

The Girls on the Beach (1965) “The Girls on the Beach,” “Lonely Sea” and “Little Honda” * The Monkey’s Uncle (1965) “The Monkey’s Uncle” *

Beach Boys

Popcorn; an Audio/Visual Rock Thing (1969) Brian Wilson (Hawthorne, California, 1942–);

[documentary]

Dennis Wilson (Inglewood, California, 1944–

1983); Carl Wilson (1946–1998); Mike Love (Los Bead Game

Angeles, California, 1941–); Al Jardine (Alan Jardine, Lima, Ohio, 1942–); Bruce Johnston; The People Next Door (1970) “Sweet Medusa” and David Marks; Blondie Chaplin; Rick Fataar

“My Life in Review”

Bands come and go with astonishing rapidity but the Beach Boys will undoubtedly remain one Beale Street Boys
of the most iconic long after all the original Gus Cannon; Noah Lewis; Hosea Woods members have passed from the scene. Their mu-Probably founded in the 1920s, the Beale sical influence is still strong because they were Street Boys were a string/jug band that accom-able to evolve beyond their modest beginnings panied such greats as Fats Waller. One of the as a Southern California surf band. This is members wrote “Walk Right In,” much later largely due to the troubled genius of Brian, the popularized by the Rooftop Singers during the eldest Wilson brother and the driving force be-folk music era. There apparently have been a few hind their success.

bands with this name, including the doo wop Formed in 1961 by the three Wilson brothers, group that was popular in the late 1940s.

their cousin and a friend, the Beach Boys began The Gift of Gab (1934)

life as, variously, Kenny and the Cadets, Carl and the Passions and the Pendletones (after their clean cut image at the time). Early hits were typ-Beatles
ical surfing tunes like “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and Paul McCartney (Liverpool, England, 1942–)

“Surfin’ Safari” that seemed to perfectly capture (guitar); John Lennon (Liverpool, England, the fabled sun–drenched beach culture of the 1940–1980) (guitar); George Harrison (Liver-early and mid–1960s.

pool, England, 1943–2001) (guitar); Ringo Starr Songs such as “Little Deuce Coupe” and (Richard Starkey, Liverpool, England, 1940–)

“Fun, Fun, Fun” continued to reflect the tastes (drums)

of their largely teenage audiences. But the surf/

The group that started out as the Quarrymen beach movie craze was beginning to wane and and Johnny and the Moondogs, etc. was simply the Beach Boys music widened its appeal. After the biggest phenomenon in pop music history roaring successes like “Help Me Rhonda” and “I (although Elvis Presley fans might beg to differ).

Bee 17

They were a harbinger of the British Invasion, Beau Brummels
and are still considered one the greatest (as opSal Valentino (Sal Spampinato) (vocals); Ron El-posed to only the most popular) musical groups liott (guitar); Ron Meagher (bassist); John Pe-for their ever-maturing musicianship and, not tersen (drummer); Declan Mulligan (guitar) incidentally, showmanship.

One of the first San Francisco–based groups to

“Love Me Do” was only a minor hit on its in-find national success, the Beau Brummels had a troduction in England but a major one when it series of hits including “Laugh, Laugh,” “You debuted in the U.S. in early 1964. From there it Tell Me Why” and “Just a Little.” Many of their was immense fame and fortune for the so-called songs were written by guitarist Ron Elliott. Their

“mop tops” who dressed in tight Edwardian-style name supposedly came about as a homage to clothes and broadcast their insouciant opinions British music.

for all to hear. It did not hurt that John Lennon Founded in 1964, the Beau Brummels dis-and Paul McCartney were master songwriters as banded about four years later and have briefly well as performers. Early bubblegum-type hits reunited a few times. They issued several albums like “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Can’t and are considered a forerunner to the garage Buy Me Love” were succeeded in the later years bands of today. Their “Laugh, Laugh” was cho-of their collaboration by numerous more musi-sen by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of cally complex compositions.

the 500 greatest songs in R & R history.

The Beatles’ “Yesterday” is the most covered The Village of the Giants (1965) “Woman, song in history, with more than 3,000 different When It Comes to Your Love” * Wild, Wild recordings. It is estimated that sales of their Winter (1966) “Just Wait and See”

music, including tapes, CDs and albums (e.g., Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the White Album and Revolver) have sold more than one Bee Gees
billion copies. Their final live performance came Barry Gibb (Isle of Man, England, 1946–); Mau-in 1969 and McCartney, Harrison and Lennon rice Gibb (Isle of Man, England, 1949–2003); (murdered in 1980) went on to sterling careers of Robin Gibb (Isle of Man, England, 1949–) their own. Lennon often performed with his wife The three brothers Gibb (Maurice and Robin Yoko Ono, including in the Plastic Ono Band were fraternal twins) were among the major that appeared in the movie Sweet Toronto in 1970.

voices of disco music in the 1970s with their Their first movie A Hard Day’s Night, directed driving, falsetto-enhanced hits such as “Stayin’

by American Richard Lester, easily stands on its Alive” and “You Should Be Dancing.” They had own as a most worthy comedy film, and is ar-been recording since the early 1960s and had hits guably the best movie made by any pop group.

in Australia before transferring some of their Drummer Ringo Starr, cast as the comedian of popularity to America with recordings like “I the Beatles, went on to an acting career of his Started a Joke” and “Massachusetts.”

own and appeared in several American films as It was the sound track of the 1977 John Tra-a solo performer.

volta smash hit film Saturday Night Fever that A Hard Day’s Night (1964) “A Hard Day’s made them household words. The sound track Night,” “Can’t Buy Me Love” and several other album from that movie remains one of the best-songs * What’s Happening! The Beatles in the selling of all times with an estimated 40 million U.S.A. (1964) [documentary] * Pop Gear (1965) to date. Besides “Stayin’ Alive,” the singles

[documentary] “She Loves You” and “Twist and

“Night Fever” and “How Deep Is Your Love”

Shout”* Help! (1965) “Help!,” “Ticket to Ride”

rocketed to number one. They had an additional and several other songs * Yellow Submarine three more number one hits in short order.

(voices only) (1969) “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yellow Younger brother Andy Gibb (1958–1988) also Submarine,” “When I’m Sixty-Four” and many began a successful music career as a solo per-other songs * Let It Be (1970) [documentary] *
former.

The Day the Music Died (1977) [documentary]

The Gibbs were so associated with the disco phenomenon that after its inevitable demise they found themselves unable to fully transfer their vast popularity into other kinds of music. When

18

Belew

Maurice died it was decided that they would not Ben Bernie and Orchestra; Ben
continue on as the Bee Gees, although the two re-Bernie’s Lads
maining brothers have kept producing records.

Ben Bernie (Benjamin Anzelevitz, Bayonne, They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall New Jersey, 1894–1943)

of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Music Hall of With his well-known catchword “yowsah,”

Fame in 2001.

Ben Bernie was one of the few bandleaders with Popcorn; an Audio/Visual Rock Thing (1969) film roles big enough so that his characters had

[documentary]

screen names other than his own. This was in part due to his expansive personality and gift for Belew Twins
comedy. Known as the “Old Maestro,” he had Bobby Belew; Benny Belew
one of the top bands of the ’20s and early 1930s Playing hillbilly-type music from an early age, with its theme songs “It’s a Lonesome Old Town”

the Belew Twins had their own television show and “Au Revoir, Pleasant Dreams.”

that featured western music. They were some-Bernie had been in vaudeville in the 1910s be-what imitative of the Everly Brothers.

fore starting the band about 1922. It began as Rock Baby, Rock It! (1957) “Hot Rock,” “Lone-somewhat of a jazz ensemble and segued into the some” and “Love Me Baby”

sweet band that enabled it to play at a posh New York hotel for a six year engagement. As a singer Bell, Frankie see Frankie Bell and the he was a proponent of the talk song: usually 7⁄8

Bellboys
talking and perhaps 1⁄8 singing. For publicity he and ex-vaudevillian columnist Walter Winchell Bell Boys see Jimmy Wakely...

engaged in a long-running “feud” which they carried into radio and the movies.

Shoot the Works (1934) * Wake Up and Live Bell Sisters

(1937) * Love and Hisses (1937) Cynthia Strother (1935–); Kay Strother (1940–) The Strother sisters were discovered on an Ben Carter Choir; Ben Carter’s
early ’50s television talent show when Cynthia Colored Octette
was sixteen and Kay a mere eleven. They performed a song that Cynthia had written, titled Ben Carter (Benjamin Carter, Jr., Fairfield, Iowa,

“Bermuda,” and both they and it became hits; the 1911–1946)

song sold more than one million copies. Adopt-Originally a talent agent for African-American ing Bell, their mother’s maiden name, for their actors, Ben Carter found himself in demand for act, the girls had follow-up hits that included solo character roles in such 1930s–’40s films as

“Wheel of Fortune” and “Hambone.”

Little Old New York, Gone With the Wind, Mary-The winsome duo, who sometimes sang a land and Chad Hanna.

cappella, appeared with many of the famous Kentucky Blue Streak (1935) * Mr. Big (1943) singers of the day (Perry Como, Rosemary

* Stars on Parade (1944) * Dixie Jamboree (1944) Clooney, Bing Crosby, Mel Tormé and Frank

* This Is the Life (1944)

Sinatra) on radio, and Bob Hope on television.

They toured extensively; at age thirteen Kay was Bender and Daum [unknown]

said to be youngest person ever to have gone on It All Came True (1940)

a USO tour (to Korea). Their careers peaked in the mid–’50s as they grew up but they continued Benny Carter and His Band
to perform into the next decade.

Those Redheads from Seattle (1953) * Cruisin’

Benny Carter (Bennett Carter, New York, New Down the River (1953)

York, 1907–2003)

Equally at home on the trumpet, clarinet and saxophone, Benny Carter was one of the out-Bellboys see Frankie Bell and the standing talents of the Big Band era. He was also Bellboys
the composer of such jazz standards as “When Lights Are Low” and “Blues in My Heart.” As a

Benny 19
teenager he had already been playing with some Teddy Wilson) playing alongside their white col-top African-American bands, including those of leagues. Although he can be credited with doing Earl Hines and Fletcher Henderson.

many positive things for band members, who Carter formed his own big band in the early included Bunny Berigan and Gene Krupa, he 1930s but disbanded it a couple of years later and was also a martinet whose glare of dissatisfaction then toured in Europe which welcomed him as (dubbed the “Goodman ray”) could inspire tera great exponent of the American jazz so loved ror.

over there. His enduringly successful band was The band, whose theme songs included “Let’s started in 1938 and eventually contained sideDance” and “Don’t Be That Way,” continued to men like Miles Davis, before disbanding in 1946.

go from triumph to triumph with their popular

“Melancholy Lullaby” was its theme song.

radio show and a spate of hit recordings such as Some years later Benny Carter pared his or-the legendary “Sing, Sing, Sing” and “Stompin’

chestra down to a sextet and increasingly became at the Savoy.” Benny Goodman also turned with involved in working for Hollywood studios, and great success to classical music, recording several later television, as a much in-demand arranger.

clarinet works by Mozart and Weber, as well as He also worked for singers like Ella Fitzgerald, commissioning new works by Hindemith, Bar-Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. He contin-tok, Stravinsky and Copland.

ued to tour, off and on, into the latter 1980s.

Never one to rest on his laurels and rarely It was said of Benny Carter that “his playing satisfied, Goodman disbanded and re–formed is the rare combination of a ripened intellect and his orchestra even when it was at the height of a complete musical soul.” Dubbed “King” Carter popularity. The 1955 film The Benny Goodman by fellow musicians and still composing in his Story, starring Steve Allen, created new interest eighties, he was honored with many awards, in-in the maestro and he got his own television cluding a Grammy Lifetime Achievement show in the late 1950s. He continued to play into Award.

Thousands Cheer (1944)

Benny Goodman and His Band;

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra; Benny Goodman Quartet

Benny Goodman (Benjamin Goodman, aka Beno Guttman, Chicago, Illinois, 1909–1986) With the possible exception of Glenn Miller there simply was no more famous swing bandleader than Benny Goodman, the “King of Swing.” His very name invokes that fabulous decade from the mid–1930s through the end of World War II: the Big Band Era. As a teenager, Benny Goodman and his clarinet were playing with the Ben Pollack orchestra and in the mid–

1930s he formed his own band.

By 1935 the Goodman orchestra was nationally famous with literally thousands of young people jostling to get into their theater appearances. But the notoriously ambitious and demanding Benny Goodman was not wholly satisfied and in 1938 he was booked into Carnegie Hall for a landmark concert.

Goodman also formed a trio and then a quartet which was one of the first to feature African-American musicians (Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman goes all out!

20

Bernard
the 1980s. Besides the movies he made with his civilization for a century or more, but after much band he also played some solo roles (e.g., 1948’s persuasion a few of them signed up with his sta-A Song Is Born), usually as “himself.”

tion. The resulting Beverly Hill Billies became The Big Broadcast of 1937 (1936) * Hollywood popular almost overnight and are considered the Hotel (1938) * The Powers Girl (1943) * The first Los Angeles–area country music group to Gang’s All Here (1943) * Stage Door Canteen have reached a wide audience. The act featured (1943) * Sweet and Low-Down (1944) comedy, singing and yodeling, and they had such recording hits as “Red River Valley,” “Cowboy Bernard Brothers [unknown]

Joe,” “The Big Corral” and “When the Bloom Is on the Sage.”

Panama Hattie (1942)

They were really a group of unaffiliated local musicians who had been playing for the movies, Bernie, Ben see Ben Bernie...

radio and area orchestras. After a couple of years with revolving membership, the group began Bernie Lowe and His Orchestra
drifting apart and at one point there were two Bernie Lowe (Bernard Lowenthal, Philadelphia, groups claiming to be the “original” Hill Billies.

Pennsylvania, 1917–1993)

One member founded his own band called, not Pianist Bernie Lowe had his own orchestra but unexpectedly, The Hollywood Hillbillies.

was also a noted record producer who mentored However, in one form or another they re-several leading rock-and-roll groups including mained popular through the 1930s and proved to the Dovells.

be influential with other western groups such as Cha-Cha-Cha Boom (1956)

The Sons of the Pioneers.

Although they had a brief revival in the Betty and Beverly [unknown]

mid–1940s, an effort to bring them back in the next decade failed. They made the news a final Casa Manana (1951)

time in 1963 when some of the former members sued the producers of the television hit The Bev-Beverly Hill Billies
erly Hillbillies for infringement of their name —

Elton Britt ( James Baker, Marshall, Arkansas, and won.

1913–1972) (harmonica and other instruments); Frontier Justice (1935) * Paradise Valley (1936) Gabe Hemmingway (Curt Barrett); Mirandy

* The Big Show (1936) * Meet the Boyfriend (1937) (Martha Bauersfeld, Springfield, Missouri);

* Tex Rides with the Boy Scouts (1937) * Rollin’

Hank Skillet (Henry Blaeholder) (fiddle); Jad Plains (1938)

Scraggins (Ashley Dees) (guitar); Dave Donner (Stuart Hamblen); Lem H. Giles, H.D. [i.e., Horse Doctor] (Aleth Hansen, Wisconsin); Zeke Big Brother and the Holding Company Craddock (Leo Mannes, San Francisco, Califor-Janis Joplin (Port Arthur, Texas, 1943–1970); nia) (accordion) Tom Murray (Chicago, Illi-Peter Albin (bassist); Travis Rivers; Sam Andrew nois(?)); Ezra Longnecker (Cyprian Paulette); Aside from its singer Janis Joplin, Big Brother Charlie Quirk (Charlie Slater, New York, New and the Holding Company was considered no York); Rudy Sooter; Tall Feller (Glen Rice) more than a run-of-the-mill San Francisco The establishment of the singing group the Bay–area rock band. But she was its vocalist and Beverly Hill Billies reads like something out of a her rawly passionate singing made them one of Hollywood press agent’s playbook, and could the hits of the now-legendary Monterey Interna-only have happened in that more naive age. In tional Pop Festival in 1967. Her style was de-1930 the ratings of a small radio station located scribed as “cosmic.”

near tony Beverly Hills, California needed a The Company’s big recordings included boost so one of the station executives claimed he

“Piece of My Heart” and “Ball and Chain.”

had stumbled upon a lost village of hillbillies Joplin left the group in 1968 to form the Full (complete with log cabins and a blacksmith) in Tilt Boogie Band and at her height of popular-the Malibu Mountains.

ity was pulling down $50,000 a performance.

They supposedly had been out of touch with She had the smash “Me and Bobby McGee” to

Billie 21
her credit before her almost foreseeable early Four Aces of Western Swing, had a radio show death from drug-related problems.

in Pennsylvania. Haley also worked as a disc Petulia (1968) “Road Block” * Monterey Pop jockey at the station.

(1969) [documentary] “Ball and Chain”

When a record producer thought of making the group a hillbilly band it was renamed Bill Big Sid Catlett see Sid Catlett...

Haley and His Saddlemen (or Saddle Pals). They began recording cover versions of Black rhythm-Bikini Sweethearts see Paul Hargett and-blues songs and hit it big with “Rock the and His Bikini Sweethearts

Joint.” (He later claimed to have given rock-and-roll its name.) Bill Haley and the Comets then came into being with such hits as “Crazy, Man, Bilk, Acker see Acker Bilk and His Crazy,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Dim, Dim Paramount Jazz Band
the Lights” and “Rock Around the Clock.”

The latter song was used under the opening Bill Black’s Combo
credits of the 1955 film The Blackboard Jungle Bill Black (Tennessee, 1926–1965)

and truly launched the rock-and-roll era. It sub-As an early exponent of rockabilly music, Bill sequently sold more than twenty million records.

Black teamed with guitarist Scotty Moore and an For a brief time the group found fantastic success unknown named Elvis Presley to form a trio in touring around the world, but soon others over-the mid–1950s. They issued a few recordings be-shadowed Haley, the much more charismatic fore Presley soared to worldwide success; Black Elvis Presley being foremost among them.

remained with him for a few more years.

Raspy-voiced Bill Haley, a rather homely, He struck out on his own in 1959 with a pudgy man, blind in one eye and with a trade-rhythm-and-blues trio, the Bill Black Combo, mark spit curl hairstyle was an unlikely candidate and scored an almost immediate hit with for film stardom. Although he did play “him-

“Smokie.” Several more chart favorites followed: self ” in a few pictures, he could only find much

“White Silver Sands,” “Josephine” and “Hearts work outside the U.S. in places like Mexico and of Stone.” The Combo also toured with the Bea-England, and the majority of his pictures were tles on their very first American tour, but after the made abroad. The group played together founder’s death turned more to country music.

through the 1970s. It is estimated they had sold Teenage Millionaire (1961) at least 60 million records. Haley, without the Comets, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Bill Fleck and His Orchestra

Hall of Fame in 1997.

Rock Around the Clock (1956) * “Razzle Daz-Skybound (1935)

zle,” “See You Later, Alligator,” “Rudy’s Rock,”

“Rock Around the Clock” and other songs *

Bill Haley and His Comets

Don’t Knock the Rock (1956) “Calling All Bill Haley (William Haley, Highland Park, Mi-Comets,” “Hot Dog Buddy Buddy,” “Rip It Up”

chigan, 1925–1981); Frank Beecher; Joey D’Am-and “Hook, Line and Sinker” * Hier Bin Ich —
brosia (tenor sax); Greg Driscoll; John Grande Hier Bleib’ich (Germany) (1958) * Besito a Papa (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1930?–2006) (gui-

(Mexico) (1960) * Juventud Rebelde (Mexico) tar); Dave Holly; Ralph Jones (drums); John (1961) * A Ritmo de Twist (Mexico) (1962) * The Kay; Jim Lebak; Marshall Lytle (bassist); Steve London Rock and Roll Show (1973) [documen-Murray; Ray Parsons; Rudy Pompilli (tenor sax); tary] * Let the Good Times Roll (1973) [documen-Al Rex (bassist); Dick Richards, (drums); Pete tary] * Blue Suede Shoes (1980) [documentary]

Spencer; Jerry Tilley; Bill Williamson (guitar) Now lauded as the “Father of Rock-and-Bill Thompson Singers

Roll,” guitarist Bill Haley was one of the first The Big Beat (1958)

musicians to synthesize rhythm-and-blues, western swing, and hillbilly music into a sound that captured a white, teenage audience. One of his Billie and Blue [unknown]

first groups was the Down Homers; another, the Wild Wheels (1969)

22

Billy

Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas Billy May and Orchestra

Billy J. Kramer (William Ashton, Liverpool, En-Billy May (E. William May, Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-gland, 1943–); Ray Jones; Tony Bookbinder; vania, 1916–2004)

Mike Maxfield; Pete Maclaine; Robin MacDon-Famous as an arranger, composer and con-ald
ductor, Billy May did not have his own band With a string of hits in the mid–1960s, the until the 1950s, one of its hits being “In a Persian British group Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas Market.” Its theme song was the interestingly-was, for a brief while, one of the major bands in named “Lean Baby.” As early as 1938, he had the British Invasion. The Dakotas had evolved via played trumpet in Charlie Barnet’s band and the names Billy Ford and the Phantoms and Billy then appeared with Glenn Miller. His arrange-Kramer and the Coasters. It no doubt helped ment of the classic Ray Noble tune “Cherokee”

immensely that most of their hits were written by is considered seminal, and he also arranged for Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney, gen-such bandleaders as Ozzie Nelson and Phil Har-erally songs that the Beatles did not themselves ris.

wish to record.

Among the May orchestra’s musical signatures The Dakotas also covered some early Beatles’

was the use of various trumpet mutes and the hits, but their most successful recordings in-

“slurping saxes,” utilizing a glissando sound. He cluded the catchy “Little Children,” “Do You also worked with singers like Bing Crosby, Want to Know a Secret?,” “Bad to Me,” “Planes Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ella Fitz-and Boats and Trains” and “From a Window.” By gerald, produced some sixty albums for Colum-early 1966 the hits had stopped coming and the bia Records and wrote the scores for several group disbanded within year or so. A new Dako-Frank Sinatra films. Afterwards his work was tas re-formed in the 1980s.

heard on several television series, including The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

Naked City.

“Little Children,” “From a Window” and other Nightmare (1956)

songs * Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “Little Children” * Primitive London (1965) [documen-Biltmore Quartet; Biltmore Trio tary]

Eddie Bush; Paul Gibbons; Bill Seckler; Ches Kirkpartick

Billy Lee’s Band

Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929) * Words and Billy Lee (William Schlensker, Nelson, Indiana, Music (1929)

1929–1989)

A show business veteran at a very young age, Bing Crosby and His Rhythm Boys Billy Lee had been on Chicago radio at the age Bing Crosby (Harry Crosby, Tacoma, Washing-of three. Trained at the ubiquitous Meglin Pro-ton, 1903–1977) (vocals); Al Rinker (1907–1982) fessional School for talented kids (or perhaps for (vocals); Harry Barris (1905–1962) (vocals/
children of hard-driving stage mothers), he was piano)

soon put into movies. After an appearance in an Bing Crosby and Al Rinker were in a college Our Gang short, he went into features in 1934
jazz band and vaudeville together before being just in time to help put over the popular song teamed with Harry Barris when they joined Paul

“Wagon Wheels” in the western of the same Whiteman’s orchestra as vocalists. Barris was a name.

talented songwriter who penned the standard Lee had played the drums in a movie and in

“Mississippi Mud” among other tunes. The a later film he played with “his” band. It is pos-Rhythm Boys were largely a creation of White-sible that he did indeed have a viable band, but man’s for his film King of Jazz. Crosby, the am-also possible that it was just a bunch of young-bitious crooner, soon became the dominant sters thrown together by the studio. Before he member of the group.

“retired” from the movies (i.e., grew up) in 1943, After being fired by Whiteman, probably behis best known role had been in The Biscuit Eater cause of Bing’s drinking and devil-may-care at-

(1941).

titude toward his work, the Rhythm Boys joined Reg’lar Fellers (1941)

Gus Arnheim’s band. It was not long before

Blue 23

Crosby began soloing more and more and re-Blackwood Brothers
leased his first hit record “I Surrender Dear.” He Doyle Blackwood (Ackerman, Mississippi, did not long remain a member of the Rhythm 1911–); James Blackwood (Ackerman, Missis-Boys, which soon broke up, and set out on a solo sippi, 1919–2002); R. W. Blackwood (Ackerman, career that ultimately made him one of the Mississippi, 1921–1954); Roy Blackwood (Fen-world’s most popular singers (the prototypical tress, Mississippi, 1900–1971); Bill Shaw; Bill

“crooner”) and actors.

Lyles; Jackie Marshall; Cecil Blackwood; J. D.

His movie career began in a low key with a Sumner
series of Mack Sennett shorts, in one of which his Originally consisting of three brothers and theme song “When the Blue of the Night Meets one of their teenage sons, the Mississippi-born the Gold of the Day” was featured. Barris also Blackwood Brothers began singing their gospel had a film career, mostly in bit roles in more than songs at the height of the Great Depression. In fifty movies, playing the piano in nightclub the next decade they were fixtures on the radio scenes. Rinker, as well, found a satisfying career and recorded extensively, one of their successes as a solo performer.

being “Learning to Lean.”

King of Jazz (1930) * Confessions of a Co-Ed A favorite group of Elvis Presley’s, the Black-

(1931)

woods were frequent guest stars on the television shows of many country singers, as well as Birdwatchers

Hee Haw and Grand Ole Opry. They are said to Sammy Hall
have released some 200 albums, won several The unprepossessingly-named Birdwatchers Grammy Awards and were inducted into the were a Miami-based pop band that was most ac-Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998. The Broth-tive in the mid–1960s. They really never scored ers also organized the first National Quartet any big hits but had mild success with “I’m Convention in the mid–1950s.

Gonna Love You Anyway” and “Girl I Got News Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-for You.”

mentary]

The Wild Rebels (1967) “Can I Do It?”

Blake, Eubie see Eubie Blake and His Bit ’A Sweet

Orchestra

“Out of Sight, Out of Mind” was the one hit of the New York City garage band Bit ’A Sweet, Blenders [unknown]

and they did an album as well before themselves It Can’t Last Forever (1937) fading “out of sight.”

Blonde on a Bum Trip (1968) “Is It on, Is It Blockbusters

Off?” and “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”

Carnival Rock (1957) “Carnival Rock” * Rock All Night (1957)

Black, Bill see Bill Black’s Combo Blue Caps see Gene Vincent and the Black Knights

Blue Caps

Ken Griffiths (guitar); Bill Kenny (bass guitar); Alan Shroeder (drums)

Blue Ridge Mountain Folks see

One of the many pop groups that briefly Callahan Brothers and Their Blue flourished in England at the time of the Beatles, Ridge Mountain Folks
the Black Knights’ career was jump-started by their appearance in Gerry and the Pacemakers’

Ferry Cross the Mersey. It led to a record con-Blue Ridge Quartet(te)

tract —“I Gotta Woman” was their biggest suc-Elmo Fagg; Bill Crowe; Freddie Daniels; Burl cess — and some touring in Europe but the band Strevel; Ed Sprouse; Kenny Gates; George broke up within a short time.

Younce

Ferry Cross the Mersey (1965) “I Gotta Woman”

The Southern gospel ensemble Blue Ridge

24

Bluettes

Quartet had an impressive thirty plus–year run, recording from the mid–1940s to the ’80s, during which time their tagline was the not-too-ex-aggerated “The Sweetest Sound This Side of Heaven.” In later years they added country music to their repertoire and were said to have made more than 100 albums.

Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [documentary]

Bluettes [unknown]

Okay America (1932)

Bob Crosby and His Band; Bob Crosby and His Bobcats; Bob Crosby and His Orchestra; Bob Crosby’s Orchestra Bob Crosby (George Crosby, Spokane, Washington, 1913–1993)

A genial singer who was destined to often languish in the shadow of his older brother Bing, Bob Crosby was more a front man for his band Bob Crosby (with actress Janet Blair) about 1947.

than the actual leader. His first band, with many as well as playing supporting roles, and worked sidemen from New Orleans, played mostly Dix-in radio and television, including in Australia.

ieland and helped to popularize it. Formed on the The youngest of the five Crosby brothers did his bones of the Ben Pollack orchestra about 1935, family no discredit.

it was unobtrusively led by one of the saxophone Let’s Make Music (1941) * Sis Hopkins (1941) *
players. Crosby had sung with Anson Weeks and Reveille with Beverly (1943) * Presenting Lily Mars the Dorsey brothers previously.

(1943) * Thousands Cheer (1944) * Pardon My The band’s vocal group the Bob-o-Links con-Rhythm (1944) * When You’re Smiling (1950) *
tained at one time or another such rising stars as Two Tickets to Broadway (1951) * Road to Bali Doris Day, Kay Starr and Gloria De Haven. An-

(1952) * Senior Prom (1958) other of its subgroups was the Bobcats, an eight member ensemble. Hit recordings included

“Muskrat Ramble,” “Pagan Love Song,” “South Bob Luman and the Shadows

Rampart Street Parade” and “Big Noise from Bob Luman (Nacogdoches or Black Jack, Texas, Winnetka.” The standard “Summertime” was its 1937–1978)

theme song.

Country/rockabilly singer and guitarist Bob Although Bob Crosby described himself as the Luman was a regular on the Louisiana Hayride

“only guy in show business who made it without program but had little success with his record-talent,” he did have a pleasant if not memorable ings. In the late 1950s he even considered ac-singing voice. (A critic once said his voice had a cepting a contract to play baseball with the Pitts-tremolo wide enough to drive a Mack Truck burgh Pirates before finally getting on the through.) His personality, which resembled country charts with “Let’s Think About Living”

brother Bing’s but was said to be more genuine, and “The Great Snowman.”

was certainly easy to take and by all accounts he After joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, was genuinely well-liked.

however, Luman did have a string of record hits For a man “without talent” Crosby’s career and did much touring, apparently being the first was a long and varied one. He fronted bands country singer to play in Puerto Rico. He also from 1935 to 1942 and then again sporadically had a solo role in at least one film, The Nashville from 1951 into the 1980s. He starred in the title Sound. His music seemed to be evolving closer to role of the “B” programmer The Singing Sheriff, a rock style by the time of his early death.

Bob 25

Carnival Rock (1957) “This Is the Night” and mier exponent of jazz and Dixieland. He formed

“All Night Long”

his own group the Frisco Jazz Band in 1949 that was a driving force in the revival of Dixieland Bob Mitchell Boys Choir; Robert B.

music.

Mitchell and His St. Brendan’s Boys Living Venus (1961)

Choir; St. Brendan’s Boys Choir Robert Mitchell (1912–)

Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Robert Mitchell began playing the organ for Bob Wills ( James or Jim Bob Wills, Kosse, silent movies in the mid–1920s and was still at it Texas, 1905–1975) (fiddle/mandolin); Tommy some eighty years later in movie revival houses.

Duncan (Hillsboro, Texas, 1911–1967) (lead He had been a professional musician from age singer); Alton Stricklin (piano); William McAu-twelve. The choir for which he became famous liffe (Houston, Texas, 1917–1988) (guitar); Johnny was founded at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Lee Wills; June Whalin; Kermit Whalin; Everett Los Angeles in 1935 and began making films the Stover; O. W. Mayo (Mississippi, 1901–); Wayne next year under the name of the St. Brendan’s Johnson; Harley Huggins; Joe Hilly; Jesse Ash-Boys Choir.

lock; Luke Wills; Cotton Thompson; Eldon The Choir’s members were usually from ten to Shamblin (guitar)

fifteen years of age and were seen in so many After performing in a medicine/minstrel show motion pictures, from musicals to westerns, that (in blackface), Bob Wills formed his own fiddle at times they seemed to be ubiquitous. Their band in 1930 and appeared on radio, eventually most famous appearance was probably in Going becoming a part of the western ensemble the My Way, the Academy Award–winning movie of Light Crust Doughboys, named for the show’s 1944. A 1941 short in which they appeared, 40
sponsor the Burrus Light Crust Flour Company.

Boys and a Song, was nominated for its own Wills and Tommy Duncan, also a Doughboy, Oscar.

left in 1933 to establish the Playboys (later the As recently as 1994, the Choir was heard on the Texas Playboys) in Oklahoma where they contin-soundtrack for the remake of Miracle on 34th ued to broadcast for several years.

Street. During its long tenure the size of the Bob Wills (dubbed the “Daddy of Western group varied from five to twenty members, and Swing”) did not want his group to be another among its alumni were boys who later became hillbilly band so he strove for a certain sophisti-members of groups such as The Lettermen and cation in their music and dress, which was their The Sandpipers.

version of cowboy attire. He added a horn, That Girl from Paris (1936) * The Frontiers-drums and reed players to the group, something man (1938) * Carefree (1938) * College Swing unusual in a western band. They supposedly had (1938) * Everybody Sing (1938) * The Great Waltz over 3,000 songs in their repertoire and had (1938) * Love Affair (1939) * Blondie in Society some record hits that included “San Antonio (1941) * Meet John Doe (1941) * One Foot in Rose” and “Bubbles in My Beer.”

Heaven (1941) * Tortilla Flat (1942) * Joan of Paris After Wills’ Army discharge following World (1942) * Idaho (1943) * Good Luck, Mr. Yates War II he re-formed the Playboys, which by now (1943) * Sweet Rosie O’Grady (1943) * Christmas had as many as twenty-three members (later Holiday (1944) * Going My Way (1944) * Bells of downsized). They performed at the Grand Ole Rosarita (1945) * Song of Arizona (1946) * The Opry in the mid–1940s. Wills continued to tour Jolson Story (1947) * The Babe Ruth Story (1948) into the 1960s and finally disbanded the group in

* The Bishop’s Wife (1948) * A Connecticut Yan-1965. In 1968 he was recognized as being one of kee (1948) * Johnny Rocco (1958) the preeminent western performers by being voted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame Bob Scobey and His Band
in 1968 and the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Bob Scobey (Robert Scobey, Tucumcari, New Go West, Young Lady (1941) * The Lone Prairie Mexico, 1916–1963)

(1942) * A Tornado in the Saddle (1942) * Riders Trumpeter Bob Scobey played in many a of the Northwest Mounted (1942) * Saddles and dance band before establishing himself as a pre-Sagebrush (1943) * Silver City Raiders (1943) *

26

Bobby

The Vigilantes Ride (1944) * Wyoming Hurricane Bobby Harrison Trio

(1944) * The Last Horseman (1944) * Blazing the Varieties on Parade (1951) Western Trail (1945) * Lawless Empire (1945) *

Rhythm Round-Up (1945)

Bobby Ramos and His Band; Bobby Ramos and His Rhumba Band; Bobby Bobby Breen Quintet

Ramos Band

It is uncertain whether the Bobby Breen Quintet is related to the Canadian boy soprano Bobby Bobby Ramos was one of the first Latin Ameri-Breen (1927–) who was discovered by comedian can entertainers to have his own television show.

Eddie Cantor and dubbed the “Boy Shirley Tem-Suspense (1946) * Hit Parade of 1951 (1950) ple.” The curly-haired singer made a series of popular programmers, many for RKO, before Bobby Sherwood and His Orchestra announcing his “retirement” in 1939 when his Bobby Sherwood (Robert Sherwood, Indianapo-voice began to change. He made his final film lis, Indiana, 1911–1981)

in 1942 and attempted a nightclub comeback in Bobby Sherwood was perhaps the only real-life the 1950s.

bandleader who ever played a murderer in the Curse of the Voodoo (1965) movies, but this he did in the “B” film Campus Sleuth. He had begun his show business life as a Bobby Brooks Quartette; Bobby
banjo-playing child in his parent’s vaudeville act Brooks and the Cottonpicker
before going to Hollywood to become a studio Quartette
musician, arranger and composer. He also played piano, guitar, trumpet and trombone.

Top Man (1943) * South of Dixie (1944) * This Is Sherwood was an arranger with the big bands the Life (1944)

of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and Artie Shaw, as well as an accompanist to Bing Crosby. With his Bobby Duncan Troupe [unknown]

own big band from 1942 to ’49 Sherwood had Crime Without Passion (1934) hits like “The Elk’s Parade” (his theme song) and

“Moonlight Becomes You.”

Bobby Fuller Four

As the Big Band era wound down Bobby Sherwood parlayed his handsome looks and Bobby Fuller (Baytown, Texas, 1942–1966); warm personality into acting, appearing as a solo Randy Fuller; Jim Reese; DeWayne Quirico performer in a Broadway show and the movie The rollicking recording of “I Fought the Pal Joey, as well as being a radio disc jockey. He Law” is the only long-lasting legacy of Bobby was seen on the Milton Berle television show and Fuller and his band mates because the leader was made his final recordings in the mid–1950s.

already dead by the age of twenty-three. Their Campus Sleuth (1948)

music was a homage to that of rocker Buddy Holly and, in turn, the Fuller group was emulated by rock groups that succeeded them.

Bobby True Trio

Before their one big hit, the Four’s recording Bobby True (Robert True, 1916?–1998) of “Love Made a Fool of You” had been a minor The Bobby True Trio was formed following success but there were no others. The circum-World War II and lasted until True co-founded stances surrounding Bobby Fuller’s death were the popular 1950s music/comedy group the very murky at the time and interest in the case Vagabonds. Somewhat of a prodigy, he had lingered on, as demonstrated by the 1994 song begun his career at the age of sixteen playing the

“Who Killed Bobby Fuller?”

guitar in the MGM studio orchestra.

The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) “Sing-Ladies of the Chorus (1948) a-Ma-Thing” and “Make the Music Pretty”

Bobcats see Bob Crosby and His Bobby Hargreaves Orchestra

Bobcats; Eddie Miller and His

Underworld (1937)

Bobcats

Boswell 27

Bocheros

Borah Minevitch and His Gang;

Los Bocheros were Basque singers.

Borah Minevitch and His Harmonica Fiesta (1947)

Rascals; Borah Minevitch Rascals Borah Minevitch (aka Borrah Minnevitch) (Kiev, Bombadiers

Russia, 1902–1955); Jerry Murad ( Jerry Mura-The Bombadiers were a vocal group.

dian, Turkey, d. 1996); Johnny Puleo (1907–

Follow the Band (1943)

1983); Al Fiore (Al Fiorentino, 1923–1996); Richard Hayman; Leo Diamond

Dubbed “Little Boy Blew” for his expertise on Bon-Aires see Don Coats and the the harmonica, the antic Borah Minevitch Bon-Aires
founded the comedy musical group the Harmonica Rascals in the latter 1920s. They were Bond, Johnny see Johnny Bond and presumably the very first all-harmonica band, His Red River Valley Boys
and featured the diminutive (about 4' 6") but feisty Johnny Puleo as the mainspring of its onstage anarchy. The Harmonica Rascals’ success Booker T. and the MG’s
can be measured by the number of imitators that Booker T. Jones (1944–) (organ/piano); Steve followed but never topped them.

Cropper (guitar); Donald Dunn (bassist); Lewie Their physical shtick made the Harmonica Steinberg (bassist); Al Jackson (d. 1975) (drums); Rascals a natural for the movies and they made Isaac Hayes; Carson Whitsett; Willie Hall several features and shorts. Eventually the group The soul band Booker T. and the MG’s were began to break up; Jerry Murad and Al Fiore de-initially a Memphis back-up band before they parted the Rascals in the 1940s to found the Har-struck out on their own in 1962 with instrumen-monicats. Puleo did a solo act before later taking tal hits like “Green Onions.” Their MG’s name over the group as leader. Minevitch himself moved was adopted (or foisted upon them) at the time to France in 1947 and became a film producer.

when car names were all the rage among rock One in a Million (1937) * Love Under Fire groups.

(1938) * Rascals (1941) * Hit Parade of 1941 (1941) As proponents of so-called “Southern soul,”

* Always in My Heart (1942) * Tramp, Tramp, the MG’s continued backing top singers includ-Tramp (1942) * Top Man (1943) ing Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett while maintaining their own stardom. They appeared Boston Tea Party
at major festivals like Monterey Pop and released successful albums and singles, including “Time Scream Free (1969)

Is Tight” and “Melting Pot.”

Groups like the Beatles freely acknowledged Boswell Sisters
the influence that Booker T. and the MG’s had Connee Boswell (sometimes Connie) (Constance had on their music, but by the early ’70s the Boswell, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1907–1976); band was faltering. However, they re-formed Martha Boswell (New Orleans, Louisiana, 1908–
sporadically and continued to back artists like 1958); Vet Boswell (Helvetia Boswell, New Or-Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Cash.

leans, Louisiana, 1909–1988)

Booker T. and the MG’s were inducted into Following the pioneering Brox Sisters and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and preceding the iconic Andrews Sisters were the Booker was given a Grammy for lifetime Boswells, deservedly the most popular female achievement in 2007. The MG’s still remain ac-trio of the 1930s. They performed with many of tive to this day.

the leading bands and had some twenty hit Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary]

recordings before they disbanded for marriage in 1936. Following this the wheelchair-bound Boot-Heel Boys see Meredith Neal Connee continued a successful solo career with and the Boot-Heel Boys
recordings like “Bob White” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

28

Bowties

Boy’s Town A Cappella Choir

Boy’s Town (1938)

Brasil ’66 see Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66

Brattle Street East

Feelin’ Good (1966) “Don’t Hurt Me Again,” “The Way That I Need

You,” “Wicked Woman,” “Watch

Out Woman,” “Ute, Ute,” “It Isn’t

Right,” “I Beg Your Pardon” and

“Foolin’ Around”

Brazilian Turunas [unknown]

Flying Down to Rio (1933)

The Boswell Sisters with Bing Crosby, early 1930s.

The trio had begun recording in 1925, their Brazilians [unknown]

smooth jazz-inflected voices contributing to such A Song Is Born (1948)

big hits as “Dinah,” “Shout, Shout, Shout,”

“When I Take My Sugar to Tea,” “The Object of My Affection” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down Breakaways see Joe Brown and the and Write Myself a Letter.” They also did a lit-Breakaways
tle ditty called “Rock and Roll,” proving that this phrase was around long before it gained its Breen, Bobby see Bobby Breen Quintet current meaning.

Trained as classical singers, Connee, Vet and Martha Boswell had gone into vaudeville as Brewer Kids
teenagers and began singing in the style for The Brewer Kids were singers.

which they later became famous about the mid–

Rancho Grande (1940)

1920s. Radio helped to cement their reputation which took a big leap about 1930. Besides the movies in which they appeared together, Connee, Brewster Twins
who continued to perform until 1975, played a Barbara Brewster (Naomi Stevenson, Tucson, solo role in 1959’s Senior Prom. The Broadway Arizona, 1918–2005); Gloria Brewster (Ruth show Heebie Jeebies was based on their lives.

Stevenson, Tucson, Arizona, 1918–1996) The Big Broadcast (1932) “Crazy People” *

With some help from studio publicity flacks, Meet the Baron (1933)† * Moulin Rouge (1934) *
in the late 1930s the Brewsters were named the Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round (1934) most beautiful twins in America. After their

†Their appearance has not been confirmed.

movie career ended Barbara went on to perform on the New York stage in the 1940s.

Bowties see Cirino and the Bowties Wake Up and Live (1937) * Wife, Doctor and Nurse (1937) * Life Begins in College (1937)† *

Boyd Triplets [unknown]

Love and Hisses (1937) * Little Miss Broadway (1938) * Hold That Co-Ed (1938) * My Lucky Star Hands Across the Border (1944) * Smoky River Ser-

(1938) * Thanks for Everything (1938) * Elsa enade (1947) * Midnight Frolics (1949) Maxwell’s Hotel for Women (1939) * 20,000 Men a Year (1939)

Boy’s Choir of the St. Joseph’s School

†Their appearance in this film has not been Rancho Grande (1940)

confirmed.

Broome 29

Brian Poole and the Tremeloes

Britton, Frank and Milt see Frank Brian Poole (Barking, England, 1941–); Ricky and Milt Britton Band

West (guitar); Alan Blakely (guitar); Alan Howard (guitar); Dave Munden (drums) Britton, Milt see Milt Britton and The British group Brian Poole and the Treme-His Band
loes was formed in 1959. (“Tremeloes”— originally “Tremilos”— was their version of a syn-Bronco Busters see Buster Fite and onym for the musical term “vibrato.”) They were His Bronco Busters; Merle Travis and somewhat imitative of the Buddy Holly sound and entertained at U.S. bases in England. Early His Bronco Busters
in the 1960s they bested an equally obscure band named the Beatles in a contest.

Brook Brothers

The Tremeloes’ recordings were mainly covers Ricky Brook (Winchester, England, 1943–); Ge-of established hits like “Candy Man” and “Twist offrey Brook (Winchester, England, 1940–) and Shout,” as were their biggest U.K. successes In the 1950s and ’60s the Brook Brothers

“Do You Love Me?” and “Someone, Someone.”

found a modicum of success with covers of Brian Poole departed for an unsuccessful solo American songs, thus earning their reputation career in 1966; the band continued on for a while as the English Everly Brothers. They changed longer and scored a number one hit with “Si-their professional name to the Brooks toward the lence Is Golden.”

end of their careers.

Just for Fun (1963) “Keep on Dancin’” * Go-It’s Trad, Dad! (1962) “Double Trouble”

Go Big Beat (1965) [documentary] “Do You Love Me?” and “Someone”

Brooklyn Bridge

Brian Sisters

Johnny Maestro (lead singer); Fred Ferrara (baritone); Mike Gregorio (2nd tenor); Les Cauchi Betty Brian (Rexburg, Idaho, 1923–); Doris (1st tenor); Jim Macioce (guitar); Jim Rosica Brian (Pocatello, Idaho, 1926–); Gwen Brian (bassist); Shelly Davis (trumpet); Joe Ruvio (sax-

(Pocatello, Idaho, 1928–)

ophone); Artie Cantanzarita (drums) In the Shirley Temple era, when audiences Formed from a 1968 amalgamation of the were enthralled with cute child actors, the Brian groups the Del-Satins and the Rhythm Method, Sisters and their stage mother were determined the Long Island–based Brooklyn Bridge had a to make it in Hollywood. With their pleasant hit with “The Worst That Could Happen.”

harmonizing ability the girls did succeed for a They had a somewhat different sound from their few years on radio, in nightclubs, personal ap-contemporaries that sprang from the combina-pearances and in the movies.

tion of a pop band with a jazz ensemble.

Beginning with a 1936 “Our Gang” short they Although the Brooklyn Bridge recorded only appeared in films until the start of the next sporadically (and not at all for about ten years), decade (they later did soundtrack songs). The they met with mild success playing in such ven-Brians also made musical shorts and soundies, ues as the Radio City Music Hall. It was enough and, when they inevitably began to grow up, to keep the brand name going into the 1990s found radio to be the medium that sustained with a couple of the original members.

their careers. Two of the sisters later sang with Jan It’s Your Thing (1970) [documentary]

Garber’s orchestra.

Sing While You’re Able (1937) * New Faces of Brooks, Bobby see Bobby Brooks 1937 (1937) * Thanks for Listening (1937) * Sally, Irene and Mary (1938) * Kentucky Moonshine Quartette

(1938) * Little Miss Broadway (1938) * Second Fiddle (1939) * Love Affair (1939) * High School (1940) Broome Brothers

* Tin Pan Alley (1940) * Music in My Heart (1940) Lee Broome; Ray Broome

The Broome Brothers trio, a vocal group, ap-Bring, Lou see Lou Bring Orchestra peared on the radio and recorded during the

30

Brothers

1950s, as well as making personal appearances In the all-star MGM film Hollywood Revue of with such luminaries as Gene Autry, Roy 1929 they (and Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards) in-Rogers — and the Three Stooges.

troduced the classic “Singin’ in the Rain” to the Square Dance Jubilee (1949) * Kentucky Jubilee movies. The Paul Whiteman feature King of Jazz (1951)

saw them harmonizing with the Rhythm Boys featuring Bing Crosby. Besides their feature Brothers Four
films, they also made a few musical short subjects. In one, Hollywood Parade, they imitated Bob Flick (bassist); John Paine (guitar); Mike Marlene Dietrich singing “Falling in Love Kirkland (guitar/banjo); Dick Foley (guitar) Again.” They went their separate ways not too Part of the wave of clean-cut folk singers to long thereafter.

emerge in the 1950s, the Brothers Four were fra-Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929) “Singin’ in the ternity confreres who ultimately made more than Rain” * Spring Is Here (1930) * King of Jazz (1930) fifty albums over a forty-plus year career. They found success both in intimate clubs and on the college circuit. Their poignant hit “Green Fields”

Bruvvers see Joe Brown and the remains an anthem of the folksong period and Bruvvers
their “Green Leaves of Summer” was a hit in the next decade.

Hootenanny Hoot (1963)

Bryant, Jimmy see Jimmy Bryant and the Night Jumpers

Brown, James see James Brown and the Flames

Bryant, Marie see Marie Bryant Swing Band

Brown, Joe see Joe Brown...

Buccaneers

Brown, Les see Les Brown and His The Buccaneers were a group of eight singers.

Band

Here Comes Cookie (1935)

Brown Dots see Deek Watson and Buck and Chickie Eddy; Buck,
the Brown Dots

Chickie and Buck

Buck and Chickie Eddy were country/western Brownies Trio [unknown]

musicians.

The Loudspeaker (aka The Loud Speaker) (1934) Cowboy Canteen (1944) * Kentucky Jubilee (1951)

Brox Sisters

Buckaroo Band

Bobbe Brox (aka Dagmar Brox) ( Josephine Brock, Riverton, Iowa, 1901–1999); Lorayne Ride ’Em Cowboy (1942)

Brox (Eunice Brock, Memphis, Tennessee, 1900–

1993); Patricia Brox (Kathleen or Kathlyn Brock, Buckaroos see also Ken Maynard’s Winchester, Kentucky, 1906–1988)

Buckaroos

Perhaps somewhat (unfairly) overlooked to-From Nashville with Music (1969) [documen-day, the three Brox Sisters were probably the first tary]

great sister harmony trio, blazing the trail for those that followed with their jazz-inflected Buckner, Teddy see Teddy Buckner sound. The sisters appeared on Broadway several and His All-Stars
times, including various versions of the Music Box Revue, the Ziegfeld Follies and The Cocoanuts, a show with the Marx Brothers. They were said Buckner All-Stars see Teddy Buckner to be favorites of composer Irving Berlin.

and His All-Stars

Busse 31

Buddy Defranco Quartet Combo
much a part of his personality. He was known to Buddy DeFranco (Boniface DeFranco, Camden, be quite the martinet with his band members, New Jersey, 1923–); Buddy Bregman; Teddy but it was his caustic — some would say cruel —

Buckner; Pete Jolly
wit that made him a popular guest star on tele-Acclaimed as one of the leading jazz clar-vision.

inetists of all time, Buddy DeFranco played with How’s About It? (1943)

many big bands from a young age, including those of Gene Krupa, Ted Fio Rito and Tommy Buffalo Bills

Dorsey. In the 1940s he helped to popularize the Al Shea (lead); Vern Reed (tenor); Wayne Ward bebop style; in doing so he appeared with many (baritone); Bill Spangenberg (bass) (d. 1963); Bill famous Black musicians like Charlie Parker, Delfield (tenor); Ross Davis (baritone); Ralph Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.

Bone (bass)

DeFranco formed his own big band in the Integral to the success of the long-running 1950s and then a jazz quartet that is considered Broadway musical and subsequent film The to have been one of the finest such ensembles.

Music Man was a barbershop quartet, the Buffalo He toured extensively and was still a creative Bills. Their swoony rendition of “Lida Rose” was force as a great jazz improviser into the new cen-a high point of their roles as squabbling members tury.

of the school board in fabled River City, Iowa.

The Wild Party (1956)

Since 1945 Al Shea had sung on a Buffalo, New York radio show as part of a quartet; a cou-Buddy Rich and His Orchestra
ple of years later he formed the group that would become the Bills. They had achieved some suc-Buddy Rich (Bernard Rich, Brooklyn, New cess touring military bases and in barbershop York, 1917–1987)

competitions when Music Man composer Mere-Dubbed the “Fastest Drummer in the World,”

dith Willson heard them. The rest is (barber-Buddy Rich had become a professional drum-shop) history.

mer by the age of nineteen, but he had been in By the time the Buffalo Bills disbanded in vaudeville with his parents when he was a mere 1967, after numerous personnel changes, they eighteen months old. As a small child he also ap-had racked up such mind-boggling statistics as peared on Broadway; as “Baby Traps the Drum more than 1,500 performances on Broadway, al-Wonder” Rich’s ultimate career seemed to be most 700 radio programs, over 700 concerts and foreordained.

hundreds of nightclub, television, convention In the early 1930s he was touted to be the sec-and state fair appearances. They also produced ond highest-paid child “star” in the country after several albums of old favorites and were un-the winsome Jackie Coogan. He supposedly had doubtedly one of the famous barbershop groups his own band when he was eleven, but it was as of all time.

a sideman from 1937 that he played with such lu-The Music Man (1962)

minaries as Artie Shaw, Bunny Berigan and Tommy Dorsey. With some of these orchestras he appeared in film shorts and features.

Burnette, Johnny see Johnny At one time he was rumored to be the high-Burnette Trio
est paid sideman of all time, pulling down at least $1,500 a week when that was real money.

Burtnett, Earl see Earl Burtnett and But his (over?)confidence in his abilities proved Orchestra and Trio
a constant source of tension. In the 1940s Buddy Rich formed his own (adult) band and was ac-Burton Sisters
tive in one group or another till the time of his death. A showcase of his drumming style was his The Burton Sisters were singers.

theme song “Rain on the Roof.”

Monticello, Here We Come! (1950) Rich’s talent was widely acknowledged—especially by him — and he received many awards, Busse, Henry see Henry Busse and but his abrasiveness and arrogance were still very His Orchestra

32

Buster

Buster Fite and His Bronco Busters; Angeles, CA, 1941–) (guitar); Chris Hillman (Los Buster Fite and His Saddle Tramps Angeles or San Diego, California, 1944–) (bassist); Michael Clarke (Michael Dick, New York, Buster Fite; Jimmy Carroll (mandolin); Shorty New York, 1944–1994) (drums); Gram Parsons Scott (fiddle); Hi Busse (accordion) (Cecil Connor, Winterhaven, Florida, 1946–

Buster Fite and the Saddle Tramps began 1973) (keyboard); Kevin Kelley (drums) recording about 1937, the year of their film ap-From 1964 to 1972 the Byrds were one of the pearance.

most successful folk/rock bands in the world.

Roll Along Cowboy (1937)

They were leaders in playing such subgenres as space rock, raga rock, country rock and other Butera, Sam see Sam Butera and the

“hyphenated” forms of rock-and-roll. Among Witnesses
their smash hits were “Mr. Tambourine Man”

and “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” both of which were Butterfield, Paul see Paul Butterfield virtual anthems of the hippie era.

Blues Band

Originally dubbed the Jet Set, a name hardly compatible with their image, they renamed themselves just in time for their first recording Byrds
hit. Eventually they turned more to psychedelic Roger McGuinn (Chicago, Illinois, 1942–) (gui-music that included “Eight Miles High,” sup-tar); Gene Clark (Harold Clark, Tipton, Mis-posedly a drug song (which they denied).

souri, 1944–1991) (guitar); David Crosby, Los The Byrds’ increasing musical emphasis on the druggie culture led to a diminishing of their popularity
among more mainstream audi-
ences but hit albums, eleven in
all, kept coming. Two mem-
bers, Gram Parsons and Chris

Hillman, went on to the Fly-
ing Burrito Brothers.

The Big T.N.T. Show (1966)

[documentary] “Mr. Tam-
bourine Man,” “Turn! Turn!

Turn” and “The Bells of

Rhymney” * Stamping Ground

(1971) [documentary] “Old

Blue”

Cab Calloway and His

Band; Cab Calloway
and His Orchestra

Cab Calloway (Cabel Calloway

III, Rochester, New York,

1907–1994)

The immortalizer of “Min-
nie the Moocher” was the col-
orful, larger than life performer

(“hi-de-hi, hi-de-ho”) Cab

Calloway. With his distinctive
outfit of white (or yellow or
powder blue) zoot suit–style

The Byrds in their mop top days.

tie and tails, and pomaded hair

Cal 33
flying, he danced, scat sang and played the sax-supposedly the first to be named after an auto-ophone manically. (Sometimes he added a wide-mobile. During performances they were cos-brimmed hat to his ensemble.)

tumed in white jackets and black pants. Their As a musician he perhaps was not always ad-first record was “Gloria,” but they were basically mired by his peers who did not consider him to a one-hit wonder.

be a jazz purist. But Calloway was more than the That, however, was massive: 1955’s “Spee-sum of his parts; he simply was a consummate doo,” the nickname of group member Earl Car-entertainer who was rumored to have been the roll (“they often call me ‘Speedoo,’ but my real model for the character “Sportin’ Life” in George name is Mister Earl...”). At one point the Cadil-Gershwin’s Porg y and Bess.

lacs tried for a more sophisticated sound, hoping And he certainly could put a song over; besides to lure a wider audience. Finding little success

“Minnie” (his theme song) he popularized “St.

(they even did a version of “Rudolph the Red-James Infirmary,” “Kicking the Gong Around” (a Nosed Reindeer”) they reverted to their original reference to drug addiction) and the drug an-style.

them “Reefer Man.” Calloway’s first band was In 1957 the Cadillacs split into two groups but the Alabamians which he formed about 1929 and ultimately reunited only to divide again. “Peek-he led large groups until 1948 when he turned aboo” (1959) was the original group’s last suc-to smaller ensembles.

cess. None of its iterations had the modicum of Cab Calloway was a fixture at Harlem’s Cot-fame they had had in earlier years but the Cadil-ton Club in the 1930s and his orchestra was the lacs continued on to ride the crest of rock nos-first to integrate several formerly all-white clubs.

talgia to the 1990s.

Besides film appearances with his band, he was Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) “Please Mr. Johnson”

seen over the decades as a character actor in and “Jay Walker”

movies like The Cincinnati Kid and The Blues Brothers. He also appeared much on television Cal Shrum and His Rhythm Rangers; and wrote the Hepster’s Dictionary.

Cal Shrum’s Gang; Cal Shrum’s

The Big Broadcast (1932) * International House Rhythm Rangers; Cal Shrum’s

(1933) * The Singing Kid (1936) * Manhattan Rhythm Wranglers

Merry-Go-Round (1937) * Stormy Weather (1943)

* Sensations of 1945 (1944) * Hi-De-Ho (1947) Cal Shrum (Mountain Home, Arkansas, 1910–

1996)

Cabin Kids

After his professional debut at a Denver radio station, Cal Shrum eventually migrated to Hol-Ruth (1924?–); Helen (1925?–); James (1926?–); lywood where he appeared in some fifty “B”

Winifred (1929?–); Fred (1931?–)

westerns, mostly as a supporting solo performer.

The Cabin Kids was a very youthful singing Some of the movies also featured his brother group that appeared largely in comedy shorts, Walt and they made music together as well.

including the Our Gang series, musical shorts Shrum also made several pictures with his var-like Gifts in Rhythm and soundies ( Rhythm Saves ious musical groups and had a couple of the Day).

mid–’40s starring roles in oaters ( Swing, Cowboy, Mississippi (1935) * Hooray for Love (1935) *

Swing and Trouble at Melody Mesa). He also es-Round-Up Time in Texas (1937) * Git Along Lit-tablished his own record label.

tle Dogies (1937)

The Old Barn Dance (1938) * Scatterbrain (1940) * Rollin’ Home to Texas (1940) * Thunder Cadillacs

Over the Prairie (1941) * The Rangers Take Over Earl Carroll; Bobby Phillips; Lavern Drake; (1942) * Bad Men of Thunder Gap (1943) *

Johnny “Gus” Willingham; Earl Wade; James Swing, Cowboy, Swing (1946) * Trouble at Melody Clark; Charles Brooks; Cub Gaining Mesa (1947)

First known as the Carnations, the doo wop group that came to be the Cadillacs formed Cal Tjader Band; Cal Tjader Quintet about 1953. They were one of the first rock Cal Tjader (Callen Tjader, Jr., St. Louis, Mis-groups to emphasize choreography, and were souri, 1925–1982); Manuel Duran (piano); Car-

34

Caldwell
los Duran (bassist); Bayardo Velarde (percus-California Junior Symphony Orchestra sion); Edgardo Rosales (conga drum)

see Peter Meremblum Junior California A master of many instruments, including the Symphony Orchestra
vibraphone, bongo drums and piano, Cal Tjader (the name is Swedish) was a highly-respected Californians see Abe Lyman and His Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz musician. He was recognized in 1980 with a Grammy award for Californians; Rudy Sooter and His one of his many albums.

Californians

Tjader, a child of show business, began performing as a tap dancer at a young age and even-Callahan Brothers and Their Blue tually hooked up with a Dixieland band. In the Ridge Mountain Folks

1940s he was a member of Dave Brubeck’s octet Joe Callahan (Walter Callahan, Laurel, North and then part of a trio with Brubeck. Before Carolina); Bill Callahan (Homer Callahan, Lau-forming his own quintet he played with jazz pi-rel, North Carolina, 1912–1971)

anist George Shearing and so had had experi-The Callahans were a brother act that per-ence with some of the leading jazz greats.

formed blues and ballads in the 1930s and ’40s.

The mambo craze of the 1950s was a boon to Yodeling was part of their musical repertoire, one Tjader’s quintet and when it fizzled he formed of their hits being a double yodel version of “St.

several other small combos. His recording career Louis Blues.” They were professionally inactive hit its peak with the release of the album “Soul after 1951.

Sauce” that sold more than 100,000 copies in the Springtime in Texas (1945) mid–’60s, considered his greatest period. He is still looked on as one of the leading lights of his field.

Calloway, Cab see Cab Calloway...

The Big Beat (1958) * For Singles Only (1968) Calloway Sisters

Caldwell, Hank see Hank Caldwell Liz Calloway; Ann Calloway
and His Saddle Kings

Music City, U.S.A. (1966) [documentary]

California Collegians; Original Calypsomaniacs see Herb Jeffries’

California Collegians

Calypsomaniacs

Fred MacMurray (Kankakee, Illinois, 1908–1991) Veterans of vaudeville, the musicians and Calypsonians see Lord Flea singers of the California Collegians appeared on Calypsonians...; Mac Niles and

Broadway in several 1930s musicals, including the Calypsonians

Roberta and Fifty Million Frenchmen. One of their claims to fame now is that a young Fred Cameo Girls [unknown]

MacMurray, one day to be a major movie star, Linda, Be Good (1947)

was among their members.

It seems that they were neither really Californians nor college students, nor could any of them Canned Heat
read music after the one group member who did Alan Wilson (d. 1970) (harmonica); Bob Hite know how departed. The Californians drafted (d. 1981) (harmonica); Henry Vestine (d. 1997) unknown saxophone player MacMurray to help (guitar); Larry Taylor (bassist); Adolfo de la Parra them learn melodies by ear and to be a vocalist.

(drums); Frank Cook (drums)

He joined the ensemble for a while and then Founded about 1965 or ’66, Canned Heat (the went on to Hollywood and fame.

name derived from a 1920s recording of “Canned To Beat the Band (1935) * College Holiday Heat Blues”) made a popular hit at the 1967

(1936) * Champagne Waltz (1937) * Top Of the Monterey Pop Festival and then fabled Wood-Town (1937)

stock. They played an eclectic combination of boogie, rock and blues. Among their top record-

Carle 35
ings were “On the Road Again,” “Goin’ Up the goodhearted yokel whose catchphrase was Country” and “Fried Hockey Boogie.”

“You’re telling I.” The Canova Family re-teamed Canned Heat survives to this day, having briefly for a television appearance in the early made almost forty albums and playing at inter-1950s.

national festivals. In so doing, they have brought In Caliente (1935) * Broadway Gondolier many forgotten or unrecognized blues men out (1935) * Artists and Models (1937) * Thrill of a of obscurity to play with them, and their music Lifetime (1937)

is often heard on movie soundtracks and television commercials

Canteen Vocalaires

Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary] “ Rollin’

Hi’ Ya, Sailor (1943)

and Tumblin’” * The Naked Zoo (1970) “One Kind Favor” * Woodstock (1970) [documentary]

* Stamping Ground (1971) [documentary]

Cappy Barra Boys; Cappy Barra’s

“Human Condition”

Harmonica Ensemble

Maurice Duke; Charles Leighton; George Fields; Canova Family

Sam Scheckter; Don Ripps; Phil King; Sam Sperling; Nat Bergman; Phil Solomon; Alan Judy Canova ( Juliette Canova, Starke or Waldo, Greene; Leon Lafell (Leon Lehrfeld, 1913–); Joe Florida, 1913–1983); Zeke Canova (Leon Ca-Mullendore; Pro Robbins (Irving Rubenstein) nova, Florida, 1898–1980); Anne Canova (Diane If it seems that the name Cappy Barra sounds Canova, Florida, 1909–1994); Pete Canova familiar, it does — the harmonica ensemble was (Harry Canova, Florida, 1904–1947) (oddly) named for the large South American ro-In real life the Canovas were musically trained dent, the capybara. The group was formed in and thus a far cry from their stage personas as the mid–1930s and played in vaudeville and the-raucous hillbillies. It was an act that brought aters and on the radio.

them a measure of fame. The youngest, Juliette, The Cappy Barra Boys always had a non-mu-professionally known as Judy, later broke out to sician as front man and spokesman for their a very successful solo career in radio and the group, the first one being founder Maurice movies.

Duke. Their specialty was playing harmonica The Canovas first appeared on local Florida music that imitated big band instruments and radio and in the early ’30s took their yokel act to arrangements. The original group disbanded in New York as the Three Georgia Crickets. Zeke 1944 and subsequently was reconstituted with played the guitar and ukulele, while sisters Judy new members.

and Anne (known as the Happiness Girls) war-Mad About Music (1938) * Rockin’ in the Rock-bled nasally in their outfits of gingham dresses ies (1945) * Radio Stars on Parade (1945) * Smart and pigtails.

Politics (1948)

Soon Judy, who was now the Canova standout, and family were heard on prestigious radio Carl Hoff and the Hit Parade Orchestra shows and performed in Broadway shows.

Brother Harry (aka Pete) briefly joined them but Carl Hoff (1905?–1965)

1939 was to mark the end of the Canovas as a With his theme song of “I Could Use a family act.

Dream” Carl Hoff had his own orchestra from the A solo turn in another Broadway show that early 1940s. He had previously led the band on year brought Judy back to the attention of Hol-the Lucky Strike Hit Parade radio program where lywood, and Republic cast her in a popular se-his outgoing personality was popular. A violin-ries of low-budget movies beginning with Scat-ist and sax player, he was also the music director terbrain in 1940 and ending in 1955. In all she for several radio and television stars, among them appeared in some seventeen starring films.

Perry Como, Martha Raye and Patti Page.

Judy Canova’s long running radio show (1943

The Hit Parade (1937)

to ’53) proved to be successful, and she recorded into the 1950s as well. Her persona continued to Carle, Frankie see Frankie Carle...

be that of a man-chasing, English-mangling but

36

Carlos

Carlos Molina and His Music of the Carroll Brothers

Americas; Carlos Molina and His Or-Pete Carroll
chestra; Carlos Molina and Orchestra Founded about 1957 the Carroll Brothers Club Havana (1945) * Belle of Old New Mexico made a few singles and an album entitled “Col-

(1950) * With a Song in My Heart (1952) * Meet lege Twist Party.”

Danny Wilson (1952)

Don’t Knock the Twist (1962) “Bo Diddley”

Carmen Cavallaro and Orchestra

Carter, Ben see Ben Carter...

Carmen Cavallaro (New York, New York, 1913–

1989)

Carter, Benny see Benny Carter and The “Poet of the Piano” was the name bestowed His Band
upon Carmen Cavallaro, one of the showiest pianists of his time. He was somewhat of a young Carter Family see Mother Maybelle prodigy who played with a variety of big bands and the Carter Family
before establishing his own in 1939. He and his group, which grew to as many as fourteen members, played in most of the top hotels and swank Casa Loma Orchestra see Glen Gray nightclubs throughout the country. Their theme and His Casa Loma Orchestra
song was “My Sentimental Heart.”

Cavallaro was sort of a precursor to, and an Cascades
acknowledged influence on, Liberace in that his John Gummoe (guitar); Lenny Green (guitar); piano arrangements were extremely lush and fea-Dave Wilson (drums); Eddie Snyder (guitar); tured classical themes in popular settings. In turn Dave Szabo (keyboard); Dave Stevens (bassist) he had been influenced by society pianist Eddy The San Diego–based band that became the Duchin so, fittingly, it was his hands seen play-Cascades began life as the interestingly-named ing the piano for Tyrone Power in The Eddy Thundernotes in the late 1950s. Their new name Duchin Story.

supposedly came from the brand of dishwasher In the 1940s he appeared in a few films (e.g.

soap. They had released some unsuccessful songs Diamond Horseshoe) without his band, playing before recording the song that leader John Gum-the piano with brio. During the 1950s and ’60s moe had written when in the Navy.

Carmen Cavallaro led smaller, more jazz-ori-That turned out to be “Rhythm of the Rain”

ented ensembles and in 1963 had one of his few (written during a storm at sea and featuring a chart hits with “Sukiyaki.” His band released al-celesta) and it propelled them to the very top of most twenty albums over the years.

the pop charts in 1962, particularly in some Hollywood Canteen (1944) * The Time, the Asian countries. The song marked their pinna-Place and the Girl (1946)

cle; subsequent recordings like “The Last Leaf ”

scored a minor blip before the group disbanded.

Carmen Miranda Band see Banda da Catalina Caper (1967) “There’s a New World”

Lua

Cass County Boys; Cass County Trio Carole Lombard Singers

Fred Martin (Linden, Texas, 1916–) (lead singer/

Carole Lombard; Gwen Johnson; Jackie Ward; accordion); Bert Dodson (1915–1994) (tenor/

Marjorie Crawford
bassist); Jerry Scroggins (Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Viva Las Vegas (1963) “What’d I Say” * Fire-1911–2004) (baritone/guitar)

ball 500 (1966)

Best-known for their appearances in Gene Autry and Charles Starrett movies and on Autry’s Carpenter, Ike see Ike Carpenter...

radio and television shows, the Cass County Boys formed in 1935 or ’36 at a radio station Carroll, Johnny see Johnny Carroll where they were staff musicians. They had all and His Hot Rocks
been performing on the radio in the Southwest;

Cavallo 37

Minnesota-based garage band.

Founded in the early 1960s,
their hit “Liar Liar” came in

1965 and they have continued
performing to the current day.

It’s a Bikini World (1967)

“Liar Liar”

Catalinas

One of the many bands play-
ing so-called beach music, the

North Carolina–based Cata-
linas formed in 1957. Among
their records were “Summer-
time’s Calling Me,” “Hey Lit-
tle Girl” and “Facts of Love.”

They are still active today.

Moonshine Mountain (1964)

The Cass County Boys (outside of cell) in The Last Days of Boot Hill

Catlett, Sid see Sid (with Smiley Burnette in jail).

Catlett...

Bert Dodson sang with the famous Light Crust Cats and the Fiddle

Doughboys.

Originally called the Early Birds, their later Austin Powell (guitar); Jimmie Henderson (d.

name was taken from the Texas county in which 1940) (1st tenor/guitar); Chuck Barksdale (d.

Fred Martin was born. The Cass County Boys 1941) (bass/bassist); Ernie Price (2nd tenor/tip-continued performing together into the 1950s, ple); Herbie Miles; Lloyd Grimes; George Stein-and when Gene Autry phased out his perform-beck; Mifflin Branford; Hank Haslett; Shirley ing career they did too. In 1996 they were in-Moore
ducted into the Western Music Association Hall

“I Miss You So” was the biggest hit for the of Fame.

jazz/gospel/vocal/instrumental quintet called the Sioux City Sue (1946) * Trail to San Antone Cats and the Fiddle. Formed in Chicago in 1937, (1947) * Twilight on the Rio Grande (1947) *
they mostly played at clubs catering to an Buckaroo from Powder River (1947) * The Last African-American audience. Other successful Days of Boot Hill (1947) * Saddle Pals (1947) *
recordings included “That’s My Desire” and “I’ll Robin Hood of Texas (1947) * Trail to Laredo Never Let You Go.”

(1948) * Loaded Pistols (1949) * Tucson (1949) *

Among the Cats’ unusual accompaniment was Riders of the Whistling Pines (1949) * Holiday the tipple, a ten-stringed instrument that Rhythm (1950) * The Kid from Amarillo (1951) *
sounded like a ukulele. The group disbanded Blue Canadian Rockies (1952) * Apache Country about 1950 but re-formed a few years later with (1952) * Wagon Team (1952) * On Top of Old different members.

Smoky (1953)

Two Gun Man from Harlem (1938) * The Duke Is Tops (1938) * Goin’ Places (1939) “Jeepers Creepers”

Castaways

James Donna (keyboard); Robert Folschow (gui-Cavallaro, Carmen see Carmen tar); Roy Hensley (d. 2005) (bassist); Dennis Cavallaro and Orchestra

Craswell (drums)

There were (and are) a few bands bearing the Cavallo, Jimmy see Jimmy Cavallo name of the Castaways; the one that made the and the House Rockers
single film and had a single big hit record is a

38

Cavanaugh

Cavanaugh, Page see Page Regulars on the Bing Crosby radio show in Cavanaugh Trio
the 1940s, the Charioteers also backed such singers as Frank Sinatra, Pearl Bailey, and Buddy Cavell, Andy see Andy Cavell and the Clark on his hit rendition of “Now Is the Hour.”

Founder Billy Williams departed to appear on Saints

Sid Caesar’s television show (with his new Billy Williams Quartet) and his former group dis-CBS-KMBC Texas Rangers see Texas banded in 1957.

Rangers

Road Show (1941)

C.C. Ryders see Wayne Cochran and Charles, Ray see Ray Charles the C.C. Ryders

Orchestra

Cecil Stewart and His Royal Rogues Charles and Gabrielle [unknown]

Cecil Stewart (1899–1960)

Midnight Frolics (1949)

Besides the film he made with his ensemble, Cecil Stewart had many a movie bit playing the Charlie
piano or organ.

Steve White; Tom Eppolito; Bob Compton; Ray Always Leave Them Laughing (1949) Barry; Tony Sorci

Charlie was a Chicago-based garage band.

Ceepee Johnson and His Orchestra Blast Off Girls (1967) “Bad Day” and “Good Mystery in Swing (1940)

Night Ladies”

Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra Cell Block Seven

Charlie Barnet (New York, New York, 1913–

Wearing the trademark black and white striped 1991)

outfits illustrative of their name, the Cell Block Born wealthy with a silver spoon (or perhaps Seven was a Dixieland band that was primarily baton) in his mouth, saxophone player Charlie Texas-based. They opened for Bob Hope when Barnet had led an orchestra by the age of seven-he performed in that state and also played Las teen on a trans–Atlantic liner. He was a foe of Vegas, but the major television exposure they segregated orchestras and hired Black musicians hoped for was not forthcoming. Their planned two years before the more publicized Benny performance on the Ed Sullivan Show was cut Goodman did so (Lena Horne was a vocalist), because the show ran too long.

and also played the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Rock Baby, Rock It! (1957) “The Saints Come Admittedly patterning himself after Duke Rockin’ In”

Ellington, Barnet had a big band called the

“blackest white band of all.” His first orchestra Charioteers
was formed in 1932 or ’33 and it introduced the Billy Williams (1911–1972) (lead tenor); Eddie vocal group the Modernaires. Among his hit Jackson (2nd tenor); Howard Daniel (bass); Ira recordings were “Cherokee” (their theme song) Williams (baritone); James Sherman (piano) and “Skyliner”; in all he composed more than Formed in 1930 as the gospel group the Har-twenty-five Billboard charters from 1936 to ’46.

mony Four at Wilberforce University in Ohio, Charlie Barnet’s original band was disbanded the Charioteers were named the best quartet in in the late 1940s but he returned with groups in Ohio in 1931, leading to many radio perform-the 1960s and ’70s. His private life almost suc-ances. Some ten years later they converted to ceeded in overshadowing his musical one: he was close-harmony popular music a la the Ink Spots.

wed eleven times but airily dismissed five be-Although never rivaling that iconic ensemble, cause they had been quickly annulled.

they did produce several successful recordings in-Juke Box Jenny (1942) * Jamboree (1944) * Jam cluding “So Long,” “Open the Door Richard”

Session (1944) * Music in Manhattan (1944) * Idea and “A Kiss and a Rose,” their biggest hit in 1949.

Girl (1946) * Freddie Steps Out (1946)

Chico 39

Charlie Louvin and His Band

Checkerboard Band

Charlie Louvin (Charles Loudermilk, Raines-Sid Sherman, George Thall; Art Wenzel ville, Alabama, 1927–)

The Checkerboard Band picked a good film Better known as part of the close-harmony for their one cinema appearance in features.

duo the Louvin Brothers, Charlie Louvin and Gene Autry’s South of the Border was a huge suc-his brother Ira (né Lonnie Loudermilk, 1924–
cess and is considered one of his best.

1965) were a well-known mandolin/guitar coun-South of the Border (1939) try music act.

Their recordings ran from rockabilly to gospel Chelito and Gabriel [unknown]

and they were noted songwriters as well. The With Love and Kisses (1936) Louvins had several recording hits in the 1950s and early ’60s, including “When I Stop Dream-Chellette Sisters
ing,” before they each went solo in 1963.

Baritone Charlie continued to turn out hits Mary Jo Chellette; Judy Chellette; Carolyn like “Think I’ll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself Chellette
to Sleep” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” and The young (sub-teen) Chellette Sisters sang had some thirty singles that hit the charts. But on the radio in Texas and made recordings.

it was as one of a pair that he found his greatest Country Western Hoedown (1967) success, a teaming that influenced brother acts to follow, notably Phil and Don Everly.

Chicagoans see Pete Daily and His Music City U.S.A. (1966) [documentary]

Chicagoans

Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra Chickie and Buck see Buck, Chickie Charlie Spivak (Kiev, Ukraine or New Haven, and Buck

Connecticut, 1905/07–1982)

Trumpeter “Cheery, Chubby” Charlie Spivak Chico Hamilton Quintet
was a sideman with many orchestras in the 1920s Chico Hamilton (Forestorn Hamilton, Los An-and ’30s, including Bob Crosby, the Dorsey geles, California, 1921–) (clarinet/drums); Buddy brothers and Glenn Miller, before striking out Collette (saxophone and other instruments); Jim on his own in 1939. With his easy-listening, suit-Hall (guitar); Fred Katz (cello); Carson Smith able for dancing music his orchestra met with (bass)

continuing success through the 1950s. There-The Chico Hamilton Quintet, which was ac-after he led smaller ensembles sporadically to the tive mainly in the 1950s, has been called a cham-1970s.

ber-jazz group. They featured contrapuntal Among the group’s hit recordings were “Let’s music in which each instrument contributed its Go Home,” “Autumn Nocturne” and “Star own line and improvised interplay between in-Dreams,” their theme song. His sidemen instruments. Hamilton had previously played with cluded bandleaders-to-be Nelson Riddle and Les such jazz greats as Gerry Mulligan, Lionel Elgart, as well as vocalist June Hutton. With Hampton and Count Basie.

suitable modesty Spivak was dubbed “the man Compared to similar groups the Chico Ham-who plays the sweetest trumpet in the world.”

ilton Quintet played more softly and with more Pin Up Girl (1943)

subtle tonal shadings. Their first album was released in 1955 and they did a series of live radio Charmers [unknown]

broadcasts. By the early 1960s their sound had evolved into more of a “bop” style and in mid-South of Dixie (1944)

decade Hamilton disbanded the Quintet to concentrate on composing and scoring for movies Cheatin’ Hearts
and television. He did lead other groups there-Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar (1965) after from time to time.

The Sweet Smell of Success (1957) * Jazz on a Summer’s Day (1960) [documentary]

40

Chiffons

Chiffons

Chords [unknown]

Judy Craig (1946–); Patricia Bennett (1947–); Stars on Parade (1944)

Barbara Lee (1944–1992); Sylvia Peterson (1946–)

Chris Barber’s Jazz Band; Chris Barber’s The original Chiffons were a young teen trio Jazz Band with Ottilie Patterson when they formed in The Bronx, New York, in 1960. They had their first minor success with Chris Barber (Donald Barber, Welwyn Garden

“Tonight’s the Night,” but another girl group, City, England, 1930–); Monty Sunshine (clar-the Shirelles, had a bigger hit with it. By the time inet)

they added a fourth member they were ready to Jazz trombone player Chris Barber formed his record their huge number one blockbuster “He’s first band in 1949 and throughout the following So Fine” (with its catchy first line “Doo lang, decades was very successful touring in European doo lang, doo lang”).

concert halls. He modeled his ensembles after The Chiffons never topped that song, which those of great New Orleans jazz artists like King has become one of the most played songs of the Oliver, eventually forming the Chris Barber Jazz golden oldie era. Later records like “One Fine and Blues Band. The group’s one substantial hit Day,” “I Have a Boyfriend” (the Wobble was was “Petite Fleur.”

danced to it) and “A Love So Fine” met with He was most influential in popularizing blues some plaudits as well. They also simultaneously music in Britain by encouraging native artists, recorded under the name of the Four Pennies including blues singer Ottilie Patterson. By the and found mild success with “My Block.”

turn of the 21st century it is estimated that Bar-The quartet was one of the Beatles’ opening ber had performed more than 10,000 concerts acts for their first American tour and they con-and made thousands of recordings. He has since tinued to produce hit recordings like “Sailor grown his band into the BIG Chris Barber Band.

Boy” and especially “Sweet Talkin’ Guy” into Look Back in Anger (1958) * It’s Trad, Dad!

the late 1960s. The Chiffons continue to per-

(1962)

form today in local venues as more or less a nostalgia group.

Christian, Tommy see Tommy Disk-O-Tek Holiday (1966) “Nobody Knows Christian and His Band

What’s Goin’ on”

Christopher Columbus and His Swing Child, Lario see Lario Child Crew

Orchestra

Christopher Columbus ( Joseph Morris, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1903–)

Chiquita Hernandez Orchestra

Moon Over Harlem (1939)

Lawless Land (1936)

Chuck Faulkner Band

Chocolate Watch Band

Song of the Open Road (1944) Mark Loomis (guitar/keyboard); Gary Andrijasevich (drums); Sean Tolby (guitar); Bill Flores Chuck Wagon Gang

(bassist); Dave Aguilar (vocals/harmonica) Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [documen-The San Jose, California–based Chocolate tary]

Watch Band formed in 1965. They were a psychedelic rock band that had a short career — initially disbanding in 1968 — but were influential Chuckles
nevertheless. After re-forming, the group con-Tommy Romano (guitar); Tommy (later Russ) tinued to release albums into the next century.

Gilberto (bassist); Phil Benti (accordion); Teddy Riot on Sunset Strip (1967) * “Sitting There Randazzo

Standing” and “Don’t Need Your Lovin’” * The Named for the Chuckles candy bar, the Love-Ins (1967) “Are You Gonna Be There at the Brooklyn-based Chuckles began as a comedy Love-In?”

team about 1949, and when they switched to

Clark 41
music retained many of their former antics such but it was her powerful voice that was the standas tossing cream pies. This shtick made them a out. Later, her ensemble the Famous Ward Sing-natural for television and they guest-starred on ers became the number one female gospel group several major programs.

in the United States in the 1950s. She was also The Chuckles’ big hit was 1954’s “Run-credited with having written some 500 gospel around,” a million seller, and there was a later, songs.

less rousing, success with “And the Angels Sing.”

They began recording in 1948 and their hit Teddy Randazzo, who had replaced original records included “Surely, Our God Is Able” and member Phil Benti, had a minor acting and solo

“How I Got Over.” They also toured extensively singing career (the lead of Rock, Rock, Rock and in the Middle and Far East. The Singers were the hit record “The Way of a Clown”).

not without controversy since they dressed in The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) expensive gowns, wigs and jewelry rather than the somber robes some in their audiences might Chuy Reyes and His Mambo
have preferred. And they also appeared in com-Orchestra; Chuy Reyes and His
mercial venues like nightclubs where alcohol was Orchestra; Chuy Reyes and Orchestra served.

The original group disbanded in 1958 but a Holiday Rhythm (1950) * Everybody’s Dancin’

few years later Ward established another gospel (1950)

group that continued to find success, even performing at Presidential inaugurations. Singers Cimini Male Chorus see Raymond like Aretha Franklin freely acknowledged their Maurel and the Cimini Male Chorus debt to Clara Ward.

Spree (1967) [documentary] * It’s Your Thing Cirino and the Bowties

(1970) [documentary]

Cirino Colacrai (Brooklyn, New York) A musician since childhood and a songwriter Clarence Muse Singers
of some talent, Cirino Colacrai had several of Clarence Muse (Baltimore, Maryland, 1889–
his songs performed by the Three Chuckles, a 1979)

pop group to which he belonged. In the mid–

The holder of a law degree, Clarence Muse 1950s he struck out on his own with the Bowties appeared in some 200 films culminating with and had mild hits with “Rosemarie” and “Any-The Black Stallion in the year he died. A veteran time.”

of vaudeville and the Negro theater in New York Cirino and the Bowties were part of the rock and Chicago, and also a trained opera singer, he shows presented in New York theaters, did entered films in 1929.

lounge shows, and got the star treatment from Muse was known for his dignified image on-legendary disc jockey Alan Freed. However there screen, although like most Black actors of the was really nothing to differentiate them from time he sometimes had to portray a stereotypi-other such acts and they faded into obscurity.

cal Stepin Fetchit–like character. Among his pic-Rock, Rock, Rock (1956) “Ever Since I Can Retures were Hearts in Dixie, Arrowsmith, Porg y member” and “Rock, Pretty Baby”

and Bess, Huckleberry Finn and Night and Day.

He was also the composer of the song standard City Slickers see Spike Jones and the

“Sleepy Time Down South” and had written City Slickers
music for movies. Muse also did much television work. Very fittingly, the beloved actor was in-Clara Ward Singers
ducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

Gentleman from Dixie (1941) Clara Ward (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1924–

1973); Marion Williams; Henrietta Waddy (alto); Frances Steadman; Kitty Parham Clark, Dave see Dave Clark Five Singing in her Baptist church from the age of five, Clara Ward began touring as a young girl Clark, Judy see Judy Clark and Her with her mother Gertrude and older sister Willa, Rhythm Cowgirls

42

Clark

Clark Brothers

Ultimately the Clovers had more than twenty The Clark Brothers were multi-talented. They chart records before their breakup in 1961 and both tap danced and did a mean imitation of the are considered to have been one of 1950s’ most close harmony masters the Ink Spots.

successful rhythm-and-blues groups. They re-Killer Diller (1948)

formed and continued to play well into the 1980s.

Harlem Jazz Festival (1955) [documentary] *

Clauser, Al see Al Clauser and His Rhythm-and-Blues Revue (1955) [documentary]

Oklahoma Outlaws

“Your Cash Ain’t Nothing But Trash” * Rock ’n’

Roll Revue (1955/56) [documentary]

Clear Light

Bob Seal (guitar); Robbie Robison (guitar); Clyde Valley Stompers

Michael Ney; Dallas Taylor; Doug Lubahn The Clyde Valley Stompers were one of the top The intriguing Brain Train was the original jazz bands in Scotland.

name of the acid rock group that came to be It’s All Happening (1963)

known as Clear Light. Founded about 1966, their first recording came in the following year Coats, Don see Don Coats and the and they also produced a few albums.

Bon-Aires

The President’s Analyst (1967) “She’s Ready to Be Free”

Cochran, Nick see Nick Cochran’s Musical Cowhands

Clements, Curly see Curly Clements and His Rodeo Rangers

Cochran, Wayne see Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Ryders

Cletro, Eddie see Eddie Cletro and His Roundup Boys

Cocker, Joe see Joe Cocker and the Grease Band

Clovers

Harold Lucas; Matthew McQuarter (tenor); Cockneys

Harold Winley (bass); John Bailey (lead); Bill Befitting their name, the Cockneys were a 1960s Harris (guitar); Thomas Woods (tenor); Billy English group whose colorful onstage costumes Shelton (bass)

were the pearl button-covered outfits of that faThe Clovers were formed in 1949 as the Four mous London breed. Their recordings were few, Clovers. Famous record mogul Ahmet Ertegun

“After Tomorrow” being the most successful, and took an interest in them and even wrote many of their performing life relatively short.

their early songs. A couple of them, “Don’t You Go-Go Big Beat! (1965) [documentary]

Know I Love You?” and “Fool, Fool, Fool,” became substantial hits.

Cocoanut Grove Ambassadors see

Originally a group very much in the close-harmony style of the Ink Spots, by the early Gus Arnheim and His Cocoanut

1950s the Clovers had migrated to a more blues-Grove Ambassadors
oriented style. Their song “Hey Miss Fannie” is considered by some to be one of the very earli-Cole, King see King Cole Trio est rock-and-roll recordings.

Follow-up recordings such as “Devil or Collins Sisters [unknown]

Angel,” “One Mint Julep,” “Ting-A-Ling” and

“In the Middle of the Night” also became hits.

Country Western Hoedown (1967) Their biggest, coming in 1959 after a period of declining popularity, was “Love Potion Number Colorado Cowboys see Walt Shrum Nine.”

and His Colorado Cowboys

Corn 43

Colorado Hillbillies see Walt Shrum sisted of violins, saxophones and a piano (no and His Colorado Hillbillies
brass), with Vallee singing in various languages through his longish nose. Among their record Colorado Rangers see Ozie Waters hits were “The Stein Song” (from the University and His Colorado Rangers
of Maine) and “Vieni Vieni.” Their theme song was “My Time Is Your Time.”

Though Vallee was one of the first matinee Columbus, Christopher see Christo-idol singers he was an unlikely one, with his pher Columbus and His Swing Crew downward slanting eyes, frizzed hair and frankly not a great singing voice. He later became a Comets see Bill Haley and His Comets gifted comic actor but in his first film, 1929’s The Vagabond Lover, he gave an embarrassingly am-Comfortable Chair
ateurish performance. (It was rumored that every Bernie Schwartz (vocals); Barbara Wallace (vo-time he tried to deliver a line, the director would cals); Gene Earfin (guitar); Gary Davis (bassist); shout for him to sing.)

Greg Leroy (drums); Ted Baczek (keyboard) His band mates also had some lines and all The California-based psychedelic group the gave more credible performances than did their Comfortable Chair was formed in the late 1960s leader. It was on the radio that Vallee began to and disappeared almost without trace following find more justified fame with his very significant the release of their self-titled album.

guest stars and burgeoning comic talent. This How to Commit Marriage (1969) “Be Me”

ability he later was to use so well in numerous movies such The Palm Beach Story, Gentlemen Committee

Marry Brunettes and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Petulia (1968)

The Vagabond Lover (1929) * Sweet Music (1935)

Coney Island Kids [unknown]

Rock, Rock, Rock (1956)

Cooke and Browne [unknown]

52nd Street (1937)

Congo Choir see Prince Modupe’s Congo Choir

Cooley, Spade see Spade Cooley and His Orchestra

Conlon, Jud see Judd Conlon Group Cooper, Alice see Alice Cooper Band Connecticut Yankees

Rudy Vallee (Hubert Vallee, Island Pond, Ver-Copelands [unknown]

mont, 1901–1986)

Although he went on to great fame on the Sensations of 1945 (1944)

radio, Broadway, and movies, the iconic image of Rudy Vallee is that of him projecting his nasal Coral Islanders see Hubert Smith and voice through a megaphone. This was presum-His Coral Islanders
ably to be better heard at public appearances but also smacks of good publicity.

Corn Colonel and His Band; Freddie He began his musical career playing the saxophone in theaters and hotels and did radio Fisher and His Schnickelfritz Band; broadcasts in England where he was appearing at Schnickelfritz Band
the time. It was at a club appearance that he un-Freddie Fisher (Lourdes, Iowa, 1904–1967) veiled his signature greeting “Heigh-ho every-The leader of the Schnickelfritz Band (the body.”

name means something like “scamp” in Ger-The band he formed in the mid–1920s, the man), Freddie Fisher was also known as Colonel Connecticut Yankees (he was a Yale man), con-Corn of Dixieland. Based in Minnesota, and

44

Corps
founded about 1934, the band was discovered by crooner Rudy Vallee in 1937 and put on the radio.

As its name might suggest, the Schnickelfritz ensemble was heavily into comedy antics in the manner of Spike Jones, who came along a few years later. During the acme of Fisher’s career in the 1930s and ’40s he was said to have made about 200 recordings.

Gold Diggers in Paris (1938) * The Sultan’s Daughter (1944) * Seven Days Ashore (1944) *

Jamboree (1944) * That’s My Baby (1944) * Make Mine Laughs (1949)

Corps De Ballet and Glee Club

Bitter Sweet (1940)

Cotton, Darlene see Darlene Cotton Quartet

A natty Count Basie.

Cotton and Chick Watts [unknown]

and smaller groups, including a sextet, until Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (1951)

about 1983, but he occasionally re-formed larger ensembles. Known for the yachting cap he al-Cotton Club Orchestra
ways wore onstage, he was the composer of the famous 1937 tune “One o’Clock Jump,” his There were Cotton Club Orchestras in both theme song.

New York’s Harlem and in Los Angeles. It is pos-His band’s recordings included “April in Paris”

sible that both appeared in films.

and “Swingin’ the Blues.” Basie was undoubt-Check and Double Check (1930) * Taxi! (1932) edly one of jazz’s most beloved figures and was

* Bargain with Bullets (1937) recognized by Kennedy Center Honors in 1981.

His had been one of the first bands to play a Cottonpicker Quartette see Bobby Royal Command Performance before Queen Brooks and the Cottonpicker Quartette Elizabeth II.

Policy Man (1938) * Reveille with Beverly (1943) * Top Man (1943) * Crazy House (1943) *

Count Basie and His Octet; Count Hit Parade of 1943 (1943) * Harlem Jazz Festival Basie and His Orchestra; Count Basie (1955) [documentary] * Jamboree (1957) “Jam-and Orchestra; Count Basie Septet boree” and One O’Clock Jump” * Sex and the Single Girl (1964) * Made in Paris (1966) Count Basie (William Basie, Red Bank, New Jersey, 1904–1984)

Although he was not considered a great in-Country Boys see Len Nash and His strumental virtuoso or an innovator in compo-Country Boys
sition, Count Basie was noted for organizing outstanding jazz bands with the best sidemen, and vocalists like Billie Holiday. As a performer Country Gentlemen
it was said that he could produce more music The Country Gentlemen were a vocal ensemble.

with two fingers on the piano than most people The Big Hangover (1950)

with all ten. He also played the organ.

Basie led integrated bands from 1935 to 1950

Crosby 45

Country Joe and the Fish
tary] “I’m So Glad,” “Sunshine of Your Love”

Joe McDonald; Barry Melton (guitar); Chicken and other songs

Hirsch

“Country” Joe McDonald and Barry “The Creole Chorus

Fish” Melton were the core of their self-named Spirit of Youth (1938)

psychedelic band. They appeared at prominent festivals (Monterey Pop and Woodstock) and Crew Chiefs [unknown]

with most of the major bands of the mid–1960s and early ’70s. Consistent with the mood of Swing the Western Way (1947) those times they were vocal opponents of the war in Vietnam.

Crickets

Revolution (1968) [documentary] * “Fixin’ to Buddy Holly (Charles Holley, Texas, 1936–

Die Rag” * Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary]

1959); Niki Sullivan (South Gate, California)

“Section 43” * G-as-s-s-s (1968; released 1970) (guitar); Joe Mauldin (bassist); Jerry Allison

“World That We All Dreamed of ” * Woodstock (drums); Larry Wellborn (bassist); Sonny Curtis (1970) [documentary] “Rockin’ Soul Music” *

(Meadow, Texas, 1937–); Jerry Naylor (aka Jackie Zachariah (1971) “We’re the Crackers,” “All I Garrard) (Stephenville, Texas, 1939–) Need” and “Poor But Honest Crackers” * More Inevitably, the Crickets are associated with American Graffiti (1979) “I-Feel-Like-I’m Fixin’-
pop singer Buddy Holly whose great talent and to-Die-Rag”

early death made him an enduring legend. The Crickets were formed in 1957, the year they Country Junction Boys
recorded the smash hit “That’ll Be the Day.” Af-Country Music Jamboree (1970) terwards the group was considered Holly’s backup and their recordings were sometimes credited to Buddy Holly and the Crickets or only to him.

Counts [unknown]

Originally based in Lubbock, Texas, the The Biggest Bundle of Them All (1968) Crickets had hit after hit, including “Peggy Sue”

(the name of Jerry Allison’s wife). Buddy Holly Cow, Minnie see Minnie Cow and earned increasing fame and went on to a solo ca-His Orchestra
reer in New York before his 1959 death in a plane crash. The Crickets continued performing and were still releasing albums into the 21st century.

Cowtown Wranglers see Hobie Shepp Just for Fun (1963) “My Little Girl” and and the Cowtown Wranglers

“Teardrops Fall Like Rain” * The Girls on the Beach (1965) (“They Call Her) La Bamba”

Cream

Eric Clapton (guitar); Ginger Baker (drums); Crinoline Choir

Jack Bruce (bassist)

Ivie Anderson

Before they formed Cream, one of the most A Day at the Races (1937) * Broadway Melody celebrated British rock bands of the later 1960s, of 1938 (1937)

the trio of musicians had been veterans of other groups. Eric Clapton particularly was feted as Crosby, Bing see Bing Crosby and one of the premier guitarists of his time.

His Rhythm Boys

Cream produced many hits including “Sunshine of Your Love,” “I Feel Free” and “Cross-Crosby, Bob see Bob Crosby...

roads.” It was not long, however, before the members’ clashing egos led to a breakup in 1968.

Despite its brief time in the limelight the band’s Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
reputation remains intact and there have been David Crosby (1941–); Stephen Stills (Dallas, rapturously-received reunions.

Texas, 1945–) (lead guitar); Graham Nash Cream’s Farewell Concert (1968) [documen-

(1942–); Neil Young (Toronto, Canada, 1945–)

46

Cubanos

The three-man core of the famous harmony tar); Sanford Williams (bassist); Clyde Harris group were David Crosby, Stephen Stills and (guitar); Joe Pope (piano); Jimmy Selph (guitar) Graham Nash who joined forces in 1969 playing Originally known as the Santa Fe Trail Riders, country-rock. As a trio they quickly gained a the Georgia Peach Pickers played on radio in the reputation for both their smooth singing and South, including on the Grand Ole Opry. They songwriting abilities. Individually they had pre-were considered one of the better western/hill-viously performed with top rock groups like the billy swing bands in the 1940s and ’50s with Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies.

recordings like “Georgia Boogie,” “Good Old The threesome’s fame increased following Alabam’” and “Texas Swing.” Leader Curly their appearance at the Woodstock festival and Williams was also a songwriter.

composition of such popular pieces as “Suite: Riders of the Lone Star (1947) “Oh Monah”

Judy Blue Eyes” and “Long Time Gone.” Their and “Let Me By”

first hit was “Marrakesh Express” in 1969. Graham Nash wrote the popular “Just a Song Be-Curt Barrett and the Trailsmen; Curt fore I Go.”

Barrett’s Trailsmen

Neil Young was added to make up the quar-Curt Barrett (Gerald Barrett, Morehouse, Mis-tet of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and their souri, 1906–1989) (guitar); Harry Duncan (fid-music took on a more political tone. The group’s dle); Stanley Ellison (accordion); Clarence Doo-success on recordings and in live concerts did ley (bassist)

not prevent internal dissension and they dis-Besides his film appearances with the Trails-banded in 1971, only to have periodic reunions men, Barrett appeared solo in almost thirty thereafter.

movies and on 1950s television. He had begun They continued to regroup as trios and duos performing western music when he was a teen-in various combinations and their influence on ager on the rodeo circuit.

other musicians remains strong to this day.

Song of the Prairie (1945) * Gunning for Ven-David Crosby acted in several films including geance (1946) * Drifting Along (1946) * The Gen-Hook and Backdraft. His volatile personality had tleman from Texas (1946) * Raiders of the South caused him to be fired from the Byrds and he (1947) * Mask of the Dragon (1951) continued to make headlines with arrests for drug and firearms violations.

Curtis Mosby and His Orchestra

Woodstock (1970) [documentary] “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” * Celebration at Big Sur (1971) [doc-Curtis Mosby (Kansas City, Missouri) umentary] * No Nukes (1980) [documentary]

Drummer and sometime violinist Curtis Mosby played for the jazz ensembles the Ten-Cubanos [unknown]

nessee Ten and the Blue Blowers from the 1920s.

Late in that decade he scored music for the pio-Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957) neering Black talkie Hallelujah and also appeared in it. Later he operated nightclubs in Los Ange-Cugat, Xavier see Xavier Cugat and les.

His Orchestra

Hallelujah! (1929) * Broken Strings (1940) Cullen and Pauline [unknown]

Cyrkle

A Day at the Races (1937)

Don Dannermann (guitar); Tom Dawes (guitar); Earl Pickens (keyboard); Marty Fried (drums) Curly Clements and His Rodeo Rangers The rock band the Cyrkle had a wild ride Six-Gun Law (1948)

from an obscure college band known as the Rhondells to being managed by Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. They are best-known for Curly Williams and His Georgia
their 1966 hit “Red Rubber Ball” and “Turn-Peach Pickers

Down Day.”

Curly (sometimes Curley) Williams (Dock Wil-In 1966 the Cyrkle was chosen to open for a liams, 1913–1970) (fiddle); Joseph Williams (gui-Beatles’ tour on which they played to as many

Darling 47
as 70,000 people. But with their mentor Brian men Jones (with an Oscar nomination), Bright Epstein’s death in 1967 the band lost momen-Road, Island in the Sun and Porg y and Bess. But tum and soon broke up. However, they were a her own personal demons and the implicit racism talented group and much more than just a flash of the day doomed her career and, ultimately, in the pan.

her as well. She and Vivian had had a falling-The Minx (1967, released 1969) “Murray the out in the 1950s and never met again. In 1999

Why”

Halle Berry portrayed her in a made-for-television film.

Dahl, Ted see Ted Dahl and His The Big Broadcast of 1936 * Easy to Take (1936) Orchestra

* It Can’t Last Forever (1937) Daily, Pete see Pete Daily and His Danny and the Juniors

Chicagoans

Frank Maffei (2nd tenor); Danny Rapp (d. 1983); Joe Terry ( Joe Terranova) (baritone); Dave Dakotas

White (David Tricker) (1st tenor); Billy Carlucci
see Billy J. Kramer and the The irresistible “At the Hop” (originally titled Dakotas

“Do the Bop”), a veritable anthem of the golden age of rock and roll, was written by a band mem-Dale, Dick see Dick Dale and the ber of Danny and the Juniors and performed by Del Tones
them. They were one of the first groups to re-interpret Black rhythm-and-blues music for a Daley, Jimmy see Jimmy Daley...

white audience.

Starting out as the Philadelphia-based Juve-Dandridge Girls Trio; Dandridge naires in the mid–1950s, the quartet never again Sisters
topped that massive two-and-a-half million seller but did have modest successes with “Rock Dorothy Dandridge (Cleveland, Ohio, 1922–
and Roll Is Here to Stay,” “Back to the Hop” and 1965); Vivian Dandridge (d. 1991); Etta Jones

“Twistin’ U.S.A.”

Since her early death the beautiful Dorothy The Philadelphia-based Juniors were voted Dandridge has been the fascinating subject of the best new group of 1957 and toured with numerous books and television programs. The some of the great rock artists of the 1950s, as well daughter of actress Ruby Dandridge, she and her as making numerous television appearances.

older sister Vivian started in show business as They officially broke up in 1964 but have made the multi-talented Wonder Children who sang, sporadic reunions.

danced and even performed acrobatics.

More than fifty years later some of the origi-The elder Dandridge, a fierce stage mother, nal Juniors are still playing under the name of eventually teamed her children with Etta Jones, Danny and the Juniors, Featuring Joe Terry and dubbing them the Dandridge Sisters. After they continuing to remind audiences of that great by-moved to Southern California both the “sisters”

gone age of rock.

and mother embarked on a screen career. Usually Let’s Rock! (1958) “At the Hop” * Let the Good playing sassy maids, Ruby was the more success-Times Roll (1973) [documentary] “At the Hop”

ful in films but the girls also got small roles. They also scored an engagement at the Cotton Club.

Darby, Ken see Ken Darby...

The “sister” act disbanded in the mid–1940s when Dorothy married dancer Harold Nicholas.

Darlene Cotton Quartet

She grew to be a legendary beauty and embarked on her own solo career singing with the Jimmy Sugar Daddy (1968)

Lunceford band. Her screen career as a leading lady took off in the 1950s, but she had played Darling Sisters
small parts since the 1930s and appeared in about Polly Darling (Pauline Goebel, Houston, Texas, twenty-five pictures.

1928–); Maryellen Darling (Maryellen Goebel, Dandridge found success in such films as Car-Houston, Texas, 1924–2004)

48

D’Artega

The young western singers known as the Dar-Mexican hat dance called “The Mexican Hat ling Sisters toured U.S. military bases during Rock.” This was the Applejacks’ biggest hit; they World War II and had their own television show later had a lesser success with “Rocka-Conga.”

in the early 1950s. They also made history of Don’t Knock the Rock (1956) * Go-Go Big Beat sorts by being among the opening acts of gang-

(1965) [documentary] “Like Dreamers Do” *
ster Bugsy Siegel’s new Flamingo Hotel in Las Disk-O-Tek Holiday (1966) “Tell Me When”

Vegas just after the war.

Varieties on Parade (1951) Dave Clark Five

Denis Payton (Walthamstow, England, 1943?–

D’Artega and His All-Girl Orchestra 2006) (saxophone/guitar/harmonica); Dave Alfonso D’Artega (Mexico?, 1907–1998) Clark (London, England, 1942–) (percussion); A songwriter, conductor and arranger, Al-Mike Smith (London, England, 1943–2008) fonso D’Artega had conducted many symphony (piano/organ); Rick Huxley (Dartford, England, orchestras and had bona fides as a serious musi-1944–) (bass); Lenny Davidson (Enfield, Encian. The all-girl orchestra he fronted in one film gland, 1944–) (guitar)

was thus a novelty sideline to the major part of At one point early in the British Invasion the his career. His best known composition was the Dave Clark Five rivaled the mighty Beatles in pretty “In the Blue of Evening.” He also (im-hit records and fan mania with their so-called probably) played Tchaikovsky in the movie

“Tottenham Sound” (the London area where Carnegie Hall.

Clark was born). The group had originally been You Can’t Ration Love (1944) formed to raise money to send a youth soccer team abroad.

The Five’s U.S. tours were sell-outs and they Dave Apollon and His Orchestra
had more than twenty chart songs. The late 1963

Dave Apollon (Kiev, Russia, 1897–1972) release “Glad All Over” was their first big hit and Modestly billed as the “World’s Greatest Man-was followed by the equally large “Bits and dolin Virtuoso,” Dave Apollon made his first Pieces,” both selling more than two million mark in the United States in vaudeville. He was copies.

a man of many parts, being a nightclub entrepre-Such venues as the Ed Sullivan television show neur, appearing on Broadway and in numerous and even Carnegie Hall showcased them. How-musical film shorts, and making
ever, unlike the Beatles, the individual members recordings with a group of musicians from the Philippines.

Some of Apollon’s earlier
records featured an intriguing
combination of gypsy, Latin
and ragtime music. He wound
up his career as a long-time Las

Vegas attraction and released
several albums of his music.

Merry-Go-Round of 1938

(1937)

Dave Appell and the

Applejacks

Dave Appell (Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, 1922–)

Starting out as an arranger
for several dance bands and as a
record producer, Dave Appell
wrote a jazzed-up version of the

The Dave Clark Five.

De Castro 49
of the Dave Clark Five did not develop the pub-through the late 1950s. Among their records were lic personas that would distinguish them from

“The Kiss That Broke My Heart,” “Let the Tears each other.

Fall” and “Anytime.”

Although further hits like “Over and Over,”

Dancing in Manhattan (1944)

“Because” and “I Like It Like That” came along they had no top charters after 1967, and by the Dean, Eddie see Eddie Dean Trio early 1970s they had disbanded. Their starring movie Having a Wild Weekend, in which they Dean, Jimmy see Jimmy Dean and played movie stuntmen, marked the directorial His Trail Riders
debut of John Boorman.

Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) * “When-ever You’re Around” and “Thinking of You Debonairs [unknown]

Baby” * Having a Wild Weekend (1965) “Catch Priorities on Parade (1942) Us If You Can,” “I Can’t Stand It,” “Sweet Memories” and several other songs * American Music—

Debutantes; Debutantes Quartet
from Folk to Jazz to Pop (1967) [documentary]

The Debutantes were a trio who sang with the orchestra of Ted Fio Rito in the mid–1930s. In Dave Miller and His New York French The Wizard of Oz they were heard as the voices Casino Band
of the Lullaby League.

Meet John Doe (1941)

The Wizard of Oz (1939) (voices only) * Babes on Broadway (1942)

Davis, Art see Art Davis and His Rhythm Riders

De Castro Sisters

Peggy De Castro (Marguerita De Castro, Do-Davis, Jimmie see Jimmie Davis...

minican Republic, 1921–2004); Babette De Castro (d. 1993); Cherie De Castro

Davis, Johnny see Johnny “Scat”

Beginning in the 1940s as a Latin music act in Davis and His Orchestra
nightclubs, and dubbing themselves the “Cuban Bombshells” (they were also called the Cuban Davis, Meyer see Meyer Davis and His Orchestra

Davis, Spencer see Spencer Davis Group

Davis and Johnson [unknown]

Casa Manana (1951)

Dawson, Ted see Ted Dawson and Orchestra

Day, Dawn and Dusk

Bob Carver (piano); Eddie Coleman; Gus Simmons

The instrumental trio calling themselves Day, Dawn and Dusk probably began their professional careers in the 1940s. They played an eclectic mix of musical styles and released their first recordings late in the decade, continuing on The very glamorous De Castro Sisters.

50

Dee

Andrews Sisters), the three De Castros were pro-He never recaptured the glory days of the orig-tégées of Brazilian star Carmen Miranda.

inal Ink Spots, but at some point he got legal The De Castros profitably turned to pop in permission to head a new Ink Spots group in the next decade. It was in this period that their which he performed nearly to the time of his big hit “Teach Me Tonight” was recorded and death.

the 1950s proved to be their most popular time.

Boy! What a Girl (1946) * “Satchelmouth When Babette left the act in 1958 she was re-Baby” and “Just in Case You Change Your placed by their cousin Olgita (1936?–2000).

Mind” * Sepia Cinderella (1946) “Long Legged The extremely glamorous sisters did several Lizzie” and “Is It Right?” * Harlem Follies (1950) novelty tunes like “Boom Boom Boomerang,”

“Biddle-Dee Bop” and “Rockin’ and Rollin’ in Deep River Boys

Hawaii” as well as more standard ballads, so they could never be pigeonholed.

Harry Douglas (baritone); Jimmy Lundy; Ed-Rhythm Round-Up (1945) * Stairway for a Star ward Ware (bass); Vernon Gardner (1st tenor); (1946?) * Over the Santa Fe Trail (1947) * Co-George Lawson (2nd tenor); Leroy Wayman; pacabana (1947)

Rhett Butler

Despite their Biblical-sounding name the Deep River Boys were not primarily a gospel Dee, Joey see Joey Dee and the group. Formed in Virginia in the mid–1930s and Starliters
winners of a Major Bowes radio amateur contest, they toured military bases during World Deek Watson and the Brown Dots

War II and had some success on Broadway and Deek Watson (Ivory Watson, Washington, D.C., in appearances with early television stars like 1909–1969) (2nd tenor); Joe King (lead tenor) Milton Berle and Kate Smith.

(soon replaced by Jimmie Nabbie); Jimmy Gor-Finding as much success in Canada and Eudon (bass); William “Pat” Best (baritone/guitar) rope as they did in their native country, the Boys Deek Watson began singing in groups with recorded such tunes as “By the Light of the Sil-names like the Percolating Puppies and the Four very Moon,” “Solid as a Rock” and “Tuxedo Ruff Brothers that finally transmogrified into the Junction.” They had long engagements at such beloved Ink Spots. He departed that group ac-venues as the London Palladium.

rimoniously in 1944 and attempted to establish In the 1950s the Deep River Boys became a an offshoot with the same name. When he was trio that toured Europe for half of each year and stopped by a lawsuit, he founded the Brown produced recordings the rest of the time. With Dots, obviously hoping to recreate the magic of the last original member Harry Douglas they re-his former group.

mained active into the 1980s.

However, the Brown Dots were more into Tales of Manhattan (1942)†

†
swing tunes, while the Ink Spots favored sweeter Their appearance in the film has not been sounds. They played mostly in theaters and also verified.

had two fifteen minute radio shows, recording their first song “(For) Sentimental Reasons” in Defranco, Buddy see Buddy 1945, which became a hit for several other artists, Defranco Quartet Combo

Unfortunately, Watson was a pugnacious man (as he had been with the Ink Spots) and he and his new group did not get along too well. By late Del-Aires

1946 the other Brown Dots had left to form the Ronnie Linares (guitar); Gary Jones (bassist); Sentimentalists and eventually became the Four Bobby Osborne (saxophone); John Becker Tunes. As such they went on to become a major (drums)

pop group in the 1950s.

From the late 1950s the Del-Aires were a New In the meantime, Deek Watson formed an-Jersey band playing clubs in the New York area, other group called the Brown Dots that made and they issued a few minor records like some recordings, and then he reinvented him-

“Elaine,” “Arlene” and “I’m Your Baby.” During self yet again as Deek Watson and the Four Dots.

a 1963 gig in a New Jersey nightspot two police

De Marco 51
officers were shot to death. The group broke up rice Miller (1st tenor); Essie Atkins (baritone); shortly thereafter.

Clinton Holland; Buddy Collette; A. Grant; The Horror of Party Beach (1964) “Joyride”

Chico Hamilton; Red Mack

“The Zombie Stomp” “You Are Not a Summer Aside from the recordings “Dry Bones” and Love” “Just Wigglin’ and Wobblin’” “Elaine” and

“Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin’” the Delta Rhythm

“Gotcha Where I Want You”

Boys found little success in that medium during the dozen years following their formation in the Del Rio see Ascencio Del Rio Trio mid–1930s at Oklahoma’s Langston University.

While there they were known as the Frederick Hall Quartet, after their musical mentor.

Del Tones see Dick Dale and the Del Despite the dearth of recording hits, they had Tones
done many live performances and appeared on radio and in Broadway shows like The Hot Del-Vikings (aka Dell-Vikings)

Mikado and Hellzapoppin’. They also were under David Lerchey (1938–2005); Norman Wright; contract to Universal Studio and made many Clarence Quick (bass); Kripp Johnson (Corin-films.

thian Johnson, 1933–1990) (tenor); Donald What finally brought them recording popular-

“Gus” Backus; Don Jackson (baritone); Samuel ity was the first of their tours to Europe in 1949, Patterson (tenor); Bernard Robertson (2nd during which they made some records that in-tenor)

cluded Swedish and Finnish folk tunes. They ac-One of the few racially mixed rock groups of tually had made their first professional appear-its time, the Del-Vikings (sometimes spelled ances abroad as well, on Buenos Aires radio and Dell-Vikings with and without a hyphen) then touring South America.

formed about 1955 as a group of Air Force bud-Among their records were “Sentimental Jour-dies. Part of their unusual name came from the ney,” “Don’t Ask Me Why” and “I’ll Never Get Vikings, a baseball team.

Out of This World Alive.” Their popularity Eventually they produced several big hits; one abroad, especially in France, led to the Delta of them “Come Go with Me” landed in the top Rhythm Boys establishing a home base there and ten, supposedly the first top ten song to be per-probably prolonging their careers by some fifty formed by an ethnically-mixed group. The song years.

had originally been sung in an Air Force talent You’ll Never Get Rich (1941) * Crazy House show in which the Del-Vikings bested 700 com-

(1943) * Hi’Ya, Sailor (1943) * So’s Your Uncle petitors.

(1943) * Week-End Pass (1944) * The Reckless Age For complicated contractual reasons, the Del-

(1944) * Hi, Good Lookin’ (1944) * Follow the Vikings split up into two groups and one as-Boys (1944) * Night Club Girl (1945) * Easy to sumed the name Dell-Vikings. The lilting Look at (1945) * Rock ’n’ Roll Revue (1955/56)

“Whispering Bells” followed and with “Cool

[documentary] * Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955) Shake” the groups had three hits on the charts si-

[documentary]

multaneously.

The two Vikings groups re-formed and broke De Lugg, Milton see Milton De Lugg apart with some regularity until the Dell-Vikings and His Swing Wing

(also known as the Versatiles) disbanded. Their brother ensemble also broke up in 1965 only to De Marco Sisters
re-team briefly a few years later.

The Big Beat (1958) “Can’t Wait”

Ann De Marco (Rome, New York); Joan De Marco (Rome, New York); Gloria De Marco Dell Vikings see Del-Vikings (Rome, New York); Terry De Marco (Rome, New York); Arlene De Marco (Rome, New York) The five De Marco Sisters hit their acme in Delta Rhythm Boys
the ten years from 1945 to 1955 with their in-Lee Gaines (d. 1987) (bass); Carl Jones; Kelsey fectious harmony, although some of them had Pharr; Traverse Crawford (2nd tenor); Elmau-begun performing as early as 1937. They were

52

Denny

“Ricky Ricardo” in the beloved

1950s television series I Love Lucy. He played the harried husband of ditsy redhead Lucy

(Lucille Ball) and this is his in-
evitable legacy. His band was
often featured on the show.

Although he played the gui-
tar and drums and sang a wide
variety of songs, the raucous,
conga drum-accompanied

“Babalu” seemed to be his
theme song. Despite its ubiq-
uity, however, his orchestra’s
theme song actually was

“Cuban Pete.” He toured
widely with his band and made
theater appearances at a time
when Latin-American music
was very popular.

Desi Arnaz was not consid-
ered a great musician; however,
he was great as the “straight man” to his wife. In reality he
was more than that, having
impeccable timing and won-
derfully comedic line delivery.

He was a lot more than the
mere bongo player some had
dismissively thought him to

The De Marco Sisters on a radio show (1945).

be.

popular on radio (the Fred Allen Show) and tel-Cuban Pete (1946)

evision, and toured with some of the top singers of the day, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Mar-Deuce Spriggins and His Band
tin and Nat Cole.

The De Marcos’ recordings were numerous Deuce Spriggins (bassist); Carolina Cotton and popular, including “It’s Been a Long, Long (Helen Hagstrom, Cash, Arkansas, 1925–1997) Time,” “Under the Bamboo Tree,” “This Love of (vocals); Hank Caldwell

Mine” and “I’m Through with Love.”

Formerly members of the Spade Cooley or-Skirts Ahoy! (1952)

chestra, married couple Deuce Spriggins and Carolina Cotton founded their own western Denny, Jack see Jack Denny and His swing group in 1945. She had appeared in many westerns and was a well-known singer and yo-Orchestra
deler.

The short-lived band, which also featured Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra

Andy Parker and the Plainsmen, played mainly Desi Arnaz (Desiderio Arnaz y De Acha III, San-in Southern California venues and made very tiago, Cuba, 1917–1986)

few recordings before disbanding about a year Very little that Desi Arnaz did as an orchestra later.

leader or actor in early 1940s films ( Too Many Song of the Prairie (1945) * That Texas Jam-Girls, Bataan, etc.) was destined to match his boree (1946) * Cowboy Blues (1946) * Singing on later worldwide fame as the often-beleaguered the Trail (1946)

Dick 53

Diamond, Leo see Leo Diamond...

Dick Dale and the Del-Tones

Dick Dale (Richard Monsour, Quincy or Boston, Diamond Brothers see Leo Massachusetts, 1937–)

Diamond...

“King of the Surf Guitar” was the name given to Dick Dale who is often credited with popu-Diamonds
larizing surf music. The first hit in that genre was said to be his “Let’s Go Trippin’” in 1961

Stan Fisher (lead); Dave Somerville (lead); Ted which paved the way for the Beach Boys and Kowalski (tenor); Phil Levitt (baritone); Bill others who followed.

Reed (bass); John Felton (d. 1982) Although in the early days Dale mainly Not to be confused with the New York–based confined himself to Southern California venues, African-American group of the same name, the his powerful reverberating guitar style was very Canadian-based Diamonds had numerous hits influential throughout the country. With the between 1956 and 1961, many of them cover Del-Tones he produced other hits including records of Black artists. These included “Why

“Miserlou,” “Surf Beat” and “Scavenger.” He Do Fools Fall in Love?” and “Love, Love, Love.”

staged a comeback in the 1980s when he under-The Diamonds’ first major success was “Little took his first national tour.

Darlin”’ (a five million seller, complete with Multi-talented Dick Dale played several in-cowbells and castanets), followed by “Church struments including the trumpet, drums, piano, Bells May Ring” and “The Stroll,” one of their saxophone and most famously his right-handed few original songs, which became a dance craze.

guitar which he played with his left hand with-At one time the most successful white pop out reversing the strings.

group of the 1950s, by 1961 there were no origi-Beach Party (1963) “Secret Surfin’ Spot” and nal members left but they reunited briefly in

“Surfin’ and a-Swingin’” * A Swingin’ Affair 1974. By then at least two or maybe more groups (1963) “A Swingin’ Affair” * Rebel in the Ring were performing under the Diamonds’ name. In (1963) “Miserlou” * Muscle Beach Party (1965) one iteration or another, they are still perform-

“Muscle Beach Party,” “Surfin’ Woodie” and ing today.

“My First Love”

The Big Beat (1958) “Where Mary Goes” and

“Little Darlin’”

Dick Stabile and His Band

Dick and Dee Dee

Dick Stabile (Newark, New Jersey, 1909–1980) Dick St. John (Richard Gosting, 1940–2003); The favorite bandleader of the comedy team Dee Dee (Mary Sperling)

of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Dick Stabile In the late 1950s the youngsters who were to got his start playing saxophone in Broadway the-become Dick and Dee Dee first met in junior ater orchestras of the 1920s. For several years high school. It was not until they were in col-thereafter the orchestra of Ben Bernie was his lege that they began their nine-year collabora-home before he assembled his own group in 1935
tion, a teaming that included the smash “The or ’36. During the War he led a Coast Guard Mountain’s High.” Together they were to have band.

five top thirty hits, with the duo’s signature com-Stabile’s orchestra, whose theme song was the bination of doo wop, soul and rhythm-and-pretty “Blue Nocturne,” made many recordings blues music.

without having a breakout hit. Their biggest Dick, who was also a songwriter, and Dee Dee success proved to be at the New York World’s were semi-regulars on the popular 1960s televi-Fair of 1939–’40, leading to gigs at some of the sion show Shindig before Dee Dee departed the top hotels. His was also the house band at the act. She was replaced by Dick’s wife Sandy. In the Slapsie Maxie’s club in Hollywood.

meantime such recordings as “Young and in His association with Martin and Lewis, which Love,” “Turn Around” and “Thou Shalt Not was to persevere with one or the other after their Steal” were heard on the airwaves.

breakup in 1956, lasted until his death. Their as-Wild Wild Winter (1966) “Heartbeats”

sociation had begun in 1949 at Ciro’s nightclub in Los Angeles. Stabile worked with them on tel-

54

Dick
evision, radio, recordings and in the movies, in shows, including the National Barn Dance.

which he played an occasional solo acting role, Some of the cast of that program, including the as in At War with the Army.

Dinnings, made a few mid–’40s movies. An ear-My Friend Irma Goes West (1950) * Sailor Belier engagement in Hollywood had led to an ap-ware (1951) * The Caddy (1953) pearance in a wartime musical film.

Among the Sisters’ popular recordings to-Dick Winslow and His Orchestra
gether were “My Adobe Hacienda,” “I Wonder Winter Carnival (1939)

Who’s Kissing Her Now” and their big success the million seller “Buttons and Bows.” They also Dingalings see Jimmy Daley and the did novelty tunes like “The Iggity Song” and

“Down in the Diving Bell.”

Dingalings

Eldest sister Lou Dinning went solo in the 1940s and was eventually replaced by younger Dinning Sisters
sister Tootsie. She recorded such songs as “The Lou Dinning (Ella Dinning, Kentucky, 1922–) Little White Cloud That Cried” and “Nobody (alto); Ginger Dinning (Virginia Dinning, Ok-Else but Me.”

lahoma, 1924–) (lead vocals); Jean Dinning (Eu-Their popularity waned in the mid–1950s and genia Dinning, Oklahoma, 1924–) (soprano); the Dinning Sisters retired from the scene in the Jayne Bundesen; Tootsie Dinning (Dolores Din-1960s. But musical talent ran in the family; ning)

younger brother Mark had a hit rock-and-roll Although perhaps less known today than they record “Teen Angel” a few years later.

deserve, the three Dinning Sisters (the younger Strictly in the Groove (1942) * The National two were twins) were very popular in their day.

Barn Dance (1944) * Rhythm Round-Up (1945) *

Blessed with perfect pitch, they started their ca-That Texas Jamboree (1946) * Throw a Saddle on reers with the orchestra of their brother Ace, sang a Star (1946) * Fun and Fancy Free (1947) (voices close harmony on their own radio show while in only) * Melody Time (1948) (voices only) their teens, appeared in local nightclubs, and toured with the Herbie Holmes Orchestra.

After signing with NBC in 1939 for their own Dino, Desi and Billy
radio program, they launched a successful career Dino (Dean Paul Martin, Santa Monica, Califor-in important nightclubs and on major radio nia, 1951–1987); Desi (also known as Desi Arnaz, Jr.) (Desiderio Arnaz IV,

1953–); Billy (William Hinsche,

Philippines, 1951–)

When you want to break into
show business it does not hurt
to be the scions of celebrity.

This describes two members of
the pop trio Dino, Desi and

Billy, the former two teenagers
being the sons of stars Dean

Martin and Desi Arnaz respec-
tively. The elder Martin’s pal

Frank Sinatra was the one who
gave them their start on his
record label and their one major
film starred Dean Martin.

The trio found brief celebrity
in the mid–1960s with tunes
such as “I’m a Fool” and “Not
the Lovin’ Kind.” They did not

The Dinning Sisters (at left) in That Texas Jamboree.

play instruments on their

Doors 55
recordings and were not great singers, but they Dona Drake and Her Girl Band
did open for such superior acts as the Beach Boys.

Dona Drake (aka Rita Rio, Rita Shaw, Una Their fame did not outlive their teen years Vilon and Rita Ray) (Rita Novella, Mexico City, and by 1970 Dino, Desi and Billy had gone their Mexico, 1914–1989)

separate ways. Desi turned into a not too bad From 1935 to the ’50s Dona Drake mainly juvenile actor and appeared with his mother Lu-acted in “B” films with an occasional more ex-cille Ball on one of her television series. Young pensively-produced opus like The Road to Mo-Dean also gave acting a shot before his early ac-rocco and Star-Spangled Rhythm. She had previ-cidental death.

ously been a band vocalist and was a band leader Murderers’ Row (1966) “If You’re Thinking from 1936 to 1940 under one of her several What I’m Thinking” * Follow Me (1969) names, Rita Rio. That ensemble made at least one musical short, but it was probably an en-Dixie Jubilee Singers; Jubilee Singers tirely different group that made the feature.

Hallelujah! (1929) “Let My People Go,” “Swing Salute for Three (1943)

Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Gimme Dat Old Time Religion” * Show Boat (1929) (voices only) Donahue, Al see Al Donahue...

* Swanee River (1931)

Doors

Don Albert and His Orchestra

Jim Morrison (1943–1971) (vocals); Robby Krie-Don Albert (Albert Dominique, New Orleans, ger (1946?–) (guitar); Ray Manzarek (1939?–) Louisiana, 1908/09–1980)

(organ/keyboard); John Densmore (1945?–) Trumpeter Don Albert formed his own band (drums)

about 1932 after he had played throughout the The legendary rock group the Doors was South with another band from the age of seven-founded by two UCLA film school students Jim teen. Although his orchestra recorded few tunes, Morrison and Ray Manzarek in 1965, and it has their “Sheik of Araby” and “Liza” made a minor lasted in one form or another to the current time.

splash. The ensemble disbanded but he contin-The charismatic and classically handsome (and ued working with other orchestras to the late often arrested) Jim Morrison became a separate 1960s. If true, one of his claims to fame was that legend in himself as their young, doomed leader.

he invented the term “swing band.”

The Doors’ name supposedly came from the Beale Street Mama (1946?)

William Blake poem about the “doors of per-ception.” By 1966 the group had secured a rep-Don Coats and the Bon-Aires
utation both positive and infamous, due to the Rock Baby, Rock It! (1957) “China Star,” “Love often-drunken or coked-up obscene outbursts Never Forgets” and other songs
of Morrison. Although they were often fired because of this it naturally served to increase their fame.

Don Cossack Chorus

Many of their songs, such as “The End” and Serge Jaroff, conductor

“Light My Fire,” were practically production Maytime (1937) * Hotel Imperial (1939) numbers since they lasted much longer than the standard length of rock tunes. These numbers Don Heywood and His Band
and “Hello, I Love You” made the Doors one of the top bands in the country during the latter The Exile (1931)

1960s, during which time they released seven gold albums.

Don Randi Trio Plus One

In 1969 Morrison was accused of exposing Don Randi (New York, New York, 1937–) himself during a concert in Miami and this in-A music arranger and composer for various cident, together with his consuming addictions, Hollywood studios, Don Randi also led the jazz led to the slow decline of the band. The last ap-group Quest and has recorded many albums.

pearance of the original members came in 1970.

Fireball 500 (1966) “Country Carnival”

The best seller No One Gets Out of Here Alive

56

Dorene
was written about the band, and the film The (1941) * Men of Boys Town (1941) * New Wine Doors starred Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison.

(1941) * Sundown (1941) * Babes on Broadway The Doors Are Open (1968) [documentary]

(1942) * Mrs. Miniver (1942) * Random Harvest

“When the Music’s Over,” “Five to One” and (1942) * Tish (1942) * Marriage Is a Private Af-several other songs * Feast of Friends (1970) [doc-fair (1944) * Mrs. Parkington (1944) * The Cheat-umentary] “Strange Days,” “Wild Child” and ers (1945) * The Corn Is Green (1945) * Mexicana several other songs * The Day the Music Died (1945) * Yolanda and the Thief (1945) * Out Cal-

(1977) [documentary]

ifornia Way (1946) * Walk Softly Stranger (1950)

* The Great Caruso (1951)

Dorene Sisters

Dorsey, Jimmy see Jimmy Dorsey He’s My Guy (1943) “Boogie Woogie Bugle Man”

and His Orchestra

Doris Eaton and the Radio Pictures Dorsey, Tommy see Tommy Dorsey Beauty Chorus [unknown]

and His Orchestra

Doris Eaton (Norfolk, Virginia, 1904–) Still going strong at the time of this writing Douglas, Milton see Milton Douglas (2008), centenarian former Ziegfeld Follies girl and Orchestra

Doris Eaton was in silent movies by the early 1920s. Primarily a dancer, she was in several Dovells

Broadway shows prior to retiring from show business and then operating several dance stu-Jerry Summers ( Jerry Gross) (lead tenor); Len dios. She made her first film appearance in many Barry (Len Borisoff ) (tenor); Mike Dennis (Mike decades in Jim Carrey’s Man on the Moon in Freda) (2nd tenor); Arnie Satin (Arnie Silver) 1999.

(baritone); Danny Brooks ( Jim Mealey) (bass); Street Girl (1929)

Mark Stevens (Mark Gordesky) (tenor) The Philadelphia-based Brooktones did not find much success until the name Deauvilles Dorothy Mccarthy and the Three

(after the Miami hotel) was suggested to them.

Dots [unknown]

They liked the sound of it but not the spelling —

Mama Steps Out (1937)

and so another pop band got its roundabout naming. The band’s members also adopted new Dorris see Uncle Dave Macon and names for themselves.

His Son, Dorris

However the Dovells’ name was finally spelled, it spelled s-u-c-c-e-s-s after the rollicking “The Bristol Stomp” was released. They seemed to Dorr’s St. Luke’s Choristers
specialize in short-lived dance fads with records Ripley Dorr, director
like “Do the New Continental,” “Bristol Twistin’

Although perhaps little known today, the St.

Annie,” “Hully Gully Baby” and “The Jitter-Luke’s Choristers, a young male ensemble, may bug.” Their biggest hit, after “Bristol Stomp,”

have made the most film appearances of any sim-came with “You Can’t Sit Down” in 1963.

ilar group, such as the Robert (Bob) Mitchell They frequently appeared in normally Black Boys Choir. Many of the Choristers’ pictures venues with African-American bands and also were very prestigious MGM productions.

played back-up for pop soloists like Fabian, A Tale of Two Cities (1935) * Rainbow on the Jackie Wilson and Chubby Checker, in one of River (1936) * San Francisco (1936) * The Firefly whose films they appeared.

(1937) * The Green Light (1937) * Make a Wish With many new members the Dovells per-

(1937) * The Prince and the Pauper (1937) * Song formed in Las Vegas toward the end of their time of the City (1937) * Boys Town (1938) * A Christ-together and by the 1970s changing musical mas Carol (1938) * Marie Antoinette (1938) * The tastes led to their demise. In 1991, with golden Girl of the Golden West (1938) * Three Comrades oldie nostalgia going strong, an album of their (1938) * Fisherman’s Wharf (1939) * The Big Store

“greatest hits” was issued.

Duke 57

Don’t Knock the Twist (1962) “The Bristol bass strings. From 1958 to 1963 he had about Stomp” and “Doin’ the New Continental” * A fifteen Top Forty records, “Rebel Rouser” being Swingin’ Summer (1965)

his best known. Others included “Forty Miles of Bad Road,” the theme from the television Downey Sisters [unknown]

show Peter Gunn and “Cannonball.”

Although Eddy himself lost some popularity Gift of Gab (1934) * High Hat (1937) in the 1960s he was an undoubted influence on such famous musicians as the Beatles’ George Doye O’Dell and the Radio Rangers Harrison. He continued to issue albums and had Doye O’Dell (Allen O’Dell, Plainview or Gus-minor hits with tunes like “Guitar Man” and the tine, Texas, 1912–2001)

theme from the television show Have Gun, Will Fiddle and guitar player Doye O’Dell (he Travel.

adopted his middle name for performing) was In succeeding decades Duane Eddy played the on the radio in Texas about 1931 before he made occasional movie role and had a record hit in his way to New York where he formed Doye England as well as some success with country O’Dell and the Radio Rangers.

music. He resumed live performing in the 1980s After relocating to the West Coast he had a and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of big success with “Old Shep” and recorded many Fame in 1994.

other novelty songs, including the country hit Because They’re Young (1960) “Shazam”

“Diesel Smoke, Dangerous Curves.” O’Dell claimed to have been groomed to take over for Duchin, Eddie see Eddie Duchin...

Roy Rogers in case Republic’s “King of the Cowboys” had been drafted during World War II.

Duke Ellington and His Band; Duke This did not happen but he did appear without his band in a slew of films with Charles Star-Ellington and His Orchestra
rett and some postwar Rogers’ movies like Under Duke Ellington (Edward Ellington, Washing-California Stars and Along the Navajo Trail. He ton, D. C., 1899–1974)

also had his own shows on television, including Considered one of the great figures of 20th one for children that won two Emmys, and he century music, pianist Edward “Duke” Ellington had briefly been part of the Sons of the Pioneers.

defied categorization. He essayed all types of The Pioneers (1941) * Fugitive Valley (1941) *
music from jazz to the many sophisticated melo-Man from Rainbow Valley (1946) * Heldorado dies he wrote and/or made famous. From the (1946) * Last Frontier Uprising (1947) * Whirl-1920s, when he was a fixture at Harlem’s Cotton wind Raiders (1948) * Home in San Antone (1949) Club and had a radio program, he was enor-

* Son of a Badman (1949)

mously popular. He had formed his first ensemble, a small jazz band, in 1924.

Drake, Dona see Dona Drake and A measure of Ellington’s cachet was that his Her Girl Band
band members tended to remain with him for most of their careers, some over forty years. The 1940s are viewed as his epitome, coincident with Dreamers see The Four Dreamers; the tenure of Billy Strayhorn, the (sometimes Freddie and the Dreamers
unheralded) creator of many of his most famous pieces. Among the band’s big recordings were Dry Creek Road

“Mood Indigo,” “Take the “A” Train” (their theme song) and “Sophisticated Lady.”

Groupies (1970) [documentary] “Mr. Sun”

Among Duke Ellington’s accomplishments were longer tone poem–like pieces such as “The Duane Eddy and the Rebel Rousers Far East Suite,” “Black, Brown and Beige,” “Cre-Duane Eddy (Corning, New York, 1938–); Steve ole Rhapsody” and “Diminuendo and Cre-Douglas (saxophone)

scendo in Blue.” He kept producing innovative Guitarist Duane Eddy found fame playing his music up to the end of his life, even essaying sa-trademark “twangy” sound on his electric guitar’s cred music, and was nominated for a Pulitzer

58

Dukes

Prize in 1965. The Broadway musical Sophisti-Basin Street Four, Five or Six and the Junior cated Ladies, consisting solely of his composi-Dixie Band.

tions, debuted in 1981.

The Dukes achieved national popularity in As a performer, handsome Duke Ellington the late 1950s, the peak of their fame probably was the very embodiment of suavity. He was al-coming early in the following decade. They ways impeccably outfitted, often with top hat recorded at least a dozen successful albums and and tails, as he sat at the piano. Considered both toured until the untimely death of Fred Assunto, a national and international treasure, he was at which time the group disbanded.

awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and It’s Trad, Dad! (1962)

France’s Legion of Honor.

Check and Double Check (1930) * This Is the Duncan, Bobby see Bobby Duncan Night (1932) † * Belle of the Nineties (1934) * Mur-Troupe
der at the Vanities (1934) * The Hit Parade (1937)

* Cabin in the Sky (1943) * Jazz Festival (1955) Duncan, Tommy see Tommy Duncan

[documentary] * Rhythm-and-Blues Revue (1955) and His Western All Stars

[documentary] * Rock ’n’ Roll Revue (1955/56)

[documentary]

Duncan’s Beauty Show Girls [un-

†Their participation in this film is uncertain.

known]

Juke Joint (1947)

Dunham, Sonny
see Sonny

Dunham and

His Orchestra

Durant, Eddie
see Eddie

Durant and

His Rhumba

Orchestra

Earl Burtnett
and His Orches-
tra and Trio

Earl Burtnett (Har-
risburg, Pennsylva-

Duke Ellington (at piano) and band in Rock ’n’ Roll Revue.

nia, 1899–1936)

In 1918 young

Earl Burtnett joined the Art Hickman band, a Dukes of Dixieland

San Francisco ensemble, and some time after ap-Frank Assunto (New Orleans, Louisiana, 1922–
pearing in the Ziegfeld Follies with the band he 1974) (trumpet); Fred Assunto ( Jennings, Loui-was asked to take over as front man. Since they siana, 1929–1966) (trombone); Jac Assunto; Pete were based on the West Coast they had the Fountain
chance to appear in early talking pictures.

The Assunto brothers were part of bandleader Beginning in the early 1930s Burtnett had a Horace Heidt’s Youth Opportunity Program band that played in Texas and Chicago for about the late 1940s, and they then became re-lengthy engagements. He was also the writer of spected new faces on the New Orleans Dixieland such songs as “Down Honolulu Way,” “Sleep”

scene. Their father Jac was an early member of and “Leave Me with a Smile.”

the ensemble that was variously known as the The Flying Fool (1929) * Party Girl (1930)

Eddie 59

Earl Grant Trio

A clarinetist and saxophonist, Eddie Barefield Earl Grant (1931?–1970)

played with various African-American bands in-Jazz organist Earl Grant recorded almost fifty cluding those of Fletcher Henderson, Ella Fitz-albums and some 100 singles, with hits like “Ebb gerald and Cab Calloway. Although he never Tide” and “At the End of the Rainbow.” The reached the top rungs of fame he managed to former high school teacher also worked exten-sustain a lengthy career as a sideman and also sively in clubs and appeared on television.

arranged for some of the most prominent big Juke Box Rhythm (1959) “I Feel It Right Here”

bands (Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, etc.).

and “Last Night”

Barefield was still going strong into the 1980s playing with the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus band. He had also worked as an Easy Riders

ABC staff musician and done stints in Broadway Terry Gilkyson (Hamilton Gilkyson, Phoenix-orchestras. In other words, he was the prototype ville, Pennsylvania, 1916–1999); Rich Dehr; of the sometimes anonymous working musician Frank Miller
who helped make others shine — and he did so Although the folk music trio the Easy Riders for well over fifty years.

had some success performing songs they had Bargain with Bullets (1937) written they also provided other singers with substantial hits: Dean Martin (“Memories Are Eddie Cletro and His Roundup Boys Made of This”) and Frankie Laine (“Cry of the Eddie Cletro (Eddie O’Clethero, Trenton, New Wild Goose”). The Riders made out well too Jersey, 1917–) (rhythm guitar); Tommy Sargent with their million seller “Marianne” and “C. C.

(steel guitar); Clem Atwater (drums); Joe Bardelli Rider.”

(piano); Bill Flynn (bassist); Eddie Carver (accor-In the 1960s founder Terry Gilkyson departed dion); Joe DeRose (fiddle); John Stout (fiddle); the Easy Riders for a career composing music for Ernie Ball (steel guitar)

films and was nominated for an Academy Award.

New Jersey “cowboy” Eddie Cletro was lead-But other groups continued to benefit from the ing his own band at age fourteen and playing Riders’ songwriting skills. The poignant “Green the guitar and ukulele. By the early 1940s he was Fields” and “Sloop John B.” became great suc-in Los Angeles — and not being too successful —
cesses for the Brothers Four and the Beach Boys until his orchestra switched to western swing respectively.

from the hotel music they had been playing.

Calypso Joe (1957)

Among the Playboys’ recordings were “Rock ’n’

Roll Cowboy,” “Sittin’ and A-Rockin’” and Eberle, Ray see Ray Eberle and His

“Springtime in the Rockies.”

Orchestra

After going into western swing Cletro went whole hog, even claiming his hometown was in Ebony Trio

Oklahoma. He changed the instrumentation of The film in which the Ebony Trio appeared may his group, adding fiddles and an accordion and have been a compilation of previously released shortened his name. For a while he also worked musical shorts and/or soundies.

with one of Spade Cooley’s bands and had a tel-Harlem on Parade (1946?)

evision show in the 1950s.

Trail of the Rustlers (1950) Ed Young Fife and Drum Corps

Eddie Dean Trio

The Corps specialized in playing African-American folk music.

Eddie Dean (Edgar Glosup, Posey, Texas, 1907–

Festival (1967) [documentary]

1999)

Appearing in Hollywood bit parts from 1936, Eddie Dean (called the “Golden Cowboy”) grad-Eddie Barefield’s Trio
uated to his own series of singing westerns from Eddie Barefield (sometimes Barfield) (Edward 1945 to 1948, although he was definitely a far Barefield, Scandia, New York, 1909–1991) better singer than an actor. He was supposedly

60

Eddie
the first “B” singing oater star to appear in color tours increased his popularity and he worked to films. Previously he had appeared with such stal-improve his orchestra’s sound; his own, how-warts as Gene Autry, Bill (Hopalong Cassidy) ever, continued to be problematic. One of his Boyd and Roy Rogers.

sidemen lamented, perhaps with comic exasper-Dean’s theme song was “On the Banks of the ation, that he could make thirty-two mistakes Sunny San Juan.” With his brother Jimmy Dean in a thirty-two bar solo and still get an ovation.

(not the later sausage king) he appeared on the Eddie Duchin’s postwar orchestra was consid-Melody Ranch radio show and was also heard on ered to be his best but like many a romantic hero Judy Canova’s program. As a composer he wrote he died very young. It was more the image than popular songs like “I Dreamed of a Hillbilly the reality that lived on after him when he was Heaven” and “One Has My Name, the Other portrayed by Tyrone Power in the film The Eddy Has My Heart.”

Duchin Story.

Fighting Bill Fargo (1942) Mr. Broadway (1933) * Coronado (1935) * The Hit Parade (1937)

Eddie Duchin and His Central Park Casino Dance Orchestra; Eddie

Eddie Durant and His Rhumba

Duchin and His Orchestra

Orchestra

Eddie (sometimes Eddy) Duchin (Cambridge, I’ll Sell My Life (1941) * Time Out for Rhythm Massachusetts, 1910–1951)

(1941) * Flying with Music (1942) Although acknowledged to be somewhat lack-ing in his musicianship, pianist Eddie Duchin Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra was a handsome, suave and popular heartthrob.

Eddie Heywood (Atlanta, Georgia, 1915–1989) Those attributes were enough to get him work After having played with orchestras from the with top society orchestras, like those of Nat early 1930s, jazz pianist Eddie Heywood formed Brandwynne and Leo Reisman, whose ensem-his own band about 1940 and then later a trio ble he “inherited” in 1931. As a leader, with his and a sextet. Their World War II–era recording theme song the swoony “My Twilight Dream,”

of “Begin the Beguine” was a hit, as was “The he continued playing in swank venues like the More I See You,” and the group flourished for Plaza Hotel and Cocoanut Grove.

the next few years.

Duchin’s numerous radio appearances and However in 1947 Heywood was struck with temporary partial paralysis of his hands and it was
not until the 1950s that he
could again perform. Al-
though a second attack of
paralysis came some years
later he managed to stay
active into the 1980s. He
also wrote the music for
at least two classic songs:

“Canadian Sunset” and

“Soft Summer Breeze.”

Junior Prom (1946) *

The Dark Corner (1946)

Eddie Lebaron and

Orchestra

Eddie LeBaron (Eduardo

Gastine, Venezuela,

Eddie Duchin (at left) in a Vitaphone short (1933).

1907?–1983)

Elderbloom 61

Besides leading a band at Hollywood’s Co-generations of musicians by his annual Edwin coanut Grove, Eddie LeBaron produced some Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar.

Spanish language films made in Hollywood.

Hawkins was a part of his family’s gospel choir One of them, Castillos en el Aire (Castles in the at a very young age and he has continued mak-Air), was said to be the very first of its type ing music for more than fifty years, both as part filmed there. At one time he was co-owner of of his Singers and as a solo after 1980. He is cred-the famed Trocadero nightclub.

ited with developing a new style of contempo-Harvest Melody (1943) * She’s for Me (1943) *
rary gospel music (sometimes fused with classi-Lady, Let’s Dance! (1944) * Trocadero (1944) *
cal motifs) and has also occasionally branched Perilous Holiday (1946) * Casa Manana (1951) out into rhythm-and-blues.

It’s Your Thing (1970) [documentary] * Cele-Eddie Miller and His Bobcats
bration at Big Sur (1971) [documentary]

Eddie Miller (New Orleans, Louisiana, 1911–

1991)

Eight Black Streaks

A well-regarded saxophone and clarinet Delrose Summers
player, Eddie Miller worked with Ben Pollack The Eight Black Streaks was an African-and Bob Crosby in the pre-war era and formed American band.

his own band in 1944. The Bobcats had been as-Swanee Showboat (1947?)

sociated with Bob Crosby in the 1930s so how Miller got to use the name is unknown. The Eight Buckaroos
band was a short-lived ensemble that existed for about three years, its theme song being (“Love’s Twilight on the Prairie (1944) Got Me in a) Lazy Mood.”

Mr. Big (1943)

8 Rhythmeers [unknown]

Slightly Terrific (1945)

Eddie Rio and Brothers see Rio Brothers

Elder Lovelies

Mabel Hart; Mabel Butterworth; Ivanetta Gard-Eddy, Buck and Chickie see Buck ner
and Chicky Eddy

Originally a nonprofessional group that did community singing in Southern California, the Eddy, Duane see Duane Eddy and ten women were taken up by comedian/entrepre-the Rebel Rousers
neur Ken Murray as a novelty. He named them the Elder Lovelies (sometimes known as Ken Eddy Duchin and His Orchestra see

Murray’s Elder Lovelies) and they appeared in his Blackouts, a long running Los Angeles stage Eddie Duchin and His Orchestra
phenomenon.

A few of the Lovelies had been in vaudeville Edwards, J.C. see J.C. Edwards and and at the time of their “discovery” were all in Band
their sixties and seventies. When they appeared in their first movie their combined age was almost Edwin Hawkins Singers

725 years. One member joked that wolves still whistled at them, but not through their own Edwin Hawkins (Oakland or San Francisco, teeth!

California, 1943–)

Isn’t It Romantic? (1948) * Square Dance Ju-The great 1969 gospel song “Oh Happy Day”

bilee (1949)

is probably the one for which the Edwin Hawkins Singers will be best remembered. It has supposedly sold more than seven million copies and Elderbloom Chorus
was awarded a Grammy, one of four that its It All Came True (1940)

leader has won. He has passed his gift to younger

62

Electric

Electric Flag

Madriguera had an outgoing personality that Mike Bloomfield (d. 1981) (guitar); Buddy Miles attracted crowds, as well as his fellow Latin mu-

(drums); Barry Goldberg (keyboard); Harvey sicians on whom he had a considerable influence Brooks (guitar); Paul Beaver (synthesizer); Mar-musically. He was also a composer among whose cus Doubleday (trumpet/flugelhorn); Bobby songs were “Forbidden Love,” “The Language Notkoff (violin); Peter Strazza (saxophone); Nick of Love” and “Flowers of Spain.”

Gravenites (vocals)

The Thrill of Brazil (1946) The blues/psychedelic band Electric Flag was formed in 1967 and broke up some two years Eric Burdon and the Animals see
later. Its members were all seasoned musicians Animals
whose albums later proved influential even if not particularly successful at the time. Although they Ernest Tubb and His Texas Troubadors appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival they were Ernest Tubb (near Crisp, Texas, 1914–1984); not included in the documentary film of that Jimmy Short (guitar); Tommy Paige (guitar); legendary event.

Billy Byrd (William Byrd, Tennessee, 1917–

You Are What You Eat (1968) [documentary]

2001) (guitar); Red Herron; Jack Drake; Leon Short

Elgart, Les see Les Elgart and His One of the shining lights of country music, Orchestra
guitarist Ernest (Ernie) Tubb had a long, distinguished career as a singer-songwriter and was a Elk Chanters
stalwart of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 on.

As their name indicated, the Elk Chanters were Beginning in the late 1930s he had begun record-affiliated with a Los Angeles Elks Lodge and had ing and appeared on local radio shows. “Blue won the title of Elks Club National Champion Eyed Elaine” proved to be his first successful Singers.

recording.

General Spanky (1936)

He was an acknowledged imitator of Jimmie Rodgers early in his career before finding his own Ellington, Duke see Duke Ellington...

significant voice in the early ’40s. The Texas Troubadors, with whom Tubb appeared in “B”

Emcees
oaters, was his first band in 1943. Dubbed the

“Gold Chain Troubador,” he continued to turn Scream of the Butterfly (1965) out solo country hits like “Waltz Across Texas,”

Enemies

“Blue Christmas,” “Soldier’s Last Letter” and

“Tomorrow Never Comes” and also recorded Cory Wells
with the likes of the Andrews Sisters, Red Foley Harper (1966) * Riot on Sunset Strip (1967) and Loretta Lynn.

“Jolene” and “I’m Leaving You”

He was also honored as a selfless booster of stars-to-be like Lynn, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline Ennis, Skinnay see Skinnay Ennis and Hank Snow. Ernest Tubb had a gold record and His Band
for 1941’s “Walking the Floor Over You” and in 1965 he was one of the first to be elected to the Enric Madriguera and His Orchestra Country Music Hall of Fame. In the 1960s the Enric Madriguera (Barcelona, Spain, 1904–1973) Texas Troubadors was converted into a dance Considered a pioneer of Latin-American band with whom Tubb toured extensively for music in the United States, Enric Madriguera some fifteen years, doing as many as 200 shows formed his first band in the late ’20s. He had annually.

previously been the music director for Columbia The Fighting Buckaroo (1943) * Riding West Records in South America. His music, popular-

(1944) * Jamboree (1944) * Hollywood Barn Dance ized during club dates, hotel gigs and on the (1947)

radio, carried the orchestra into the early 1950s with its theme song “Adios.”

Eubie 63

Ernesto Lecuona and the Palan

Esquires see Four Esquires Brothers Cuban Orchestra; Lecuona Cuban Boys

Esy Morales and His Rhumba Band Ernesto Lecuona (Guanabacoa, Cuba, 1895–

Esy Morales (Puerto Rico, 1917–1950) 1963)

Flutist Esy Morales’s band was usually known The famous Cuban pianist and composer as the Latin Rhythms Orchestra but in their one Ernesto Lecuona did much for his native coun-film appearance it was dubbed Esy Morales and try by helping to establish such music ensembles His Rhumba Band. Before he led his own or-as the Havana Symphony. His fame as a com-chestra Morales had played with Xavier Cugat.

poser spread far beyond his own country and Criss Cross (1949)

eventually Hollywood came calling.

The “Andalucia Suite” (from which the Amer-Eton Boys; Four Eton Boys
ican standard “The Breeze and I” was “bor-Jack Day (baritone); Earl Smith (1st tenor); Art rowed”) is one Lecuona’s most played pieces. Al-Gentry (2nd tenor); Charles Day (bass) together he wrote more than 175 pieces for solo The Eton Boys were a popular singing quar-piano and over 400 songs, including the classics tet in the 1930s who appeared on bandleader Ray

“Malaguena” and “Siboney.” The prodigious Bloch’s radio show. They also made many movie composer also produced operas and zarzuelas, musical shorts and recordings.

ballets and theater pieces.

Moonlight and Pretzels (1933) In Hollywood, working for several studios, he was nominated for an Oscar for a film that pro-Etude Ethiopian Chorus
duced one of his best-known songs “Siempre en In Laurel and Hardy’s first talking feature Pardon Mi Corazon” (“Always in My Heart”). For his Us the Etude Ethiopian Chorus played share-versatility and musicianship Lecuona earned his croppers and accompanied Oliver Hardy in nickname of the “Cuban [George] Gershwin.”

singing the delightful “Lazy Moon,” as well as The Palan Brothers Cuban Orchestra was one providing the musical background for Stan Lau-of the first Latin orchestras to play in the United rel’s eccentric dance.

States. It was later renamed the Lecuona Cuban Pardon Us (1931) * Hell’s Highway (1932) †

Boys and continued on for many years there-

†Their appearance in this film is not con-after.

firmed.

Cuban Love Song (1931) * Carnival in Costa Rica (1947)

E-Types

Ernie Freeman Combo

Blonde on a Bum Trip (1968) “Put the Clock Back on the Wall”

Ernie Freeman (1923?–1981)

A Grammy winning arranger for numerous Eubie Blake and His Orchestra
singers from Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra to Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, Ernie Freeman Eubie Blake ( James Blake, Baltimore, Maryland, started out playing piano for such stars as Dinah 1883–1983)

Washington and Dorothy Dandridge. Besides In his long career and 100 years of existence his two Grammys his accomplishments include Eubie Blake became a most revered figure. He arranging the music for thirty-five gold albums played the organ and piano (reportedly in a and 140 gold singles, among them “Strangers in brothel when he was a teenager) with his excep-the Night” and “Everybody Loves Somebody.”

tionally long, thin fingers which were said to Rock Around the Clock (1956) cover twelve piano keys.

He appeared in vaudeville, led an orchestra Eslava, Jose see Jose Eslava’s Orchestra and wrote songs for Broadway musicals. His fabled teaming with Noble Sissle (1889–1975) produced the “Dixie Duo” in vaudeville and Esquire Trio
fruitful musical collaboration for many years The Tunnel of Love (1958)

thereafter.

64

Everett

With Sissle and other Black performers Blake son who went on to make her mark in the beach/
brought forth Shuffle Along, the first successful surfing films so popular in the mid–1960s.

African-American musical produced on the Her wild terpsichorean gyrations were a mem-Great White Way. Its hits included “I’m Just orable highlight of that short-lived genre; pub-Wild About Harry” and “Love Will Find a licists dubbed her “Miss Perpetual Motion.”

Way.” Other Blake/Sissle all–Black shows fol-Johnson’s “specialty” may have been what got lowed. In all he is credited with writing some the Exciters noticed in the first place but it was 300 songs, including “You Were Meant for Me.”

their music that the musicians wanted to be The two men were among the pioneers of known for, not gimmickry.

early talking film as well. In 1923 they appeared This tension caused a split between her and in a Lee De Forest Phonofilm experimental short the band and both careers suffered. By the end in which Sissle sang to Eubie Blake’s piano ac-of the decade that had brought them both fleet-companiment. They performed together until ing fame they were little heard of again.

1927. In the early 1930s Blake formed his own Bikini Beach (1964) “Gotcha Where I Want orchestra. He continued to make public appear-You”

ances well into old age, collaborating on an album with Sissle entitled “86 Years of Eubie Eyes of Blue

Blake.”

Ritchie Francis (guitar); Gary Hopkins (vocals); The Broadway show Eubie! honored his life Wyndam Rees (vocals); Phil Ryan (keyboard); and he performed in one way or another until Ray Williams (bassist); R. Bennett (bassist); John he was ninety-nine years young. At ninety it was Weathers (drums)

said he was as “robust as a rooster ... a lively, They began as a soul-based group but the En-volatile, adamant and noisy character.” Blake, glish band Eyes of Blue later broadened its reper-the son of freed slaves, was awarded the Medal of toire to rock, jazz, rhythm-and-blues and even Freedom in 1981.

classical music. Among their recordings were Harlem Is Heaven (1932)

“Love Is the Law” and “Crossroads of Time.”

Connecting Rooms (1969)

Everett Hoagland and Band

Future bandleaders Stan Kenton and Spike Jones Faded Blue
were sidemen in clarinetist Everett Hoagland’s The Faded Blue was a Chicago-based garage orchestras which dated back to the 1920s. He band.

was an early exponent of swing and jazz but in Blast-Off Girls (1967) “The Next Time,” “You the 1930s opted for “society” music which per-Got Me Where You Want Me” and several other haps was more lucrative at the time.

songs

Among the recordings of Hoagland’s post-jazz bands were “I’m Too Romantic,” “The Moon and the Willow Tree” and “Drifting Down the Falkner Orchestra

River of Dreams.” He had also been the chief Johnny Doughboy (1942)

musical arranger for the RKO studio.

Okay, America! (1932)

Fallen Angels

Jack Bryant (bassist); Wally Cook (guitar); How-Exciters Band
ard Danchik (keyboard); Jack Lauritsen (multi-Bobby Fry (bassist); Don Hargrave (Don Hard-instruments); John Molloy (drums)

grave, 1939–1999); Jim Rector (drums); Jack The Washington D.C.–based Fallen Angels Merrill (guitar); Larry Ogden (saxophone); seemed headed for big things after their 1965

Candy Johnson
formation. Their much-admired music was a fu-Starting out as the Igniters in the early 1960s, sion of various styles, including jazz and classi-the Exciters Band (not to be confused with the cal, and their stage presence was arresting. Some-girl group the Exciters) played the Las Vegas times the entire stage was dark except for bright lounges. At some point the group began featur-strobe lights. In the end the band did not live ing the frenetic dancing of blonde Candy John-up to its promise.

Five 65

The Revolution Is in Your Head (1970) [docu-

“Go Where You Wanna Go” was their first chart mentary]

recording.

The group went from strength to strength Family Dog
with more hits including “Wedding Bell Blues,”

“Never My Love” and (“Last Night) I Didn’t Get You Are What You Eat (1968) [documentary]

to Sleep at All.” When attractive married couple Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis left the group Famous Shaw Negro Choir see Freita to launch their own careers in 1975 the Fifth Di-Shaw...

mension continued on but never did match their previous glories. A few reunions followed and Fantasy
the group was inducted into the Vocal Music Musical Mutiny (1970) “Understand”

Hall of Fame in 2002.

Popcorn: an Audio/Visual Rock Thing (1969) Farmer Sisters [unknown]

[documentary]

John Lair’s Renfro Valley Barn Dance (1966) Finks

Father Machias Lani’s Chorus; Father Jake Cavaliere (organ); Dave Klein (percussion); Lani’s Chorus

Gregg Hunt (guitar)

Playing an early version of surfing music, the The Girl of the Golden West (1938) * Marie An-Finks produced but a single album before split-toinette (1938)

ting up.

The Big Cube (1969)

Faulkner, Chuck see Chuck Faulkner Band

Fio Rito, Ted see Ted Fio Rito and His Band

Feder Sisters [unknown]

Miriam Feder; Sylvia Feder

Firehouse Five Plus Two

Catskill Honeymoon (1950)

Danny Alguire (trumpet); Harper Goff (banjo); Ward Kimball (trombone); Clark Mallery (clar-Felix and His Martinques [unknown]

inet); Monte Mountjoy (drums); Ed Penner Havana Rose (1951)

(tuba); Frank Thomas (piano)

All members of the Disney Studios animation Fenton, Shane see Shane Fenton and department, the Dixieland jazz band Firehouse the Fentones

Five Plus Two began playing together as an amateur group in the late 1940s. As they gained in Fields, Shep see Shep Fields and His popularity from the mid–1950s to 1970 they recorded more than a dozen albums.

Orchestra

In keeping with their name the band sported firemen’s uniforms and traveled around in a 1914

Fifth Dimension
vintage fire truck. Their music often featured the Billy Davis, Jr.; Marilyn McCoo; Florence La-sounds of sirens and large doses of humor.

Rue; Lamonte McLemore; Ron Townson (d.

Hit Parade of 1951 (1950) * Grounds for Mar-2001)

riage (1950)

For a while in the late 1960s and ’70s the Fifth Dimension was a popular vocal group with Fite, Buster see Buster Fite...

smash renditions of “Up, Up and Away” (the winner of several Grammy Awards) and “Aquar-ius/Let the Sun Shine in” from the musical Hair.

Five Hertzogs [unknown]

They had formed as the Versatiles about 1966

Crazy House (1943)

and changed names when they began to record.

66

Five

Five Jones Boys; Jones Quintette meantime “In the Still of the Night” has gone Jimmy Springs (tenor); William Bartley; Her-on to sell millions of copies.

man Wood; Louis Wood; Charles Hopkins The Sweet Beat (1959) * The Amorous Sex Based in Los Angeles from the mid–1930s, the (1962) “In the Still of the Nite” * Been Down So Five Jones Boys originally hailed from Illinois.

Long It Looks Like Up to Me (1970) * Let the Good They were specialists in emulating musical inTimes Roll (1973) [documentary]

struments with their voices, a talent known as a human orchestra. The Boys subsequently joined Five Stairsteps; Five Stairsteps and Cubie together with the Four Blackbirds to form a Clarence Burke, Jr. (lead vocalist); Alohe Burke larger group known as the Jones Boys Sing Band.

(contralto); James Burke (1st tenor); Kenneth The Big Show (1936) * Racing Blood (1936) *

Burke (2nd tenor); Dennis Burke (baritone); Can This Be Dixie? (1937)

Cubie Burke

The “First Family of Soul” (a name later as-Five Miller Sisters
sumed by the Jackson 5) was the soubriquet of Rockin’ the Blues (1956) [documentary] “Every-the Five Stairsteps, best known for the 1970 hit body’s Havin’ a Ball” and “Do You Wanna

“O-o-h Child,” and so named because of their Blow?”

comparative heights. The siblings’ recording days began in their teens after they won first prize in Five Music Maids see Music Maids a Chicago talent contest in the mid–1960s.

When little brother Cubie was added to the enFive Pennies see Red Nichols and His semble he was a mere two years old, surely making him the youngest member of any such group.

Five Pennies

Other charters for the Five Stairsteps included

“World of Fantasy,” “From Us to You” and “You Five Radio Buckaroos

Waited Too Long.” All told, seventeen of their Five Bad Men (1935)

recordings hit the rhythm-and-blues charts; twelve made the pop charts.

Five Satins; Fred Parris and His Satins Eventually, with the departure of some family members, they shortened their name to just Fred Parris (1936–) (lead vocals); Stanley Dortch the Stairsteps and continued on until the mid–

(tenor); Wes Forbes; Lewis Peeples (tenor); Rich 1970s. The four male members formed the Invis-Freeman; Sy Hopkins; Bill Baker (vocals); Eddie ible Man’s Band in 1980 and brother Kenneth Martin (baritone); Jim Freeman (bass); Al later went on to a fairly distinguished solo ca-Denby; Jessie Murphy (piano)

reer.

Once lead singer of the doo-wop group the Soul to Soul (1970) [documentary] * It’s Your Scarlets (or Scarletts), Fred Parris supposedly Thing (1970) [documentary]

composed the rock classic “In the Still of the Night (sometimes rendered as “Nite”) while on Army guard duty in 1956. He had formed the Five Stars

Four Satins in 1953 and it was apparently these The Five Stars recorded “Ooh Shucks” which four who recorded the iconic melody. They sub-was written by Berry Gordy, founder of Motown sequently became the Five Satins.

Records.

By the time their next recording, and only Rock Baby, Rock It! (1957) “Hey Juanita” and other chart song, “To the Aisle” became a hit,

“Your Love Is All I Need”

Parris was still in the military, and the Satins had different membership. It was this group that Flames see James Brown and the scored mildly with “Shadows” and also had a Famous Flames
minor success with “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

They disbanded in the early 1960s but Parris cashed in on the “oldies” craze and the reconsti-Flamingos
tuted Satins were active into the 1980s, even hav-Jacob Carey (d. 1996) (bass); Ezikial Carey (d.

ing a few more records on the charts. In the 2001) (tenor); Paul Wilson (baritone); Johnny

Flying 67

Carter (tenor); Earl Lewis (lead); Nate Nelson; Flying Burrito Brothers

Tommy Hunt; Sollie McElroy (lead)

Pete Kleinow (South Bend, Indiana, 1934–2007) The Swallows, the Five Flamingos and the El (steel guitar); Gram Parsons (Cecil Connor III, Flamingos were the names this rock quintet went Winterhaven, Florida, 1946–1973); Chris Hill-by before they simplified it to just the Flamingos man (Los Angeles or San Diego, California, in the early 1950s. In mid-decade they recorded 1944– ) (guitar/mandolin); Chris Ethridge (piano/
a few minor hit rhythm-and-blues numbers like bassist); Jon Corneal

“A Kiss from Your Lips” and “The Vow” but real There have actually been two bands called the success came with the sweet harmonies of the Flying Burrito Brothers; the second “borrowed”

1930s classic “I Only Have Eyes for You.”

the name about 1968 and became famous. The In 1957 the Flamingos became a quartet.

original one eventually styled themselves the Swooningly romantic songs continued to be the Flying Burrito Brothers East. The new West their forte in such recordings as “Love Walked Coast group’s initial country rock album “The in,” “Golden Teardrops,” “Mio Amore” and Gilded Palace of Sin” was not a great seller, but

“Lovers Never Say Goodbye.” The period from had the “legs” to make it most influential over 1959 to 1961 is regarded as their most prolific, the years.

and their last charter was in 1970.

The Brothers, with their gaudy version of The group split into two (one being called the western outfits, gained a kind of cult following Modern Flamingos) in the early ’60s; the “orig-and were much admired by famous musicians, inal” quintet kept performing into the new cen-among whom were Bob Dylan and the Rolling tury. They have been inducted into the Vocal Stones. One of their bigger singles “White Line Group Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall Fever” came before they shortened their name of Fame.

to the Burrito Brothers.

Rock, Rock, Rock (1956) “Would I Be Crying?”

Although the Burrito Brothers was suppos-

* Go, Johnny, Go! (1958) “Jump Children”

edly disbanded at the end of the 20th century, it has continued to perform in various incarnations Fleck, Bill see Bill Fleck and His (e.g., Burrito Deluxe) until the present day.

Orchestra

Gimme Shelter (1970) [documentary] “Six Days on the Road” * Celebration at Big Sur (1971) Flennoy Trio

[documentary]

Lorenzo Flennoy (piano); Gene Phillips (guitar); Winston Williams (bass)

Flying “L” Ranch Quartet(te)

Mr. Ace (1946) “Now and Then”

Bill Palmer; Harry Hall; George McCaslin; Fred Flores Brothers

Graves

The barbershop/close harmony group that was Pepe Guizar
to become the Flying “L” Ranch Quartet(te) was The Flores Brothers were Latin musicians.

formed from members of various other groups Down Argentine Way (1940) * That Night in that performed in amateur contests in the Mid-Rio (1941) * Rio Rita (1942) * Mexican Hayride dle West. They fortuitously came together in the (1948)

early 1940s when competing in one such contest.

Fly-By-Nytes

Temporarily calling themselves the Mystic Robert Lewis (guitar)

Four and then the Mainstreeters, the quartet got The Fly-By-Nytes were a Chicago garage a local radio show and while performing in a band whose sole picture appearances might be club were discovered by the governor of Okla-due to the fact that band member Robert Lewis homa. They began making recordings like “Beau was the son of the director. For their appearance Blanc Visage” and “Hereford Heaven.”

in director H. G. Lewis’s film Gruesome Twosome It was at that point that the Flying “L” Ranch they were called the Beach-side Band.

Quartet(te) assumed their final name and be-The Girl, the Body and the Pill (1967) * Grue-came mainstays at numerous Oklahoma official some Twosome (1967)

functions. Before disbanding in the late 1950s

68

Foley
they performed at state and national inaugurals, even greater glory with a string of big hits in-including that of Harry Truman.

cluding “Stranger in Paradise,” “It’s a Woman’s Home in Oklahoma (1946)

World” “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Tell Me Why,” “Heart of My Heart” and “Heart and Foley, Red see Red Foley and His Soul.” They may be best remembered for their Saddle Pals
swooningly romantic “Love Is a Many-Splen-dored Thing.”

Fontane Sisters

The close harmony group had had its genesis just after World War II with Al Alberts and Dave Marge Rosse (New Milford, New Jersey); Geri Mahoney as a duo. Their greatest success lay in Rosse ( New Milford, New Jersey); Bea Rosse the 1950s; between 1951 and 1956 they had at (New Milford, New Jersey)

least one record a year in the top twenty. They

“Hearts Made of Stone,” with its catchy re-continued on until the 1970s when they split in frain of “no, no, no, no,” etc. was the Fontane two, one successor being the Original Four Aces Sisters’ number one gold smash in 1954. Like which performed into the 1980s. They were in-their other hits it was a cover of earlier recordings ducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in made mainly by Black groups. They had been 2001.

previously known as the Three Sisters and had The Big Beat (1958) “Nobody Else But Me”

performed as crooner Perry Como’s backup group.

Four Amigos

Although never having another such big hit, the Sisters succeeded again with covers of “Eddie The Four Amigos often served as background My Love,” “Rollin’ Stone” and “I’m Stickin’ with vocalists for Elvis Presley.

You.” They also recorded many novelty num-Fun in Acapulco (1963)

bers like “If I Knew You Were Comin’, I’d’ve Baked a Cake” and country tunes. Ultimately Four Chicks and Chuck
their dearth of original songs caused their pop-Chuck Goldstein
ularity to decline following their last charter Originally a member of the famous harmony

“Chanson D’Amour.”

quintet the Modernaires, Chuck Goldstein de-

(Abbott and Costello) In Society (1944) parted that group to form the Four Chicks and Chuck.

Ford, Harris and Jones Trio

Singing on the Trail (1946) The Trio was probably a singing group.

Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) Four Coins

Forte Four

George Mahramas; Michael Mahramas (tenor); George Mantalis (tenor); James Gregorakis (bari-John Schaeffer II (Los Angeles, CA, 1946–); Guy tone)

Watson; Dan Anthony; Ernie Earnshaw (Spencer Starting out as the Four Keys, the Four Coins Earnshaw)

renamed themselves following the success of the The Forte Four were musicians led by John then-current film Three Coins in the Fountain.

Schaeffer who originally had a surf band.

Most of them had been band instrumentalists.

Viva Las Vegas (1964) “The Climb” * The Cool Their first recording hit was 1955’s “Memories Ones (1967)

of You” and they had no others until their only million seller “Shangri-La” two years later.

Four Aces

After “My Sin” the Coins’ pop music efforts Al Alberts (Al Albertini, Philadelphia, Pennsyl-declined in popularity but they turned their vania) (lead); Dave Mahoney; Louis Silvestri Greek-American heritage to good advantage (drums); Rosario Vaccaro (trumpet); Fred Dio-with an album of Greek songs. When they dis-dati
banded, a new group called the Original Three The Pennsylvania-based Four Aces had a mil-Coins was formed but it did not endure.

lion seller with (“It’s No) Sin” and went on to Jamboree (1957) “A Broken Promise”

Four 69

Four Dreamers

Four Ink Spots see Ink Spots The Four Dreamers were a vocal group.

The Big Store (1941) * Carolina Blues (1944) Four Lads

Corrado Codarini (bass); John Toorish (lead Four Esquires
singer); James Arnold (2nd tenor); Frank Busseri The Four Esquires were a musical group.

(baritone)

It’s a Great Life! (1935) * All-American Sweet-Toronto-based former choir boys, the Four heart (1937) * Can This Be Dixie? (1937) * Rosalie Lads brought their pleasing close harmony to (1937) * Saratoga (1937) * Top of the Town (1937) venues all over the world and appeared much on television. Before they had a hit record of their Four Eton Boys see Eton Boys own they were the back-up group to professional

“sobber” Johnnie Ray on two of his million sell-Four Freshmen; Four Freshmen
ers: “Cry” and “The Little White Cloud That Quartette

Cried.”

Formed about 1950, they originally had dubbed Ken Albers ( John Albers, Woodbury, New Jer-themselves the Four Dukes. Three years later sey, 1924–2007); Ross Barbour (1928–); Don their hit novelty tune “Istanbul (Not Constan-Barbour (Columbus, Indiana, 1927–1961); Bob tinople”) garnered them a hit of their own and Flanigan (1926–) (lead); Hal Kratzsch (d. 1970); they also scored with “Skokiaan” and “Down By Ken Errair (1928–); Marvin Pruitt
the Riverside.”

After having experimented with such names as In 1955 the nostalgic “Moments to Remem-the Toppers and Hal’s Harmonizers (or Harber” proved their biggest success. The Lads’ lively monaires) the vocal/instrumental quartet chose version of “Standin’ on the Corner” was their the Four Freshmen as their soon-to-be famous final pop hit but throughout the 1950s they con-name. Formed by brothers Don and Ross Bar-tinued to release singles and albums and are still bour about 1947 or ’48, their mellifluous voices active to this day. They were inducted into the were first heard when they were indeed college Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

students in Indiana. They toured throughout the Enchanted Island (1958)

Midwest before being discovered by jazz great Stan Kenton.

The close-harmony group excelled in mellow Four Mills Brothers see Mills Brothers standards like “Mood Indigo” and “Moonglow,”

as well as more modern tunes such as “It’s a Blue Four Night Hawks

World” and “Graduation Day,” their biggest hit.

Call of the Rockies (1931) By the mid–1950s the Freshmen were mixing a generous dollop of jazz-flavored tunes into the Four Playboys
repertoire and ultimately released more than The Four Playboys were a musical group that forty albums. One of them resided on the charts performed on orchestra leader Ben Bernie’s radio for over eight months, setting a record for a mod-show in the 1930s.

ern jazz ensemble.

In 1953 they won the

New Faces of 1937 (1937) * You’re a Sweetheart Down Beat Magazine

(1937) *
poll as the best jazz vocal group. Into the 1960s College Swing (1938)

the much-emulated original Freshmen remained popular and with new lineups of talent they still Four Preps
perform and have been an acknowledged Bruce Belland (Chicago, Illinois, 1936–) (lead influence on groups such as the Beach Boys. In tenor); Ed Cobb (1938?–1999) (bass); Marv In-2000, more than fifty years after its founding, gram (Marvin Inabnett, d. 1999) (2nd tenor); the group again won a Down Beat Magazine poll, Glen Larson (1937–) (1st tenor); David Somer-this time for Vocal Group of the Year.

ville

Rich, Young and Pretty (1951) “How Do You The song “26 Miles (Santa Catalina”) sung by Like Your Eggs in the Morning?” * Lucy Gallant the Four Preps became one of the veritable an-

(1955) “How Can I Tell Her?”

thems of the California lifestyle. Although more

70

Four
than a dozen of their recordings reached the pop records and some 85 million records sold, the charts beginning in 1956 they never topped that group is still a great draw at rock-and-roll re-hit.

vival venues and they have been inducted into Other Four Preps songs included “Big Man”

both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1990) and and the folk-flavored “Down By the Station.”

the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Formed as a high school group in the mid–1950s Beach Ball (1965) “Dawn (Go Away”) doing parodies of other groups, the Preps were active for almost a dozen years thereafter. Dur-Four Singing Notables see Notables ing that time they appeared often on major television shows.

Four Singing Tramps

The Preps were hailed as the most promising vocal group of 1958 by the influential Cash Box Swing It, Professor (1937) Magazine. They broke up in 1967 but regrouped with some of the original members in the 1980s Four Society Girls [unknown]

and are still performing today.

Sing a Jingle (1944)

Gidget (1959) “Cinderella”

Four Spirits of Rhythm

Four Seasons

The Four Spirits of Rhythm was a vocal group.

Sweetheart of the Campus (1941) Frankie Valli (Francis Castelluccio, Newark or Belleville, New Jersey, 1937–); Nick De Vito; Bob Gaudio; Hank Majewski; Tommy De Vito; Four Squires [unknown]

Nick Massi (Nicholas Macioci, Newark, New Swing It, Professor (1937) Jersey, 1927?–2000)

The smash hit Tony-winning 2005 Broadway Four Teens [unknown]

musical Jersey Boys brought Frankie Valli and the Hit the Ice (1943)

Four Seasons back into public consciousness in a big way. The travails and triumphs of that uber-popular rock group seemed to make it a Four Tones see Herb Jeffries and the natural for theatrical treatment. The many 1950s Four Tones
and ’60s tunes featured in the production added to the nostalgic experience.

Four Toppers see Steve Gibson’s Red Possibly most remembered for Valli’s falsetto Caps
on hits like “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Candy Girl,” the Four Four Tunes

Seasons had begun around 1954 as the Varietones Lawless Valley (1938)

and then the Four Lovers. In ’56 they had scored a mild hit with “You Are the Apple of My Eye”

but then languished for several years thereafter.

Four V’s [unknown]

The name under which they attained world fame I Love a Bandleader (1945) was adopted in 1961.

Nineteen sixty-two proved to be the Seasons’

Four Williams Brothers see Williams breakout year and the group even flourished dur-Brothers
ing the British Invasion years with more hits like

“Dawn (Go Away”), “Let’s Hang On,” “Can’t Fourmations see T.J. and the Take My Eyes Off You” and “Rag Doll.” But inevitably the hits stopped coming and by the lat-Fourmations
ter 1960s internal (largely financial) troubles began to take their toll.

Fourmost

Frankie Valli embarked on a solo career and Brian O’Hara (Liverpool, England, 1942–1999) had successful singles like “Oh, What a Night”

(guitar); Mike Millward (Bromborough, England, and “My Eyes Adored You.” With forty-six chart 1942–1966) (guitar); Billy Hatton (Liverpool,

Frank 71

England, 1941–); Dave Lovelady (Liverpool, Enown. They sang on the Hollywood Barn Dance gland, 1942–); Joey Bower
and other radio programs, and had their first hit After being signed by Beatles’ manager Brian

“Texas Blues” in 1944.

Epstein, the British band Fourmost was given They also began making films with cowboy songs composed by John Lennon and Paul Mc-star Monte Hale, but it was their 1948 teaming Cartney that the Beatles did not perform. These with Republic star Roy Rogers (in Grand Canyon included “Hello, Little Girl” and “I’m in Love.”

Trail) that brought the Riders of the Purple Sage They only issued a single album and had one into their own in movies. They replaced his modest hit “A Little Lovin’.” The band, which in-longtime cohorts the Sons of the Pioneers, after cluded some rather lame comedy along with a contract dispute, and remained with him their songs, stopped recording in the 1960s but through Heart of the Rockies, when they were in did continue to tour thereafter.

turn replaced by the Roy Rogers Riders.

Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “A Little They also sang on Rogers’ radio program. In Lovin’” * Ferry Cross the Mersey (1965) 1952, with the “B” movie western itself riding into the sunset, the Riders of the Purple Sage did Foursome
the same. However, there were a few reunions, Gil Mershon; Ray Johnson; Del Porter; Dwight one being with a Gene Autry tour and others to Snyder
make recordings.

Stolen Heaven (1931) * Go West, Young Lady In terms of the sheer number of films they (1941)

made, the group was certainly one of the most prolific. They also had record hits like Fox and Walters [unknown]

“Cool Water,” “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and

“No One to Cry to,” and in 1991 they were in-The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935) ducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame.

Foy Willing and the Riders of the Twilight on the Prairie (1944) * Sing Me a Song Purple Sage
of Texas (1945) * Saddle Serenade (1945) * Throw Foy Willing (Foy Willingham, Texas, 1914–1978) a Saddle on a Star (1946) * Out California Way (baritone); Al Sloey (Iowa, 1912–1975) (tenor); (1946) * The Last Frontier Uprising (1947) * Along Dick Reinhart (lead vocals); Jimmy Dean ( James the Oregon Trail (1947) * Under Colorado Skies Glosup, 1903–1970); Darol Rice (clarinet); (1947) * California Firebrand (1948) * The Tim-Charlie Morgan; Scotty Harrell; Johnny Paul ber Trail (1948) * Grand Canyon Trail (1948) *

( John Girardi) (fiddle); Bud Sievert (Burton The Far Frontier (1948) * Susanna Pass (1949) *

Sievert) (accordion); Jerry Vaughn (rhythm gui-Down Dakota Way (1949) * The Golden Stallion tar); Billy Liebert; Paul Sellers; Neely Plumb (1949) * Bells of Coronado (1950) * Twilight in (clarinet); Freddy Traveres (accordion) the Sierras (1950) * Trigger, Jr. (1950) * Sunset in Foy Willing began his career on local radio the West (1950) * North of the Great Divide (1950) and then did a stint in the mid–1930s on a New

* Trail of Robin Hood (1950) * Heart of the Rock-York radio program. He and pal Al Sloey came ies (1951) * Disc Jockey (1951) to Hollywood in the early 1940s, fortuitously hooking up with another western swinger, Frank, J. L. see J. L. Frank’s Golden Jimmy Wakely.

West Cowboys

The busy Wakely decided to turn his own band over to Willing, thus giving birth to Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage. They Frank and Milt Britton Band
were not the original Riders of the Purple Sage, Comedy was the hallmark of the Frank and Milt who dated back to 1933; in fact they were prob-Britton band which had begun in vaudeville.

ably third in line with the name.

The wacky hi-jinks extended to smashing in-The Riders began their screen career with struments over the players’ heads. Milt later had oater hero Charles Starrett, but were not always his own ensemble.

billed that way in their earlier films with him.

Moonlight and Pretzels (1933) * Sweet Music Willing also performed some acting roles on his (1935)

72

Frank

Frank Newman and His Band
fairly successful recordings like “The ABCs of The Shadow of Silk Lennox (1935) Love,” “I Want You to Be My Girl” and “I’m Not a Juvenile Delinquent.”

Frankie Carle and Orchestra; Frankie Since the falsetto voice of Frankie Lymon was Carle and His Orchestra
the signature of the Teenagers, he was soon persuaded to go out as a solo act. Inevitably, his Frankie Carle (Francis Carlone, Providence, voice began to deepen and by the age of fifteen Rhode Island, 1903–2001)

he was pretty much of a has-been. Tragically, In show business from about 1918, pianist drug abuse led to an early death at age twenty-Frankie Carle played with the Horace Heidt and five.

Mal Hallett bands in the 1930s and formed his Before that his marital tangles had made head-own group in 1944. Much heard on radio, the lines and in 1998 he was the subject of a movie orchestra’s theme song was Carle’s “Sunrise Ser-called — inevitably — Why Do Fools Fall in Love?

enade.” Other recordings included “Lover’s Lul-Despite all of the later troubles, Frankie Lymon laby” and “Dream Lullaby,” prior to the band’s and the Teenagers had been a strong influence disbanding in the 1950s.

on many groups that followed. In 1993 they were Carle won the magazine Orchestra World’s inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

“Nation’s Outstanding Musician” award in both and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.

1942 and ’43. In a few films he appeared with-Rock Rock Rock (1956) “Baby Baby” and “I’m out his orchestra as a pianist, sometimes billed as Not a Juvenile Delinquent” * Don’t Knock the

“Frankie Carle and His Piano.” He continued Rock (1956) * Mr. Rock ’n’ Roll (1957) “Fortu-performing into the 1980s, frequently with an nate Fella” and “Love Put Me Out of My Head”

all-girl quartet called Frankie Carle and His Girl Friends.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons see

Riverboat Rhythm (1946) * Sweetheart of Sigma Four Seasons

Chi (1946) * Variety Time (1948) * Make Mine Laughs (1949) * Footlight Varieties (1951) Fraternity Brothers

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers World By Night (1961) [documentary]

Frankie Lymon (Franklin Lymon, New York, New York, 1942–1968); Joe Negroni (baritone); Fraunfelder Family

Herman Santiago (1st tenor) (d. 1978); Jimmy Reinhardt Fraunfelder, Sr.; Reinhardt Fraun-Merchant (2nd tenor); Sherman Garnes (bass) felder, Jr.; William Fraunfelder; Betty Fraun-

(d. 1977)

felder; Ruth Fraunfelder

Once upon a time a racially-mixed group When you hear yodeling in the Disney clas-

(African-American and Puerto Rican) variously sic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs it is cour-called the Coupe de Villes, Ermines and Pre-tesy of the Fraunfelder family who, being Swiss, miers had a song called “Why Do Birds Sing So came by their talents naturally. Later, they even Gay?” They needed a high tenor to put it over taught yodeling in California public schools and and found thirteen-year-old Frankie Lymon to still later were affiliated with the Schlitz Brewing fill the bill. The fairy tale was complete when Company, becoming known as the Schlitz Fam-they changed the song title to “Why Do Fools ily Fraunfelder.

Fall in Love?” and became known as the Teen-Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) (voices agers. It was an overwhelming smash hit in early only) * The Great Waltz (1938) * Paradise for 1956.

Three (1938)

Like many fairy tales this one even had a princess in it: the Teenagers played a command Fred Palmer’s Orchestra
performance before Princess Margaret of Britain.

But also like many fairy tales this one was to have The Notorious Elinor Lee (1940) a dark ending. Before that happened the group with the clean-cut image scored many television Fred Parris and His Satins see Five and theater appearances and had a few other Satins

Freddie 73

Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians among the great orchestra leaders, his name does live on in one of his inventions, the Waring Fred Waring (Tyrone, Pennsylvania, 1900–1984) Blender. He had other inventions to his credit Dubbed “The Man Who Taught America to as well, and was considered a shrewd entrepre-Sing,” Fred Waring was a man of “firsts.” To him neur.

and His Pennsylvanians belongs the (possible) Syncopation (1929) * Varsity Show (1937) *
honor of being the very first orchestra to appear Melody Time (1948) (music only?) in a sound feature film, Syncopation, in early 1929. His performing career was to continue for Freddie and the Dreamers
some fifty years more, culminating in an appear-Freddie Garrity (Manchester, England, 1936–
ance at Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural in 1981.

2006)

The President awarded him a Congressional The 1965 recording of “I’m Telling You Now”

Gold Medal.

was Freddie and the Dreamers’ biggest success His first band, a six-man string group, bore in both the U.S. and Europe, and for a time the the odd name of Waring’s Banjazztra in which he British band was favorably compared with the played the violin and banjo. To his credit it was Beatles. Leader Freddie Garrity was also known later rechristened The Pennsylvanians and their for his wild stage antics that led to the dance first recording “Sleep” was a major hit, becom-known as the Freddie, which in turn led to the ing the band’s theme song. Originally a jazz-record “Do the Freddie.”

influenced band, they were supposedly the first Other Dreamers’ successes included “You to record a George Gershwin song, the first to Were Made for Me” and “Over You.” The group record with a chorus, and the first to make an disbanded in 1969 but re-formed in 1976 and electronic recording (in 1925).

continued to tour for the next twenty-five years.

The Pennsylvanians supposedly made more What a Crazy World (1963) * Cuckoo Patrol than 2,000 recordings and also had their own (1965) * Seaside Swingers (1965) “What’s Cook-radio show in the early ’20s. They later evolved ing?” and “Don’t Do That to Me” * Out of Sight from a jazz-oriented group into more of a dance (1966) “Funny Over You” and “A Love Like You”

band that played strictly middle-of-the-road

* Disk-O-Tek Holiday (1966) “You Were Made melodies.

for Me” and “Just for You”

Because of a royalties dispute the ensemble did not make any records in the 1930s, but were heard on Waring’s radio show and in live appear-Freddie Bell and the Bellboys
ances. They were quite popular on college cam-Freddie Bell (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) puses and also were seen in Broadway shows.

Probably as well-known from their European Choral music continued to be spotlighted in tours as in the U.S., Freddie Bell and the Bell his performances and some members of the War-Boys had “Giddy-Up-A-Ding-Dong” to their ing Glee Club went on to respectable careers, in-credit in the mid–’50s. In America they did tel-cluding Hollywood leading ladies (and sisters) evision and club appearances, especially in Las Rosemary, Priscilla and Lola Lane, as well as vo-Vegas, and are still touring today.

calist, later bandleader, Johnny “Scat” Davis.

Rock Around the Clock (1956) “I’m Gonna Among the Glee Club’s directors were enter-Teach You How to Rock” and “Giddy-Up-A-tainer/author Kay Thompson and the inimitable Ding-Dong” * Rumble on the Docks (1956) “Get Robert Shaw who later established his own fathe First Train Out of Town” * Get Yourself a mous chorale.

College Girl (1964) “Talkin’ About Love”

Other Fred Waring recordings that made it big included “Love for Sale,” “The Whiffenpoof Freddie Fisher and His Schnicklefritz Song,” “Button Up Your Overcoat” and “Way Band see Corn Colonel and His Band Back Home.” From the late 1940s to the mid–

’50s Fred Waring had his own television show and — yes — may have been the first bandleader Freddie Martin and Orchestra
to do so.

Freddie (sometimes Freddy) Martin (Cleveland, Although these days he is not numbered Ohio, 1906–1983)

74

Freddie

A leading tenor saxophonist, Freddie Martin to the Bar.” His theme song was “Strange Cargo”

led one of the pre-eminent “sweet” bands during and he wrote songs himself, the most notable being the Big Band era. The first of his successful the enduring “The House of Blue Lights”

groups dates to the mid–1930s, and although his After the boogie craze passed, Freddie Slack fame peaked during World War II he continued did not change much professionally with the to play “Music in the Martin Manner” into the times and his orchestra disbanded in the early 1970s. He also had his own television program in 1950s, but he did remain musically active for anthe early 1950s
other decade. Among his well-known band Martin’s theme song, “borrowed” from a members had been the famous swing singer Ella Tchaikovsky piano concerto, was the evocative Mae Morse and saxophonist/arranger Les Baxter.

and very successful “Tonight We Love.” Another The Sky’s the Limit (1943) * Reveille with Bev-

“borrowing” was “Flight of the Bumblebee”; yet erly (1943) * Hat Check Honey (1944) * Seven another was “I Look at Heaven” from an Edvard Days Ashore (1944) * Take It Big (1944) * Babes on Grieg concerto.

Swing Street (1944) * Follow the Boys (1944) *

Among Freddie Martin’s famous sidemen were High School Hero (1946)

bandleaders-to-be Claude Thornhill, Alvino Rey and Russ Morgan (who shamelessly filched Mar-Freddy Martin see Freddie Martin tin’s tagline, changing it to “Music in the Mor-and Orchestra
gan Manner”).

Seven Days Leave (1942) * Hit Parade of 1943

Freedom Singers

(1943) * What’s Buzzin’ Cousin? (1943) * Stage Door Canteen (1943) * Senior Prom (1958) * The Cordell Reagon; Bernice Johnson; Charles Big Beat (1958)

Neblett; Rutha Harris; Matt Jones

Founded in 1962 to raise money for the Stu-Freddie Rich and His Orchestra
dent Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Freedom Singers were literally a Freddie Rich (Warsaw, Poland, 1898–1956) strong voice in the civil rights movement of the Both a pianist and composer, Freddie Rich 1960s. They enlarged their scope by performing led an orchestra at the posh Waldorf-Astoria at venues like the Newport Jazz Festival before re-Hotel in New York and also worked for the Hol-forming as an all-male quartet in 1964.

lywood studios. He had also been musical direc-Festival (1967) [documentary] “Freedom” and tor for several radio stations. Along the way his

“We Shall Overcome”

sidemen included the Dorsey brothers and Benny Goodman. Among his compositions were Freeman, Ernie see Ernie Freeman

“Penthouse Serenade” and “On the Riviera.”

A WAVE, a WAC and a Marine (1944) Combo

Freddie Slack and His Orchestra Freewheelers

Freddie Slack (Frederick Slack, Westby or La Once Upon a Coffeehouse (1965) Crosse, Wisconsin, 1910–1965)

Before constituting his own West Coast group Freita Shaw Singers; Freita Shaw’s in 1942, Freddie Slack was a sideman on drums, Etudes; Famous Shaw Negro Choir then switching to the piano, with many band-Harmony Lane (1935) * General Spanky (1937) leaders including Earl Burtnett, Lenny Hayton,

* High Hat (1937)

Ben Pollack and the great Jimmy Dorsey. With his own band (which featured instruments out-Frey and Bragiotti
lined in neon lights) Slack had a hit with “Cow Cow Boogie,” one of the most remembered of Frey and Bragiotti played dual pianos.

the boogie-woogie tunes that were sweeping the Social Register (1934)

country then.

Other Slack hits included “Mister Five by Five,”

Frost, Larry see Larry Frost and the

“Kitten on the Keys” and “Beat Me Daddy, Eight Hollywood Chamber Jazz Group

Gateway 75

Fugs

Gardner, Poison see Poison Gardner Ed Sanders; Tuli Kupferberg; Ken Weaver Trio

(drums); Peter Stampfel; Steve Weber Toward the beginning of the Vietnam War in Gary Lewis and the Playboys

1965 a group calling itself by a euphemism of a Gary Lewis (1946–) (drums); David Walker familiar four-letter word was formed. This was (guitar); Al Ramsay (guitar); David Costell (lead the Fugs who proceeded to forcefully sing and guitar); John West (keyboard); Tom Tripplehorn; speak out against the war. Their anti-establish-Carl Radle; Jimmy Karstein
ment songs which freely mentioned drug-taking Although he is the oldest son of antic come-and the current political situation brought them dian Jerry Lewis, Gary Lewis and his band were both praise and condemnation.

supposedly hired at Disneyland incognito. By The Fugs released albums, the second of the time their first hit “This Diamond Ring”

which made the charts, and played in New York came along in 1964 his antecedents were un-clubs where they indulged in controversial acts doubtedly well-known. He even played his father like mock flag burning, thus drawing the F.B.I.’s as a youth in Rock-a-Bye Baby.

attention.

That is not to say the Playboys did not de-The F.B.I. report referred to the Fugs as “beat-serve their success; their recordings were indeed niks” but cleared them of wrongdoing and they very lively. However they did not actually play proceeded, relatively unmolested, to perform their instruments on “This Diamond Ring” (stu-until 1969 when they played a final concert. The dio musicians dubbed them) and Lewis’s voice group briefly reunited in the 1980s and again was also partly overdubbed.

about twenty years later.

Other hits like “Count Me In,” “Sure Gonna Chappaqua (1966) [documentary] “I Couldn’t Miss Her,” “She’s Just My Style” and “Every-Get High” * Diaries, Notes and Sketches (1969) *
body Loves a Clown” followed. In 1965 Lewis The Revolution Is in Your Head (1970) [docu-won the Cash Box Magazine award as Best Male mentary]

Vocalist. The band made many television appearances, including the Ed Sullivan Show.

Fuller, Bobby see Bobby Fuller Four When Gary Lewis was drafted into the military in 1966 the steam went out of the Playboys, Fuller, Walter see Walter Fuller...

never to be recaptured. Their time at the top had been brief but they did earn eight gold records, Futuras
four gold albums and had seventeen Top Forty The Futuras were a garage band, possibly from hits. Lewis still tours with a group of that name.

Ohio.

The Nutty Professor (1963)† * A Swingin’ Sum-Rat Fink (1965)

mer (1965) “Nitro” and “Out to Lunch” * The Family Jewels (1965) “Little Miss Go-Go” and G-Men

“This Diamond Ring” * Out of Sight (1966)

“Malibu Run”

The G-Men were Elvis Presley’s back-up group

†This may have been a solo appearance by in one of his films.

Gary.

Double Trouble (1966)

Gateway Trio

Gaillard, Slim see Slim and Slam Jerry Waller (banjo); Betty Man (guitar); Milt Chapman (bassist)

Galli Sisters

From the demise of the folk music group the Norma Galli

Gateway Singers sprung the Gateway Trio in the The Galli Sisters sang with the Art Mooney early 1960s. Their first albums were in the tradi-band in the late 1940s.

tion of the folk music revival then popular but as Down in “Arkansaw” (1938)

that genre waned in popularity they turned more to a folk rock sound. They also released singles Garber, Jan see Jan Garber...

like “Soldiers Who Want to Be Heroes.” Their

76

Gay
time in the limelight was short, lasting only its advertising taglines blared “He hammered out about three years to 1965.

the savage tempo of the Jazz Era!”

Hootenanny Hoot (1963)

Some Like It Hot (1939) * Ball of Fire (1941) *

George White’s Scandals (1945) * Beat the Band (1947) * Glamour Girl (1948) * Smart Politics Gay Land and the Thunderbirds

(1948)

Although its name makes it sound more like a rock group, Gay Land and the Thunderbirds was Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps; a hillbilly music ensemble.

Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps

Moonshine Mountain (1964)

Gene Vincent (Vincent Craddock, Norfolk, Virginia, 1935–1971); Jack Neal (bassist); Willie Gene Krupa and His Band; Gene

Williams (guitar); Cliff Gallup (guitar); Johnny Krupa and His Orchestra; Gene

Meeks (guitar); Dickie Harrell (drums) Krupa Orchestra

In collaboration with a local disc jockey, rockabilly singer Gene Vincent wrote the novelty pop Gene Krupa (Chicago, Illinois, 1909–1973) tune “Be-Bop-a-Lula” and parlayed it into a Top Handsome and charismatic, Gene Krupa Ten hit in 1956. His group called themselves could fairly be called the first of the star drum-Gene Vincent and the (or His) Blue Caps and mers. Besides his unforgettably flamboyant play-were supposedly named after the blue golfing hat ing, he is also credited with upgrading the role worn by then–President Dwight Eisenhower.

of drummers in orchestras and encouraging the After a couple of other modestly successful development of a more modern drum set. He records, “Wear My Ring,” “Lotta Lovin’” and also pounded on a set of steampipes!

“Dance to the Bop,” the group disbanded in Krupa played in the pit for Broadway shows 1958. This was at least partly caused by Vincent’s but made his reputation with many of the great alcohol addiction, presumably a result of the bandleaders of his day, including Red Nichols many injuries he had suffered over the years.

and especially Benny Goodman. With that de-Gene Vincent thereupon moved to England manding taskmaster Krupa played the drums on where he proved a wildly popular attraction in the classic recording of “Sing Sing Sing,” con-live shows and on television, assuming the per-sidered the first extended jazz drum solo. He had sona of a black leather–jacketed tough guy with made his first recordings as early as 1927.

a duck-tail haircut. He also made a couple of Possibly because of Krupa’s scene-stealing films there. The Blue Caps had always been playing, his mouth busily chewing gum and hair greeted rapturously in both Europe and Japan.

flipping, he split with Goodman and formed his The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) “Be-Bop-a-Lula”

own orchestra in 1939. With its theme song

* Hot Rod Gang (1958) “Baby Blue,” “Dance in the

“Starburst,” it met with initial success. At times Street,” “Lovely Loretta” and “Dance to the Bop.”

it was a huge ensemble featuring a string section with more than thirty members. “Drum Boo-Genteels
gie” was a big hit for them.

With a marijuana arrest and jail sentence of al-The Genteels were best known for their 1962
most three months during World War II, Gene recording of “Take It Off.”

Krupa temporarily lost his band but ultimately One Man’s Challenge (1962) “The Hitchhiker”

restarted and performed with it into the early 1950s. Following that he essayed smaller ensem-Gentrys
bles that he led off and on for the next twenty Larry Raspberry; Jimmy Hart
years. He also played a few film roles (like The The infectious sound of “Keep on Dancing”

Benny Goodman Story) without his band.

proved to be the Gentrys’ only rock hit, but that In 1959 Gene Krupa was the subject — or vic-one was a million seller. The Memphis-based tim — of the ill-received movie biography The garage band consisting of seven members was Gene Krupa Story, starring Sal Mineo. Like most formed in 1963, disbanded three years later, and of these spurious biopics it played somewhat fast was briefly revived in the 1970s.

and loose with the true facts of his life. One of It’s a Bikini World (1967) “Spread It on Thick”

Gerry 77

George Lawson and His Band

Georgia Crackers see Hank Newman The Joint Is Jumpin’ (1949) and His Georgia Crackers

George Mitchell and His Swing

Georgia Peach Pickers see Curly Orchestra

Williams and His Georgia Peach

It’s a Wonderful Day (1949) Pickers

George Olsen and His Orchestra

Georgia Sea Island Singers

George Olsen (Portland, Oregon, 1893–1971) The Gullah dialect and traditions of the Sea Is-The 1926 recording of “Who” was a million-lands off Georgia are in the good hands of the seller for George Olsen and his orchestra. They Georgia Sea Island Singers, an ensemble that played in vaudeville houses and also found suc-dates back to 1920 or so. Originally dubbed the cess in several major 1920s Broadway shows, in-Spiritual Singers Society of Coastal Georgia, they cluding Whoopee, Good News and Sunny.

were brought to the attention of a wider audience Olsen was a drummer who led an orchestra by folklorist Alan Lomax almost fifty years ago.

for some thirty years, finally disbanding it in The Singers now travel the world with their 1950. His theme song was “Beyond the Blue songs and stories about the rich heritage of the Horizon,” in which can be heard the numerous Gullahs, whose ancestors were slaves. They have sound effects (the chugging of a train, etc.) for performed for Presidents, at the Olympic Games which his ensemble was noted.

and at major world festivals, as well as releasing Happy Days (1930) * Whoopee! (1930) albums of their folk music.

Festival (1967) [documentary]

George Shearing Quintet

George Shearing (London, England, 1919–); Cal Gerry and the Pacemakers

Tjader; Margie Hyams; Denzil Best; Israel Crosby; Gerry Marsden (Gerard Marsden, Liverpool, Joe Pass; Gary Burton; Chuck Wayne; John Levy England, 1942–); Freddy Marsden (Liverpool, Born blind, George Shearing nonetheless be-England, 1940–); Les Maguire (Woolsey, En-came a celebrated jazz pianist, first in England gland, 1941–); Les Chadwick ( John Chadwick, and then in the United States where he estab-1943–)

lished residency. In the 1930s he appeared in For a brief time at the onset of the British In-London hotels and clubs before joining a dance vasion, the rock group Gerry and the Pacemak-band and also playing on BBC radio. His style ers rivaled the Beatles in popularity. They had of playing was known as the “locked hands”

some basic similarities with the Fab Four in that technique.

they were also managed by Brian Epstein and For a brief time Shearing had a big band but had performed in Hamburg, Germany at the be-he found fame with a quintet, consisting of ginning of their careers.

piano, guitar, bass, drums and vibraphone. They The Pacemakers was founded by Gerry Mars-produced many hit recordings including “Sep-den, out of Liverpool’s skittle music scene, when tember in the Rain” and the famous “Lullaby of he was seventeen and in the mid–’60s they Birdland,” his own composition. In latter years scored with their plaintive hit “Ferry Cross the he led groups of various sizes and played as a Mersey.” They also recorded the sobby “Don’t solo.

Let the Sun Catch You Crying” and “How Do George Shearing’s career underwent somewhat You Do It?”

of a renaissance in the 1970s and he found him-But the group failed to delineate the distinct self in demand for festivals and new recordings.

personalities of individual group members, as He collaborated frequently with Mel Tormé, the Beatles did, and so fell back into the pack Peggy Lee and other well-known singers and was and disbanded in 1967. They re-formed in the still active into the new century.

mid–70s.

Disc Jockey (1951) † * The Big Beat (1958) The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

†Shearing may have appeared solo.

“Maybelline,” “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You

78

Gibson

Crying” and other songs * Ferry Cross the Mersey (1965) “Ferry ’Cross the Mersey,” “This Thing Called Love” and several other songs Gibson, Steve see Steve Gibson’s Redcaps

Girlfriend Trio [unknown]

Moonlight and Pretzels (1933) Girls In Cellophane [unknown]

International House (1933) Glamourette Quartet [unknown]

Olga San Juan (Brooklyn, New York, 1927–); Nancy Porter; Carol Deere; Audrey Young Out of This World (1945)

Glaser Brothers

Glen Gray (1941).

Jim Glaser ( James Glaser, Spaulding, Nebraska, 1937–); Tompall Glaser (Thomas Glaser, Spauld-the big bands, the Casa Loma Orchestra is one ing, Nebraska, 1933–); Chuck Glaser (Charles that somehow evokes that period in the minds of Glaser, Spaulding, Nebraska, 1936–) aficionados. Called the Orange Blossoms from It was in the 1950s that the trio began their its founding in the mid–1920s until 1929, it took careers as the country singers Tompall (for its permanent name from a Toronto hotel.

Thomas Paul Glaser) and the Glaser Brothers.

The group was a cooperative band, one of the They recorded on their own (“California Girl,”

first, in which members shared in the profits.

“Through the Eyes of Love” and “Rings”) as well Tenor saxophonist Glen Gray was little more than as backing prominent country singers like Marty a front man from the mid–1930s on. They were Robbins on his hit “El Paso.”

one of the earlier white jazz bands and seemed The brothers had multiple talents besides particularly successful with college students.

singing: writing songs for themselves and others, Among Casa Loma’s to-be famous musicians producing records, and opening a recording stu-were Bix Biederbecke, Ray Eberle and Pee Wee dio and encouraging future stars like Willie Nel-Hunt. Their popular theme song was “Smoke son to perform for them. They officially broke up Rings,” with other recordings including “No the act in 1973 but continued solo careers. In the Name Jive,” “For You,” “Stompin’ Around” and 1970s they were voted Vocal Group of the

“Malady in F.”

Decade and ultimately won nearly every coun-By the 1940s the Casa Loma Orchestra was try music award.

losing its popularity to more adventuresome Country Boy (1966)

bands and it disbanded about 1945. Glen Gray himself continued to record with studio bands Glass Bottle
and released several albums of big band music.

The People Next Door (1970) “Mama, Don’t You Time Out for Rhythm (1941) * Gals, Incorpo-Wait Up for Me”

rated (1943) * Jam Session (1944) Glen Gray and His Casa Loma Orchestra Glenn Miller and His Orchestra; Glen Gray (Glen Knoblauch or Knoblaugh), Glenn Miller Singers

Metamora or Roanoke, Illinois, 1906–1963) Glenn Miller (Alton Glenn Miller, Clarinda, Although it was by no means the greatest of Iowa, 1904–1944)

Golden 79
form a military orchestra.

After his mysterious and not
definitively-solved vanishing,
the band was taken over by

Miller sideman and singer Tex

Beneke. It toured successfully
for decades thereafter and even
now the name of Glenn Miller
evokes a golden age in Amer-
ican swing music.

Sun Valley Serenade (1941) *

Orchestra Wives (1942) * Crazy House (1943)

Glory Roads

Hot Thrills and Warm Chills

(1967)

Glenn Miller (center), with Cesar Romero (left) from Orchestra Wives.

GoldeBriars

When Major Glenn Miller disappeared over Dottie Holmberg (Los Angeles, California); the English Channel in 1944 he became a leg-Sheri Holmberg; Curt Boettcher (guitar); Ron end, instead of just a highly successful band-Neilson (guitar/banjo); Ron Edgar (drums) leader who might have faded as did his contem-Sailing on the popular tide of the 1960s folk poraries. Before he reached the pinnacle in the music revival were the GoldeBriars. They Big Band era he had been a trombone sideman recorded three albums (the unreleased last of for Benny Goodman, Ben Pollack, Red Nichols which veered more into folk-rock) before break-and the Dorsey brothers, among others.

ing up about 1965. They had performed together By 1937 Miller had formed the orchestra that for less than three years.

rapidly became famous for the “Miller sound.”

Once Upon a Coffeehouse (1965) One aspect of that was a gradual fading of the music only to have it come blaring back with the Golden Gate Four; Golden Gate
previous segment repeated. In his relations with band members, he was a dour, sometimes ruth-Quartet
less disciplinarian and a sharp businessman.

Willie Johnson (d. 1998) (baritone); William With vocalists like Marion Hutton, the Mod-Langford (2nd tenor); Orlandus Wilson (Chesa-ernaires and Ray Eberle the band turned out peake, Virginia, 1917?–1999) (bass); A. C.

such massive hits as “Elmer’s Tune,” “American Griffin; Robert Ford; Henry Owens (1st tenor); Patrol,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “String of Clyde Riddick

Pearls,” “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Cocktail,”

Styling their gospel music “jubilee” singing,

“Kalamazoo” and their theme song “Moonlight the Norfolk, Virginia–based Golden Gate Quar-Serenade.”

tet (originally the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet) In his two starring films Miller acquitted him-began performing about 1934 and were record-self well and revealed at least some minimal acting a few years later. Among their spirituals were ing chops. In the second he played Gene Mor-the standards “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,” “Swing rison, a struggling bandleader in the Midwest, Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Down By the River-a role that perhaps had some resonance to his side,” which they infused with jazz styling.

own pre-fame life. In the 1953 biopic The Glenn They were so well-received that they branched Miller Story he was portrayed by the somewhat out into pop music following the lead of such miscast Jimmy Stewart.

greats as the Mills Brothers. Like them they im-Although he probably could have avoided the itated musical instruments. Among career high-draft, Glenn Miller chose to enlist in 1942 and lights was their 1938 “From Spirituals to Swing”

80

Golden

Carnegie Hall appearance. They were frequently Gospel Echoes
heard on radio and also sang at Franklin RooSing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [documen-sevelt’s 1941 inaugural.

tary]

During the war years the Quartet’s music took on a patriotic hue with such recordings as the Gould, Morton see Morton Gould novelty “Stalin Wasn’t Stallin’” and “Comin’ in and His Orchestra
on a Wing and a Prayer.” Later in the 1940s they even experimented with a rhythm-and-blues sound but that was not their métier. In 1947 they Gould, Satch see Satch Gould and scored a success with “Shadrach.”

His Boys

Ultimately the group did a tour of Europe and then resettled in France where African-Ameri-Gourmet’s Delight
can performers were wildly appreciated. They Gas-s-s-s (1970)

did not perform in the U.S. again until 1994.

Over the years the Golden Gate Quartet has Gracia Granada’s Orchestra
earned a reputation as the foremost practitioner of their jubilee style and was inducted into the Law and Lawless (1932)

Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.

Star Spangled Rhythm (1943) * Hit Parade of Granada, Gracia see Gracia Granada’s 1943 (1943) * Hollywood Canteen (1944) “The Orchestra

General Jumped At Dawn” * A Song Is Born (1948) Grant, Earl see Earl Grant Trio Golden West Cowboys see J. L. Frank’s Golden West Cowboys; Pee Wee King Grant, Kirby see Kirby Grant and and His Golden West Cowboys

Orchestra

Golden Westerners

Grass Roots

Gentleman from Arizona (1939) * Gauchos of El Warren Entner (Boston, Massachusetts, 1944–) Dorado (1941) “Way Out There”

(guitar/keyboard); Creed Bratton (Los Angeles, California, 1943–) (guitar); Rob Grill (Los An-Goodman, Al see Al Goodman and geles, California, 1944–) (bassist); Rick Coonce His Orchestra

(Eric Coonce, Los Angeles, California, 1946–) (drums); Dennis Provisor (Los Angeles, Califor-Goodman, Benny see Benny nia, 1950–) (keyboard); Terry Furlong (London, Goodman...

England, 1942–) (guitar)

Although they became a very successful folk-rock group the Grass Roots were initially man-Goofers
ufactured by a couple of songwriters to cash in Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957) “Wow, I’m Gonna on that genre’s popularity. In the mid–1960s a Rock and Roll ’Til I Die”

random group of musicians made a record and were dubbed the Grass Roots although such a Gordian Knot
band did not really exist.

The Young Runaways (1968) “Ophelia’s Dream”

Eventually the Los Angeles–based band the 13th Floor assumed the Grass Roots name and Gordon, Rosco see Rosco Gordon began recording. Their first effort “Let’s Live for Today” charted in the Top Ten and was followed and the Red Tops
by other hits like “Midnight Confessions,” “Two Divided By Love” and “Temptation Eyes.”

Gospel Chorale Singers

By the time it initially disbanded in 1975 the Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [documen-Grass Roots, which had evolved from a quartet tary]

into a quintet, had sold many millions of records

Guadalahara 81
and had been on Billboard charts for more than ing an ice cream flavor named for him: Cherry 300 consecutive weeks. Two of their albums had Garcia.

gone platinum and several others gold.

Petulia (1968) “Viola Lee Blues” * Fillmore In 1982 the Grass Roots was revived and held (1972) [documentary]

a July Fourth concert that attracted an audience of over a half million fans. In spite of its origins Gray, Glen see Glen Gray and His as the band that “never was” it acquitted itself Casa Loma Orchestra
very well and has continued to perform to this day.

Grayson, Hal see Hal Grayson’s With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) “Feelings”

Orchestra

Grateful Dead

Grease Band see Joe Cocker and the Jerry Garcia ( Jerome Garcia, San Francisco, Cal-Grease Band
ifornia, 1942–1995) (vocals/guitar); Bob Weir (guitar); Ron McKernan (d. 1973) (keyboard/

Great Lakes Naval Station Choir harmonica/percussion); Phil Lesh (guitar); Bill The Navy Way (1944)

Kreutzmann (drums); Keith Godchaux (1948?–

1980); Brent Mydland (1953?–1980); Vince Welnick (Phoenix, Arizona, 1955?–2006); Mickey Green, Jimmie see Jimmie Green’s Hart

Orchestra

Some members of the Grateful Dead began their careers in the jug band Mother McCree’s Green, Johnny see Johnny Green and Uptown Jug Champions, and then reconstituted His Orchestra
themselves as the Warlocks. When they dropped that name in favor of their memorable new one, Grier, Jimmy see Jimmie Grier and they found lasting fame and became veritable His Orchestra
symbols of the 1960s LSD counterculture. Their live appearances were invariably tumultuous.

Grit

There is more than one story about the origin of the Grateful Dead’s name, including borrow-Musical Mutiny (1970)

ing it from the Tibetan Book of the Dead or a British ballad. In any case, the band embraced Groove
psychedelic electronic music, frequently meld-Popcorn: an Audio/Visual Rock Thing (1969) ing several musical genres together: bluegrass,

[documentary]

blues, country, folk rock, rhythm-and-blues.

The Dead’s early albums did not garner much Groove Boys see Skinnay Ennis and notice but by 1970 they had hit their stride with their charismatic, troubled leader Jerry Garcia.

the Groove Boys

They had but one Top Ten hit, “Touch of Grey,”

and other well-received singles including “Casey Gross, Leon see Leon Gross’ Orchestra Jones” and “Truckin’.” But their later albums were smash hits courtesy of their fans (the Group

“Deadheads”) who followed them from venue Mondo Mod (1967) “Feel a Whole Lot Better”

to venue.

and “Follow Me”

In 1977 there was a self-titled documentary (or so-called “rockumentary”) made about the group. In 1996, shortly after Garcia’s death, the Guadalahara Boys; Guadalajara Trio Grateful Dead disbanded but reunited as just the Jesus Castillon; Lamberto Leyva; Mario Santos Dead in 2003. To this day the band remains The Guadalajara Trio (aka the Guadalahara enormously influential and even legendary. Gar-Boys) exemplified Hollywood’s stereotypical idea cia himself gained the inestimable honor of hav-of what Mexican musicians should look like.

82

Guardsmen

Dressed in gaudy outfits and always smiling hap-Street Girl (1929) * Flying High (1931) * Scarface pily, they graced many a Hollywood musical and (1932) * Gift of Gab (1934) * Palooka (1934) western. They also played with orchestras, including that of Desi Arnaz, and were sometimes Guy Lombardo and His Orchestra; Guy seen on his I Love Lucy television show.

Lombardo and His Royal Canadians Boss of Bullion City (1941) * Fiesta (1941) * The Guy Lombardo (Gaetano Lombardo, London, Masked Rider (1941) * Rio Rita (1942) * Allergic Ontario, 1902–1977); Carmen Lombardo (Lon-to Love (1944) * Bathing Beauty (1944) * Broad-don, Ontario, 1903–1971); Lebert Lombardo way Rhythm (1944) * That’s My Baby (1944) *

(1905–1993); Victor Lombardo (1911–1994) Hands Across the Border (1944) * South of the Rio

“The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven” is-Grande (1945) * Masquerade in Mexico (1946) *
sued forth from the band of Guy Lombardo Slightly Scandalous (1946) * Trail to Mexico (1946) starting in 1924. There had previously been a

* Fiesta ( 1947) * That’s My Gal (1947) Lombardo quartet with his brothers Victor, Lebert and Carmen. With them he formed the Guardsmen; Guardsmen Quartet

Royal Canadians and added sister Rosemarie as William Brandt; Earl Hunsaker; Henry Iblings; a vocalist.

Dudley Kuzzell

The orchestra is estimated to have sold an as-We’re Not Dressing (1934) * The Parson of tounding 300 million recordings, more than any Panamint (1941) * Playmates (1941) * Riders of the other dance band. Among their numerous hits Timberline (1941) * Cairo (1942) * Ship Ahoy were “Winter Wonderland,” “Humoresque,” “The (1942) * Stagecoach Buckaroo (1942) * Hail the Third Man Theme,” “Seems Like Old Times,”

Conquering Hero (1944)

“Little White Lies,” “September in the Rain” and

“Easter Parade.”

Gus Arnheim and His Cocoanut

The band was very big on the radio and was Grove Ambassadors; Gus Arnheim
the house orchestra at New York’s Roosevelt and His Orchestra

Hotel for some thirty years. They were such a fixture on New Year’s Eve broadcasts that “Auld Gus Arnheim (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1897/

Lang Syne” practically became their song. All the 99–1955)

Lombardos were talented musicians: Guy, violin; From the latter days of the 1920s Jazz Age Gus Lebert, drums and trumpet; Carmen flute and Arnheim had a very popular West Coast orches-saxophone, and Victor clarinet and saxophone.

tra, performing at the Cocoanut Grove night-Guy Lombardo’s smooth personality and the club in Hollywood and touring extensively.

dance music of the Royal Canadians made them Being a local boy, so to speak, his ensemble was very popular, and both Lebert and Carmen pro-also one of the earliest to appear in sound films; vided some of the vocals. Some critics thought the orchestra performed in musical shorts as early the orchestra musically unvarying, hence unin-as 1928.

teresting — even squaresville; however this did Among those who had worked in the band not prevent them from being a force well into were crooners Bing Crosby (when he was part the 1970s.

of the Rhythm Boys) and Russ Columbo, Stan It was perhaps this traditional quality that en-Kenton, Woody Herman and Fred MacMurray.

abled the Canadians to perform at many Presi-Arnheim himself had made his professional dential inaugurations and World Series open-debut as the pianist with the Syncopated Five.

ings. Not too long after Guy’s death the orchestra Gus Arnheim was also a noted songwriter disbanded but was briefly resurrected in the late among whose standards were “I Surrender Dear”

1980s.

(Crosby’s first big hit), “Mandalay,” “I Cried for Many Happy Returns (1934) * Stage Door Can-You” and “Sweet and Lovely,” his theme song.

teen (1943) * No Leave, No Love (1946) Over the years his orchestra evolved its sound to keep up with changing musical tastes and so he Habanera Sextette (aka Sextetto was able to be active into the 1950s with smaller combos.

Habanero)

Broadway (1929) * Half Marriage (1929) *

Hell Harbor (1930)

Hampton 83

Hacker Duo [unknown]

Hey, Rookie! (1944) * Eadie Was a Lady (1945) David Hacker; June Hacker

* Sing Me a Song of Texas (1945) Hi’Ya, Sailor (1943)

Haley, Bill see Bill Haley and His Hairston, Jester see Jester Hairston Comets

Choir

Hall, Juanita see Juanita Hall...

Hal Grayson’s Orchestra

Hall Johnson Choir

Hal Grayson (Harold Grayson, Los Angeles, Hall Johnson (Francis Johnson, Athens, Geor-California, 1908–1959)

gia, 1888–1970)

Betty Grable and “Liltin’” Martha Tilton were One of the most revered African-American two of Hal Grayson’s vocalists and helped to musicologists, violinist Hall Johnson played in make his sweet band popular from the 1930s orchestras, including those of Broadway shows, through the end of World War II. Unfortunately and taught music before founding his famous his later publicity came largely for his headline-choir in 1925. It went by the name of the Harlem making arrests for public inebriation and schiz-Jubilee Singers until the original eight members ophrenia.

persuaded their founder to name it for himself.

Night World (1932)

At times it grew to as many as sixty members.

The Choir performed on Broadway in such Hal Kemp and His Orchestra
shows as Green Pastures, as well as in Johnson’s Hal Kemp ( James Kemp, Marion, Alabama, own folk opera Run Little Chillun. By the mid–

1904–1940)

1930s Hollywood had beckoned and their Although he started out with a jazz group, in mellifluous voices were heard in many films.

the 1930s Hal Kemp led one of the most popular Even if they were presented in stereotypical fash-sweet bands in the country. Its theme songs were ion, at least they were enjoyed by a wider audi-

“Got a Date with an Angel” and “When Summer ence than they had reached before.

Is Gone.” Among his vocalists was bandleader-to-Hall Johnson continued to compose and he be Skinnay Ennis who had recording hits with was a leading champion of preserving authentic

“You’re the Top” and “It’s Easy to Remember.”

Black spirituals dating from the days of slavery.

Kemp’s ensemble was dubbed the “typewriter Dubbed the “Black Stokowski,” he was heaped band” for its clipped sound. Ultimately he opted with honors over the years. He also taught and for a more swing-oriented style and the ensem-influenced such famous singers as Shirley Ver-ble began losing some of its edge with audiences.

rett, Marian Anderson and Harry Belafonte.

His early death in an automobile accident soon The Green Pastures (1936) * Follow Your Heart put an end to his orchestra as well.

(1936) * Dimples (1936) * Hearts Divided (1936) Radio City Revels (1938)

* Banjo on My Knee (1936) * Rainbow on the River (1936) * My Old Kentucky Home (1938) * Saint Hal Mcintyre and His Orchestra; Hal Louis Blues (1939) * Way Down South (1939) *

Mcintyre’s Orchestra

Zenobia (1939) * Swanee River (1940) * In Old Hal McIntyre (Harold McIntyre, Cromwell, Missouri (1940) * Meet John Doe (1941) * Road to Connecticut, 1914/19–1959)

Zanzibar (1941) * Heart of the Golden West (1942) A sideman for Benny Goodman and Glenn

* Lady for a Night (1942) * Tales of Manhattan Miller, alto saxophonist/clarinetist Hal McIn-

(1942) * Syncopation (1942) * Cabin in the Sky tyre formed his own band about 1941. With its (1943) * The Peanut Man (1947) theme songs the pretty “Moon Mist” and “Ec-stasy,” it was grandly billed as the “Band That Hamilton, Chico see Chico Hamilton America Loves.” It proved popular during the Quintet

War and played top venues across the country, but thereafter declined in popularity and dis-Hampton, Lionel see Lionel banded in the 1950s.

Hampton...

84

Hampton

Hampton University Choral Choir The Plantation Boys, a western swing product Located in Hampton, Virginia, in the southeast-of the mid–1940s, appeared on Cincinnati radio, ern part of the state, Hampton University is a playing with, among others, the young singer historically black school.

Doris Day and guitarist Merle Travis. On the Hits and Bits of 1938 (1938) West Coast, Penny stooged for Spade Cooley on the latter’s television show as “The Plain Ol’

Country Boy”

Hank Caldwell and His Saddle Kings Hank Penny led many groups in his career, Hank Caldwell (Vernal, Utah) (fiddle); Bud including the Penny Serenaders, the Painted Post Smith (Utah) (accordion); Jimmy Widner (Al-Rangers and a Las Vegas casino orchestra before abama) (guitar); Hal Metzger (Kansas) (fiddle) winding down his career. His bands had had a Having worked with a variety of performers few western swing hits including “Steel Guitar including Roy Rogers, Jimmy Wakely and Deuce Stomp,” “Bloodshot Eyes” and “Get Yourself a Spriggins, Hank Caldwell formed the Saddle Redhead.” He also wrote “Won’t You Ride My Kings, which was active in the 1950s.

Little Red Wagon.”

He was also a songwriter, one of which was Heading West (1946) * The Blazing Trail (1949)

“Throw a Saddle on a Star” the title song of a

* Frontier Outpost (1950)

movie. The western in which the Saddle Kings appeared is considered to be just about the final Hargett, Paul see Paul Hargett and one in the string of “B” oater second features the Bikini Sweethearts
stretching back to the silent days.

The Lawless Rider (1954)

Hargreaves, Bobby see Bobby Hank Newman and His Georgia

Hargreaves Orchestra

Crackers

Harlemania Orchestra

Hank Newman (Hawkinsville, Georgia?, 1905–

1978) (guitar); Slim Newman (Hawkinsville, The Duke Is Tops (1938)

Georgia?); Bob Newman (Hawkinsville, Georgia?, 1915–) (bassist); Hal Snyder (Harold Snyder, Harlem’s Apache Chorus

Columbus, Ohio) (guitar); Winnie Waters (Ken-Underworld (1937)

tucky, 1919–) (fiddle); Johnny Sipes (accordion) Popular on Midwestern radio stations for their Harmon, Manny see Manny Harmon western swing music and rural comedy, the three and His Orchestra

Newman brothers, Hank, Slim and Bob, were the nucleus of the Georgia Crackers. Among Harmonaires see Leo Diamond and their recordings were “Rats in My Closet,”

“Horses, Women and Wine” and “Broken Doll.”

His Harmonaires

The Fighting Frontiersman (1946) * South of the Chisholm Trail (1947) * Desert Vigilante (1948) Harmonettes [unknown]

Secret Sinners (1933)

Hank Penny and His Plantation Boys Hank Penny (Herbert Penny, Birmingham, Al-Harmonicats see Jerry Murad and abama, 1918–1992); Carl Stewart (fiddle); Louis His Harmonicats

Innes (guitar/bassist); Roy Langham (guitar); Slim Duncan; Frank Buckley; Bob Morgan Harmony Four Quartette

Somewhat a jack-of-all-trades, Hank Penny On with the Show (1929)

was a comic, disc jockey, singer and bandleader (even briefly fronting an all-girl band) during his colorful career. He had been performing on Harold and Lola [unknown]

radio by the age of fifteen and formed the Radio Pan-Americana (1945) * Variety Time (1948) Cowboys in the late 1930s.

Harry 85

Harper’s Bizarre
ered to be among the first rhythm-and-blues Ted Templeman (drums/guitar); Dick Scoppet-movies.

tone (guitar/bassist); Eddie James (guitar); Dick Rockin’ the Blues (1956) [documentary] “First Yount (bassist); John Petersen (drums) Last and Only Girl,” “Hot Rod Baby” and other The rock group the Tikis evolved into the songs

Harper’s Bizarre about the time they released the hit song “Feelin’ Groovy” (aka “The 59th Street Harris, Jet see Jet Harris and the Jet Bridge Song”) in 1967. They experimented with Blacks
a variety of sounds, but in general their music was on the easy-listening side with recordings of Harris, Phil see Phil Harris and His classic tunes like “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and

“Anything Goes.” The band broke up in 1969.

Orchestra

You Are What You Eat (1968) [documentary]

Harris and Scott [unknown]

Harps O’Swing

Souls of Sin (1949)

Carolina Blues (1944)

Harrison, Bobby see Bobby Harrison Trio

Harptones

Willie Winfield (lead); Nicky Clark (2nd lead/1st Harry James and His Band; Harry tenor); Jimmy Winfield; Clyde Winfield; Bill Galloway (baritone); Johnny Bronson; Raoul James and His Music Makers

Cita (tenor); Curtis Cherebin; William Dempsey Harry James (Albany, Georgia, 1916–1983) (2nd tenor); Bill Brown (bass); Fred Taylor A child of circus performers and leader of a cir-In spite of the fact that the Harptones did not cus band himself, Harry James went up in the have a Top Forty record nor did they make the world as a drummer, then a trumpeter, with dance rhythm-and-blues charts, they are still considered bands from the age of thirteen. Among them were to have been one of the great doo-wop groups.

the Ben Pollack and Benny Goodman orchestras.

The smooth “A Sunday Kind of Love,” “Since I His virtuoso style of playing was frequently fea-Fell for You” and the haunting “The Shrine of tured in solo performances, and by his early twen-Saint Cecelia” are among their best-remembered ties he had formed his own organization.

recordings. “Why Should I

Love You?” did at least make
the pop charts.

The Harptones had started
out as the intriguingly named

115th Street Tin Can Band,
became the Skylarks, and then
the Harps, but changed that
when they learned about a
similarly-named ensemble.

They began recording in 1953
and performed in cream-col-
ored suits.

Their latter-day appear-
ances were mostly at nostalgia-
based concerts into the 1990s.

In 2002 the group was in-
ducted into the Vocal Group

Hall of Fame. The movie in
which they appeared is consid-

Harry James and band Springtime in the Rockies.

86

Harry

James is credited with “discovering” Frank He had founded the band in 1934 and begun Sinatra in a small club in 1939 and hired “Old broadcasting from Honolulu two years later. A Blue Eyes” as a vocalist. Other of his band singers booster of everything Hawaiian, Harry Owens included Dick Haymes, Connie Haines, Helen used steel guitars to enhance his orchestra’s Forrest and Kitty Kallen. It was not too long be-sound and native singer Hilo Hattie added to fore the band was rated among the best in the the appeal of the ensemble. (It was still basically country with recordings like “I’ve Heard That the Hawaiian Islands as homogenized for the Song Before,” “Flight of the Bumblebee,” “All non–Hawaiian, however.) His music has been or Nothing at All,” “You Made Me Love You”

described as “sweet, rhythmic and danceable.”

and their theme song “Ciribiribin.”

It’s a Date (1940) * Song of the Islands (1942) *

In its personal appearances James’ band drew Hat Check Honey (1944) * Lake Placid Serenade sell-out, sometimes delirious, crowds but with (1944)

the post-war decrease in big band popularity he disbanded the group. Eventually he re-started it, Havana Casino Orchestra
with a smaller string section, and toured into the Don Azpiazu (piano)

1980s. His was probably the last really popular The Havana Casino Orchestra was instru-big band to survive changing musical tastes.

mental in introducing the Cuban rumba-like Harry James’ popularity was certainly helped dance music known as “son” to American audi-by his affable public persona and his much pub-ences in the late 1920s. They also were probably licized marriage to movie musical queen Betty the first authentic Cuban dance band to perform Grable. Besides the many films in which he ap-on Broadway. The orchestra popularized “The peared with his band, he played a straight role in Peanut Vendor” (“Manicero”), which became the western Outlaw Queen. His was the horn somewhat of a national craze, and “Green Eyes.”

playing dubbed in the film Young Man with a Stolen Heaven (1931)

Horn.

Private Buckaroo (1942) * Springtime in the Rockies (1942) * Best Foot Forward (1943) *

Hawaiians see Lani Mcintyre and His Bathing Beauty (1944) * Two Girls and a Sailor Hawaiians

(1944) * If I’m Lucky (1946) * Do You Love Me?

(1946) * I’ll Get By (1950) * The Benny Goodman Hawkins, Edwin see Edwin Hawkins Story (1956) * The Opposite Sex (1956) * Loving Singers

You (1957) * The Big Beat (1958) * The Ladies Man (1961)

Hayes, Tubby see Tubby Hayes Quintet

Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians Harry Owens (O’Neill, Nebraska, 1902–1986) Heavenly Choir

The classic “Sweet Leilani” was written by Go Down, Death! (1944/46)

bandleader Harry Owens who had formed his first ensemble in 1926. The song was composed Heaven’s Devils
upon his daughter’s birth and popularized by Bing Crosby in the film Waikiki Wedding. It won Starlet (1969)

the Academy Award for Best Song and has sold some 20 million copies to date. Naturally, it was Hedgehoppers Anonymous
the group’s theme song as well.

Run with the Wind (1966)

Owens and his orchestra the Royal Hawaiians, named for their base the Royal Hawaiian Heidt, Horace see Horace Heidt and Hotel, were heard on the popular radio program His Orchestra

Hawaii Calls and later had a television show.

They symbolized Hawaii for millions of listeners and were indeed credited for boosting Hell’s Bells
tourism to that then–U.S. territory.

My Tale Is Hot (1964)

Herb 87

Henri Woode and His Sextet

Leon Buck; Rudolph Hunter; John Porter; Ira Henri Woode (William Woode, Omaha, Ne-Hardin
braska, 1909–1994)

Singer and jazz musician Herb Jeffries’ career That Man of Mine (1946)

took a most unusual turn in the late 1930s when he starred in four singing westerns. This would Henry Busse and His Orchestra
not have been noteworthy except that they had all–Black casts, in which he played hero Bob Henry Busse (Holland or Magdeburg, Germany, Blake. (He supposedly had his face darkened so 1894–1955)

he would look more “Black.”) Noted character Trumpeter Henry Busse performed in a “jass”

actors like Charlie Chan’s Mantan Moreland and band and played for silent movies before join-Amos and Andy’s Spencer Williams played in ing Paul Whiteman during World War One. He support, as did the vocal group the Four Tones.

also co-composed some of Whiteman’s popular Nicknamed the “Bronze Buckaroo,” the title tunes, including “Wang Wang Blues.” He was of one of his movies, the tall, handsome crooner supposedly the first dance band member to use was well-known to the African-American coma mute in his trumpet.

munity but much less so to other audiences de-In the late 1920s he established his own dance spite his striking good looks and talent. This orchestra, purveying a “sweet sound” with changed when his smooth baritone made big hits recordings like “When Day Is Done,” one of of “Satin Doll,” “Angel Eyes” and especially their theme songs. He became known as “Hot

“Flamingo.”

Lips” after the orchestra’s other theme song.

Jeffries appeared with the orchestras of Earl They were based in Chicago in the 1930s and Hines and Duke Ellington, being the last sur-later at one of New York’s tonier hotels.

viving member of the latter band. His career has During the Second World War Busse’s orches-enjoyed longevity — he was still recording well tra, also known as the Shuffle Rhythm Band after into his eighties—and during the short-lived ca-their style of playing, became more of a swing lypso craze, he did a film with his later group group. They remained successful until the Big the Calypsomaniacs. Still later he made several Band era drew to a close and he remained in har-appearances as an actor on television shows.

ness until the time of his sudden death, ironically Harlem on the Prairie (1937) * Two Gun Man at an undertaker’s convention in Memphis.

from Harlem (1938) * Harlem Rides the Range Lady Let’s Dance (1944) * Rhapsody in Blue (1939) * The Bronze Buckaroo (1939) * One Dark (1945) * The Fabulous Dorseys (1947) Night (1939) * Calypso Joe (1957) Henry King and His Orchestra;

Herb Miller and His Orchestra

Henry King’s Orchestra

Herb Miller ( John Miller, North Platte, Ne-Henry King (1903/06–1974)

braska, 1915–1987)

Pianist Henry King led a successful society As the much younger brother of legendary dance orchestra in the 1930s which played at top bandmeister Glenn Miller, trumpeter Herb hotels, and whose theme song was “A Blues Ser-Miller had a lot to live up to, particularly since enade.” For a time he also appeared on the George he established his first short-lived band at the Burns–Gracie Allen radio program. Later in the height of Glenn’s fame. By the late 1950s Herb’s decade he switched to featuring Latin American reconstituted group was still playing in hotels music and remained active into the 1950s.

but he never really emerged from his big The Sunset Murder Case (1941) * The Yanks Are brother’s shadow in America.

Coming (1942) * Spotlight Scandals (1943) *

Miller eventually relocated to England in the Sweethearts of the U.S.A. (1944) * Out of This late 1960s where his physical similarity to World (1945)

Glenn — as well as the similarity of his orchestra to the elder Miller’s — led to a modicum of suc-Herb Jeffries and the Four Tones; cess. His son John took over leadership after Herb Jeffries’ Calypsomaniacs

Herb’s death and as the John Miller Orchestra it Herb Jeffries (sometimes Herbert Jeffreys or Jef-is still active.

frey), Detroit, Michigan, 1911/12–); Lucius Brooks; Spotlight Scandals (1943)

88

Herman

Herman, Woody see Woody Herman Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “I’m in to and His Orchestra

Something Good” * When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965) “Bidin’ My Time” and “Listen People” *

Herman’s Hermits

Hold On! (1966) “Hold on,” “Got a Feeling,”

“Make Me Happy” and several other songs *

Peter Noone (aka Peter Novack) (Manchester, Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter (1968) England, 1947–); Derek Leckenby (1943?–1994)

“Lemon and Lime,” “The World Is for the (guitar); Karl Green (bassist); Barry Whitwam Young” and several other songs

( Jan Whitwam, Prestbury, England, 1946–) (drums); Keith Hopwood (guitar); Alan Wrigley (guitar); Steve Titterington (drums) Herman’s Mountaineers

Originally known as the Heartbeats, the pop-Herman’s Mountaineers were western swing mu-ular British Invasion band Herman’s Hermits sicians.

(once and future actor Peter Noone was “Her-Heart of the Rockies (1937) man”) sold over fifty million recordings. They included “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Hernandez, Chiquita see Chiquita Daughter,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat?,”

Hernandez Orchestra

“Henry the Eighth” and their first hit “I’m on to Something Good.”

The Hermits were a clean-cut group of young Heroes of Cranberry Farm
men and front man Noone exuded boyish charm The Heroes of Cranberry Farm was a Miami, with his bright smile and winsomely crooked Florida–based band.

teeth. He had been an experienced actor from Devil Rider! (1970) “The Wind”

childhood in Britain and after moving permanently to America continued his show biz career Herrera, Humberto see Humberto mainly on television, including daytime serials.

Herrera and His Orchestra

The group was together from about 1963 to the time Peter Noone departed in 1971. Their last big hit record was 1967’s “There’s a Kind of Herrera Sisters

Hush.” The band, now in more than one verThe Herrera Sisters were singers.

sion, has continued to be popular in concerts Down Mexico Way (1941) “La Cachita,”

and on tour up to today.

“Guadalajara” and “Down Mexico Way”

Herth, Milt see Milt Herth Trio

Heywood, Don see Don Heywood and His Band

Heywood, Eddie see

Eddie Heywood and His

Orchestra

Hi-Lo Jack and the Dame

Don Elliott (Donald Helfman,

Somerville, New Jersey, 1926–

1984); Jimmy Farmer; Maury

Laws; Fran Carroll; Jack Stein-
harter

The singing group Hi-Lo Jack

Herman (Peter Noone, center) with the Hermits.

and the Dame were perhaps best

Hollywood 89
known for the timeless song “Would You Rather Hobie Shepp and the Cowtown

Be a Colonel with an Eagle on Your Shoulder, or Wranglers
a Private with a Chicken on Your Knee?”

Corn’s-A-Poppin’ (1956?)

Hey, Rookie! (1944)

Hi-Lo’s

Hobnobbers [unknown]

Gene Puerling (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1929–

Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (1951)

2008) (bass-baritone); Bob Strasen (baritone); Bob Morse (Pasadena, California, 1927–2001) Hoff, Carl see Carl Hoff and the Hit (baritone); Clark Burroughs (Los Angeles, Cal-Parade Orchestra
ifornia, 1930–) (tenor); Don Shelton (Tyler, Texas, 1934–) (tenor)

Named for their wide vocal range, and per-Hollies
haps for the noticeable differences in their Allan Clarke (lead vocals); Graham Nash (guitar); heights, the Hi-Lo’s were a close harmony a cap-Terry Sylvester; Eric Haydock (bassist); Tony pella quartet. They undoubtedly were the inspi-Hicks (guitar); Bernie Colvert; Donald Rath-ration for succeeding groups like the Manhat-bone (drums)

tan Transfer. Originally formed in 1953, they The original members of the pop band disbanded during the British Invasion only to the Hollies were based in and around Manches-rebound in the 1970s to renewed popularity, apter, England. Among their greatest harmonic pearing at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

influences were such groups as the Everly Broth-With their great technical expertise, mellow ers and the Beach Boys. In Europe, at least, their sound and occasional essays into comic patter, fame came to rival that of their musical mentors.

the Hi Lo’s soon became much admired, appear-The recording of “Just One Look” was the ing on television with the likes of Rosemary Hollies’ earliest success in the mid–1960s, and Clooney (almost forty appearances on her show

“Bus Stop” proved another big winner for them.

alone), Nat Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee and The band flirted with a psychedelic sound later Frank Sinatra.

in the decade, issuing records like “He Ain’t With such exposure, their albums sold well, al-Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

though they only had a single charter, “My Baby During the 1970s the Hollies’ popularity Just Cares for Me” in 1954. They even recorded began to decline somewhat but they still had advertising jingles for TV shows. The Hi Lo’s such hits as “Long Cool Woman” and “The Air also toured successfully, singing at venues like That I Breathe,” and they have continued to tour Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl to this day. Probably their most famous alum-and London’s Royal Albert Hall.

nus is Graham Nash, a founding member of Calypso Heat Wave (1957) * Everything’s Ducky Crosby, Nash and Stills.

(1961) * Good Neighbor Sam (1964) It’s All Over Town (1963) * Go-Go Big Beat!

(1965) [documentary] “Here I Go Again” and Hip Paraders [unknown]

“Baby That’s All” * After the Fox (1966) Harlem Follies (1949?)

Hollywood Canteen Kids

Hit Parade Orchestra see Carl Hoff Warne Marsh (1927–1987); Billy Byers; Karl Kiffle
and the Hit Parade Orchestra

Mainly performing during World War II, the Hollywood Canteen Kids was a band consisting Hite, Les see Les Hite and His Orches-of young musicians led by Karl Kiffle.

tra; see also Cotton Club Orchestra Song of the Open Road (1944) Hoagland, Everett see Everett Hollywood Rock ’N’ Rollers [unknown]

Hoagland and Band

Untamed Youth (1957)

90

Hollywood

Hollywood Symphony Orchestra
after their initial hit: “My Buddy Seat” and a Concert Magic (1948) [documentary]

cover of “Younger Girl.” With such a shaky beginning the makeshift group had disbanded by Homer and Jethro
the end of the 1960s.

Ski Party (1965) * “The Gasser” and “Ski Homer (Henry Haynes, Knoxville, Tennessee, Party” * Beach Ball (1965) “My Buddy Seat” *

1918/20–1971) (guitar); Jethro (Kenneth Burns, Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) “The Cycle Set”

Knoxville, Tennessee, 1920/23–1989) (mandolin); Ken Eidson (guitar)

Honeycombs

It was supposedly a radio program mis-introduction that turned Junior and Dude (pro-Dennis D’Ell (London, England, 1943–); Honey nounced Dudee) into Homer and Jethro. In any Lantree (Hayes, England, 1943–); John Lantree event it was the name they continued to use (Newbury, England, 1941–); Alan Ward (Not-throughout their subsequent career from the tingham, England, 1945–); Martin Murray 1930s to the ’60s. They had first teamed in 1932.

(London, England, 1939–)

Their shtick ranged from extreme hillbilly verThe Honeycombs were an English pop group sions of popular songs to writing parodies of hit of the mid–1960s who were somewhat unusual tunes like “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “How in that they had a female drummer. Their one Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” How-major success was “Have I the Right?,” with a ever, they were also serious musicians who re-couple of pale follow-ups like “Is It Because?”

leased several albums, including some jazz, and and “Something Better Beginning.”

the duo backed up other country artists.

Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “Have I the

“The Battle of Kookamonga,” the Homer and Right” and “Eyes”

Jethro parody of the smash hit “The Battle of New Orleans,” won them a Grammy in 1959.

Hoopii, Sal see Sal Hoopii and His By then they had expanded their audiences via Hawaiian Band

Las Vegas and television appearances and their jazz music. Following Homer’s death Jethro had Hoosier Hot Shots
a successful solo career and they were both Kenneth Trietsch (Arcadia, Indiana, 1903–1987) elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

(banjo/guitar); Hezzie (Paul Trietsch, Arcadia, Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar (1965) Indiana, 1905–1979) (washboard/drums); Gabrielle Hawkins (Charles Ward, Knightstown, In-Hondells
diana, 1904–1992) (clarinet); Frank Kettering Ritchie Burns; Glen Campbell (Delight, Arkansas, (Monmouth, Illinois, 1909–1973) (banjo/flute); 1936–); Curt Boettcher; Chuck Girard; Joe Kelly Gil Taylor (1914–1981) (brass)

The surf rock group the Hondells did not The multi-talented Hoosier Hot Shots did even really exist when their hit record “Little everything except play the kitchen sink, but they Honda” hit the charts in 1964. Assorted musi-were champions on “instruments” like the wash-cians and singers had been assembled by the board and auto horn. The group’s founders, the record producer just for that one song, and when Trietsch brothers, had gotten their start in a fam-it became a success an actual group needed to ily vaudeville act known as Ezra Buzzington’s be formed. Among the “hired guns” was coun-Rustic Revelers. It was on the radio from 1935
try star-to-be Glen Campbell.

that they first found fame.

It got stranger still. The Hondells’ first album The Hot Shots’ act was a zany one; one of the was so hastily produced that its cover pictured members stated that what they had to sell was a two people who were not actually in the group

“product called stupid.” It proved a most suc-at all. Ritchie Burns, a backup singer on “Little cessful product with songs like “I Like Bananas Honda” was hired to front the ensemble which Because They Have No Bones” and “From the went on to appear in beach movies, make tele-Andes to the Indies in His Undies,” as well as vision appearances and issue further, mostly un-more traditional ditties like “Take Me Out to successful, records.

the Ballgame.” These were among about 300

Only two Hondells singles made the charts recordings.

Hot 91

The trademark of the Hoosier Hot Shots was the phrase “Are you ready, Hezzie?” directed at Paul Trietsch by his brother Ken. Their radio success inevitably brought them to Hollywood for a long series of films, including many “B”

singing westerns. During World War II, with their ubiquitous films and U.S.O. tours, the Hot Shots were so successful that a bomber was named after them.

They were top-billed in at least three films ( Hoosier Holiday, Swing the Western Way and Over the Santa Fe Trail). The popularity of the Hoosier Hot Shots had declined considerably by the end of the 1950s; however, they had influenced many ensembles that “murdered”

music as they did. Foremost among their disciples was Spike Jones. The Hoosiers themselves soldiered on in one form or another into the

’70s.

In Old Monterey (1939) * Hoosier Holiday (1943) * The National Barn Dance (1944) * Swing in the Saddle (1944) * Rhythm Round-Up (1945) Horace Heidt.

* Sing Me a Song of Texas (1945) * Rockin’ in the Rockies (1945) * Song of the Prairie (1945) * Cow-

“any minute you expect one of them to come boy Blues (1946) * Lone Star Moonlight (1946) *
swooping down at you from the ceiling on a Singing on the Trail (1946) * That Texas Jamboree flying trapeze.”

(1946) * Throw a Saddle on a Star (1946) * Over Heidt did hire some notable music makers, the Santa Fe Trail (1947) * Rose of Santa Rosa including the King Sisters, Alvino Rey, Tex (1947) * Smoky River Serenade (1947) * Swing the Beneke and Bobby Hackett. Among his vocal Western Way (1947) * The Arkansas Swing (1947) groups was Donna and Her Don Juans, which

* Singin’ Spurs (1948) * Song of Idaho (1948) *
featured both movie singer Gordon MacRae and Hollywood Varieties (1950) later Oscar winner Art Carney.

The band’s popular recordings included “Ti-Horace Heidt and His Orchestra

Pi-Tin,” “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire,” and “The Man Horace Heidt (Alameda, California, 1901–1986) with the Mandolin.” “I’ll Love You in My Perhaps many bandleaders were more musi-Dreams” was its theme song.

cally talented than Horace Heidt, and indeed he Both during and after his orchestra days, was criticized for being more about flash than which ended in the mid–1950s, Horace Heidt substance. He was also described as conducting became very wealthy in Southern California real himself a bit like President Richard Nixon: stiff estate. His contemporaries may have figuratively and self-conscious with an insincere smile. But laughed at him when he was leading his orches-very few had his shrewd acumen when it came to tra, but in golden retirement he definitely had a successful and most profitable career.

the last laugh.

Heidt had formed his first orchestra, the Cal-Pot O’ Gold (1941)

ifornians, about 1923 and his second, the Brigadiers, almost ten years later. Their most fa-Hot Rocks see Johnny Carroll and mous moniker came to be Horace Heidt and His His Hot Rocks

Musical Knights. They were featured on a very popular radio show called Pot O’ Gold which gave away cash to its listeners. The band also Hot Shots [unknown]

went in for spectacle, one reviewer stating that Thumbs Up (1943)

92

House

House Rockers see Jimmy Cavallo Ike displayed his musicality at a very young and the House Rockers
age as a pianist and accompanist, eventually becoming a radio disc jockey and then member of Houston and Dorsey
the Kings of Rhythm, an R & B group. He also began playing on guitar as well, backing many of Houston and Dorsey were comedy singers.

the era’s great performers. In 1951 he recorded Daytona Beach Weekend (1965) “Wreck of the

“Rocket 88,” which some believe was the first John B.” and “Hootenanny Annie”

true rock-and-roll record.

In the late 1950s he met young Anna Mae Hubba Hubba Girls [unknown]

Bullock (soon to be Tina Turner) and their team-Jivin’ in Be-Bop (1947)

ing became the stuff of legend. Hit records like

“A Fool in Love” and “It’s Gonna Work Out Hubert Smith and His Coral Islanders Fine” shortly followed. She was soon to be known as the “Queen of Rock and Roll” and was Lost Lagoon (1958)

ultimately to win seven Grammy Awards.

Over the next ten years many smash Ike and Hudson Wonders [unknown]

Tina Turner recordings followed: “River Deep, See My Lawyer (1945)

Mountain High,” “The Midnight Special” and the classic “Proud Mary.” They went their sep-Hughes Kiddies [unknown]

arate ways in 1975 and Tina brought her raw on-Dancing Lady (1933)

stage persona into film acting ( The Who’s Tommy, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome).

Humberto Herrera and His Orchestra Tina continued to make rapturously-received personal appearances and hit recordings. The Too Many Blondes (1941)

fame — or notoriety — of the Turners’ years together was sealed with the release of the major Hundred Hollywood Honies [unknown]

1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It? Dur-Sitting Pretty (1933)

ing the 1990s she was still releasing albums that sold well into the millions. Ike also had a strong Hurricanes
resurgence in the 1990s and won a Grammy in 2006 for best blues album. They had been in-Rockin’ the Blues (1956) [documentary] “You Put ducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Me Out of My Misery” and “That Army Life”

1991.

The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) [documentary]

Hutton, Ina Ray see Ina Ray Hutton...

“Shake!,” “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” “Please Please Please” and “Goodbye, So Long” * Gimme Ike and Tina Turner

Shelter (1970) [documentary] “I’ve Been Loving Ike Turner (Clarksdale, Mississippi, 1931–2007); You Too Long” * It’s Your Thing (1970) [docu-Tina Turner (Anna Mae Bullock, Brownsville, mentary] * Soul to Soul (1971) [documentary]

Tennessee, 1939?–)

“River Deep Mountain High,” “Soul to Soul”

Arguably, there is no singer who can match and other songs * Taking Off (1971) “Goodbye, the dynamism of Tina Turner when it comes to So Long”

delivering a song. Her sheer talent, physicality and showmanship is simply unparalleled in the Ike Carpenter and Orchestra; Ike field of rhythm-and-blues, but such raw talent needed shaping and that is what her then-hus-Carpenter and His Orchestra
band Ike Turner provided for her. Their Ike and Ike Carpenter (Durham, North Carolina, 1923–) Tina Turner Revue was — before it became a vic-If the band of piano player Ike Carpenter tim of their tempestuous relationship — one of sounded somewhat like that of Duke Ellington the great ensembles in rock history. It featured it was probably no coincidence. It issued cover the sexy all-girl background singer-dancers, the recordings of several of his hits, including “Take Ikettes.

the A Train.” However, their major hit “Pachuco

Ina 93

Hop,” which came in 1953, seemed to be theirs Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-alone. The band thrived for about a decade from mentary] * Elvis —That’s the Way It is (1970) the mid–1940s.

[documentary]

Holiday Rhythm (1950)

In Group

Ikettes

At the time they appeared in their movie the In Delores Johnson (aka Flora Williams); Eloise Group was a teenage band.

Hester; Josephine “Joshie” Armstead; Vanetta Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968) Fields; Jessie Smith; Robbie Montgomery

“Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows”

Although they were the well-known back-up group for Ike (from whom they got their name) Ina Ray Hutton and Her Orchestra; and Tina Turner, the Ikettes were successful in Ina Ray Hutton and Her Melodears their own right with such 1960s hits as “I’m So Thankful,” “I’m Blue,” “Fine Fine Fine” and Ina Ray Hutton (Odessa Cowan?, Chicago, Illi-

“Peaches and Cream.”

nois, 1916–1984)

They were one of the most famous back-up The “Blonde Bombshell of Rhythm” was one groups, not only for their spirited singing but of the sobriquets by which bandleader Ina Ray their sexy dance moves as well. The members of Hutton was known. (She was supposedly the half the Ikettes changed somewhat frequently since sister of singer June Hutton.) Probably the most Ike Turner was well known for his “thriftiness”

in paying his performers and granting them royalties. At one point, Turner created two groups of Ikettes, one to tour and one to remain with his revue.

The frustrated original group left to go out on their own but Ike legally prevented them from using the name the New Ikettes, as he did when they tried performing as the Mirettes, Formerly the Ikettes. Finally they adopted the Mirettes name, under which they were never as successful.

The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) [documentary] *

Soul To Soul (1971) [documentary]

Imperials

Armond Morales (bass); Jake Hess (lead singer); Gary McSpadden (baritone); Henry Slaughter (piano); Sherrill Neilsen (tenor)

More than forty albums and forty years later the Imperials (not to be confused with other groups of that name, e.g., Little Anthony and the Imperials) are still going strong. Originally a gospel group, they switched to a harder techno-pop sound in the 1980s but are still considered to be one of the great Christian music bands.

The Imperials have had some number one records, have been awarded four Grammy awards and were one of the gospel groups backing Elvis Presley. They have also received over a dozen Dove awards, given by the Gospel Music Asso-A bit past her prime, but Ina Ray Hutton still ciation for best gospel and Christian music.

swings a mean baton.

94

Ink
famous of the female bandleaders, she was basi-Back to Capistrano,” “Whispering Grass,” “I cally not a musician herself but made a fetching Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire” and “To front (wo)man with her attractive figure and vi-Each His Own.”

vacious personality.

Many of their estimated 250 recordings sold A child performer in vaudeville and later a in the millions and more than forty-five were Broadway chorine (including the Ziegfeld Fol-bona fide hits. Although the rock-and-roll phelies), Hutton began fronting her all-girl band in nomenon spelled the end of their reign at the the mid–1930s. Rather than actually conduct-top, their sweetly haunting melodies continued ing it she just kind of pranced fetchingly around to influence those who followed.

the stage. Despite her lack of musical chops the The Ink Spots were acknowledged to be one band, with its theme song of “Gotta Have Your of very best groups of its kind and more than Love,” was enough of a novelty to be successful.

one group of its name is still touring today. (At By the end of the decade Ina Ray had switched one time there were alleged to be some forty to an all-male band but that new novelty wore groups using their name because it had not been off before too many years and in the mid–’40s she copyrighted.) They were inducted into the was back with the all-female version. She was Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall much seen on television in the 1950s, and may of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

well have been the model for the character of the The Great American Broadcast (1941) * Pardon blonde bandleader “Sweet Sue” in Billy Wilder’s My Sarong (1942)

Some Like It Hot.

The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935) * Ever Since Inspirations see Sam the Soul and the Venus (1944)

Inspirations

Ink Spots

International Hotel Orchestra

Jerry Daniels (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1915–1995) Joe Guercio, leader

(1st tenor); Orville Jones (Chicago, Illinois, The International Hotel Orchestra was a 1902–1944) (bass); Charles Fuqua (New Haven, thirty-five piece ensemble.

Connecticut, 1910–1971) (2nd tenor/baritone); Elvis —That’s the Way It Is (1970) [documen-Bill Kenny (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1914–
tary]

1978) (tenor); Ivory “Deek” Watson (Washington, D.C., 1909–1969)

International Sweethearts of Rhythm Would the Ink Spots have been so famous if they had been called the Percolating Puppies —

Anna Mae Winburn, leader
or the Riff Brothers? Those were just two of the An interracial, though largely Black, all-girl names they tried before settling in 1932 on the swing band, the International Sweethearts of one by which they attained worldwide fame.

Rhythm was formed about 1937 with pupils of They also experimented with the Swingin’ Gate a Mississippi school for poor children. Later they Brothers and King, Jack and Jester.

became independent of the school and hired An Indianapolis-based quartet dating from some professional musicians. In order for them the late 1920s, they hit the big time a decade later to perform in the then-segregated Southern with the iconic and much-imitated “If I Didn’t states the white members actually had to blacken Care.” The addition of Bill Kenny and his qua-their faces.

vering high tenor to the group in 1936 was just The Sweethearts played in clubs and theaters what they needed to really break out. They were and performed in Army camps during the War, among the first Black groups to cross over to for-the period of their greatest success. They initially merly all-white venues like the Waldorf-Astoria disbanded in 1948 but were re-formed and lasted Hotel.

in their new iteration to the mid–1950s.

Throughout the 1940s the mellifluous Ink That Man of Mine (1946)

Spots remained one of the pre-eminent Black vocal groups with such hits as “It’s a Sin to Tell Iona, Andy see Andy Iona and His a Lie,” “My Prayer,” “When the Swallows Come Recording Hawaiians

Jack 95

Iona’s Islanders see Andy Iona and Isley Brothers

His Recording Hawaiians

O’Kelly Isley (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1937–1986); Rudolph Isley (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1939–); Ronald Iris and Pierre [unknown]

Isley (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1941–); Vernon Isley (d.

1955); Ernie Isley (1952–); Marvin Isley Club Havana (1945)

For over fifty years the Isley Brothers and their descendants have made music in many genres Iron Butterfly
including gospel, rock, soul and doo wop. Among Doug Ingle (keyboard); Ron Bushy (drums); their influential hits have been the self-penned Jerry Penrod; Darryl DeLoach; Danny Weis; Lee million seller “Shout!” and “Twist and Shout.”

Dorman (guitar); Erik Brann (also Braunn) Originally a quartet they became a trio upon the (Pekin, Illinois, 1950–2003) (guitar) death of brother Vernon in the mid–1950s and The hard rock/heavy metal/psychedelic/acid since then have performed in various configura-band Iron Butterfly prospered from 1966 to 1971
tions.

and is probably best known today for the 1968

In the 1960s other successes like “It’s Your platinum album and single “In-A-Gadda-Da-Thing” and “This Old Heart of Mine” followed Vida.” (Unsubstantiated legend has it that this is for the Isleys. In the 1970s and early ’80s, as they a drug-slurred pronunciation of “In the Garden added brothers Ernie and Marvin, there were hit of Eden.”)

albums and their songs appeared more than That seventeen minute-long piece sold many twenty-five times on the rhythm-and-blues millions of copies and has been heard on movie charts and twelve slots on the pop charts.

sound tracks and even The Simpsons television Although the very topmost rung of stardom show. Before disbanding in 1971 Iron Butterfly is-eluded them their influence on other groups has sued several more albums. On the strength of been considerable and their motto could well be those early successes it was able to regroup a few

“Steady and Enduring.” The Isley Brothers were years later and in one form or another contin-inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in ues to perform today.

1992 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame eleven Musical Mutiny (1970) “In A-Gadda-Da-Vida,”

years later.

“Soul Experience” and “In the Time of Our Lives”

It’s Your Thing (1970) [documentary]

Isham Jones and His Orchestra

Israelite Spiritual Church Choir of Isham Jones (Coalton, Ohio, 1894–1956) New Orleans

The leader of what has been described as the Pete Kelly’s Blues (1955)

“greatest sweet ensemble of all times” and “one of the finest all-around dance bands in the his-Ivie Anderson and the Crinoline tory of music,” Isham Jones was also a prolific Choir see Crinoline Choir composer (“It Had to Be You,” “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Jack and Mack [unknown]

Else.”)

His most popular band was one he had begun Around the World (1944)

in the 1920s and disbanded in the ’30s; among its hits was “Stardust.” Its theme song was Jack Denny and His Orchestra

“You’re Just a Dream Come True.” Some of the Jack Denny (Indiana, 1895–1950)

members of that band became the nucleus of the Jack Denny’s ensemble was a hotel band that first Woody Herman organization.

played the finer establishments in the U.S. and Jones himself started up a new orchestra early in Canada. The dance orchestra probably reached the 1940s. In spite of the encomiums showered on the height of its popularity in the early 1930s his orchestra and his own musicianship, he was and was notable for having no brass section, just possessed of an off-putting somber personality, not saxophones, clarinets and strings. It also occa-a formula for long-term audience popularity.

sionally utilized three pianos.

Mr. Broadway (1933) * Convention Girl (1935) Moonlight and Pretzels (1933)

96

Jack

Jack McVea and Orchestra

* Wild Wild Winter (1966) “Our Love’s Gonna Jack McVea ( John McVea, Los Angeles, 1914–

Snowball”

2000)

As the co-writer of the novelty tune “Open Jackie Moran’s Band
the Door, Richard” (based on an old vaudeville Jackie Moran ( John Moran, Chicago, Illinois, routine), Jack McVea carved himself a small cor-1922–1990)

ner of immortality. Primarily a tenor saxophon-Discovered by “America’s Sweetheart” Mary ist, he played with Lionel Hampton’s band and Pickford about 1936, Moran was a winsome, and others before forming his own group, sometimes for a time very sought-after, child actor. The high-called the Door Openers.

light of his career probably was 1938’s The Adven-The 1940s seemed to be McVea’s greatest pe-tures of Tom Sawyer. His band-leading may well riod of popularity, when he played music that have been little more than a publicity gimmick.

was somewhat of a transition between jazz and Over an eleven year span, Moran appeared in rhythm-and-blues. From the 1960s to the ’90s he at least thirty movies which included Valiant Is worked at Disneyland as a clarinetist in the the Word for Carrie, Gone with the Wind, Mad theme park’s strolling Dixieland band. He had About Music and his last, Betty Co-Ed, in 1947.

also worked at MGM.

Like many former child actors he was a troubled Sarge Goes to College (1947) “Open the Door, adult and had numerous run-ins with the law Richard”

in the late ’40s and early ’50s, resulting in a prison sentence.

Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra Let’s Go Collegiate (1941) Jack Teagarden (Weldon Teagarden, Vernon, Texas, 1905–1964)

Jackson Brothers [unknown]

Famous from the late 1920s as a jazz trombon-It Can’t Last Forever (1937) ist, orchestra leader and singer (a baritone-tenor), Jack Teagarden played with top names like Ben Pollack, Paul Whiteman, Louis Arm-James, Harry see Harry James...

strong and Red Nichols. He had his own big band from 1939 to 1946, with which he occa-James Brown and the Famous Flames sionally sang, and in the 1950s played in Louis James Brown (Barnwell, South Carolina, 1933–

Armstrong’s Dixieland sextet as well as leading his 2006)

own sextet.

It is said that no single performer influenced Although never matching the financial suc-Black music the way James Brown did. Called cess of the top bandleaders, Teagarden was the “Godfather of Soul and “Mr. Dynamite,”

widely admired by his peers and was an influence his hits included “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,”

on those who came after. He is considered

“It’s a Man’s World,” “Night Train” “I Got You among the greatest of the jazz musicians of his (I Feel Good”), among many others. His album day as well as a formidable jazz singer.

“Live at the Apollo” is considered a milestone of Jack Teagarden’s theme song was “I Gotta modern music; the Library of Congress named Right to Sing the Blues”; among his record hits it number twenty-four on their list of the top was “The Sheik of Araby.” He appeared in a few 500 albums of all time.

films, like Thanks a Million and Birth of the Blues, Despite his highly publicized personal life, before making the screen appearances with his that included a prison term and numerous band and also did a few movies in the 1950s.

brushes with the law, he was one of the first to be So’s Your Uncle (1943) * Hi, Good Lookin’

inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1944) * Twilight on the Prairie (1944) with other icons like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. He had almost 100 songs in the rhythm-Jackie and Gayle
and-blues top forty charts.

Jackie Miller; Gayle Caldwell

The Famous Flames were an outgrowth of a Jackie and Gayle were a singing duo.

gospel group called the Gospel Starlighters, their Wild on the Beach (1965) “Winter Nocturne”

first hit being “Please, Please, Please” in 1955.

Jan 97

Brown’s time with the Flames did not do much including concerts in China, and performed into to showcase his prodigious talent and he ulti-the 1990s.

mately made his career as a solo performer. Dur-The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

ing that time his trademark manic energy on-

“Here They Come,” “The Little Old Lady from stage seemingly never flagged. He made solo film Pasadena” and “Sidewalk Surfin”’

performances in The Blues Brothers (as a preacher) and other movies that spotlighted his over-the-Jan Garber and His Orchestra; Jan top persona.

Garber and His Band

Although James Brown’s legal problems con-Jan Garber (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1894–1977) tinued until shortly before his death, the honors The long-lived Jan Garber band changed its continued as well. He received the Kennedy focus over the decades from “hot” in the 1920s, Center Honors in 2003 and some eleven years

“sweet” in the ’30s, to “swing” in the next decade, earlier had been given the Grammy Lifetime and finally back to “sweet” in 1945. A band di-Achievement Award. His raw talent was recog-rector for the armed forces during World War I, nized, imitated and acknowledged by many rock Garber launched his first orchestra just after the and roll greats including Mick Jagger of the war.

Rolling Stones.

He ultimately re-formed a band by taking The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary] “Out over another leader’s entire ensemble. The of Sight,” “Prisoner of Love” and other songs *
group, whose theme songs were “My Dear” and Ski Party (1965) “I Got You (I Feel Good”)

“Mexicali Rose,” became very popular in the 1930s. This was not only through its music but Jan and Dean
by comedy skits as well, no doubt honed by their appearances on the Burns and Allen radio show.

Jan Berry (William Berry, Los Angeles, Califor-The leader himself was called the “Idol of the nia, 1941–2004); Dean Torrence (Los Angeles, Air Lanes” when the band was on the radio in California, 1940–)

Chicago, and then had to live up to the tongue-Along with the Beach Boys, high school friends twisting rubric “Mighty Little Maestro of Mod-Jan and Dean were the iconic face of Southern ern Melody.”

California’s surfing culture. Jan Berry found suc-During his more than fifty years on the band-cess first, partnering with Arnie Ginsburg as Jan stand Jan Garber became known for the number and Arnie, with the rollicking “Jennie Lee.”

of one-night stands his orchestra played in the With Dean Torrence (and sometimes Brian nation’s smartest clubs and other venues. Lat-Wilson) Jan was the creative force behind such terly, they performed in Las Vegas and even at smash hits of the 1960s as “Surf City,” “The Lit-horse shows. In the 1970s his daughter took over tle Old Lady from Pasadena,” “Honolulu Lulu,”

the band until it was disbanded in 1973.

“Drag City” and “Dead Man’s Curve.”

So’s Your Uncle (1943) * Here Comes Elmer The latter song, about a fatal crash on Sunset (1943) * Sweethearts of the U.S.A. (1944) * Jam Boulevard, was unfortunately prophetic in that Session (1944)

Jan’s career was later cut short by a near-fatal crash. This occurred in 1966 when they just been Jan Rubini Orchestra
signed for their first starring movie to be called Easy Come, Easy Go.

Jan Rubini (Sweden?, 1904–1989)

The film was cancelled and Berry’s resulting Jan Rubini was a violinist who essayed several brain damage led to a break-up of the team. It solo movie roles as — not surprisingly — a vio-kept him out of the public eye during a long and linist in café scenes and such. Among these films painful recovery during which he had to re-learn were The Merry Widow and Bal Tabarin.

walking and talking.

Café Metropole (1937)

However, in the late 1970s a made-for-television movie called Dead Man’s Curve, containing Jan Savitt and His Orchestra; Jan many of their greatest hits, put the duo back into Savitt and His Top Hatters
the spotlight at a time when rock nostalgia was Jan Savitt ( Jacob Savetnick, Shumsk or Lenin-growing. They began touring again in the 1980s, grad, Russia, 1907/13–1948)

98

Jay

Classically trained violinist Jan Savitt was Jazzmen see Kenny Ball and the Jazz-somewhat of a child prodigy and was playing men; Mike Cotton and His Jazzmen with the Philadelphia Symphony by the age of nineteen, supposedly the youngest ever to do so.

J.B. and the Playboys

He had already organized a string quartet in the 1920s and was a musical director for a radio sta-Bill Hill; Andy Kaye; Allan Nicholls; Doug tion before forming his own band, the Top Hat-West; Louis Yachnin
ters, in 1937.

The Canadian-based teenagers J. B. and the The orchestra was known for the musical Playboys were active from 1962 to ’65 and then sound called “shuffle rhythm,” built around a changed their name to the Jaybees to avoid con-pianist playing in double time. It proved to be fusion with Gary Lewis’s Playboys. Subsequently quite successful. His was supposedly one of the they became the Carnival Connection. Among first white orchestras to engage an African-Amer-their recordings were “My Delight,” “I’m Not ican vocalist.

Satisfied” and “Tears of Woe.”

The band’s theme songs were “From Out of The Playgirl Killer (1966) “Leave My Woman Space” and “Quaker City Jazz” and among its Alone,” “If You Don’t Wanna, You Don’t Hafta”

record hits were “720 in the Books” and “It’s a and “Do the Waterbug”

Wonderful World.” Savitt is credited with composing such standards as “Now and Forever,”

J.C. Edwards and Band

“Moonrise” and “It Must Be Love.”

Dancing Feet (1935)

Betty Co-Ed (1946) * High School Hero (1946)

* That’s My Gal (1947)

Jefferson Airplane

Jay and the Americans

Grace Slick (Grace Wing, Palo Alto, California, Kenny Vance (Kenneth Rosenberg, 1943–); Sandy 1939?–); Jorma Kaukonen (guitar); Marty Balin; Deane (Sandy Yaguda, 1943–); Sidell Sherman; Paul Kantner; Spencer Dryden (1938?–2005) Howard Kane (Howard Kirschenbaum); John (drums); Bob Harvey (bassist); John Creach (1917–

Traynor (lead); David Black (later Jay Black) 1994); Skip Spence (Alexander Spence, 1947?–

(David Blatt (1938–); Marty Sanders (1941–) 1999)

As the Harbor Lights (or Lites), their original The origin of the name Jefferson Airplane is moniker, the doo wop ensemble found little suc-obscure (legend has it the slang for a roach clip cess from their inception on Long Island, New for marijuana cigarettes) but it was the distinc-York in 1959. As Jay and the Americans they hit tive name of a famous psychedelic band. Founded the rock-and-roll big time. The name derived in 1965 they made memorable appearances at from member John Traynor’s nickname (al-the Monterey Pop and Woodstock festivals.

though they had first been dubbed the risible With its LSD–inspired songs like “White Blinky Jones and the Americans).

Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love” and the album

“She Cried,” their second single, rose to num-

“Surrealistic Pillow,” the group became a symbol ber five on the pop charts. Others included “Only of the 1960s drug culture. (Grace Slick was in America,” “Come a Little Bit Closer” and the known as the “Acid Queen.”) Their last album smash “Cara Mia.” At this point the Americans under the Jefferson Airplane name came in 1974
began successfully reviving golden oldies like and some of the members then formed the Jef-

“Some Enchanted Evening,” “Hushabye” and ferson Starship.

“This Magic Moment.”

Because of legal action the band abbreviated Jay and the Americans disbanded in 1971 but its name to just Starship in the mid–1980s and with some original members did nostalgia shows had a few number one hits, including “Noth-into the 1980s and occasionally thereafter. With ing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” and “Sara.” By 1990
their mellow vocals, they were undoubtedly one the long-lived band finally disbanded.

of the leading soft rock groups of their time and But the fame of the band lingered on and at Jay Black continues to tour with his group Jay least two versions of the Jefferson Starship, in-Black and the Americans.

cluding one dubbed “the Next Generation,” con-Wild Wild Winter (1966) “Two of a Kind”

tinue to tour to the present day. Jefferson Air-

Jet 99
plane came to represent a legendary era when and also was one of the bandleaders on the Jackie San Francisco–based musical groups all but Gleason television show.

dominated the American music scene. They were Little Miss Broadway (1947) * Swing the West-inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in ern Way (1947) * Vacation Days (1947) 1996.

Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary] “High Jesse and James [unknown]

Flying Bird” and “Today” * Gimme Shelter The appearance in this film of Jesse and James (1970) [documentary] “The Other Side of This was shot for, and deleted from, an earlier film.

Life” * Stamping Ground (1971) [documentary]

Variety Time (1948)

“White Rabbit” * Fillmore (1972) [documentary]

Jesse Stafford and His Orchestra Jeffries, Herb see Herb Jeffries...

The Jesse Stafford orchestra had first been led by bandleader Rudy Wiedoeft before he was killed Jenkins, Polly see Polly Jenkins and in an auto accident. Stafford, who was his trom-Her Plowboys
bonist, then took it over and it flourished for the nine years from 1928 to 1937.

Jerry Murad and His Harmonicats Close Harmony (1929)

Jerry Murad ( Jerry Muradian, Turkey, d. 1996); Al Fiore (Al Fiorentino, 1923–1996); Don Les Jester Hairston Singers

(Dominic Leshinski, 1914/15–1994)

Jester Hairston (Belews Creek, North Carolina, The Harmonicats trio was founded when 1901–2000)

Jerry Murad and Al Fiore departed Borah Mine-In later life a respected character actor well-vitch’s Harmonica Rascals in the mid–1940s.

known to television audiences in series such as Like that group, the Harmonicats helped to pop-Amen and That’s My Mama, Jester Hairston was ularize their instruments with the smash 1947
a highly-educated musician. He came to Holly-recording of “Peg O’ My Heart.”

wood in 1935 as the assistant director of the Playing the chromatic (diatonic), chord and famed Hall Johnson Choir and went on to con-bass harmonicas the trio recorded through the duct and arrange choral music for film sound-latter 1960s, releasing popular albums like “What’s tracks with composers like Dmitri Tiomkin.

New, Harmonicats?” Murad continued to perAs an actor Hairston had been on the Amos form with various versions of the ensemble until

’n’ Andy radio show for many years, but music aphis death.

peared to be his primary love. He was a com-Footlight Varieties (1951) poser of note with numerous gospel tunes to his credit. As a solo actor he appeared in such Jerry Wald and His Orchestra
movies as The Alamo, Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle and To Kill a Mockingbird, and it was he who dubbed Jerry Wald ( Jervis Wald, Newark, New Jersey, Sidney Poitier’s singing voice in the Oscar-win-1918/19–1973)

ning Lilies of the Field.

A clarinetist who apparently modeled himself Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (1951)

after Artie Shaw (but waxed irritable at the comparison), Jerry Wald went so far as to man Jesters
his orchestra with many of Shaw’s ex-sidemen.

Perhaps he placed himself too much in Shaw’s Guy Bonham; Wamp Carlson; Red Latham shadow — even playing in his style — because he The Jesters were western swing musicians.

never established much of a reputation of his The Badlands of Dakota (1941) * Cowboy in the own.

Clouds (1943) * Both Barrels Blazing (1945) * The Wald, who had formed his band in the early Cisco Kid in Old New Mexico (1945) * The Return 1940s, was not even identified with one theme of the Durango Kid (1945)

song, instead trying out such tunes as “Laura,”

The Moon’s on Fire” and a ditty entitled “Clar-Jet Blacks see Jet Harris and the Jet inet High Jinx.” He later had a smaller combo Blacks

100

Jet

Jet Harris and the Jet Blacks

Jimmie Davis and His Rainbow

Jet Harris (Kingsbury, England, 1939–) Ramblers; Jimmie Davis and His

The major contribution of Jet Harris to music Singing Buckaroos; Jimmie Davis was that he popularized the bass guitar in the and His Sunshine Band

United Kingdom. In recognition of his work Jimmie Davis (Quitman or Beech Springs, with that instrument he was awarded a presti-Louisiana, 1899/1903–2000)

gious Fender Lifetime Achievement Award.

To Jimmie Davis goes the distinction of not Just For Fun (1963) “Man from Nowhere”

only having been a western swing notable but also twice governor of Louisiana (in non-con-Jim, Jake and Joan
secutive terms). It was said of him “he served Jake Holmes; Joan Rivers ( Joan Molinsky, two terms as governor and was never indicted.

Brooklyn, New York, 1933–); Jim Connell That’s a genuine achievement.” His singing ca-Before she was the acerbic comedienne of reer preceded — and immeasurably helped — his

“Can we talk?,” celebrity interviews and plastic political one. On radio he was known as the surgery fame, Joan Rivers was the “Joan” of the

“Dixie Blue Yodeler.”

folk singing/comedy trio Jim, Jake and Joan. Jake His professional and political lives inevitably Holmes had a solid reputation as a singer/song-merged. During his first run for office his oppo-writer who composed “Dazed and Confused”

nents played some of the raunchy blues songs he and “Be All You Can Be,” which was adopted had recorded in an effort to impugn his moral-for military recruitment.

ity but it had the opposite effect. He won the The three were brought together by a club race but absented himself from his official du-manager who hoped to replicate the success ties often so he could appear in films.

of such groups as the Revuers and even Peter, If former schoolteacher Jimmie Davis is to be Paul and Mary. Rivers could not sing particu-remembered at all outside of his political career, larly well but with large doses of topical comedy it will be for penning the enduring classic “You thrown in they managed to thrive for a while.

Are My Sunshine.” He also wrote such death-However, clashing temperaments brought finis to less ditties as “Bed Bug Blues” and “High-Pow-the act.

ered Mama, Get Yourself in Gear.”

Once Upon a Coffeehouse (1965) The 1947 film Louisiana was based on Davis’s life. He continued to make personal appearances singing at festivals and other venues well into his Jim Kweskin Jug Band
latter nineties and was elected to the Country Jim Kweskin (Stamford, Connecticut, 1940–) Music Hall Of Fame in 1972.

(guitar); Geoff Muldaur; Fritz Richmond ( John The Singing Buckaroo (1937) * Strictly in the Richmond) (jug/washtub bass); Mel Lyman Groove (1942) * Riding Through Nevada (1942) *

(banjo/harmonica); Bill Keith (banjo); Maria Frontier Fury (1943) * Cyclone Prairie Rangers D’Amato (later Muldaur) (fiddle)

(1944) * Mississippi Rhythm (1949) * Square A very popular folk music band during its Dance Katy (1950)

fairly brief existence, the Jim Kweskin Jug Band was founded in 1963 in Cambridge, Massachu-Jimmie Green’s Orchestra
setts. Their music tended toward jazzy and blues Go Down, Death! (1946?)

tunes of 1920s vintage; among their recordings were “Over Seas Stomp” and “Viola Lee Blues.”

They also issued several albums.

Jimmie Grier and His Orchestra

Via stints in clubs and on television, the band Jimmie (sometimes Jimmy) Grier (Pittsburgh, was seemingly gaining nationwide success when Pennsylvania, 1902–1959)

Kweskin broke it up and joined a hippie com-Multi-instrumentalist (clarinet, saxophone, mune run by ex-band member Mel Lyman. In violin, etc.) Jimmie Grier had been an arranger the 1980s he formed a new band.

for Gus Arnheim’s Cocoanut Grove Orchestra Festival (1967) [documentary] “Improvised and took over the “room” about 1930 when the Rag”

latter moved on. His theme song was “Music in

Jimmy 101
the Moonlight” and one of his big record hits After his original band disbanded in the mid–

“The Object of My Affection.” Vocalists in-1950s Cavallo took over an existing one and re-cluded the then very popular Donald Novis and named it the House Rockers. They began receiv-Harry Barris, formerly of Bing Crosby’s Rhythm ing national attention, appearing in major the-Boys.

aters and publicized by famed disc jockey Alan The Cohens and the Kellys in Hollywood (1932) Freed who invariably pronounced Jimmy Cav-

* Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round (1934) * Broad-allo’s name as Cavello.

way Melody of 1936 (1935) † * Times Square Lady The House Rockers were supposedly the first (1935) * Nobody’s Baby (1937) * Hollywood Bound white rock group to appear at Harlem’s Apollo (1946)

Theater. Although they never had a big hit

†Their appearance in this film has not been record they did tour with some of the major per-confirmed.

formers of the day and Jimmy Cavallo’s original band is credited with being one of the first rock-Jimmie Lewis and His Texas Cowboys and-roll bands, even before that term had been
see Texas Jim Lewis...

invented.

Rock, Rock, Rock (1956) “Rock, Rock, Rock”

Jimmie Lunceford and His Band see
and “The Big Beat” * Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) Jimmy Lunceford and His Band

Jimmy Daley and the Dingalings; Jimmie Noone and His Band

Jimmy Daley’s Dingalings

Jimmie (sometimes Jimmy) Noone (Cut Off, Among the late 1950s recordings of Jimmy Daley Louisiana, 1895–1944)

and the Dingalings were “Bongo Rock” and By 1912 clarinetist Jimmie Noone was already

“Red Lips and Green Eyes.”

playing professionally in New Orleans and then Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) “Can I Steal a Little Chicago with greats like King Oliver and Kid Love?,” “Rock, Pretty Baby” and other songs *

Ory. Starting in 1926 he led his own jazz ensem-Summer Lovers (1958)

bles until the 1940s. “Sweet Lorraine” was his theme song.

Jimmy Dean and His Trail Riders Among those of his sidemen who went on to Jimmy Dean ( James Glosup)

considerable careers were Earl “Fatha” Hines and Jimmy Dean was the brother of singing cow-Teddy Wilson. Although lesser known than boy Eddie Dean — and no relation to the tele-some of his contemporaries, Noone is consid-vision sausage purveyor.

ered to have been one the great clarinetists and I’ll Tell the World (1945) was a considerable influence on those who followed.

Block Busters (1944)

Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

Jimmy Dorsey ( James Dorsey, Shenandoah, Jimmy Bryant and the Night Jumpers Pennsylvania, 1904–1957)

Although he was known as the “quiet” and Jimmy Bryant (1925?–1980)

more amiable Dorsey brother (Tommy was the The Skydivers (1963) “Ha-So,” “Tobacco Worm”

other), Jimmy Dorsey had a quick temper and and “Stratosphere Boogie”

could hold up his end very well in the many scraps the brothers got into. Early in their ca-Jimmy Cavallo and the House Rockers reers they had had a band together, with sidemen Jimmy Cavallo (1927–)

like Glenn Miller and Bob Crosby.

Considered to be one of the first white groups They went their own ways in 1935 to pursue to play what was historically Black rhythm-and-their own extremely successful solo careers. Prior blues music, the Jimmy Cavallo band played at to that Dorsey played clarinet and alto sax with East Coast clubs in the late 1940s. They also pro-such greats as Vincent Lopez, Red Nichols and duced a few recordings in the early ’50s like Paul Whiteman, and had been part of his father’s

“Rock the Joint” and “Ha Ha Ha Blues.”

brass band at the age of eight.

102

Jimmy

Jimmy Dorsey was considered to have one of death during a road tour the group soldiered on the greatest swing bands, no small credit going for another couple of years and then disbanded.

to vocalists Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell Blues in the Night (1941)

who produced enormously popular recordings like “Tangerine” “Green Eyes” and “Amapola.”

Jimmy Noone and His Band see

“Contrasts” was the orchestra’s theme song, “So Jimmie Noone and His Band

Rare” was its last major hit. By about 1943 it had reached its zenith.

Jimmy Smith and His Orchestra

Jimmy’s screen presence in both features and musical shorts was less charismatic than that of The Devil’s Playground (1937) his brother. As an actor he was quite dull, even when he played “himself ” in the film The Fab-Jimmy Smith Trio
ulous Dorseys. In 1953 the Dorsey brothers once Jimmy Smith ( James Smith, Norristown, Penn-again reunited to co-lead a band.

sylvania, 1925–2005); Donald Bailey; Quentin The Fleet’s in (1942) * I Dood It (1943) * Lost Warren
in a Harem (1944) * Hollywood Canteen (1944) *

A noted jazz organist from 1954, Jimmy Smith Four Jills in a Jeep (1944) * The Fabulous Dorseys made numerous well-received recordings. He won (1947) * Music Man (1948)

a radio talent contest at the age of nine and had played with small ensembles before forming his Jimmy Grier and His Orchestra see
own trio (organ, guitar, drums) in the 1950s. He Jimmie Grier and His Orchestra
was still producing albums in the 1990s and along the way appeared at such venues as New York’s Birdland and the Newport Jazz Festival.

Jimmy Le Fevre and His Saddle Pals; Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) “The Ser-Jimmy’s Saddle Pals
mon” and “Comin’ Home Johnny”

Springtime in the Rockies (1937) * Frontier Town (1938)

Jimmy Wakely and His Cowboy Band; Jimmy Wakely and His Oklahoma Cow-Jimmy Lunceford and His Band
boys; Jimmy Wakely and His Rough Riders; Jimmy Wakely and His Saddle Jimmy (sometimes Jimmie) Lunceford (Fulton, Missouri, 1902–1947)

Pals; Jimmy Wakely Trio; Bell Boys Swing bandleader Jimmy Lunceford was cred-Jimmy Wakely ( James Wakely, Mineola, Arkansas, ited with developing his own sound, the “Lunce-1914–1982); Johnny Bond (Cyrus Bond, Enville, ford two-beat.” While most bands of the era Oklahoma, 1915–1978); Scotty Harrell; Dick played a four-beat rhythm his ensemble used a Reinhart (Tishomingo, Oklahoma, 1907–1948); two-beat rhythm. The saxophone/ vibraphone Eddie Snyder
player formed a showy band in the late 1920s Cowboy great Gene Autry was instrumental in and hit the big time in the mid–’30s while play-bringing Jimmy Wakely to Hollywood after see-ing at the Cotton Club and other top venues.

ing his group The Bell Boys perform. They were Many consider his group, sometimes dubbed named after their radio show sponsor the Bell the “Harlem Express,” to have been one of the Clothing Stores but had originally called them-most exciting African-American swing bands.

selves the Singing Cowboys Trio.

With the famous trumpeter Sy Oliver as a side-Other members of the trio, which had been man and arranger, the Lunceford band produced formed about 1937, were Johnny Bond and exuberant recordings like “Margie,” “Organ Scotty Harrell. They joined Autry’s popular Grinders Swing,” “’Taint What You Do,” “For radio show Melody Ranch and made their first Dancers Only” and “Monotony in Four Flats.”

film, Roy Rogers’ Saga of Death Valley, in 1939.

With their theme song of “Uptown Blues”

Under various names Wakely’s western bands they continued on through World War II, but supported many “B” cowboys of the day, includ-Jimmy Lunceford’s parsimony caused dissension ing Charles Starrett, Johnny Mack Brown, Tex and his musicians began to desert him. After his Ritter and the Range Busters.

Joe 103
of the Rio Grande (1942) *

Little Joe, the Wrangler (1942)

* The Old Chisholm Trail

(1942) * Strictly in the Groove (1942) * Cowboy from Lonesome River (1943) * Cheyenne Roundup (1943) * Robin Hood of the Range (1943) *

The Lone Star Trail (1943) *

Riders of San Joaquin (1943)

* Tenting Tonight on the Old

Camp Ground (1943) *

Swing in the Saddle (1944) Jimmy’s Saddle Pals
see Jimmy Le Fevre and His Saddle Pals

J. L. Frank’s Golden

West Cowboys

Jimmy Wakely and group in Swing in the Saddle (1944).

The Golden West Cowboys
made several recordings with

Although he was no great actor, Wakely was singing cowboy Gene Autry and appeared with prized for his singing and earned his own Mono-him in their one film.

gram Studio series beginning with Song of the Goldmine in the Sky (1938) Range (1944). He made almost thirty low-budget starring films through 1949’s Lawless Code. That was the year he was voted the number one west-Joe and Eddie
ern singer.

Joe Gilbert (tenor); Eddie Brown (baritone) The year previous he had been named the The folk singing/gospel duo of Joe and Eddie fourth most popular western film actor. But could sing sweet ballads like “The First Time Jimmy Wakely was probably better known for Ever I Saw Your Face” and also perform a rous-his later radio, television and recording work.

ing “Tsena Tsena,” but they are probably best He had the ability to sell records to pop music known for the knee-slapper “There’s a Meetin’

audiences as well as country/western fans and Here Tonight.” During their career they issued was credited with some fifteen million sales.

numerous albums.

Among his hit records were “Beautiful Brown Hootenanny Hoot (1963)

Eyes,” “Slipping Around,” “One Has My Name,”

“I Love You So Much It Hurts” and “Silver Bells.” He also composed songs, among them Joe Brown and the Breakaways; Joe the title song of his film Song of the Sierras. He Brown and the Bruvvers
remained active in show business through the An early British rocker — the pre-fame Beatles mid–1970s. A fervent believer in preserving the opened shows for him— Joe Brown accompa-heritage of western swing, he established an nied American stars like Johnny Cash and Eddie archive at a Los Angeles–area university.

Cochran when they toured in England. His Springtime in the Rockies (1937) * Saga of groups recorded extensively and into the twenty-Death Valley (1939) * Trailing Double Trouble first century he was still doing live shows.

(1940) * Texas Terrors (1940) * The Tulsa Kid Just For Fun (1963) “Let Her Go” and “What’s (1940) * Stick to Your Guns (1941) * Bury Me Not the Name of the Game?” * What a Crazy World on the Lone Prairie (1941) * Twilight on the Trail (1963) “Layabout’s Lament,” “Bruvvers” and (1941) * Deep in the Heart of Texas (1942) * Heart other songs

104

Joe

Joe Cocker and the Grease Band

The twist mania drew many celebrities to the Joe Cocker ( John Cocker, Sheffield, England, small Manhattan club that rapidly became the 1944–)

flavor of the month. Dee and the Starliters re-One of those rockers who has persevered with leased “The Peppermint Twist,” which took off his music through many ups and downs, Joe rapidly and hit number one on the pop charts, Cocker started out covering Beatles records like and they also did albums.

“With a Little Help from My Friends.” With his

“What Kind of Love Is This?” was another hit trademark onstage physicality at such venues as but in an entirely different vein. After the twist the Woodstock Festival, he was a most watch-craze ended Joey Dee formed the group Every-able showman.

day People. In his second film he was top-billed The raspy-voiced Cocker found some consid-as an actor.

erable success touring the United States and also Hey, Let’s Twist! (1961) “Roly Poly,” “Pepper-with records like “Cry Me a River,” “The Letter”

mint Twist” and other songs * Two Tickets to Paris and “Feelin’ Alright,” many of them being cov-

(1962) “Willy Willy” and “Twistin’ on a Liner”

ers of other artists’ songs. Some of his albums were big hits, scoring platinum-level sales.

John J. Luther’s Cowboy Band; John J.

Cocker’s first hit was 1984’s “I’ll Cry Instead.”

Luther’s Ranch Boys

His biggest single proved to be the haunting “Up Rough Riding Ranger (1935) * Pals of the Range Where We Belong” in the 1980s and he had an-

(1935) * The Fighting Buckaroo (1943) other success with “You Are So Beautiful.”

Groupies (1970) [documentary] “Delta Lady”

John Kirby and Band; John Kirby and

* Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1971) [documentary]

Orchestra; John Kirby’s Band

John Kirby (Baltimore, Maryland, 1908–1952) Joe Johnson and His Orchestra

From 1930 bassist John Kirby worked with Free, White and 21 (1962) “The Hobo Twist”

prominent African-American bands like those of Lucky Millinder, Fletcher Henderson and Joe Reichman and His Orchestra

Chick Webb before establishing his own groups.

One of them, perhaps the sextet he organized in Joe Reichman (St. Louis, Missouri, 1898?–1970) 1937, was dubbed “The Biggest Little Band in A bandleader with an exuberant, smiling per-the World.” He played in posh hotels like the sonality, but known — perhaps affectionately, Waldorf-Astoria, had his own radio program, perhaps unflatteringly — as “the old piano and gave a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1950.

pounder,” Joe Reichman led a society band that Sepia Cinderella (1947) * Harlem Follies (1950) played mainly in hotels. The group, with their theme song of “Variations in G,” made several recordings in the 1930s and early ’40s.

John La Salle Jazz Combo

Out of This World (1945)

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963) Joey Dee and the Starliters

John Scott Trotter [and His Orchestra?]

Joey Dee ( Joseph DiNicola, Passaic, New Jer-John Scott Trotter (Charlotte, North Carolina, sey, 1940–); Don Martin (drums); John Yanick 1908–1975)

(guitar); Vinnie Correo (guitar); Ralph Fazio (ac-Rotund John Scott Trotter was an acclaimed cordion); Dave McLean (guitar); Oresti Intorella music arranger/director for bandleader Hal Kemp (piano); Willie Davis; Carlton Lattimore (organ) and such giants as Bing Crosby. Indeed, he was Joey Dee fortuitously became linked with a somewhat of a jolly giant himself—at a weight of dance craze that would make his group the Star-about 300 pounds. He had been the music direc-liters famous when they were hired to play at an tor for Crosby from 1937 to 1954, one of his side-obscure New York nightspot. The dance was the men being the inimitable Spike Jones.

twist and the club at which they were signed to In the 1950s the affable Trotter was a fixture on appear (and become the house band) was the the popular George Gobel television show on Peppermint Lounge.

which his rotundity was the object of ribbing

Johnny 105
from the diminutive comedian. He then rejoined Johnny Burnette Trio

Bing for the crooner’s mid–1960s television se-Johnny Burnette (Memphis, Tennessee, 1934–
ries. Trotter also arranged the music for several 1964); Paul Burlison (Brownsville, Tennessee, motion pictures, including Crosby’s Pennies from 1929–); Dorsey Burnette (Memphis, Tennessee, Heaven and Rhythm on the River.

1932–1979); Johnny Black

Rhythm on the River (1940) † * Kiss the Boys After knocking around the fringes of the Goodbye (1941) †
music business, the Burnette brothers and Paul

†It is uncertain whether Trotter appeared with Burlison formed the Johnny Burnette Trio in his orchestra.

1953. They found no notable success even after winning on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour, a popu-Johnny and the Tornadoes
lar television show, and recording such tunes as Gas-s-s-s (1970)

“Train Kept A-Rollin’.” The trio broke up about 1957.

However, the Burnettes were songwriters, Johnny Bond and His Red River
among whose tunes was “It’s Late,” a hit recorded Valley Boys
by Rick Nelson. By the 1960s the brothers had Johnny Bond (Cyrus Bond, Enville, Oklahoma, begun recording again themselves and Johnny 1910–1978); Jimmy Dean; Wesley Tuttle; Paul finally found substantial success with “Dreamin’”

Sells
and “You’re Sixteen.”

Johnny Bond is credited with writing more Rock, Rock, Rock (1956) “Lonesome Train on than 500 songs, including “Hot Rod Lincoln,”

a Lonesome Track”

“Cimarron” and “Gone and Left Me Blues.” He had once been part of Jimmy Wakely’s musical Johnny Carroll and His Hot Rocks ensembles. After his movie career ended he was Johnny Carroll ( John Carrell, d. 1995) seen on Los Angeles television.

Rockabilly was the style of singer Johnny Car-Arizona Trail (1943) * Frontier Law (1943) *
roll; his hits included Crazy, Crazy Lovin’,”

Marshal of Gunsmoke (1944) * Oklahoma Raiders

“Wild, Wild Women” and “Hot Rocks.”

(1944) * Song of the Range (1944) Rock Baby, Rock It (1957) “Crazy, Crazy Lovin’,” “Rockin’ Maybelle” and other songs Johnny Green and His Orchestra

Johnny Green ( John Green, New York, New York, 1908–1989)

A prominent songwriter as well as orchestra leader, Johnny (later John) Green wrote such hits as “Hello, My Lover, Goodbye” (his theme song), “Body and Soul” and “I Cover the Water-front.” He had started at a young age as an arranger for Guy Lombardo and accompanied such performers as Ethel Merman and opera singer James Melton.

Conducting and composing work followed and he found himself in demand at movie studios as well as on radio. He led his own hotel band from the 1930s. It was at MGM that John Green found a lengthy career from the mid–1940s leading the MGM Orchestra for many of the studio’s most famous musical pictures.

Green conducted the orchestra in several mu-Johnny Bond.

sical short subjects, usually popular classical pieces

106

Johnny
like overtures. One of them won an Academy Johnny “Scat” Davis and His

Award, and he also won Oscars for his musical di-Orchestra
rection on Easter Parade, An American in Paris, Johnny Davis (Brazil, Indiana, 1910?–1983) West Side Story and Oliver! He had been nomi-The best-remembered cinema image of red-nated fourteen times. In 1973 he was elected to headed Johnny “Scat” Davis was his peppy ren-the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

dition of “Hooray for Hollywood” (from 1937’s Start Cheering (1938)

Hollywood Hotel ) sung while marching jauntily down a studio back lot city street. He played a Johnny Long and His Orchestra
supporting role in that film as he did in several Johnny Long (Newell, North Carolina, 1915–
others.

1972)

A cornet player, and former sideman and vo-A left-handed violinist, Johnny Long had a calist for Fred Waring’s orchestra, he had formed college band called the Duke Collegians that his own band in 1939. He had also worked with metamorphosed into a professional orchestra Red Nichols and Smith Ballew and in latter days whose theme song was “The White Star of Sigma played at Ronald Reagan’s inaugural ball.

Nu.” The band played at some of the big hotels Sarong Girl (1943)

and ballrooms and recorded World War II–era songs like “No Love, No Nothin’,” “Just a Johnson, Ceepee see Ceepee Johnson Shanty in Old Shanty Town” and “My Dreams and His Orchestra

Are Getting Better All the Time.”

In the Bud Abbott/Lou Costello film Hit the Johnson, Hall see Hall Johnson Choir Ice, Long played “himself,” displaying minimal acting ability and a bland personality. But he did Johnson, Joe see Joe Johnson and His get the girl so in that sense was a romantic lead, however briefly. Although leading a popular Orchestra
enough orchestra, Johnny Long was never rated among the swing bands’ pantheon but neverthe-Jones, Isham see Isham Jones and His less continued on into the 1960s.

Orchestra

Hit the Ice (1943) * Follies Girl (1943) Jones, Spike see Spike Jones...

Johnny Luther’s Cowboy Band see

John J. Luther’s Cowboy Band

Jones Boys see Five Jones Boys Johnny Luther’s Ranch Boys see John Jones Quintette see Five Jones Boys J. Luther’s Cowboy Band

Joni Lyman and the Reflections see

Johnny Olenn and His Group

Reflections

Johnny Olenn ( Johnny McCord, San Antonio, Texas, 1936–)

Jordan, Louis see Louis Jordan...

Steel guitarist Johnny Olenn started his career with a band in Texas (as one of the Ah Ha Boys) Jordanaires
then formed his own group the Jokers in the Hugh Jarrett (bass); Bob Hubbard (1928–) (2nd mid–1950s. They began recording about the tenor); Bill Matthews (1923–2003) (1st tenor); same time (“Candy Kisses,” “The Magic Touch,”

Monty Matthews (1927–2005) (baritone); Neil

“Born Reckless”) and enjoyed a very long en-

(Neal?) Matthews (1930?–2000) (2nd tenor); gagement playing in Las Vegas lounges. In the Culley Holt (1925–1980) (bass); Bob Money 1980s the group toured extensively in Europe.

(1929–2005) (piano); Gordon Stokes (1924–) The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) “My Idea of (1st tenor); Hoyt Hawkins (1927–1982) (2nd Love” and “Ain’t Gonna Cry No More” * Born tenor/baritone); Ray Walker

Reckless (1959) “You, Lovable You”

Formed as a male barbershop quartet in

Judy 107

Springfield, Missouri in 1948, the Jordanaires Award (for South Pacific) but for some reason her (named for the Jordan River) were probably best voice was dubbed in the film version.

known as one of Elvis Presley’s favorite back-up Earlier Hall had appeared with the Hall John-groups (“All Shook Up,” “Are You Lonesome son Choir and had formed her own choir in the Tonight?,” “It’s Now or Never”). They even were 1930s as one of the Works Progress Administra-dubbed the “sound behind the King,” with tion’s cultural programs. A later Broadway role whom they appeared until 1970.

was in Flower Drum Song in which she played a The Jordanaires also gave their vocal support Chinese woman and she also reprised this role to many another country and pop singer as well, on film.

including such disparate performers as Rick Nel-Paradise in Harlem (1940) * Miracle in Harlem son, Julie Andrews, Marty Robbins and Connie (1948)

Francis. The total number of recordings on which they sung probably number into the thou-Jubalaires; Jubilaires
sands.

Caleb Ginyard Jr.; Ted Brooks; George McFad-They also recorded albums of their own, for den; John Jennings; Bill Johnson (guitar) one of which they received a Grammy Award, Primarily a gospel music group, the Jubalaires, and had a hit single with “Sugaree” in 1956. They also known as the Jubilaires, appeared on radio were also regulars on the Grand Ole Opry show.

in the 1940s, including stints with Arthur God-The group remained together into the 1990s and frey and Phil Harris. Among their recordings in 1998 they were voted into the Gospel Music were “I Know,” “Before This Time Another Hall of Fame.

Year” and “It Ain’t What You Want That Does Jailhouse Rock (1957) * Loving You (1957) *

You Good.”

Country Music Holiday (1958) * King Creole Dubbed the “best quartet on the air east of (1958) * G. I. Blues (1960) * Blue Hawaii (1961) the Pacific,” the Jubalaires temporarily split into

* Buffalo Gun (1961) * It Happened at the World’s two groups in the mid–’40s, one of which did the Fair (1963) * Kissin’ Cousins (1964) * Country radio broadcasts while the other toured. They Music Caravan (1964) [documentary] * Roustabout recorded into the early part of the next decade.

(1964) * Tennessee Jamboree (1964) * Girl Happy The Joint Is Jumpin’ (1949) * Duchess of Idaho (1965) * Stay Away, Joe (1968) * From Nashville (1950) * Hit the Deck (1955) with Music (1969) [documentary]

Jubilaires see Jubalaires Jose Arias and His Mexican Tipica Orchestra; Jose Arias Spanish Orchestra Jubilee Four

Fiesta (1941) * Song of Mexico (1945) Bill Johnson; George McFadden; Jimmy Adams; Jose Eslava’s Orchestra

Ted Brooks

Viva Las Vegas (1964) “What’d I Say?”

Gaucho Serenade (1940)

Jubilee Singers see Dixie Jubilee Singers Jose Pacheco and His Continental Orchestra

Judd Conlon Group; Jud Conlon

Song of the Gringo (1936)

Singers; Jud Conlon Rhythmaires Juanita Hall Choir; Juanita Hall Singers Jud Conlon (aka Judd Conlon) (Cuba City, Wisconsin, 1910?–1966)

Juanita Hall (1901–1968)

Cha-Cha-Cha Boom (1956)

Probably best-known for her role as Bloody Mary in the landmark 1948 musical South Pacific, Judy Clark and Her Rhythm Cowgirls; Juanita Hall was an African-American actress and singer who played sometimes played “ex-Judy Clark and the Six Solid Senders otic” ethnicities in movies and on Broadway. She Judy Clark had been part of the singing act the had been the first Black woman to win a Tony Sentimentalists with her three sisters. She also

108

Juniors
performed acting roles in many movies besides he portrayed, being a shrewd and demanding the ones in which she appeared with her musi-businessman and taskmaster. In movies he was cal groups.

often surrounded by star talent, including John Hey, Rookie! (1944) * Lone Star Moonlight (1946) Barrymore who was in his self-parodying phase.

Kyser did have a natural gift for comedy, dif-Juniors see Danny and the Juniors ferentiating his swing band from most others with his very popular radio program Kay Kyser’s Kaleidoscope

Kollege of Musical Knowledge that began in 1938.

In keeping with the theme he and the band Solomon Feldthouse; David Lindley (guitar); members wore academic caps and gowns. It was Chris Darrow; Chester Crill; John Vidican a musical quiz show that popularized the “ol’

Between 1967 and 1970 the Los Angeles–
perfesser’s” catchphrases such as “That’s right, based Kaleidoscope band recorded a few albums you’re wrong,” which became the title of his first and some singles. They were primarily a psyche-film.

delic band but were eclectic, even including The band had musical chops as well, with some folk and Middle East music, as well as more than ten number one records, including Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway tunes.

the novelty “Three Little Fishes,” “Slow Boat to Among their recordings, on which they uti-China” and “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammu-lized a wide range of stringed instruments, were nition.” (Their theme song was “Thinking of

“Egyptian Gardens” and “Pulsating Dream.” Al-You.”) Among Kyser’s associates were band though not overly successful in their active years, singers like Ginny Simms, Harry Babbitt, beau-the band has gained retroactive respect for their teous Georgia Carroll (whom he wed), and musical versatility.

comic trumpet player “Ish Kabibble,” with his Revolution (1968) [documentary] * Captain sugar bowl haircut.

Milkshake (1969) “Lie to Me”

He maintained the orchestra until about 1950
following the transfer of his radio show to tele-Kay Kyser and His Orchestra; Kay vision. Because of his comedic talents his orches-Kyser’s Band
tra’s musicianship has probably been overlooked, Kay Kyser ( James Kyser, Rocky Mount, North and it is not counted among the great big swing Carolina, 1905–1985); Harry Babbitt (1914?–
bands. (Kay Kyser himself could neither read 2004); Ish Kabibble (Merwyn Bogue, Erie, Pennsyl-
vania, 1908–1994)

To Kay Kyser belongs
the honor of being one of
the most effectively utilized
bandleaders in the movies.

Whereas most of his confr-
eres just stood stiffly in
front of their bands with a
pasted-on smile, his rather
nerdy looks and persona
made him a natural to play
reluctant Bob Hope–type

“heroes” in a few comedy
thrillers.

The films were specifi-
cally tailored to his mod-
est acting talents and in
them he usually played

“himself.” In reality he was
far from the meek person

Kay Kyser and the band with Ish Kabibble (Merwyn Bogue).

Kenny 109
music nor play an instrument.) In retirement he Keith, “Shootsie” see “Shootsie”

kept his hand in show business as the head of Keith and the Savannah Club Chorus the Christian Science Church’s film and broadcast division.

Kemp, Hal see Hal Kemp and His That’s Right—You’re Wrong (1939) * You’ll Find Orchestra

Out (1940) * Playmates (1941) * My Favorite Sp y (1942) * Stage Door Canteen (1943) * Thousands Cheer (1944) * Swing Fever (1944) * Around the Ken Darby Chorus; Ken Darby’s Octet World (1944) * Carolina Blues (1944) Ken Darby (Hebron, Nebraska, 1909–1992) A performer on the esoteric nose flute, Ken Kay Thompson and Her Radio Choir Darby began playing the organ in silent film days and wound up winning three Academy Awards Kay Thompson (Katherine Fink, St. Louis, Mis-for film scores and best musical adaptation. Besides souri, 1903/09–1998); Bea Wain; Al Rinker; Ken leadership of his own musical groups, he had been Lane; John Smedberg
a member of the Kings Men. Perhaps his most Multi-talented Kay Thompson was a band enduring accomplishment is the composition of singer, music arranger, actress, choral director, the Elvis Presley classic “Love Me Tender.”

vocal coach and author. It was singing that first Broadway Serenade (1939) * Make Mine Music brought her to public attention in the 1930s and (1946)

in the 1940s she worked at MGM coaching talent the likes of Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.

She had previously worked with many radio per-Ken Maynard’s Buckaroos
sonalities and also on Broadway shows.

Chuck Baldra; Bob Card; Al Haskell; Jack Jones In the late 1940s Thompson hit the nightclub Although cowboy star Ken Maynard (1895–
circuit with crooner Andy Williams and his 1973) was credited as being one of the very first three older brothers in a sophisticated act that singing cowboys in 1930, it is very likely that his played many of the top nightspots. This un-voice was dubbed most of the time. His 1933
doubtedly earned her the Eve Arden–like role in oater Strawberry Roan is considered to have been the 1957 Fred Astaire film Funny Face that fea-the first “real” singing western, and it was in one tured her witty repartee and singing. She also of his movies, Old Santa Fe, that Gene Autry had a role in 1970’s Tell Me That You Love Me, made his own debut.

Junie Moon.

Maynard had been in movies since the mid–

If she is remembered now it could well be for 1920s and his career was to last for another creating Eloise, a precocious little girl who lived twenty years. It is very probable that Ken May-at New York’s Plaza Hotel (as did Thompson nard’s Buckaroos was not a formal group but was herself ) and had a variety of amusing adventures composed of pick-up singers who may have pri-portrayed in a series of four popular books and marily sung in other western ensembles. At any in television movies.

rate they were not even credited in their one Kay Thompson was the kind of performer known film appearance.

rarely seen now, a sophisticated master of many Smoking Guns (1934)

arts. A critic once said she was “more than an act; she is an experience.” Her radio choir, which Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen
was established in the mid–1930s was called the Kenny Ball (Ilford, England, 1930–) Rhythm Singers and had as many as sixteen With hit recordings like “Samantha” and members. Many accompanied her to Hollywood

“Midnight in Moscow” Kenny Ball and His for the one film in which they appeared.

Jazzmen have been one of the leading jazz bands Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937) since 1958. The group has scored on record charts more than a dozen times and continues Kaye, Mary see Mary Kaye Trio to tour today.

It’s Trad, Dad! (1962) * Live It Up! (1963) Kaye, Sammy see Sammy Kaye and

“Rondo” and “Hand Me Down My Walking His Orchestra

Shoes”

110

Kenton

Kenton, Stan see Stan Kenton and were later so popular that Capitol Records was His Orchestra
dubbed the “house that Nat built.”

Another hit was “Straighten Up and Fly Kentucky Colonels

Right.” They were also the first Black combo to have a sponsored radio show. A small group like Clarence White (Madawaska, Maine, 1944–
the Trio was somewhat of a novelty in the Big 1973) (guitar); Roland White (mandolin); Eric Band era and was a beacon for many such ensem-White, Jr. (banjo/bassist); Billy Ray Lathum; bles that followed.

Roger Bush; Leroy Mack (Leroy MacNees) While continuing to perform with his group, Starting out in the 1950s as a band playing Cole made many solo recordings that appealed country and French-Canadian music, the White more to mainstream audiences. Such massive Brothers soon switched to bluegrass and dubbed sellers as “Mona Lisa,” “Nature Boy,” “Unfor-themselves the Country Boys. Based in Southern gettable” and “The Christmas Song” may not California, they were regulars on local radio and have pleased jazz purists but they remain much-television.

beloved classics today.

At the time of recording their first album in Although his career seemed to be settling into 1962 they became the Kentucky Colonels. Their the more pop song realm Nat Cole did continue albums were sometimes vocal and instrumental, to issue jazz albums and he even experimented at other times all-instrumental. In the early ’60s with foreign language material. Into the 1960s they appeared at the Newport Folk Festival and hits poured from his dulcet voice: “Those Hazy, enjoyed success in folk music venues around the Lazy Days of Summer” and “That Sunday, That country with their progressive bluegrass.

Summer.”

The British Invasion of the mid–1960s brought Nat King Cole also became a competent actor, at least a temporary end to the folk phenomenon appearing in many movies, including the lead that had been so popular since the Weavers’ days, role in a biopic about the composer W. C.

and by mid-decade the Kentucky Colonels had Handy. He was also one of the very first Black disbanded.

artists to have a coast-to-coast television show.

The Farmer’s Other Daughter (1965) He was still near the peak of his talent when he died, his final film Cat Ballou being released Kerr, Anita see Anita Kerr Singers posthumously. In the 1990s he was poignantly heard again when, by the grace of recording Kim Loo Sisters
technology, his daughter Natalie accompanied The Kim Loo Sisters were a Chinese-American him on a re-released version of his “Unforget-vocal trio singing with the Ina Ray Hutton ortable.”

chestra in the 1940s.

Here Comes Elmer (1943) * See My Lawyer Meet Miss Bobby Sox (1944) (1945) * Breakfast in Hollywood (1946) * Killer Diller (1948) * Rhythm-and-Blues Revue (1955) King, Henry see Henry King...

[documentary]

King, Pee Wee see Pee Wee King and King Sisters

His Golden West Cowboys

Alyce King (Alyce Driggs, Salt Lake City or Payson, Utah, 1916–1996); Donna King (Donna King Cole Trio

Driggs, Sanford, Colorado, 1918–2007); Luise Nat “King” Cole (Nathaniel Coles, Montgomery, King (Luise Driggs, Salt Lake City or Payson, Alabama, 1917–1965) (piano); Oscar Moore (gui-Utah, 1914?–1997); Yvonne King (Yvonne Driggs, tar); Wesley Prince (bassist); Johnny Miller (bassist) Salt Lake City, Utah); Maxine King (Maxine Simply one of the greatest singer/musicians, Driggs); Marilyn King (Marilyn Driggs) velvety-voiced Nat King Cole had a band in his The several King Sisters combined in various teenage years before forming the King Cole Trio configurations in their performances. There were in the late 1930s. They had their first modicum usually no fewer than four sisters, and sometimes of success with “Sweet Lorraine” in 1940 and six of them warbled together. The added two

King’s 111

Always a family “corpora-
tion,” in later years a verita-
ble swarm of Kings joined
the act and the King Cousins
came into being as a group.

The Sisters’ recordings were
legion and included “I’ll

Get By,” “Cielito Lindo”

“You Made Me Love You,”

“Pagan Love Song” and “Jer-
sey Bounce.”

Crash Donovan (1936) *

Sing Your Worries Away (1942)

* Follow the Band (1943) *

Larceny with Music (1943) *

Meet the People (1944) *

Thrill Of a Romance (1945) *

The Great Morgan (1945) *

On Stage Everybody (1945) *

Cuban Pete (1946)

Kingsmen

The Kingsmen were a rock
group whose great claim to
fame is their version of the
old, racy—and much Bowd-
lerized — standard “Louie

Louie” and its often incom-
prehensible lyrics.

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini

(1965) “Give Her Lovin’”

King’s Men; King’s

A passel of King Sisters.

Men Octet
were often their mother and a family friend or sis-They harmonized in a slew of movies, but the ter Maxine.

King’s Men’s lasting film fame will be that they Although they were no threat to the reputa-were the voices of the pugnacious Lollipop Guild tions of fabled sister acts like the Andrews Sisters, in The Wizard of Oz. In most of their western the Kings’ drive and show biz smarts propelled movies they were seen backing up the sonorous-them to success. Following on the heels of the voiced but non-singing William Boyd, aka Boswell Sisters, they sang with Horace Heidt’s Hopalong Cassidy.

orchestra in the 1930s and subsequently were fea-Going Hollywood (1933) * We’re Not Dressing tured by bandleader Alvino Rey, who was mar-

(1934) * Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938) * Varied to Luise King.

cation from Love (1938) * Honolulu (1939) * The The King Sisters remained a significant pres-Wizard of Oz (1939) (voices only) * The Rene-ence through the ’60s with their high-rated tel-gade Trail (1939) * Law of the Pampas (1939) *
evision show. Their popularity had declined in Saint Louis Blues (1939) * Knights of the Range the post-war period, after their stint with Kay (1940) * The Showdown (1940) * Stagecoach War Kyser, but television proved a boon to return-

(1940) * The Roundup (1941) * Puddin’ Head ing them to a wider public. By this time sister (1941)† * The Man from Montana (1941) * Two-Marilyn had joined them.

Faced Woman (1941) * Juke Box Jenny (1942) *

112

Kirby

Cairo (1942) * Call Out the Marines (1942) * For television show. The Knickerbockers re-formed a Me and My Gal (1942) * Follow the Boys (1943) couple of times after their 1968 dissolution, but

* Girl Crazy (1943) * Hi, Buddy (1943) * The their own style remained undistinguished and their Kansan (1943) * You’re a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith imitative music did nothing to sustain success.

(1943) * Heavenly Days (1944) * Sing a Jingle Out of Sight (1966) “It’s Not Unusual”

(1944) * Make Mine Music (voices only ) (1946)

* Fun and Fancy Free (voices only) (1947) * It Kostelanetz, Andre see Andre Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) * The Babe Kostelanetz and His Orchestra

Ruth Story (1948) * Love That Brute (1950)

†Their appearance in this film is not confirmed.

Kramer, Billy J. see Billy J. Kramer Kirby, John see John Kirby...

and the Dakotas

Kirby Grant and Orchestra

Krupa, Gene see Gene Krupa...

Kirby Grant (aka Robert Stanton) (Kirby Hoon, Kweskin, Jim see Jim Kweskin Jug Jr., Butte, Montana, 1911–1985)

With his bland good looks Kirby Grant was a Band
natural for the “B” films, including many westerns, in which he invariably was cast from the Kyser, Kay see Kay Kyser...

1930s. But he was somewhat of a dark horse; he had studied classical violin, had an excellent La Dell Sisters [unknown]

singing voice, and from time to time conducted Country Music Holiday (1958) a dance band. In his early career he assumed the stage name of Robert Stanton, later to be used by Lady Birds

Dick Haymes’ brother.

Although he had some fifty acting roles in The Lady Birds was perhaps one of the most un-films, he was seen with his band in only a cou-usual of all musical groups in that it was comple of movies and rarely was given a chance to posed of four topless ladies. The guitarists were by sing. Grant’s best-remembered role was as Sky all accounts competent enough musicians even King in the 1950s television show of the same though they were “requested” to depart from name in which he played a pilot. His residual their home base in New Jersey. They subse-fame from that show later led to appearances in quently found a home in the more welcoming a touring circus.

environs of Las Vegas.

Blondie Goes Latin (1941) * Ghost Catchers (1944) The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield (1968) [documentary] “I Just Can’t Stand It”

Kirk, Andy see Andy Kirk and His Orchestra

Lady Killer Quartette

It All Came True (1940) * Atlantic City (1944) Knickerbockers

Buddy Randell (William Crandall, d. 1998) (sax-La Mare, Nappy see Nappy La Mare ophone); Jimmy Walker (drums); Beau Charles and His Dixieland Band

(Robert Cecchino) (guitar); John Charles ( John Cecchino) (bassist)

Lancers [unknown]

The New Jersey–based rock group the Knicker-The Big Beat (1958)

bockers lasted only about three years in the mid–1960s. Their one top twenty hit “Lies” in Land, Gay see Gay Land and the 1966 appeared to be an imitation of the Beatles, perhaps the reason for its success. Some fans even Thunderbirds
thought it actually was a “lost” Beatles side.

“One Track Mind” was their only other mild Lani, Machias see Father Machias hit and they were semi-regulars on a Dick Clark Lani...

Leighton 113

Lario Child Orchestra
with “Too Many People” and produced a couple Behind the Mike (1937)

of albums before disbanding in 1967. They also appeared on obligatory television shows like Larks

American Bandstand and Shivaree. Although they remained obscure, their big hit was covered by Don Julian (lead vocals); Ronald Barrett (tenor); many others and is considered a rock-and-roll Earl Jones (baritone); Randy Jones (d. 2002) standard.

(bass)

The Cool Ones (1967) “In the House of Dr.

The Larks were a trio founded by Don Julian Stone”

in 1953, the novelty tune “The Jerk” being their one major success. Follow-up efforts such as Lebaron, Eddie see Eddie Lebaron

“Jerk Once More” and “Keep Jerkin’” did not prove to be hits.

and Orchestra

Harlem Jazz Festival (1955) [documentary]

Lecuona, Ernesto see Ernesto Larry Frost and the Hollywood

Lecuona and the Palan Brothers

Chamber Jazz Orchestra

Cuban Orchestra

Larry Frost; Bob Drasnin; Ollie Mitchell; Dick Houlgate; Phil Gray; Gene Estes; Mel Pollan; Lecuona Cuban Boys see Ernesto Ritchie Frost; Rubin Leon

Lecuona...

Stakeout on Dope Street (1958) †

†Although Larry Frost played a small role in Lee, Billy see Billy Lee’s Band this film it is not certain his orchestra appeared onscreen.

Lee Norman Trio; Lee Norman’s

Orchestra

La Salle, John see John La Salle’s Jazz Keep Punching (1939) * Boarding House Blues Combo

(1948?)

Lavert, Paul see Paul Lavert and His Lee Sisters

Singing Cavemen

Miriam Lee; Jean Lee; Maree Lee; Virginia Hal-combe

Lawson, George see George Lawson The Lee Sisters, three actual siblings and a and His Band

“ringer,” were primarily known for singing with the band of Vaughn Monroe in the 1940s.

Layson Brothers [unknown]

Varieties on Parade (1951) Crazy House (1943) * Carolina Blues (1944) Leighton Noble and His Orchestra Leaves

Leighton Noble (Faye Jepsen, Pasadena, Cali-Jim Pons (bassist); John Beck (vocals); Bill Rine-fornia, 1912–1994)

hart (lead guitar); Tom Ray; Robert Reiner; A vocalist and bandleader who segued suc-Bobby Arlin (guitar)

cessfully into acting in the 1940s, handsome The rollicking “Hey Joe” was the Leaves’ con-Leighton Noble rather lived up to his aristo-tribution to the charts in 1966. They had origi-cratic-sounding (but assumed) name. He led his nally been a bunch of Los Angeles fraternity orchestra in upscale venues from New York’s brothers calling themselves the Rockwells when posh Waldorf-Astoria to the Cocoanut Grove they got together to perform in 1963. Fortu-nightclub in Hollywood.

itously, crooner Pat Boone heard them sing at a The band, whose theme song was “I’ll See You local club and arranged a record contract for in My Dreams,” featured an electronic instru-them.

ment called the novachord. Noble, who had pre-The Leaves had one other minor local success viously appeared with several orchestras as a

114

Len
singer, moved his “sweet” orchestra to the West Violinist and pianist Leo Reisman was a pop-Coast in 1940. While there his acting career in-ular bandleader in the 1920s and ’30s. He had cluded films like Gift of Gab, It Ain’t Hay and played professionally from the age of twelve and White Christmas.

had been a member of the Baltimore Symphony He later resumed his first vocation, becoming Orchestra. With its theme song “What Is This a musical director at a hotel in Lake Tahoe beThing Called Love?” his band dated from the fore retiring in 1965. Leighton Noble had a tel-late 1910s and was ensconced for many years at evision show during the 1950s and is credited top hotels in New York and Boston.

with introducing Liberace and the comedy team Dubbed the “String Quartet of Dance Bands”

of Rowan and Martin ( Laugh-In) to a wider by no less a personage than composer Jerome public.

Kern, Reisman’s orchestra featured such nota-Crazy House (1943)

bles as Eddie Duchin, Fred Astaire and Harold Arlen before they found fame elsewhere. By the Len Nash and His Country Boys
early 1940s, with swing music in the ascendancy, From 1929 to ’33 the Los Angeles–based music Reisman’s smooth sound was not in favor and group Len Nash and His Country Boys had a his orchestra eventually disbanded.

popular radio show. Their records included “On Harlem on Parade (1946?)

the Road to California” and “Kelly Blues.”

Mountain Justice (1930)

Leon Gross’ Orchestra

God’s Step Children (1938) * Swing! (1938) Leo Diamond and His Harmonaires; Leo Diamond and His Solidaires; Leo Diamond Quartet; Diamond

Leonardo and Zola [unknown]

Brothers; Three Diamond Brothers Sepia Cinderella (1947)

Leo Diamond (New York, New York, 1915–

1966); Abe Diamond; Dick Hayman, Harry Leopold Stokowski and His

Roller; Pete Maggio; Jerry Geller; Maurice Fine-Symphony Orchestra
man; Buddy Raye

Leopold Stokowski (Antoni Stokowski, London, In his time one of a handful of famous har-England, 1882–1977)

monica players, Leo Diamond began his career Despite the rumors over the years that he was with Borah Minevitch’s Harmonica Rascals. He actually named Leo Stokes, Leopold Stokowski then established his own ensembles before strik-apparently was the scion of a genuinely Polish ing out as a solo in the 1950s. Besides appearing family. There are still mysteries about him, how-in nightclubs, he made recordings that combined ever; for instance, the origin of his somewhat harmonica music (he played all the parts) with Middle European accent. As a young organist various colorful sound effects.

he played with many church choirs before start-Somewhat of a musical innovator, Diamond ing a professional career about 1905 as an organ-was also an arranger and songwriter of such dit-ist and conductor.

ties as “The Girls of Brazil,” “Skin Diver’s Suite”

At first with the Cincinnati Symphony, Leopold and “Off Shore.” The latter became a hit for Stokowski found his niche in 1912 at the Phila-him, as did the recording of his “Melody of delphia Orchestra with whom he gained world-Love” in the mid–’50s.

wide fame and fortune in an almost thirty year Freshman Year (1937) * Strictly in the Groove tenure. There he established a rather eccentric (1942) * He’s My Guy (1943) * Coney Island (1943) persona with his long, flowing hair, and flam-

* Hi’Ya, Sailor (1943) * Sweet Rosie O’Grady (1943) boyant conducting with bare hands, rather than

* Week-End Pass (1944) * Forever Yours (1945) *
a baton.

Swing Out, Sister (1945) * One Too Many (1950) Given his outsized personality, his showmanship sometimes seemed to be the focus of atten-Leo Reisman and His Band
tion instead of the music. His highly publicized Leo Reisman (Boston, Massachusetts, 1897–
personal life, involving such women as Gloria 1961)

Vanderbilt and Greta Garbo, also made headlines.

Les 115

It was probably most known for its association with Bob Hope. Les Brown accompanied Hope on eighteen of his Christmas tours and traded barbs with him on the radio. He also was on the Dean Martin television show from 1965
to 1974.

Seven Days Leave (1942) * The Nutty Professor (1963) * Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1966)†

†Although this was originally made for television, scenes were added for a theatrical release.

Les Elgart and His Orchestra

Les Elgart (New Haven, Connecticut, 1918–

1995)

Trumpeter Les Elgart was a sideman in the orchestras of Raymond Scott, Harry James, Bunny Berigan and Charlie Spivak prior to forming a band with his brother about 1945. The Les and Larry Elgart Orchestra (known for the so-called “Elgart sound”) thrived for only a short The romantic gaze of Leopold Stokowski.

while until disagreements between the siblings Apparently his white mane and ascetic face were caused it to disband.

irresistible to women.

The brothers’ orchestra was re-formed in the In later years Stokowski fostered the concept early ’50s, mainly finding its niche on the college of youth concerts and became conductor of the circuit, and they also put out many albums.

NBC Symphony, the New York City Symphony Though Les was not considered to be the musi-and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He was also cian that his brother Larry was, he had led his involved with many other ensembles, made nu-own band. By the end of the 1950s he had more merous recordings, and was active in music al-or less stopped performing.

most to the time of his death at ninety-five. In Senior Prom (1958)

1941 he was awarded a special Oscar for “unique achievement in creating a new form of visual-Les Hite and His Orchestra
ized music in Walt Disney’s Fantasia.”

Les Hite (DuQuoin, Illinois, 1903–1962) The Big Broadcast of 1937 (1936) * One Hun-Among the instruments bandleader Les Hite dred Men and a Girl (1937) * Fantasia (1940) played were the piano, alto saxophone and xylophone. In 1930 he had taken over the Quality Les Brown and His Band

Serenaders orchestra which he later “loaned” to Les Brown (Reinerton, Pennsylvania, 1912–2001) Louis Armstrong for gigs in the early ’30s. The According to the venerable Guinness Book of band’s theme song was “It Must Have Been a Records Les Brown was the leader of the longest Dream” and among its members were Lionel lasting musical group in pop music history. His Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie.

orchestra, famously called “Les Brown and His As the Sebastian’s Cotton Club Orchestra, Band of Renown,” was formed in 1938 and was Hite’s group was based at Los Angeles’s Cotton still touring close to the time of his death.

Club for several years in the 1930s. They played The band produced numerous hit records infor many film sound tracks, but made only a few cluding “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,”

commercial recordings, among them “Jersey

“Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio,” “My Dreams Are Getting Bounce” and “T-Bone Blues” in the early 1940s.

Better All the Time,” “Sentimental Journey”

The orchestra disbanded in 1945.

(their theme song, popularized by vocalist Doris Bargain with Bullets (1937) * Fools for Scandal Day) and “Ramona.”

(1938)

116

Les

Les Paul Trio

Lewis, Ted see Ted Lewis and His Les Paul (Lester Polfuss [also Polfus],Waukesha, Orchestra

Wisconsin, 1915/16–)

Famed as the father of the electric guitar, Les Lewis, Texas Jim see Texas Jim Lewis...

Paul certainly had a many-sided career. His musical innovations include overlaying as many as Lewis and Clarke Expedition
twelve music tracks on top of each other to pro-For Singles Only (1968) “Destination Unknown”

duce the sublime sounds featured on the hit records he made with his then-wife Mary Ford (nee Colleen Summers, 1914?–1977).

Lewis and White [unknown]

Among their eleven number one chart hits Boarding House Blues (1948) were “How High the Moon” “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise,” “I’m Sitting on Top of Lewis Lymon and the Teenchords
the World” and the 1953 mega-hit “Vaya Con Lewis Lymon (lead); Ralph Vaughan (1st tenor); Dios.” Paul had had his first recordings released Rossilio Rocca (2nd tenor); Lyndon Harold when he was just twenty years of age.

(baritone); David Little (bass)

A professional guitarist from 1930, Paul played Without brother Frankie Lymon’s brief fame with Fred Waring’s orchestra and on the radio it is a reasonable supposition that there would as a country musician/comedian with names like have been no Lewis Lymon and the Teenchords.

Rhubarb Red and Hot Rod. During this time However, they did score some small successes he steadily worked on his inventions and im-like “I’m So Happy” and “Honey, Honey” in the provements, including the further development late 1950s. Their stage presence was a clean-cut of the solid-body guitar. He often built his own one, being costumed in white shirts and black recording equipment.

pants with black bowties.

Long lionized by his fellow musicians, he was Following two of the band members’ prob-best known to the general public through his lems with the law (a stolen car) the group dis-collaboration with Mary Ford. They had their banded in 1960. Lymon himself recorded with own television show and were called “Mr. and other groups and re-formed the Teenchords in Mrs. Music.” Previously he played with Bing the 1970s to cash in on rock-and-roll nostalgia.

Crosby and the Andrews Sisters and had formed In the 21st century he performed with a revived the Les Paul Trio in 1943.

version of the Teenagers, his late brother’s group.

When he was ninety years old he was still Jamboree (1957) “Your Last Chance” and being nominated for Grammy Awards (two in

“Gone”

2006 alone), had been given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, Light Crust Dough Boys
and was an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To his credit were more than 20 million Bob Wills (1905–1975) (fiddle); Herman Arn-recordings sold. A documentary Chasing Sound: spiger (guitar); Milton Brown (vocals); Tommy Les Paul at 90 was released in 2006.

Duncan

Sensations of 1945 (1944)

The intriguing name of the Light Crust Doughboys hardly conveyed its standing as a premier western swing band, in fact one of the progeni-Lew Preston and His Ranch Hands tors of that style. They bore the name of a Fort Prairie Stranger (1941) “Ride, Cowboy, Ride” and Worth, Texas radio sponsor, a rather common

“Scallwag”

occurrence for groups in the 1920s and ’30s —
they knew what side their bread was buttered Lewis, Gary see Gary Lewis and the on, so to speak.

Playboys

Previously they had been known as the Al-addin Laddies. The trio was an offshoot of Bob Wills’s fiddle band whose radio show was spon-Lewis, Jimmie see Jimmie Lewis and sored by Light Crust Flour and which became His Texas Cowboys
an enormous draw in the Southwest in the early

Lonzo 117

1930s. Although the original members, particu-Lollipop Shoppe
larly Wills, soon went on to other opportunities, Fred Cole (vocals); Ed Bowen (guitar); Ron the Doughboys continued on well into the 1940s Buzzell (guitar); Bob Atkins (bassist); Tom in radio and on recordings.

Rockson (drums)

At one point after the original members had Originally known as the Weeds, the group departed, they were called the Coffee Grinders.

known as the Lollipop Shoppe supposedly In latter days the Light Crust Doughboys have changed its name to fit in with the “bubblegum”

been resurrected and become more versatile, music that was in vogue in the 1960s. But the dabbling in gospel and other musical forms.

band was anything but bubblegum in its admix-Nominated for several Grammys, they were de-ture of garage and psychedelic rock.

clared the “Official Music Ambassadors of the The Lollipop Shoppe backed such famous Lone Star State” by the Texas legislature.

performers as Janis Joplin and the Doors and The Big Show (1936) * Oh, Susanna! (1936) made recordings like “You Must Be a Witch” and

“Someone I Knew” before breaking up in 1969.

Lilly Brothers see Tex Logan and the Although the band never made the charts their Lilly Brothers
recordings are much sought after.

Angels from Hell (1968) “Who’s It Gonna Be”

Lionel Hampton and His Band;
and “Mr. Madison Avenue”

Lionel Hampton and Orchestra

Lionel Hampton (Louisville, Kentucky, 1908–

Lombard, Carole see Carole 2002)

Lombard Singers

Considered one of the true jazz greats, Lionel Hampton led his own band from 1940 and for Lombardo, Guy see Guy Lombardo...

forty years worked with a whole panoply of mu-Lone Star Cowboys see Texas Jim sicians from Benny Goodman to Quincy Jones.

Lewis and His Lone Star Cowboys He was member of the Benny Goodman Quartet, which was pioneering for its racial admix-Long, Johnny see Johnny Long and ture, and prior to that had played with various His Orchestra
ensembles from 1928.

A vibraharp/vibraphone virtuoso, Hampton Lonzo and Oscar
was credited with bringing that instrument out Lonzo (aka Ken Marvin) (Lloyd George, Cor-of obscurity, as well as playing drums and a mean dova, Tennessee, 1924–1991) (bassist); Oscar two-fingered piano. Besides the many popular (Rollin Sullivan, Edmonton, Kentucky, 1919–) jazz albums he released, his 1939 recording of (guitar); Johnny Sullivan (Edmonton, Kentucky,

“Flyin’ Home” (his theme song) is considered by 1917–1967); David Hooten
some to have been a precursor to rock-and-roll.

Lonzo and Oscar, comic musicians, had both Harlem Hotshots (1953) * Harlem Jazz Festi-been on the radio and a part of other groups be-val (1955) [documentary] * Rhythm-and-Blues fore they teamed as Cicero and Oscar in the Revue (1955) [documentary] * Rock ’n’ Roll Revue mid–1940s. Their first major gig was opening (1955/56) [documentary] * The Benny Goodman for the great country singer Eddy Arnold and Story (1956) * Mr. Rock ’n’ Roll (1957) “Star His Tennessee Plowboys; it was he who re-Rocket,” “Mister Rock ’n’ Roll” and other songs dubbed them Lonzo and Oscar.

Little Joe’s Wranglers

Their comedy, heard on the Grand Ole Opry from 1947 to 1967, could be fairly described as Fighting Mustang (1948)

hillbilly corn. (Example: After each tells the other that there is nothing he wouldn’t do for Little Vagabonds [unknown]

him, they conclude: “That’s the way we go Tuxedo Junction (1941)

through life — doing nothing for each other.”) But they were exuberant musicians. The 1948

Logan, Tex see Tex Logan and the novelty song “I’m My Own Grandpa” was their Lilly Brothers
big recording hit, selling more than four million

118

Lopez
copies. When Lloyd George (Lonzo) departed If strictly true the story of Armstrong’s youth the act in 1950 to solo (calling himself Ken Mar-could rival a Horatio Alger novel. He learned to vin), Rollin’s older brother Johnny Sullivan took play the cornet at the Waifs Home after being over the role.

arrested as a young teenager. Mentored by King Lonzo and Oscar also had a hit with “Coun-Oliver, he became a trumpeter who in the 1920s try Music Time” in the 1960s. Following the made a series of classic recordings with groups elder Sullivan’s untimely death David Hooten formed just for recording sessions and given assumed the mantle of Lonzo and the duo con-names like the Hot Five and the Hot Seven.

tinued to perform into the 1980s.

From 1930 he fronted his own band with its Country Music Holiday (1958) * Tennessee Jam-theme song of “Sleepy Time Down South.”

boree (1964) * Country Music Caravan (1964) *

Later in the decade Satchmo (the name is perhaps Country Boy (1966)

a misreading of the nickname “Satchelmouth”) turned more to acting in movies and on Broad-Lopez, Manny see Manny Lopez and way. As time went on he fine-tuned his lovable His Orchestra
persona and became as well known for that as for his real musical accomplishments.

Lopez, Vincent see Vincent Lopez Armstrong continued to duet with the great and His Orchestra
singers of his time, like Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and the Mills Brothers and played solo Lord Flea and His Calypsonians; Lord roles in movies such as Hello, Dolly! Increasingly Flea Calypsonians; Calypsonians he toured Europe where American jazz was enor-Lord Flea (Norman Thomas)

mously popular and made films there in Ger-Dubbed the “Calypso King of Jamaica,” Lord many and Denmark. In 1956 a documentary Flea was one of the originators of “modern” calypso.

Satchmo the Great was released.

Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957) “Calypso Jam-Ex-Flame (1930) * Pennies from Heaven (1936) boree” * Calypso Joe (1957)

* Artists and Models (1937) * Everyday’s a Holiday (1938) * Doctor Rhythm (1938) * Going Places Los Angeles Opera Company

(1938) * Cabin in the Sky (1943) * Atlantic City (1944) * Jam Session (1944) * Pillow to Post (1945) Enter Madame! (1934)

* New Orleans (1947) * The Strip (1951) * High Lou Bring Orchestra

Society (1956) * La Paloma (Germany) * The Night Before the Premiere (Germany) * A Girl, a Guitar Lou Bring (Robert Borsuk, New York, New and a Trumpet (Denmark) * Auf Wiedersehen York, 1907?–1961)

(Germany) * When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965) Pianist Lou Bring had a New York society band in the 1930s and had previously played piano with Vincent Lopez. He also was the music director for Louis Jordan and His Orchestra; such greats as Al Jolson, Helen Morgan, Betty Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five; Hutton, Gracie Fields and Jimmy Durante.

Louis Jordan and His Tympany Band Lady, Let’s Dance! (1944)

Louis Jordan (Brinkley, Arkansas, 1908–1975) A respected master composer and performer of Louis Armstrong and Band; Louis jazz, blues and rhythm-and-blues music from Armstrong and His Orchestra
the 1930s to the ’60s, alto sax player Louis Jor-Louis Armstrong (New Orleans, Louisiana, dan had million-selling records with his various 1900/01–1971)

groups. He had previously played with the Chick Perhaps the most famous jazz performer of his Webb and Ella Fitzgerald bands before leading time, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong led many his own big band.

bands but they were not considered to be among One of the more famous of his ensembles was the great ones. It was his own trumpet playing the Tympany Five, which actually used up to and singing that pulled in the audiences, and eight players on occasion. Formed in the 1930s, some believed that his bands were a distraction it produced recordings like “Ration Blues,”

from his own outstanding musicianship.

“What’s the Use of Gettin’ Sober” and “Keep A-

Louise 119

Knockin’.” “Caldonia” was one of Jordan’s Certainly one of the most publicly extroverted biggest hits; it was covered by other bands’ ver-of all bandleaders, Louis Prima was boisterous sions as were several of his recordings.

(or just plain loud, depending on one’s view-A World War II–era smash was “Is You Is or point) with a raspy voice, and instantly identifiable Is You Ain’t My Baby?” Although some of his by his strong Italianate features topped by a records were crossover hits, like “Choo Choo rather bad toupee. Not for him was the bland Ch’Boogie,” many scored only on the so-called smile favored by most orchestra leaders.

“race” charts that featured the music of African-Trained in the violin and later a trumpeter, American artists.

he formed a Dixieland combo, Louis Prima and With his “jump blues” style Louis Jordan is his New Orleans Gang, in the 1930s and had a often credited with being one of the very earli-band during the following decade. Not surpris-est musicians to pioneer, or at least influence, ingly his theme song was “Way Down Yonder in the onset of rock-and-roll. In the 1940s he had New Orleans.”

been seen in many soundies and musical shorts Supposedly discovered about 1934 by suave and was dubbed the “King of the Juke Box.” He Guy Lombardo (almost his diametric opposite was an acknowledged mentor of such performin every way), Prima was initially known for his ers as Little Richard and Chuck Berry.

Italian-flavored novelty tunes like “Zooma Follow the Boys (1944) * Miss Bobby Socks Zooma,” “Angelina” and “Felicia No Capecia.”

(1944) * Beware (1946) “How Long Must I Wait He was a songwriter of some talent, having for You,” “Long Legged Lizzie” and several other penned “A Sunday Kind of Love” and the all-songs * Swing Parade of 1946 (1946) * Reet, Pe-time big band classic “Sing Sing Sing,” popu-tite and Gone (1947) “Caldonia,” “Let the Good larized by Benny Goodman. But it was probably Times Roll,” “Reet, Petite and Gone” and several his teaming with singer, and later wife, Keely other songs * Look Out Sister (1949) “Ten Gal-Smith (nee Dorothy Keely) that brought him to lon Hat,” “Caldonia,” “You’re Much Too Fat”

a wider audience. Together they starred in the and numerous other songs
rock and roll quickie Hey Boy! Hey Girl!

They also produced hit recordings like “That Old Black Magic” and were perennials on the Louis Prima with His Band

Las Vegas showroom scene for many years. Be-Louis Prima (New Orleans, Louisiana, 1910–
fore he was well known Louis Prima had had 1978)

small roles in such ’30s films as Rhythm on the Range and You Can’t Have Everything. Much later he was the voice of the orangutan in Disney’s animated feature The Jungle Book.

Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937) * Start Cheering (1938) * Rose of Washington Square (1939) * Senior Prom (1958) * Hey Boy! Hey Girl!

(1959)

Louise Massey’s Westerners

Louise Massey (aka Louise Mabie) (Midland, Texas, 1902–1983) (vocals/piano); Milt Mabie (bassist); Larry Wellington (accordion); Dott Massey (violin/trumpet); Allen Massey (guitar/
banjo)

Mostly a family act, the Westerners were on radio’s National Barn Dance in the early 1930s.

They produced numerous recordings of western songs like “Round Up Time in Heaven,” “Riding Down That Old Texas Trail” and “The Cow-An uncharacteristically serene Louis Prima.

boy’s Dream,” and others including “Is It True

120

Loumell

What They Say About Dixie?” and “Squeeze Box ful disbanded only to reunite some twenty-two Polka.”

years later. They were inducted into the Rock The act’s biggest hits were “When the White and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Azaleas Start Blooming” (a multi-million seller), The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) [documentary]

“South of the Border” and “My Adobe Ha-

“Do You Believe in Magic?” and “You Didn’t cienda.” The latter scored as both a western and Have to Be So Nice” * What’s Up, Tiger Lily?

popular tune, making it one of the early cross-

(1966) “Respoken”

over hits of its day.

Louise Massey was the driving force behind Lowdermilk, Romaine see Romaine the Westerners and had been dubbed the “Orig-Lowdermilk and His Ranch House
inal Rhinestone Cowgirl.” She was a professional Cowboys
from 1918 and thus somewhat of a pioneer as a woman in the ranks of western singers. She went to New York to appear on radio, retired in 1950, Lowe, Bernie see Bernie Lowe and and was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall His Orchestra
of Fame in 1982.

Where the Buffalo Roam (1938) Lucky Millinder and His Band; Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra

Loumell Morgan Trio

Lucky Millinder (Lucius Millinder, Anniston, Loumell Morgan (North Carolina, 1919/22–) Alabama, 1900–1966)

(piano); James Jackson; Jimmy Smith (bassist) After working with blues orchestras as an A two-year stint with Slim Gaillard’s Flat Foot emcee and even a dancer, Lucky Millinder Floogie Boys beginning in 1939 was one of formed his own big band. Despite the fact that Loumell Morgan’s earlier gigs, but he had prob-he could not actually play an instrument, his ably begun playing professionally at fifteen. He band turned out to be an innovative one that be-formed his own jazz trio, sometime later to be a came a link between the swing and rhythm-and-quintet, in the early 1940s.

blues eras. They often played at Harlem’s Apollo All By Myself (1943) * Melody Parade (1943) Theater, backing top-line acts, with their theme song “Ride, Red, Ride.”

Louvin, Charlie see Charlie Louvin Millinder had strong views and he personally and His Band
decried white bands that imitated Black-led groups, and he criticized Black arrangers for aid-Lovin’ Spoonful
ing them. In the 1940s, with sidemen like Dizzy Gillespie, his band had several chart hits, includ-Steve Boone (bassist); Joe Butler (drums); John ing “When the Lights Go on Again.” What he Sebastian; Zal Yanovsky (Zalman Yanovsky, lacked in instrumental expertise he made up for Toronto, Canada, 1944–2002) (guitar); Jerry with musical taste and the personality to power Yester; Skip Boone
the group for many successful years until 1952.

Nineteen sixty-five was the year that two rock Scandal (1933) * Paradise in Harlem (1940) *
musicians and two folksingers from the Mug-Harlem on Parade (1946?) * Boarding House Blues wumps formed the Lovin’ Spoonful. The team-

(1948?)

ing resulted in ten Top Twenty hits that included

“Summer in the City,” “Do You Believe in Lucky Seven; Lucky Seven Choir

Magic?,” “Daydream,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?” and “You Didn’t Have Freshman Year (1938)

to Be So Nice.”

Becoming one of the most popular of the Luis Arcaraz and His Orchestra

American pop groups, the Spoonfuls’ smooth Luis Arcaraz (Mexico City, Mexico, 1905–1968) harmonies did not unduly suffer when their Bandleader, pianist and songwriter Luis Ar-comic Zal Yanovsky was replaced by Jerry Yester.

caraz led one of the most popular Mexican or-Such recordings as “Darling Be Home Soon” and chestras of the 1940s and ’50s, and was also well-

“Six o’Clock” ensued. In 1969 the Lovin’ Spoon-known to United States fans of Mexican pop

Major 121
music. He is credited with composing more than Lunceford, Jimmy see Jimmy 200 songs and the scores of many Mexican Lunceford and His Band
movies as well as appearing in several films there.

Cha-Cha-Cha Boom (1956)

Luther, John J. see John J. Luther...

Lulu and the Luvvers

Luvvers see Lulu and the Luvvers Lulu (Marie Lawrie, Glasgow, Scotland, 1948–) In America the pop singer Lulu is undoubtedly Lyman, Abe see Abe Lyman...

best-known for her role as a schoolgirl in Sidney Poitier’s 1967 hit movie To Sir with Love, and Lymon, Frankie see Frankie Lymon for her singing of the title song. However, in and the Teenagers

Britain her success went beyond “To Sir with Love”; the Luvvers had a big hit with “Shout!” As Lymon, Lewis see Lewis Lymon and a solo performer she had her own television show the Teenchords
and nine Top Ten hits, mostly in the 1960s. They included “Leave a Little Love” and “Morning Lynn Proctor Trio

Dew.”

Go-Go Big Beat (1964) [documentary]

The Lynn Proctor trio was a vocal group.

“Shout” * Gonks Go Beat (1965) Miracle in Harlem (1948) “Watch Out”

Lyons, Cliff see Sons of the Pioneers Lulu Belle and Scotty

Scotty (aka Skyland Scotty) (Scott Wiseman, Lyttle Sisters

Ingalls or Spruce Pine, North Carolina, 1909–

Darlene Lyttle; Dorothy Lyttle; Elinor Lyttle; 1981); Lulu Belle (Myrtle Cooper, Boone, North Marilyn Lyttle

Carolina, 1913–1999)

The Lyttle Sisters were a vocal quartet.

A very popular duo on the radio, married ( Abbott and Costello) In Hollywood (1945) “I singers Scott Wiseman and Myrtle Cooper called Hope the Band Keeps Playing” and “The Co-themselves Lulu Belle and Scotty. They were cabola Tree” * Easy to Look at (1945) known as the “Sweethearts of Country Music”

and the “Hayloft Sweethearts.” They appeared on Mac and Ace [unknown]

the National Barn Dance program for nearly twenty years from 1933 and made television ap-Juke Joint (1947)

pearances as well.

Scott Wiseman, a guitar and banjo player, was Mac Niles and the Calypsonians
also a songwriter with some seventy songs to his Calypso Heat Wave (1957)

credit, his most famous being “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” Myrtle had begun as a Macbeth’s Calypso Band
hillbilly-style comedienne in the Minnie Pearl/

House-Rent Party (1946?)

Judy Canova mold. Their popular recordings together included “Home Coming Time,” “Mountain Dew” and “My Heart Cries for You.” Lulu Macon, Uncle Dave see Uncle Dave Belle and Scotty retired the act in 1958.

Macon and His Son, Dorris

Shine on, Harvest Moon (1938) * Village Barn Dance (1940) * Country Fair (1941) * Hi, Neigh-Madriguera, Enric see Enric bor (1942) * Swing Your Partner (1943) * Sing, Madriguera and His Orchestra

Neighbor, Sing (1944) * The National Barn Dance (1944)

Major, Sharp and Minor

Josephine Riley; Anita Nieto; Barbara Johnstone Luman, Bob see Bob Luman and the Major, Sharp and Minor was a vocal trio.

Shadows

The Big Broadcast (1932)

122

Malneck

Malneck, Matty see Matty Malneck The musical director of Republican nominat-and His Orchestra
ing conventions from 1956 to 1992 was Manny Harmon. (When asked what his own political Malone Sisters [unknown]

affiliation was, the bandleader cracked “I belong to the cocktail party.”) Beside his political stints, Joe Palooka in The Knockout (1947) he was the leader of a dance orchestra and mu-Mamas and the Papas
sical director at the RKO Studios for some seventeen years.

John Phillips (Parris Island, South Carolina, Harmon, who had played in vaudeville and 1935–2001); Cass Elliott (Ellen Cohen, Balti-as a sideman for Earl Burtnett, seemed to be the more, Maryland, 1941–1974); Michelle Phillips bandleader of choice for many important show (Holly Gilliam, Los Angeles, 1944?–); Denny biz events. He played at the Academy Awards, Doherty (Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1940–2007) the Emmys, the Rose Parade, the Miss Universe The leader of the much-lauded pop group the contest and on many television telethons.

Mamas and the Papas was John Phillips. He had Walking On Air (1936) * When’s Your Birth-first founded the folk ensemble the Journeymen day? (1937) * From This Day Forward (1946) with Denny Doherty and John’s wife Michelle and later helped organize the Monterey Pop Fes-Manny Lopez and His Orchestra
tival. Cass Elliott and Doherty had previously Cha-Cha-Cha Boom (1956)

sung with The Mugwumps.

Pretty Michelle, who had an acting career Manone, Wingy see Wingy Manone after the group disbanded (including the biopics Valentino and Dillinger), provided the glamour.

and His Band

The corpulent Elliott was the earth mother figure and with her winning personality was much seen Maple City Four
on television.

Art Janes (LaPorte, Indiana); Fritz Meissner Doherty had begun his career in his native (Frederick Meissner, LaPorte, Indiana); Al Rice Canada with the folk group the Halifax Three.

(Allan Rice, La Porte, Indiana); Pat Petterson After hooking up with the other Papa and the (LeRoy Petterson, LaPorte Indiana) Mamas, he wrote their hit song “I Saw Her Veterans of radio singing commercials, the Again.” His latter-day career included a role on Maple City Four (named for their home town) a public broadcasting children’s show and also appeared on radio from about 1926 into the the authorship of the play Dream a Little Dream: 1950s. The close harmony quartet was dubbed the Mamas and the Papas Musical.

the “Marx Brothers of Radio” for their mix of Among the other noted hits of the Mamas and singing, skits, barbershop harmony and eccentric the Papas (they had six Top Ten charters within instrumentals. They had also performed in two years) were “Dream a Little Dream of Me,”

vaudeville.

“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers Git Along Little Dogies (1937) * The Old Barn in Your Hair”), which almost reached anthem Dance (1938) * Under Western Stars (1938) status, “Kokomo,” “California Dreamin’,” “Words of Love” and “Monday, Monday.”

Marcels

The Mamas and the Papas disbanded in 1967

Richard Knauss (baritone); Fred Johnson (bass); amid recriminations all around. It re-formed in Gene Bricker (2nd tenor); Ron Mundy (1st the 1980s and was inducted into the Rock and tenor); Cornelius Harp (lead singer) Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Vocal Hall of Perhaps one of the few groups to be named Fame two years later.

after a hairstyle (the marcelled hair of member Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary] “Califor-Fred Johnson), the Pittsburgh-based Marcels had nia Dreamin’” and “I’ve Got a Feeling”

one big hit, their 1961 doo-wop rendition of “Blue Moon.” This topped both the pop and rhythm-Manny Harmon and His Orchestra
and-blues charts and since has been heard on the Manny Harmon (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sound tracks of several movies. They had a second 1909–2003)

hit with another oldie, “Heartaches.”

Matty 123

Originally an integrated group founded in Martin, Freddy see Freddy Martin 1959, the Marcels eventually became all Black and Orchestra
when a couple of its members departed. Despite the dearth of many big hits, they are considered Martinez, Tony see Tony Martinez to have been one of the premier vocal groups.

and His Band

With some new membership the group toured in nostalgia shows until the mid–1990s.

Martiniques see Felix and His Twist Around the Clock (1961) “Blue Moon”

and “Merry Twistmas”

Martiniques

Mary Kaye Trio

Marie Bryant Swing Band

Mary Kaye (Mary Ka’aihue, Detroit, Michigan, Marie Bryant (New Orleans, Louisiana, 1919–

1924/28–2007) (guitar); Norman Kaye (Nor-1978)

man Ka’aihue) (bassist); Jules Pursley; Frank Marie Bryant was most famous for her sexily Ross (Biagio Bologna) (accordion)

exotic dancing and later for her singing. It is pos-The Mary Kaye Trio is credited with being sible she led a swing band for one film only.

the very first lounge act in Las Vegas; in fact The Duke Is Tops (1938)

Mary Kaye credited herself with inventing the term “lounge act.” The group played mainly in Marimba Merry Makers

Sin City venues for up to nine months a year Sailor Beware (1951) * Skirts Ahoy! (1952) and found time to make popular records such as

“Besame Mucho,” “My Funny Valentine” and

“April in Paris,” as well as many albums.

Martha and the Vandellas

Mary and Norman Kaye, brother and sister, Martha Reeves (Eufaula, Alabama, 1941–) (2nd were supposedly the grandchildren of a Hawai-soprano); Rosalind Ashford (1943–) (soprano); ian prince who was the brother of Hawaii’s last Betty Kelly (1944–); Annette Beard (alto); Lois queen. As youngsters they had performed with Reeves; Gloria Williamson (d. 1999) their father Johnny Ka’aihue’s orchestra (he was Rock fans figuratively (and perhaps literally) professionally known as Johnny Ukulele). The did dance in the streets when Martha and the trio disbanded in 1966 at a time when they were Vandellas released their smash “Dancing in the earning a princely one million dollars a year.

Street” in 1964. The group had been named with Cha-Cha-Cha-Boom! (1956) * Bop Girl Goes the odd combining of Detroit’s Van Dyke Street Calypso (1957) “Fools Rush in” and “Calypso and singer Della Reese. They were formed with Rock”

members of the Del-Fi’s (or Del-Phi’s) and were originally used for backup with Marvin Gaye Matadors
and called the Vells and then the Beljeans.

The Satin Mushroom (1969)

Martha Reeves had been a Motown secretary when she got her big break. She possessed a Mathews, Tobin see Tobin Mathews strong, almost gospel-like voice that powered other hits like “Quicksand,” “Jimmy Mack,”

and the All Stars

“Heat Wave” and “Nowhere to Run.” In the mid–1960s, they were undeniably one of Mo-Matty Malneck and His Orchestra town’s pre-eminent “girl” groups — until the Matty Malneck (Newark, New Jersey, 1904–

Supremes came along.

1981)

“Honey Child” was the Vandellas last hit and After playing with the Paul Whiteman orches-they broke up when Reeves embarked on a solo tra for many years violinist Matty Malneck es-career in the early 1970s. But they re-grouped tablished his band in the mid–1930s. He kept it later that decade, continue to perform sporadi-going for another thirty-five years, sometimes as cally, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll an octet.

Hall of Fame in 1995.

Besides being a music arranger for films and The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

television, Malneck was the writer of songs that

124

Maurel
ran the gamut from “Stairway to the Stars” “I’m In the 1930s she owned the largest number of Through with Love,” “Till Tomorrow” and dance schools in the United States, more than

“Shangri-La” to “Fidgety Joe” and “Goody 130. Mrs. Meglin (originally Moegling) was her-Goody.”

self a former Ziegfeld Follies dancer who later East Side of Heaven (1939) * Hawaiian Nights had a television show called The Meglin Review.

(1939) * Man About Town (1939) * Saint Louis Reg’lar Fellers (1941)

Blues (1939) * Scatterbrain (1940) * You’re in the Army Now (1941) * Shantytown (1943) * Trocadero Mel Tormé Trio see Mel-Tones (1944)

Mellomen (aka Mello-Men)

Maurel, Raymond see Raymond Thurl Ravenscroft (Norfolk, Nebraska, 1914–

Maurel and the Cimini Male Chorus 2006); Max Smith

From a stint as a studio and radio singer in Maxwell, Philip see Philip Maxwell’s the 1930s, Thurl Ravenscroft joined the Sports-Choristers
men, a quartet, but World War II put a temporary halt to that group. The Mellomen came May, Billy see Billy May and Orchestra about in the post-war period and they did much back-up singing for big bands and artists like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Maynard, Ken see Ken Maynard’s Clooney.

Buckaroos

Ravenscroft was a talented voice artist for films, including animated movies like The Brave McCarthy, Dorothy see Dorothy Little Toaster and Snoopy Come Home, but his McCarthy and the Three Dots
great claim to fame was as the distinctive voice of Tony the Tiger for Frosted Flakes cereal. It is he that is heard roaring the oft-imitated “They’re McIntyre, Hal see Hal McIntyre...

grrrrrrreat!” Such is immortality.

The Glenn Miller Story (1954) * It Happened at McKay, Scotty see Scotty McKay the World’s Fair (1963) * The Sword in the Stone Quintet

(voices only) (1963)

McKinley, Ray see Ray McKinley and Melodears see Ina Ray Hutton and His Orchestra

Her Melodears

McVea, Jack see Jack McVea and Mel-Tones (sometimes billed as the Orchestra

Meltones); Mel Tormé Trio

Mel Tormé (Melvin Tormé, Chicago, Illinois, Medians [unknown]

1925–1999); Les Baxter; Ginny O’Connor (later Everybody’s Dancin’ (1950) Mancini); Bernie Parke; Diz Disruhd; Betty Beveridge

Considered one of the premier singers of his Meglin Glee Club
generation, Mel Tormé, was dubbed the “Velvet Ethel Meglin (1890?–1988)

Fog” for publicity purposes but such facile nick-The Meglin Kiddies were well-known to Hol-names obscured his real talents. His song phras-lywood producers who frequently used them in ing was legendary and his reputation as a jazz movies. Ethel Meglin, a kind of super stage singer has endured much longer than most of mother, ran a school that trained young children the mere band singers of his day. He was also a for show business careers, especially one tiny dis-talented pianist and drummer.

covery named Shirley Temple. Other alumni He began as a child actor on the radio and by were Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

his teen years was already singing and arranging

Merry 125
with the Chico Marx band. The five member Fireball Jungle (1969) “Love Can Make You Mel-Tones were formed about 1943, the biggest Happy” and “Fire Ball”

of their hits being “What Is This Thing Called Love?” They had originally dubbed themselves Meredith Neal and the Boot-Heel Boys the School Kids and the Skylarks.

Tiger By the Tail (1970)

The Mel-Tones’ jazz-influenced style is considered the forerunner of such groups as Manhattan Transfer. By 1947 Tormé was off to his solo Meremblum, Peter see Peter career in nightclubs, along the way amassing nu-Meremblum...

merous successful albums and singles like “Care-less Love” “Blue Moon” and “Mountain Green-Merle Travis and His Bronco Busters; ery.” He was also a composer of some 300 songs, Merle Travis Trio
including such standards as “The Christmas Merle Travis (Rosewood, Kentucky, 1917–1983) Song” with its evocative opening line “Chest-As a guitarist Merle Travis was considered a nuts roasting on an open fire....”

nonpareil who actually had an instrumental style Mel Tormé did not neglect the acting side of

“Travis Picking” named for him. As a songwriter his career and was Emmy-nominated for his per-he produced the classic “Sixteen Tons” (a million formance in the 1956 television movie The Co-seller for Tennessee Ernie Ford) and the popular median, starring Mickey Rooney. He appeared novelties that must have made tobacco companies in several films without the Meltones, beginning happy: “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke (That Cigarette)”

with Higher and Higher in 1943 and ending with and “So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed.”

The Naked Gun 2 1⁄ 2 (1991), and numerous tele-About 1936 he started in radio and eventually vision shows. He was also considered a talented appeared on several popular shows, including author, but it is for his unique singing style that one in Cincinnati where he was teamed with the he will remain memorable.

country music great Grandpa Jones as the Shep-Pardon My Rhythm (1944) * Let’s Go Steady pard (or Shepherd) Brothers. He was also a mem-

(1945)

ber of the Brown’s Ferry Four, a gospel quartet.

Travis arrived in Hollywood in 1944 and Men About Town Quartette
recorded hits including “Dark As a Dungeon,”

It Happened in Paris (1932)

“Steel Guitar Rag” “Sweet Temptation” and

“Merle’s Boogie Woogie.” Like his contempo-Mendez, Sergio see Sergio Mendez rary Les Paul, he worked on improving guitar and Brasil ’66
design. He was also a member of Ray Whitley’s western swing band.

Years after his solo appearances in “B” west-Menendez, Nilo see Nilo Menendez erns like The Old Texas Trail and Beyond the Pecos and His Rhumba Band
and those with his own groups, Merle Travis had a role in 1953’s From Here to Eternity in which he Mercer Brothers
played “Re-Enlistment Blues.” He also appeared Bud Mercer (banjo); Jim Mercer (banjo) in Honky Tonk Man.

The banjo-plunking Mercer Brothers began The multi-talented Travis became a major performing in the 1920s with their sister and be-influence on guitarists who succeeded him and was came a duo when she dropped out in the late inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame 1930s. They appeared in many tony hotels and and the Country Music Hall of Fame in the 1970s.

in Las Vegas, as well as doing much television, on Galloping Thunder (1946) * Lone Star Moon-which they had their own show.

light (1946) * Roaring Rangers (1946) * Cyclone Casa Manana (1951)

Fury (1951)

Mercy Group (aka Mercy)

Merry Macs

“Love Can Make You Happy” was the Mercy Judd McMichael (George McMichael, Min-Group’s one hit.

neapolis, Minnesota, 1906?–1989) (tenor); Ted

126

Meyer

McMichael (Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1908–
a “Meyer Davis” orchestra. His own original 2001) (baritone); Joe McMichael, Minneapolis, band had been formed as far back as the 1910s.

Minnesota, 1916–1944) (tenor); Cheri McKay With a few other such prominent orchestra (melody)

leaders, like the Lanin brothers, Davis cornered As teenagers in the early 1920s the two elder the market for society bands on the East Coast McMichael brothers began singing profession-in the 1950s and ’60s. His brand of music could ally. As they gained recognition (and their much fairly be described as soothingly undistinguished younger brother) they were known as the Mys-but he did try to keep up with the times. He tery Trio (wearing masks, even though it was even misguidedly released an album of twist radio) and then the Personality Boys. In 1930
music in the early 1960s.

they added a girl singer, Cheri McKay, and thus Advise and Consent (1962)

was born the Merry Macs.

They supposedly pioneered a series of “firsts”: Meyers Sisters
the first four-part harmony group to include a The Meyers Sisters were singers.

female member; the first to appear on stage in Frozen Justice (1929)

white tie and tails, and the first to use purely rhythmic accompaniment. Although the Merry MG’s see Booker T and the MG’s Macs appeared in relatively few films (and were top-billed in one), they had signed a ten-year Mickey Rooney Jr. and His Combo contract with Universal Studio in 1938.

Mickey Rooney, Jr. ( Joseph Yule III, Birming-Among the hits of this extremely popular ham, Alabama, 1945–)

group, who performed extensively on the radio The eldest son of entertainer Mickey Rooney and with top big bands from Glenn Miller to (nee Joe Yule, Jr.), Mickey Rooney, Jr. began his Glen Gray, were “The Hawaiian War Chant,”

show biz career as a Walt Disney Mouseketeer

“Mairzy Doats,” “Laughing on the Outside and also played the bass in orchestras. Unlike his (Crying on the Inside”), “Spurs That Jingle, Jan-diminutive five-foot dad Junior grew to be over gle, Jingle” and “The Hut Sut Song.”

six feet tall.

During the height of World War II their Hot Rods to Hell (1967)

“Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition” and

“Sentimental Journey” became inspirational Midwesterners [unknown]

paeans to both the fighting and home fronts.

They also introduced some jazz stylings into the The Second Greatest Sex (1955) act.

The Merry Macs’ girl singers changed over the Mike Riley and His Musical Maniacs; years (Helen Carroll, Mary Lou Cook and the Mike Riley and His Orchestra; Mike longest-serving, Marjorie Garland), as did the Riley’s Orchestra
third male member after brother Joe was killed Originally the co-leader of a six piece band with during the war. The quartet’s last chart hits came Eddie Farley in the 1930s, Mike Riley and Far-in 1946, but they remained popular through nu-ley co-wrote the enormously popular novelty merous personnel changes and soldiered on until tune “The Music Goes Round and Round.”

the 1960s.

Kid Dynamite (1943) * Sleepy Lagoon (1943) *

Love Thy Neighbor (1940) * Melody Lane (1941) That’s My Baby (1944)

* Moonlight In Hawaii (1941) * Ride ’Em Cowboy (1942) “Wake Up, Jacob” * Mr. Music (1950) Miller, Dave see Dave Miller and His New York French Casino Band

Meyer Davis and His Orchestra

Meyer Davis (Washington, D.C., 1893–1976) Miller, Eddie see Eddie Miller and Besides being a prominent society bandleader, His Bobcats

Meyer Davis was a shrewd businessman who contracted his name out to several different Miller, Glenn see Glenn Miller...

bands so that many gala occasions could boast of

Milo 127

Miller, Herb see Herb Miller and His ments and only needed an actual guitar to ac-Orchestra
company them (originally played by John, Jr.).

They hit it big on network radio under their own Miller, Steve see Steve Miller Band name but had previously been dubbed the Steamboat Four, the Tasty Yeast Jesters, Will, Willie, Wilbur and William and other names Millinder, Lucky see Lucky Millinder...

depending on the station on which they worked.

The Mills’ first recording, “Tiger Rag,” was a Mills Brothers
smash and was quickly followed by standards like John Mills, Sr. (1883/89–1968); John Mills, Jr.

“Up a Lazy River,” “You’re Nobody’s Sweetheart (Piqua, Ohio, 1911–1936); Herbert Mills (Piqua, Now,” “Ole Rockin’ Chair” and numerous others.

Ohio, 1912–1989); Harry Mills (Piqua, Ohio, They were apparently the first Black group to ap-1913–1982); Donald Mills (Piqua, Ohio, 1915–
pear at a command performance before British 1999)

royalty and became a worldwide success.

When very young this iconic harmony group At the end of the 1930s the Brothers’ pre-em-was called Four Brothers and a Kazoo and then, inence was challenged by the Ink Spots but they having gone up in the world, Four Boys and a remained popular, especially after their post-war Guitar. Originally their father stood proudly on multi-million selling record of “Paper Doll.” In the sidelines and only joined his sons onstage the 1950s songs like “Glow Worm,” “You’re No-after the early death of John, Jr. (Papa had led the body ’Til Somebody Loves You” and “Opus One”

barbershop quartet the Four Kings of Harmony.) kept them in the public eye. In all they had more The Brothers initially garnered attention than seventy songs that made the charts.

through their ability to imitate musical instru-The Mills Brothers remained in the spotlight through some 2,200 recordings and
with new membership are probably
still performing somewhere today.

They became a trio with Papa

Mills’ retirement in 1957. The last original member, Donald, had sung
in public for some seventy-five
years by the time of his last per-
formance.

The Big Broadcast (1932) *

Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934) *

Strictly Dynamite (1934) * Operator 13 (1934) * Broadway Gondolier (1935) * Rhythm Parade (1942) *

Chatterbox (1943) * He’s My Guy (1943) * Reveille with Beverly (1943)

* Cowboy Canteen (1944) * The Fight Never Ends (1948) * When You’re Smiling (1950) * The Big Beat (1958) “You’re Being Followed”

Milo Twins

Edward Milolen; Edwin Milolen

The identical twin Milo Broth-
ers cashed in on the so-called “hillbilly boogie” craze of the late 1940s with their hit recording of “Truck The Mills Brothers (1930s).

Driver’s Boogie” in 1948.

128

Milt

I’m From Arkansas (1944) * Sing, Neighbor, Miranda, Carmen see Carmen Sing (1944) * Marked for Murder (1945) Miranda Band

Milt Britton and His Band

Mr. Acker Bilk and His Paramount Milt Britton (Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Jazz Band see Acker Bilk and His 1894–1948)

Paramount Jazz Band

Before orchestra leader Milt Britton founded his own band, he and brother Frank had co-led Mitch Ayres and His Orchestra
a comedy band (in)famous for smashing instruments over each others’ heads. The Britton band Mitch Ayres (Mitchell Agress, Milwaukee, Wis-was variously called “America’s Craziest Orches-consin, 1910–1969)

tra” and the “Mad Musical Maniacs.”

Perhaps better known in latter days as a music Riding High (1943)

arranger for Perry Como, the King Family and others, Mitch Ayres had been the front man for Milt Herth Trio
an orchestra in the 1930s and early ’40s. He also toured with the Andrews Sisters, in a couple of Milt Herth (Kenosha, Wisconsin, 1902–1969) whose films he appeared.

(organ); Billy Kyle (piano); O’Neil Spencer With its tagline of “Fashions in Music” and (drums/vocals)

theme song “You Go to My Head” the Ayres or-Among the recordings made by the jazz group chestra proved popular in hotels and other up-the Milt Herth Trio were “Minuet in Jazz,”

scale venues. It played many novelty tunes and

“Rockin’ in Rhythm,” “Copenhagen” and swing versions of classical melodies; among its

“Looney Little Tooney.”

successful recordings was “On Treasure Island.”

Juke Box Jenny (1942)

Moonlight and Cactus (1944) * Swingtime Johnny (1944) * Lady, Let’s Dance! (1944) Milton Delugg and His Swing Wing Milton DeLugg (Los Angeles, California, 1918–) Mitchell, Bob see Bob Mitchell...

A musical director for television shows in that medium’s early days, Milton DeLugg and his Mitchell, George see George Mitchell band were regulars on one of the first late night and His Swing Orchestra
shows, Broadway Open House starring Jerry Lester. There he showed a flair for comedy.

Mitchell, Robert see Bob Mitchell...

DeLugg was also an arranger and composer of film scores and such songs as “Whoop-de-Modern Folk Quartet

Doo” and “Shanghai.” His most famous composition was the novelty tune “Orange Colored Chip Douglas; Jerry Yester; Cyrus Faryar; Henry Sky” with its catchy refrain of “Wham bam Diltz
alakazam.”

Formed in the early 1960s, the Quartet special-It’s Great to Be Young (1946) ized in four-part harmony with a bit of jazz riffing thrown in. They achieved their first measure of success as part of the hootenanny scene in Milton Douglas and Orchestra

Los Angeles where all of them had previously Gigolette (1935)

played with other groups.

After cutting a couple of albums, the Mod-Minevitch, Borah see Borah Minevitch...

ern Folk Quartet split up and two of the members joined the soon-to-be successful groups the Minnie Cow and His Orchestra

Turtles and the Lovin’ Spoonful. “The Ox Driver Song” probably had been the Quartet’s most With Love and Kisses (1936) memorable recording.

Palm Springs Weekend (1963) * The Big T.N.T.

Miracles see Smokey Robinson and Show (1966) [documentary] “This Could Be the the Miracles

Night”

Monkees 129

Modernaires
a recording later inducted into the Grammy Hall Hal Dickinson (lead/2nd tenor); Chuck Gold-of Fame. Another success came with “Cloud stein (1st tenor); Bill Conway (baritone); Ralph Nine,” and he was still recording into the 1990s.

Brewster (1st tenor); Paula Kelly; June Hutton Since coming to the U.S. in 1950, he had played One of the most famous of the mixed-gender with the bands of Perez Prado, Cal Tjader and vocal groups was the Modernaires. Originally a Tito Puente.

male trio at their 1935 formation, they had been Made In Paris (1966)

dubbed with such unusual names as Don Juan-Two and Three, the Three Weary Willies and Monkees
the Wizards of Ozzie (when they sang with Ozzie Nelson’s orchestra).

Michael Nesmith (Robert Nesmith, Houston, The Modernaires also performed with Fred Texas, 1942/43–) (guitar/lead singer); Micky Waring (with whom they became a quartet) and Dolenz (Los Angeles, California, 1945–); David Paul Whiteman before signing on with Glenn Jones (Manchester, England); Peter Tork (Peter Miller. It was with his band that they found their Thorkelson, Washington, D.C., 1942–) (guitar, greatest fame and a female member, Paula Kelly, ukulele, banjo, piano, etc.)

who made them a quintet. Their first hit was The four Monkees came together as the result

“Perfidia.”

of a casting call for a 1966 television show that A large number of their hit records were made was supposed to emulate the style of The Beat-with the Miller orchestra including the classics les’ wildly successful film A Hard Day’s Night.

“Tuxedo Junction,” “A String of Pearls,” “Juke-Producers had advertised for “four insane boys, box Saturday Night,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,”

age 17–21.”

“Song of India” and numerous others. In 1941

Most of the quartet had had some show busi-alone they scored ten chart hits.

ness background. Micky Dolenz was the son of In the post–World War II era the Modernaires character actor George Dolenz and already had continued their hit-making with the haunting “To done much television work, including his star-Each His Own” and the lilting “Zip-A-Dee-Dooring series Circus Boy. He had also sung with a Dah.” Although their final chart single came with group known as the Missing Links.

1956’s “April in Paris” it was far from the end.

Nesmith, who sported a green knit cap The Modernaires performed for decades and throughout their television series and was became an extremely influential ensemble both dubbed “Wool Hat,” was a songwriter and folk on their own and with other great singers. Their singer. Diminutive Davy Jones, who had been a reputation remains largely undimmed even now, jockey, was also a veteran of British theater and and they were inducted into the Vocal Group BBC radio. Peter Tork was a folk singer. They all Hall of Fame in 1999.

used their own names as those of their goofy Sun Valley Serenade (1941) * Orchestra Wives characters.

(1942) * Home in San Antone (1949) * When Initially the group was scorned as a bunch of You’re Smiling (1950) * Walking My Baby Back non-musicians whose songs were written by oth-Home (1953) * The Glenn Miller Story (1954) ers and whose instrumentation was largely played by professional musicians. Eventually they did Modupe, Prince see Prince Modupe’s coalesce as a fairly talented band among whose hits were “The Last Train to Clarksville,” a mil-Congo Choir
lion seller in 1966. The film Head, designed to capture their anarchic antics, was just a mish-Molina, Carlos see Carlos Molina...

mash and failed.

Other recording successes were “Pleasant Val-Mongo Santamaria and His Band
ley Sunday,” “Daydream Believer” and “I’m a Mongo Santamaria (Ramon Santamaria, Ha-Believer.” Indeed there was a time that they out-vana, Cuba, 1917/22–2003)

sold both the Beatles and Elvis Presley combined, The Afro-Cuban percussionist Mongo San-but by 1969 the novelty had dissipated and they tamaria composed the jazz standard “Afro Blue”

disbanded. During the 1980s and ’90s there were and had a hit with “Watermelon Man” in 1963, several reunion concerts that drew large crowds.

130

Monroe
tle of the Bands contest. They split up in 1975.

Feelin’ Good (1966) “Feelin’ Good”

and “Summertime”

Moonglows

Prentiss Barnes (Magnolia, Mississippi, 1925–2006) (bass); Harvey Fuqua

(1929–) (baritone/piano); Bobby Lester (Bobby Dallas, 1930–1980) (lead); Billy Johnson (guitar); Alexander Graves (1930–) (tenor); Marvin Gaye (Washington, D.C., 1939–1984)

Among the Moonglows’ hit record-
ings (after uber–DJ Alan Freed changed their name from the Crazy Sounds)

were “Sincerely,” “Most of All,” “We Go Together” and their biggest, “See Saw” and “The Ten Commandments
of Love.” The rhythm-and-blues septet cut their first record in 1952 and are considered to be a seminal doo-wop group.

They actually recorded for two
record companies. For one they used their own name, and for the other were called Bobby Lester and the Moon-lighters. Their sound was rather unique for its time: the lead tenor would mu-The Monkees at the height of their fame.

sically cry and plead, and they some-Head (1968) “Circle Sky,” “As We Go Along,”

times blew into the microphone.

“Daddy’s Song,” “Do I Have to Do This All Before disbanding about eight years later, the Over Again,” “Porpoise Song” and “Can You Moonglows (by now known as Harvey and the Dig It?”

Moonglows) added young Marvin Gaye to their roster. He went on to a very distinguished if Monroe, Vaughn see Vaughn Monroe troubled fame as a solo. New versions of the group sprang up led by one or another of the and His Orchestra
original members. The first — and best — were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Monroe Singers

2000.

Big Boy (1930)

Rock, Rock, Rock (1956) “Over and Over Again” and “I Knew from the Start” * Go Johnny Montclairs

Go (1957) * Mr. Rock ’n’ Roll (1957) “Barcelona Rock” and “Confess It to Your Heart”

Phil Perry (Springfield, Missouri, 1952–); David Frye; George McLellan; Kevin Sanlin (1953–); Moore, Phil see Phil Moore...

Clifford Williams

Among the better-known recordings of the Montclairs, who came together about the mid–

Morales, Esy see Esy Morales and His 1960s, were “Dreaming Out of Season” and Rhumba Band

“Make Up for Lost Time.” Their casting in a film followed their win in a Massachusetts Bat-Moran, Jackie see Jackie Moran’s Band

Mother 131

Moreau Choir of Notre Dame

1994 and a Pulitzer Prize for his piece “Stringmu-Knute Rockne — All American (1940) sic” the following year.

Delightfully Dangerous (1945) Morella Brothers [unknown]

Mosby, Curtis see Curtis Mosby and It Can’t Last Forever (1937) His Orchestra

Morgan, Loumell see Loumell Moscow Conservatory Orchestra

Morgan Trio

Song of Russia (1944)

Morgan, Russ see Russ Morgan and Mother Maybelle and the Carter

His Orchestra

Family

Maybelle Addington Carter (Nickelsville, Vir-Morton Gould and His Orchestra
ginia, 1909–1978) (guitar); Sara Dougherty Morton Gould (Queens, New York, 1913–1996) Carter (Virginia, 1898/99–1979) (autoharp); Pianist Morton Gould was a child music Alvin “Doc” Carter (Maces Springs, Virginia, prodigy who supposedly published his first com-1891–1960) (fiddle); June Carter (Maces Spring, position at the age of six and had a full scholar-Virginia, 1929–) (guitar/autoharp); Anita Carter; ship to the predecessor of the Julliard School at Helen Carter
age eight. He undertook his first professional All the original Carters performed double concert tour at seventeen. During his illustrious duty on instruments and vocals during their per-career he composed numerous ballets, film scores sonal appearances, on recordings and on the and Broadway musicals.

radio. They were Maybelle, her brother-in-law Gould was particularly known for his ballet Alvin and his wife Sara. The trio’s maiden Fall River Legend. Among his other works were records were made in 1927 and they performed the “Latin American Symphonette” and “Boogie together until 1942 or ’43. During that time it is Woogie Etude.” He was awarded a Grammy in estimated they released some 250 to 300 songs.

1966 and in his final decade his career was At that juncture the matriarch replenished the topped off by the Kennedy Center Honors in act with her three daughters Anita, Helen and June as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.

Daughter June later married Johnny Cash for whom she wrote “Ring of Fire.”

Dubbed the “Queen of Country Music,”

Mother Carter took her family to the pinnacle of country and gospel music fame upon which they still remain. This fame is at least partly based on Maybelle’s virtuoso and much-imitated guitar style.

In subsequent years, many other singers covered or rewrote songs that the Carters had either composed or made famous, like “Foggy Mountain Top,” “Can the Circle Be Unbroken,”

“Wayworn Traveller,” “Gospel Ship” and “When This World’s on Fire.” They have been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame and the International Bluegrass Hall of Honor.

The original Carter trio of Maybelle, Alvin and Sara received the signal honor of being portrayed on a U. S. postage stamp and generations A very suave Morton Gould.

of the family have now performed. Justifiably,

132

Moving
they are called the “First Family of Country Musical Tornados

Music.”

Sundown on the Prairie (1939) The Road to Nashville (1966) * Johnny Cash!

The Man, His World, His Music (1969) [documentary]

Mustard and Gravy

Mustard (Frank Rice, Wilson, North Carolina); Moving Star Hall Singers

Gravy (Ernest Stokes, Wilson, North Carolina) The tastily-named duo of Mustard and Gravy The Moving Star Hall Singers were a gospel joined up in 1933 and were a popular team for group.

twenty years thereafter. Radio was their primary Festival (1967) [documentary]

medium, and they also recorded such songs as

“Be Bop Boogie,” a departure from their usual Mulcays
country/hillbilly style of music. Western movie Jim Mulcay (d. 1969); Mildred Mulcay sidekick Smiley Burnette was primarily respon-The Mulcays were dual harmonicists who had sible for getting them into films.

two successful records in the mid–1950s, “My West of Dodge City (1947) * The Lone Hand Happiness” and “Alabamy Bound.”

Texan (1947) * Bandits of El Dorado (1949) *

Night Club Girl (1945) * Variety Girl (1947) Feudin’ Rhythm (1949)

Murad, Jerry see Jerry Murad and Nadon Singers

His Harmonicats

Sweet Surrender (1935)

Murtah Sisters

Nappy La Mare and His Dixieland The three Murtah Sisters were singers.

Band

Freshman Year (1938)

Nappy La Mare (Hilton La Mare, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1907/10–1988)

Muse, Clarence see Clarence Muse Starting out as a teenager playing guitar and Singers
banjo, Nappy La Mare appeared with the bands of Ben Pollack and Bob Crosby from the Music City All Stars
mid–1930s to the early ’40s. Among his own Dixieland ensembles were the Straw Hat Strut-Music City U.S.A. (1966)

ters and the Riverboat Dandies.

Holiday Rhythm (1950)

Music Maids

Bobbie Canvin; Jeanne Darrell; Virginia Erwin; Nash, Len see Len Nash and His Patt Hyatt; Alice Ludes; Bonnie McRaven; Dot-Country Boys
tie Messmer; Alice Sizer; Denny Wilson East Side of Heaven (1939) * Broadway Melody of Nashville Teens

1940 (1940) * Ziegfeld Girl (1941) * Babes on Broadway (1942) * Panama Hattie (1942) * DuBarry Was Arthur Sharpe (vocals); John Hawken (key-a Lady (1943) * The Hit Parade of 1943 (1943) *
board); Barry Jenkins (drums); Ray Phillips Hoosier Holiday (1943) * Broadway Rhythm (1944) (bassist); John Allen (guitar); Pete Shannon (gui-

* Jamboree (1944) * Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) *
tar)

A WAVE, a WAC and a Marine (1944) The Nashville Teens were a British rock group, founded in 1962, who obviously wanted Music Masters
to pay homage to American music. Indeed they did play many American songs and backed up Animal Crackers (1930)

such artists as Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley on their European tours.

Musical Cowhands see Nick Like many another British rock group, the Cochran’s Musical Cowhands

Teens spent some time in their early years in

New 133

Hamburg, Germany clubs. Their biggest hit on to screen careers of various worthiness. Singer proved to be “Tobacco Road” which was later Georgia Carroll, was soon to be the vocalist, then covered by many other bands. Less successful wife, of bandleader Kay Kyser.

recordings included “Google Eye” and “This Lit-Navy Blues (1941) * You’re in the Army Now tle Bird” prior to their split in 1973. They re-

(1941)

formed seven years later.

Beach Ball (1965) * Be My Guest (1965) “My Neal, Meredith see Meredith Neal Baby Loves Nobody But Me” and “Whatcha and the Boot Heel Boys

Gonna Do” * Gonks Go Beat (1965) * Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “Tobacco Road” and Nelson, Ozzie see Ozzie Nelson and

“Google Eye” * Run with the Wind (1966) His Orchestra

Nathaniel Shilkret Orchestra

Nestor Amaral and Orchestra; Nestor Nathaniel Shilkret (New York, 1895/1899–1982) Amaral and His Samba Band

As a young man Nathaniel Shilkret (known Nestor Amaral (1913–1962)

as Nat) was a clarinetist with several orchestras, The Brazilian composer-singer Nestor Ama-including those of John Philip Sousa and Victor ral was the musical director for fellow country-Herbert. Then as a popular bandleader himself (wo)man Carmen Miranda, with whom he came in the late 1920s and early ’30s, he was a presence from Sao Paulo to Hollywood about 1939. He on radio and in Hollywood. He had also been the also played several instruments.

director of so-called “light music” for the RCA Pan-Americana (1945) * The Three Caballeros Talking Machine Company (later RCA Victor).

(1945) * Holiday for Lovers (1959) In the film capital, Shilkret became a composer for Laurel and Hardy movies, adapting classic pieces for some of their film operettas like New Age

The Bohemian Girl and penning original music The Love-Ins (1967)

for one of their best, Way Out West. He also scored other films, including Fred Astaire–Gin-New Society Band
ger Rogers vehicles, and received an Academy Joe Siracusa
award nomination for Winterset (1936).

After bandleader Spike Jones’s death some Ultimately Nathaniel Shilkret went to the remnants of his band formed the New Society CBS network in the mid–’40s to become its Band in the 1960s. That it was very much in the music director. His most famous song was “The style of Jones’s City Slickers was apparent in its Lonesome Road” (recorded at least 100 times) later name change to the Phunharmonic Orches-and he also composed some classical pieces.

tra.

It Happened in Paris (1932) Musical Mutiny (1970) “Up in the Air”

Navy Blues Sextet(te)

New Vaudeville Band

Georgia Carroll (Blooming Grove, Texas, 1919–); Geoff Stephens; Robert Kerr; Pete Cooper; Mike Peggy Diggins (Margaret Diggins, New York, Wilsher; Stan Haywood; Neil Korner; Hugh New York, 1921–1957); Marguerite Chapman Watts; Henry Harrison; Alan Klein

(Chatham, New York, 1918–1999); Leslie Brooks An artificially-created British band that existed (Lorraine Gettman, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1922–); solely to record a novelty tune, the New Vaude-Claire James (Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1920–
ville Band was composed of a random bunch of 1986); Kay Aldridge (Tallahassee, Florida, 1917–
recording studio musicians. The song turned out 1995)

to be the bouncy “Winchester Cathedral” which Warner Brothers studio formed the Navy went on to become a major hit in 1966.

Blues Sextet(te) as publicity for the 1941 movie This unexpected success made touring a Navy Blues. They did sing, but they mostly profitable venture for the hastily thrown-together looked pretty as set dressing. Almost all the ensemble that now became an actual group. For ladies, particularly Marguerite Chapman, went publicity the newest member Alan Klein was

134

New
dubbed Tristan, the Seventh Earl of Cricklewood, Nilo Menendez and His Rhumba Band presumably to impress American audiences.

Nilo Menendez (Matanzas, Cuba, 1903?–1987) Interestingly, Klein had not even sung on the In the U.S. from 1924, Menendez was the hit recording that turned out to be their only composer of the big band standard “Green Eyes”

major success. After a few more indifferently-re-made famous by singer Helen O’Connell. He ceived records the group that had been so hastily composed much music for Hollywood films and assembled now as quickly disbanded.

had his own band during the 1940s.

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968) Music in Manhattan (1944)

New York French Casino Band see

Nilsson Sisters

Dave Miller and His New York French Casino Band

Eileen Nilsson (1925–); Elsa Nilsson (1925–) Prior to their entrée into films, the singing New York Philharmonic

Nilsson twins did U.S.O. tours with Bob Hope and Spike Jones.

Carnegie Hall (1947) * Of Mice and Music (1951) Hi Ya, Sailor (1943) * Meet the People (1944)†

New York Philharmonic Quintette see

* Double Rhythm (1946) * Ladies Man (1947)

†Their appearance in the film is not confirmed.

also New York Philharmonic John Corigliano; Leonard Rose; Michael Rosen-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
ker; William Lincer; Nadia Reisenberg Jeff Hanna (multi-instruments); Chris Darrow Quintette member John Corigliano was the (fiddle); John McEuen (banjo); Ralph Burr (gui-father of the current-day composer of the same tar/clarinet); Les Thomson (guitar/mandolin); name.

Jackson Browne; Jimmie Fadden (multi-instru-Carnegie Hall (1947)

ments); Bruce Kunkel (guitar/kazoo) New York Square Library

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band began life in 1966
as a so-called country/folk jug band and had a hit Robert Lewis
with “Mr. Bojangles” and the album “Will the New York Square Library was a 1960s garage Circle Be Unbroken,” recorded with several band. The fact that member Robert Lewis (who country artists. Their first recording to have was also in the band Fly-By-Nytes) was the son made a splash was “Buy for Me the Rain.”

of the director undoubtedly helped them get into As a Long Beach, California, high school band the film.

they had called themselves the Illegitimate Jug Just for the Hell of It (1968) Band. Ultimately they retreated from the jug band image and were known just as the Dirt New Yorkers see Paul Vincent and Band in the 1980s, their greatest period of pop-His New Yorkers
ularity. In 1992 at an awards ceremony ex–President George H.W. Bush, in a howler of a mal-Newman, Frank see Frank Newman apropism, referred to them as the Nitty Ditty and His Orchestra

Nitty Gritty Great Bird.

For Singles Only (1968) * Paint Your Wagon Nichols, Red see Red Nichols and (1969) “Hand Me Down That Can of Beans”

His Five Pennies

Nitwits [unknown]

Nick Cochran’s Musical Cowhands Juke Box Rhythm (1959)

Crazy House (1943)

Night Jumpers see Jimmy Bryant and Noble, Leighton see Leighton Noble the Night Jumpers
and His Orchestra

Niles, Mac see Mac Niles and the Noble, Ray see Ray Noble and His Calypsonians

Band

O’Conner 135

Noble Sissle and His Orchestra

Nora Lou Martin and the Pals of the Noble Sissle (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1889–1975) Golden West see Pals of the Golden Known primarily for his long collaboration West
with pianist Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle had a worthy career on his own as well. As a teenager Norman, Lee see Lee Norman...

he toured with a gospel quartet and during World War I was a drum major in the famous Northwesterners
overseas band of James Reese Europe.

Sissle’s teaming with Blake came in 1915. To-J. Brier; Buck Rasch; Merle Scobee; Ray Scobee; gether they wrote songs and were pioneers in Charles Davis
bringing African-American showmanship to Starlight Over Texas (1938) * Down the Wyoming mainstream Broadway. This they did with the Trail (1939)

musical Shuffle Along, a sensation in 1921 with its serious romance between an African-Ameri-Norvo, Red see Red Norvo Trio can man and woman. The songs included “I’m Just Wild About Harry.”

Notables; Notables Quartet; Four

“Harry” became the theme song of Sissle’s or-Singing Notables
chestra, along with “Hello, Sweetheart, Hello.”

Law and Order (1940) * West of Carson City Before the team of Blake and Sissle broke up they (1940) * Arizona Cyclone (1941) * Babes on Broad-had appeared in an early experimental Lee de way (1942) * Down Missouri Way (1946) Forest sound short in 1923, so were truly pioneers in musical talking pictures as well.

During his career Noble Sissle fronted many Novelites [unknown]

bands in the 1920s and ’30s, Lena Horne being Art Terry; Frankie Carr (1925–1986); Joe Mayer one of his vocalists. He performed in previously I Surrender Dear (1948) * The Bellboy (1960) white-only clubs and hotels, owned his own nightclub, was a disc jockey, and ran a publish-Novelle Brothers [unknown]

ing company. A man of many parts indeed, You’re a Sweetheart (1937) he had dubbed himself the “colored Rudy Vallee.”

Mistaken Identity (1941); re-released as Murder Oak Ridge Boys
with Music (1948)

Wally Fowler; Lon Freeman; Curly Kinsey; Johnny New

Nomads

The Oak Ridge Boys, originally known as the Country Cut-Ups and the Oak Ridge Quartet, The Nomads performed French-Canadian have ten gold records to their credit, including songs.

“Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Fancy Free” and “Gonna Nikki, Wild Dog of the North (1961) Take a Lot of River.” They also have added a Grammy Award to their accomplishments.

Noone, Jimmie see Jimmie Noone Formed in 1945, the Boys were originally a and His Band
gospel group that gradually evolved into country/western music in the 1970s and performed Nooney Rickett Four
with the likes of Paul Simon and Johnny Cash.

With numerous personnel changes over the years Nooney Rickett (Everett Rickett); Kent Dun-the Boys have continued to perform well into bar; Tommy Funk; Tommy Poole
the 21st Century.

The Nooney Rickett Four was a Los Angeles–

Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-based band, active in the mid–1960s, which mentary]

made appearances on the television show Shindig.

Pajama Party (1964) “Beach Ball” * Winter-a-Go-Go (1965) “Ski City” and “Do the Ski O’Conner Family [unknown]

(with Me”)

It Can’t Last Forever (1937)

136

O’Dell

O’Dell, Doye see Doye O’Dell and San Jose in 1967, the psychedelic rock group did the Radio Rangers
not long exist but had a very listenable sound produced by, among other instruments, the O’Donnell and Blair [unknown]

harpsichord and recorder.

Born Wild (1968) “In Big Letters” * The Angry Charles O’Donnell; Jack Blair

Breed (1969)

The team of O’Donnell and Blair appeared on the Broadway stage and in musical shorts.

Orrin Tucker’s Orchestra

Always Leave Them Laughing (1949) Orrin Tucker (St. Louis, Missouri, 1911–) Offbeets

Handsome Orrin Tucker, with his trademark pompadour, played the saxophone. His first David Duff (bassist/guitar); Tommy Wynn band was formed in college and mainly appeared (drums); Dennis Messimer (guitar); Tommy Tal-on the Midwest and Southern theater circuits.

ton (guitar)

He sometimes sang with the band as well.

Originally named the Nonchalants, the Off-Tucker differentiated his group from count-beets was an Orlando, Florida garage band. In less others by gimmicks such as flashing music 1966 they merged with the Trademarks to be-notes to designate different sections of the or-come We the People.

chestra. But it was no gimmickry that finally Daytona Beach Weekend (1965) “Double Trou-brought the band success, it was his then-vocal-ble” “She Lied” and “Hey Little Girl”

ist the winsome Wee Bonnie Baker (nee Evelyn Nelson).

Ohman, Phil see Phil Ohman and Her piping-voiced version of “Oh, Johnny”

His Orchestra
in 1939 was a smash hit and the band rode along on that fame, however temporarily. With its Oklahoma Outlaws see Al Clauser popular theme song “Drifting and Dreaming,”

and His Oklahoma Outlaws

Orrin Tucker’s Orchestra went on for a few more years. The leader himself remained active in one Oklahoma Rangers
musical endeavor or another until the 1990s.

The Oklahoma Rangers were a group of western You’re the One (1941) * Tender Is the Night musicians.

(1962)

Ambush Valley (1936)

Osborne, Will see Will Osborne and Oklahoma Wranglers see Willis His Orchestra

Brothers

Osborne Brothers

Olenn, Johnny see Johnny Olenn Bobby Osborne (Robert Osborne, Hyden, Ken-and His Group
tucky, 1931–) (tenor/ mandolin); Sonny Osborne (Roland Osborne, Hyden, Kentucky, 1937–) Olsen, George see George Olsen and (banjo); Benny Birchfield (guitar) His Orchestra

Considered one of the best progressive bluegrass groups to arise in the 1950s, the Osborne Original California Collegians see

Brothers distinguished themselves from other California Collegians
such bands by their innovative use of instrumentation and amplification (i.e., electrifying their Original New Orleans Ragtime Band instruments). Younger brother Sonny started his professional life at the age of thirteen, playing New Orleans (1947)

with bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe before joining his older brother on radio programs like the Orphan Egg

Grand Ole Opry.

There was only one album released by the Cali-The Osbornes formed a band and scored their fornia Bay Area band Orphan Egg. Formed in first hit recording with 1956’s “Once More.”

Pacific 137

That brought them to a wider audience and they However popular Ozzie Nelson had been as a began touring college campuses, further expos-fresh-faced bandleader in the 1930s, it was ing bluegrass to a new demographic. They have eclipsed several years later by his overwhelming been honored by the adoption of two of their success as the idealized dad in The Adventures of songs as official state songs: “Rocky Top” for Ozzie and Harriet. The show began on radio and Tennessee and “Kentucky” for that state.

later settled in for a long run on television.

Other Osborne hits, many featuring their high The “Harriet” was Harriet Hilliard (nee Peggy tenor voices, over the years have included “Mid-Lou Snyder) whom he hired as a vocalist and night Flyer,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,”

married in 1935. Their two sons David and Eric

“Muddy Bottom” and “Tennessee Hounddog.”

(better known as Ricky or Rick) were also a part In the 1990s they were inducted into the Inter-of their hit television show and starred with them national Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and con-in the 1951 film Here Come the Nelsons. Rick Nel-tinued to tour until Sonny retired in 2005.

son was to become a talented pop icon in his Music City U.S.A. (1966) [documentary] * The own right.

Road to Nashville (1966) * Festival (1967) [doc-Before such undreamt of fame Ozzie Nelson umentary]

had played the banjo and ukulele, and vocalized through his nose a la Rudy Vallee, in small Our Lady of the Angels Choir
groups like the Syncopation Four. His theme song “Loyal Sons of Rutgers” paid homage to his The Firefly (1937)

palmy college days.

Nelson had his own radio show from 1930 and Outcasts [unknown]

the band enjoyed bookings in some of the top The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947) venues in the country. A gig at the Glen Island Casino especially brought him a measure of Owens, Harry see Harry Owens...

prominence. He gave up the band in 1944, the year his to-be famous show began on radio.

Ox Road Co-eds [unknown]

Always a shrewd businessman, Nelson had conceived the idea of portraying a family roughly College Humor (1933)

based on his own (albeit without the single-minded ambition of the real-life family). It is Oxford Boys
perhaps well he did so because the conventional When they were not singing the forte of the Ox-music his band produced would probably not ford Boys was imitating musical instruments.

have enabled it to survive much longer.

DuBarry Was a Lady (1943)

Sweetheart of the Campus (1941) * Strictly in the Groove (1942) * The Big Street (1942) * Hon-Ozie Waters and His Colorado Rangers eymoon Lodge (1943) * Hi, Good Lookin’! (1944)

* Take It Big (1944)

Ozie Waters (Vernon Waters, Missouri, 1903–

1978)

From the mid–1940s Ozie Waters and the Pacemakers see also Gerry and the Colorado Rangers lent their talents to “B” west-Pacemakers
erns with such stars as William (Hopalong Cas-The Pacemakers were western musicians and sidy) Boyd and Charles Starrett, two non-singing singers.

cowboy actors. Waters had begun his career with Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride (1940) a Hawaii radio show.

Landrush (1946) * Terror Trail (1946) * Prairie Pacheco, Jose see Jose Pacheco and Riders (1947) * Phantom Valley (1948) * Outcast of His Continental Orchestra

Black Mesa (1950) * Streets of Ghost Town (1950) Pacific Palisades High School Madrigals Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra

Pacific Palisades High School is in an upscale Ozzie Nelson (Oswald Nelson, Jersey City, New part of Los Angeles adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.

Jersey, 1906–1975)

The Trouble with Girls (1969)

138

Padilla

Padilla Sisters [unknown]

Pals of the Golden West

Pan-Americana (1945)

The Pals of the Golden West were singers.

Rovin’ Tumbleweeds (1939) * Stage to Chino Page Cavanaugh Trio

(1940) * Rancho Grande (1940) * The Silver Bullet (1942) * The Boss of Hangtown Mesa (1942) *

Page Cavanaugh (Walter Cavanaugh, Cherokee, Laugh Your Blues Away (1942) Kansas, 1922–); Al Viola (guitar); Lloyd Pratt; Robert Morgan (guitar); Charles Parnell (bassist); Pancho and Dolores

Alvin Stoller (drums)

Before they became the Page Cavanaugh Trio Pancho (Kenny Hagood, Strait, Michigan, 1926–
the three singers were known as the Three Ser-1989); Dolores (Dolores Brown)

geants, courtesy of the U.S. Army during World A ballad singer in the Billy Eckstine mode and War II. They modeled their easy-listening vocal also a virtuoso of “scat” singing, Kenny Hagood style on the (Nat) King Cole Trio and began was the “Pancho” of Pancho and Dolores. He making records of what they dubbed “cocktail-sang with the orchestras of Benny Carter and type jazz” in the late 1940s.

Dizzy Gillespie starting in the 1940s; among his Besides their own recordings, which included recordings was “All the Things You Are.”

“The Three Bears” and “All of Me,” the Trio Jivin’ in Be-Bop (1947)

backed many a famous singer the likes of Frank Paramount Jazz Band see Acker Bilk Sinatra and Mel Tormé. They appeared much on radio and by the early ’50s were a big draw in and His Paramount Jazz Band
nightclubs as well.

Page Cavanaugh gradually expanded the size Paris Sisters
of his ensemble throughout the 1960s, at times Albeth Paris (San Francisco, California); Priscilla leading a septet, and they released many albums Paris (San Francisco, California, 1945–2005) that experimented with several musical forms.

(lead vocals); Sherell Paris (San Francisco, Cali-Although never having a breakout hit they re-fornia)

mained a top favorite with fans.

Although it sounds like part of a movie plot, The Big City (1948) * A Song Is Born (1948) *
the Paris Sisters were supposedly discovered in Romance on the High Seas (1948) * Lullaby of the audience of an Andrews Sisters performance.

Broadway (1951) * Frankenstein’s Daughter (1958) They were called up on stage, sang the Andrews’

own hit “Rum and Coca Cola,” and were signed Paige, Raymond see Raymond Paige by a record executive who happened to be in at-and His Orchestra
tendance!

The Sisters began recording in the mid–1950s and worked in Las Vegas lounges with the likes Pair Extraordinaire
of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, even though Carl Craig (vocals); Marcus Hemphill (bassist) they were all under age and had to be disguised.

The singing Pair Extraordinaire was active for In 1961 they scored their first minor hit with “Be only two or three years during the mid–1960s My Boy” but it was their follow-up “I Love How and made four albums during that time. They You Love Me” that was the break-out success.

generally performed as a duo, while occasionally Part of the Phil Spector “stable,” and one of the adding a drummer.

first of his successful girl groups, the Parises never C’mon, Let’s Live a Little (1966) again matched the heights reached by that tune.

But they continued to record singles and albums, Palan Brothers Cuban Orchestra see
and toured with rock groups until disbanding Ernesto Lecuona and the Palan
in the early 1970s. Following this Priscilla Paris launched a solo career.

Brothers Cuban Orchestra

It’s Trad, Dad! (1962)

Palmer, Fred see Fred Palmer’s Parris, Fred see Fred Parris and His Orchestra

Satins

Paul 139

Pastor, Tony see Tony Pastor and His bands in the Chicago of the early 1920s. It was Orchestra
supposedly the first band to be heard on the radio and played mostly in hotels and ballrooms.

Pat and Lolly Vegas

The orchestra’s theme songs were “Evening Star” and “Sweetheart Time.” Specht, who led his Pat Vegas (Pat Vasquez, Fresno, California); Lolly band until the early 1930s, was a songwriter too, Vegas (Lolly Vasquez, Fresno, California) his most famous being “Moonlight on the The Vegas brothers, supposedly of Yaqui In-Ganges.” Among the sidemen who went on to dian heritage, founded the band Redbone in the found their own orchestras were Artie Shaw, late 1960s, one of the first Native American Russ Morgan and Charlie Spivak.

groups to find commercial success. At one time Love at First Sight (1930) they also had a group called the Crazy Cajun Cakewalk Band. Among their hits was “Come Paul Vincent and His New Yorkers and Get Your Love.” They also wrote songs for many other performers.

Enlighten Thy Daughter (1934) The Nasty Rabbit (1964) “The Robot Walk” *

It’s a Bikini World (1967) “Walk on (Right Out Paul Whiteman and His Band with of My Life”) and “Long Gone”

Ramona; Paul Whiteman and His

Orchestra

Paul, Les see Les Paul Trio Paul Whiteman (Denver, Colorado, 1890–1967) Portly Paul Whiteman was the (self?)-crowned Paul Butterfield Blues Band

“King of Jazz” in the 1920s; it was, after all, the Paul Butterfield (Chicago, Illinois, 1942–1987) Jazz Age. But in actuality his had not been pri-

(flute/harmonica); Elvin Bishop (guitar); Jerome marily a jazz orchestra and there were certainly Arnold (bassist); Sam Lay (drums); Michael far greater jazz musicians than he. Nevertheless Bloomfield (guitar); Mark Naftalin (keyboard) his band did have some sidemen who were very A leading exponent of the so-called electric distinguished in that musical style.

blues style, harmonica virtuoso Paul Butterfield Fully deserving or not, Whiteman was consid-formed a biracial ensemble in the mid–1960s.

ered one of the top bandleaders of his day and oc-Their first and subsequent albums were critically cupies an honored place even today. He had been praised and proved influential at music festivals, trained as a classical violinist and played with such as Newport, and with icons like Bob Dylan.

the San Francisco Symphony, but after he con-Butterfield appeared solo in You Are What You ducted a Navy band during World War I he Eat prior to the group’s disbanding in 1970.

found his true vocation.

Festival (1967) [documentary] “Maggie’s After his 1918 discharge he formed a dance band Farm” and “I Was Born in Chicago”

and soon had million-seller hits with “Japanese Sandman” and “Whispering.” Throughout his tenure he was supported by sidemen including Paul Hargett and the Bikini Sweethearts Bix Beiderbecke, the Dorsey brothers, Henry Bad Girls for the Boys (1966) Busse, Jack Teagarden and Matty Malneck.

The landmark achievement for which Paul Paul Lavert and His Swinging Cavemen Whiteman is known today is his famous 1924

Aeolian Hall concert (dubbed “An Experiment in 50,000 B.C. (Before Clothing ) (1963) Modern Music”) in which he debuted George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” later adopted Paul Specht and His Orchestra
as his theme song. He was also responsible for Paul Specht (Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania, introducing Bing Crosby to a wider public as a 1895–1954)

member of his trio the Rhythm Boys.

One of the pioneering bandleaders, Paul Ultimately his group did become a more dis-Specht had his own six-piece ensemble as early tinguished jazz ensemble. Whiteman’s sobriquet as 1916 in the Midwest. He enlarged it a few years was recognized in his 1930 starring movie King later and it became one of the most popular of Jazz but his appeal was already beginning to

140

Pebbles
wane and by the middle of that decade he had Gene Autry’s band before the oater star went to been overshadowed by the giants of the swing Hollywood. They were a staple on the Grand era. In later years he was musical director for the Ole Opry program, and unusually for a country American Broadcasting Company and he did oc-band incorporated drums, electric guitars and casionally revive his orchestra. He also appeared trumpets.

as “himself ” in biographical films like Rhapsody They also backed up such country artists as in Blue and The Fabulous Dorseys.

Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb and Cowboy Copas, King of Jazz (1930) * Thanks a Million (1935) who at one time had been Pee Wee King’s vocal-

* Strike Up the Band (1940) * Atlantic City (1944) ist. For many years beginning in the late 1940s the ensemble had its own television show before dis-Pebbles
banding in 1959. King was elected to the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1974.

Hell’s Playground (1967)

Flame of the West (1945) * Riding the Outlaw Trail (1951) * The Rough, Tough West (1952) Pee Wee King and His Golden West Cowboys

Pennsylvanians see Fred Waring and Pee Wee King ( Julius Kuczynski, Milwaukee or His Pennsylvanians

Abrams, Wisconsin, 1914–2000)

Best-known as the composer of the multi-mil-Penny, Hank see Hank Penny and lion selling evergreen “Tennessee Waltz” (later the state song of Tennessee), accordionist Pee His Plantation Boys

Wee King also penned “You Belong to Me,”

“Slow Poke,” “The Arkansas Traveler” and “Bona-Pepe Guizar and the Flores Brothers parte’s Retreat.” His band the Golden West
see Flores Brothers Cowboys, formed in the mid–1930s, played an amalgam of country/western music, polkas and Peppermint Loungers [unknown]

even waltzes.

Hey, Let’s Twist! (1961)

Many of the Cowboys had been members of Perez Prado and His Orchestra

Perez Prado (Damaso Perez Prado, Mantanzas, Cuba, 1916–1989)

The popularizer of a major dance craze of the 1950s, diminutive Perez Prado was ultimately dubbed the “Mambo King.” A pianist and organist, he became a master of the Afro-Cuban rhythm which is the basis of the mambo. He had found his first successes in Mexico where he formed a band and became a music arranger and an actor in Mexican cinema. Such was his popularity there that he actually became known as the “Glenn Miller of Mexico.” A well-known trademark of his was a loud grunt or “ugh” sound that was heard during pauses in the music.

Prado’s first tour of the United States came in 1951. Four years later he scored a sensational success with the lively cha cha recording “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” that reached the top of the pop charts and remained there for half a year. A second chart topper “Patricia” came in 1958. He was top-billed in his one American Pee Wee King.

film but by the middle of the following decade

Peters 141
his popularity began to decline along with much short time later metamorphosed into a full sym-of the mania for Latin-themed music.

phony orchestra. It was founded as a venue to Cha-Cha-Cha-Boom (1956)

train young people for musical careers and is still going strong into the 21st Century.

Pete Daily and His Chicagoans

They Shall Have Music (1939) * Song of Russia Pete Daily (Portland, Indiana, 1911–1986) (1944) * Mexicana (1945)

Before establishing the Chicagoans in the Peter, Paul and Mary
post–World War II era jazz cornetist Pete Daily played with several bands in the Chicago area Peter Yarrow (New York, New York, 1937–); Noel and with Ozzie Nelson in California. He also Paul Stookey (Baltimore, Maryland, 1937–); tootled on the tuba. Thereafter he concentrated Mary Travers (Louisville, Kentucky, 1936/37–) on Dixieland music with the Chicagoans, and Their teaming in 1961 was surely one of the from 1952 with smaller-size groups, remaining most fortuitous in folk music history. Although active until the 1970s.

they were formed by a manager who wanted to Daily, who helped to revive the popularity of create a successful (read: profitable) folk music jazz in the late 1940s with his big selling record group, Peter, Paul and Mary became the musi-of “South,” supposedly was the model for Jack cal social conscience of the anti–Vietnam War Webb’s character in Pete Kelly’s Blues. He was ul-protest movement in America.

timately dubbed the “Emperor of Jazz.” Ironi-None of them were tyros in music; Mary Tra-cally, his theme song was “I Want to Linger”—
vers, for instance, had been a member of the Song ironic because he spent the last seven years of his Swappers folk ensemble. The trio’s recordings life paralyzed and speechless from a stroke.

and live appearances in places like Carnegie Hall, Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (1951)

the Hollywood Bowl and, memorably, in front of the Lincoln Memorial during Martin Luther Peter and Gordon

King’s March on Washington, stirred the nation.

They had started performing in small clubs Peter Asher (London, England, 1944–); Gordon and their fame grew rapidly, helped along by Waller (Braemar, Scotland, 1945–)

their first Top Ten hit the anthem-like “If I Had In 1964 the British pop duo of Peter and Gora Hammer.” This was followed by “Lemon Tree,”

don had a big record hit in both the U.K. and the

“Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Don’t Think Twice (It’s U.S. with the poignant “A World Without All Right”), the much-beloved “Puff the Magic Love.” They recorded several songs written by Dragon,” and one of their last hits “Leaving on Beatle Paul McCartney (some co-composed with a Jet Plane.” Many of their albums turned plat-John Lennon) and had further success with inum and gold; at one time three occupied Bill-

“True Love Waits” and “I Go to Pieces.”

board’s top six slots at the same time.

They actually had more hits in the American Peter, Paul and Mary disbanded in 1970 but market than they did at home. Their last record-each stayed active in music; Mary Travers alone ing success came in 1967 and they disbanded released five albums in the 1970s. However, they about a year later. In 2005 they reunited on stage were too iconic and beloved for the public to for the first time in thirty years.

allow them to stay separated forever. Since their Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “A World 1960s heyday they have reunited several times Without Love” * Disk-O-Tek Holiday (1966) for concerts and for multitudes remain the voice

“Leave Me Alone” and “Soft As the Dawn”

of social justice. They were inducted into the Peter Meremblum California Junior Vocal Hall of Fame in 1999.

Festival (1967) [documentary] “If I Had a Symphony Orchestra; Peter

Hammer,” Blowin’ in the Wind” and several Meremblum Junior Orchestra
other songs

Peter Meremblum (Batum, Georgia (later U.S.S.R.), 1890–1966)

Peters Brothers

In 1936 immigrant music teacher Peter Peter Peters (Peter Piotrowski, Jr., Milwaukee, Meremblum gathered some young student mu-Wisconsin); Ronald Peters (Ronald Piotrowski, sicians together to form a string ensemble that a Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

142

Peters

Peter Peters honed his vocal and dancing tal-Phil Harris and His Orchestra
ent in amateur shows, winning first prize in a Phil Harris (Wonga Harris, Linton, Indiana, Major Bowes competition. In 1939 he worked 1904–1995)

at the New York World’s Fair. Joining forces with Multi-talented Phil Harris was a bandleader, his brother Ronnie they headed off to Hollywood songwriter, singer and actor/comedian whose and fairly quickly got singing gigs at theaters and distinctive extroverted personality set him apart top nightspots like the Cocoanut Grove.

from most of his bland orchestra leader contem-Sing Another Chorus (1941) * Babes on Broad-poraries. He was an integral part of Jack Benny’s way (1942) †
troupe and their banter (usually beginning with

†Their appearance in this film has not been his tagline “Hiya, Jackson!”) was a highlight of confirmed.

that comedian’s hugely successful radio and television shows.

Peters Sisters

Adopting a Southern-style hip persona, one of The Peters Sisters were vocalists.

Harris’s theme songs “That’s What I Like About With Love and Kisses (1936) * Ali Baba Goes to the South” perfectly encapsulated his style. (The Town (1937) * Love and Hisses (1937) * Happy other theme song was “Rose Room.”) His mar-Landings (1938) † * Hi De Ho (1947) riage to movie singer Alice Faye, and their sub-

†Their appearance in this film has not been sequent 1940s radio show purporting to show confirmed.

their “real life” domestic situation, added to his popularity.

Pharaohs see Sam the Sham and the Phil Harris had begun his career as a drum-Pharaohs
mer, in the 1920s led a band jointly with one Carol Lofner (aka Laughner), and for many years Phelps Brothers
in the 1930s his was the house band at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub. He began appearing in Norman Phelps (Virginia, d. 1981) (bass) (bassist/
acting roles without his band, generally in Jack guitar); Willie Phelps (Virginia, 1914–2004) (bari-Benny movies like Man About Town and Buck tone) (guitar/drums/washboard); Earl Phelps Benny Rides Again.

(Virginia, d. 1971) (tenor) (fiddle/mandolin) In the latter years of his career Phil Harris’s The Phelps boys performed in clubs and on the radio before heading to New York in 1936
where they won a contest on a Fred Allen radio program. This garnered them a recording deal as well as more radio and rodeo appearances.

Upon joining Ray Whitley as part of his outfit the Bar-Six Cowboys it was off to Hollywood to make musical shorts and “B” westerns. They were “the boys” for oater stars like Tex Ritter and George O’Brien before striking off on their own again in 1940 and returning to their home state to record western and gospel music.

Many years of club dates and radio again ensued as well as television, on which they were known as Norman Phelps and the Virginia Rounders. They were also songwriters; Norman is believed to have co-written “Back in the Saddle Again” for which Ray Whitley is usually given solo credit.

Hittin’ the Trail (1937) * Border G-Man (1938)

* The Painted Desert (1938) * The Renegade Ranger (1938) * Where the West Begins (1938) *

Trouble in Sundown (1939)

Phil Harris flashes his million dollar smile (1940s).

Pickens 143
distinctive voice was much heard in animated also his wife) and the fact that he was a man features like The Jungle Book and Robin Hood leading an all-girl orchestra. For the most part the well into his late eighties. Among his hit records gimmick caught the public’s attention, but the was the novelty tune “The Thing.”

orchestra, with its theme song of “My Isle of Turn Off the Moon (1937)

Golden Dreams,” was not considered to be particularly distinguished. He had previously led a Phil Moore and His Orchestra; Phil conventional male radio and dance band orches-Moore Four
tra.

When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1943) *

Phil Moore (Portland, Oregon, 1918–1987) Here Come the Coeds (1945) Pianist Phil Moore played with dance bands and then became a music arranger for MGM be-Philadelphia Orchestra
fore founding his own short-lived ensembles.

Among his albums were “Fantasy for Girls and In their single on-camera appearance, the Phila-Orchestra” and “Moon Mist Blues.” He perhaps delphia Orchestra was conducted by Leopold had more success backing up singers like Frank Stokowski.

Sinatra and Lena Horne.

Fantasia (1940)

Gang Smashers (1939) * Stars on Parade (1946)

* The Joint Is Jumpin’ (1949?) Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles The Star Maker (1939)

Phil Ohman and His Orchestra

Phil Ohman (Philmore Ohman, New Britain, Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra [of Connecticut, 1896–1969)

New York] see New York Philharmonic Better known as half of the piano duo of Ohman and Arden, Phil Ohman was a popular entertainer in the 1920s and ’30s. Before team-Philharmonic Trio
ing with Victor Arden (whom he fittingly met Hollywood Barn Dance (1947) * Rose of Santa when they worked for a piano roll manufac-Rosa (1947) * Two Guys from Texas (1948) turer), he was an arranger and composer for classical singers and a pianist with Paul Whiteman’s Philip Maxwell’s Choristers
orchestra.

Ohman and Arden (nee John Fulks) were The Choristers was a boy’s choir.

vaudeville headliners as well as pit conductors Kind Lady (1935) “Silent Night”

for several George Gershwin shows on Broadway. They also were heard on the radio and Pickard Family
formed their own jointly-led big band until Obed Pickard (1874–1954) (banjo/guitar) going their separate ways in 1934.

The patriarch of the Pickard Family of musi-As a busy solo artist Phil Ohman went on to cians, Obed Pickard was one of the first perform-found his own big band, playing at Hollywood’s ers on the Grand Ole Opry program in 1926. A famous Trocadero nightclub, and worked at the while later some family members joined him on movie studios scoring and composing music for various radio shows around the country, thence films. His best-known song was “Lost” with to Hollywood and later to television. Obed, fa-Johnny Mercer.

miliarly known as “Dad” Pickard, appeared on Sweethearts of the U.S.A. (1944) his own in a few character roles in films including Sea Of Grass, Riders of the Dawn and Fron-Phil Spitalny and His Hour of Charm tier Vengeance.

All Girl Orchestra, Featuring Evelyn Rawhide Rangers (1941)

and Her Magic Violin

Phil Spitalny (Odessa, Russia, 1890–1970) Pickens Sisters

Many orchestras had a gimmick, Phil Spi-Helen Pickens (Macon, Georgia, 1910–), Jane talny’s had two: Evelyn’s “magic” violin (she was (aka Georgia) Pickens, Macon, Georgia, 1909?–

144

Pickett

1992); Patti Pickens (Macon, Georgia, 1914–
the group decamped in 1942 to make recordings 1995)

with songwriter/singer Johnny Mercer. Further The melodious Pickens Sisters followed the hits included “The One I Love Belongs to Some-three Brox Sisters as one of the premier singing body Else,” “Stardust,” “There Are Such Things”

sister acts and were contemporaries of the close-and “Let’s Get Away from It All.”

harmony Boswell Sisters. They first performed Jo Stafford began her stellar solo career in 1944
professionally in 1932 and initially were billed and the Pipers soldiered on with replacement as the “Three Little Maids from Dixie.”

June Hutton and scored several hit records, the They conquered nightclubs, radio and theater first being “Dream,” a million seller. Among the before the marriages of Patti and Helen ended others were “Dolores,” “My Happiness,”

the act after a few years and Jane soldiered on as

“Candy” and “Blues in the Night.”

a solo act. She found success on Broadway in the Down Beat Magazine’s annual poll selected the Ziegfeld Follies, and especially in the musical ver-Pipers as the top vocal group for the years 1944
sion of The Little Foxes, called Regina, in which to ’49. Although the 1950s saw the group’s pop-she played the title character to considerable ac-ularity in a decline, the name has been carried on claim. She also had her own radio and television by new members to the present day.

shows.

Honolulu (1939) * Las Vegas Nights (1941) *

Sitting Pretty (1933)

Ship Ahoy (1942) * DuBarry Was a Lady (1943) *

Gals, Incorporated (1943) * I’m from Arkansas Pickett Sisters

(1944) * Sweet and Low-Down (1944) * Jam Session (1944) * Rhythm Round-Up (1945) * Make One of the Pickett Sisters’ popular records was Mine Music (voices only) (1946) * Luxury Liner the title song from their one film Take Me to (1948) * Hoedown (1950)

Town.

Take Me to Town (1953)

Pinafores

Pied Pipers

The Pinafores was a vocal trio that accompanied Gene Autry on some of his recordings and ap-Jo Stafford; John Huddleston; Billy Wilson; Chuck peared in one of his films.

Lowry; Clark Yocum; June Hutton (Chicago, Riders of the Whistling Pines (1949) Illinois, 1920–1973); Hal Hopper (Oklahoma, 1912–1970); Bud Hervey; George Tait; Woody Newbury; Dick Whittinghill (Montana, 1913–

Pink Floyd

2001); Sue Allen; Virginia Marcy

Syd Barrett (Roger Barrett, Cambridge, En-The acclaimed quartet the Pied Pipers was gland, 1946–2006) (lead guitar); Roger Waters once an octet, seven men and one lone lady, the (1944–) (bass guitar); Nick Mason (1945–) result of the merger in 1938 between the Four (drums); Richard Wright (1943–2008) (key-Rhythm Kings, the Three Esquires and the board); David Gilmour (1944–) (lead guitar); soon-to-be-famous Jo Stafford. The octet was a Bob Klose (lead guitar)

hit on Los Angeles radio with its unusual vocal The intriguing name of Pink Floyd is actually arrangements during which members could sing a combination of the first names of two South-in harmony with one another or “against” each ern blues guitarists of the early twentieth cen-other. However, when they got to New York they tury, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. The were unceremoniously fired after one show.

band (originally called Tea Set) proved to be one They attracted Tommy Dorsey’s attention but of the most influential psychedelic groups; at he would only employ them as a quartet. It was least one of their albums, “The Dark Side of the thus that the foursome consisting of Jo Stafford, Moon,” remained on the pop charts for an as-John Huddleston, Chuck Lowry and Billy Wil-tounding eight years running. To date, total son was hired for his orchestra in 1939. One of album sales are said to exceed some 200 million the young singers they backed (on “I’ll Never copies.

Smile Again”) was band vocalist Frank Sinatra, Pink Floyd, said to personify the “drug, sex a former member of the Hoboken Four.

and rock and roll” era, toured extensively and After a run-in with the notably volatile Dorsey, produced hit albums one after the other. Their

Pleasant 145
reclusive but innovative guitarist Syd Barrett would produce music by means such as sliding a cigarette lighter down his strings, an echo chamber and other electronic gizmos. He had founded the group in 1965 with former members of a band variously called the Megga Deaths and the Screaming Adabs.

The band eventually eased out of its psychedelic period and in the 1970s assumed a more mellow sound. At the end of the decade — like their confreres the Who — they essayed a rock opera called The Wall. The 1982 film Pink Floyd: the Wall is considered a classic of its kind about a rock band. A previous self-titled documentary appeared in 1971. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Tonite Let’s All Make Love in London (1968)

[documentary] “Interstellar Overdrive” * European Music Revolution (1970) [documentary] *

Stamping Ground (1971) [documentary] “Saucer-The Platters at the beginning of a glorious career.

ful of Secrets”

tender,” “Twilight Time,” “The Magic Touch”

Plainsmen see Andy Parker and the and “My Prayer.”

Plainsmen

The Platters’ final Top Ten record proved to be

“Harbor Lights,” although into the 1960s they Plantation Boys see Hank Penny and still produced records that charted. All told they scored sixteen gold records and three albums that His Plantation Boys
sold over a million copies.

Internal dissension caused the group to splin-Plantation Club Chorus
ter and led to competing groups bearing the Policy Man (1938) * The Spirit of Youth (1938) *

Platters name. Ultimately original member Herb Gone Harlem (1939)

Reed legally won the right to the Platters name.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Plantation Singers
of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Hall of Fame in 1998.

In their single film, a part-talkie, the singing was Rock Around the Clock (1956) “Only You” and done by the Plantation Singers in a prologue

“The Great Pretender” * The Girl Can’t Help It which contained all the music but did not show (1956) “You’ll Never Never Know” * Rock All the performers.

Night (1957) * Carnival Rock (1957) “Remem-Show Boat (1929) (voices only) ber When” * Girls Town (1959) “Wish It Were Me”

Platters

Playboys see J. B. and the Playboys; David Lynch (St. Louis, Missouri, 1929–1981); Gary Lewis and the Playboys

Paul Robi (1932?–1989); Herbert Reed (bass); Tony Williams (1928?–1992) (lead tenor); Alex Hodge; Zola Taylor (1938?–2007); Cornel Gunter Pleasant Valley Boys

Formed in 1953, the Platters were one of the Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) †
great harmony groups of the 1950s, well on a par

†The well-known western ensemble the Pleas-with predecessors like the Inkspots and the Mills ant Valley Boys was presumably formed by coun-Brothers. They had innumerable gold records try music star Alvin Crow in 1969, so apparently for enduring romantic hits like “Only You,”

is not be the same group that appeared in this

“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “The Great Pre-film.

146

Plowboys

Plowboys see Polly Jenkins and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band of New Plowboys

Orleans

A group that is almost the very symbol of New Poison Gardner Trio

Orleans jazz is the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Among the recordings of the Poison Gardner They have performed in the most prestigious Trio were “Poison’s Boogie,” “Second Piece of venues around the world since their founding in Pie” and “Noisin’ (or Noisen) With Poison”

the early 1960s, as well as having a home base in My Buddy (1944)

the theater after which the band is named.

Some of the original members have performed well into their eighties and the ensemble is a Polly Jenkins and Her Plowboys
multi-ethnic, multi-generational mirror of the Polly Jenkins (Mary Zoller, Mohawk, New York, populace of New Orleans itself. Trumpets, trom-1903–1983); Walter Lewis; Jimmy Ames; Cliff bones, clarinets, a piano, banjos, drums and bass Japhet; Erlau Wilcox
fiddle all meld into an irresistible sound that has A veteran of vaudeville, Polly Jenkins was said been heard on the soundtrack of many a film, to be the first woman to headline a country including those of aficionado Woody Allen.

music act in that medium. To create their raucous WUSA (1970)

music, the Plowboys utilized such exotica as rakes, hat racks, funnels and cowbells, as well as discs that hit different notes as they were spun.

Preston, Lew see Lew Preston and The band remained popular from the 1930s His Ranch Hands
through World War II, during which time they toured with the U.S.O.

Pretty Things

The Man from Music Mountain (1938) Dick Taylor (Richard Taylor, Dartford, England, 1943–); Phil May (Phillip Kattner, Dartford, En-Poole, Brian see Brian Poole and the gland, 1944–); Brian Pendleton (Wolverhamp-Tremeloes
ton, England, 1944–2001) (rhythm guitar); John Stax ( John Fullegar, Crayford, England, 1944–) Pope Sisters

(bassist); Viv Prince (Vivian Prince), Loughbor-Una Pope; Odele Pope; Inez Pope
ough, England, 1944–) (drums)

In the 1930s the glamorous Pope Sisters trio Dick Taylor was a member of the fledging performed in fashionable nightspots around the Rolling Stones but left before worldwide fame country. They were one of the first African-came to that iconic rock and roll band. Instead American sister acts comparable to the then-he formed the Pretty Things which did re-popular Boswell Sisters. Their two features were spectably enough. It was a popular group in Eu-directed by Black pioneer Oscar Micheaux, and rope and an influence on the so-called garage they also sang in a musical short.

bands in the U.S. Indeed their name was a hom-Temptation (1936) * Underworld (1937) age to rocker Bo Diddley’s song “Pretty Thing.”

Although the long-haired band began as a standard rock group it soon found psychedelic Powell, Teddy see Teddy Powell and music more to its liking, as well as the raucous His Orchestra
behavior that went with it. They were infamous for setting fires backstage, breaking up furniture Prado, Perez see Perez Prado and His and impinging rudely on other acts on the same Orchestra
bill.

The Pretty Things reached their acme in the mid-to-late 1960s, after which their new heavy Preacher Smith and the Deacons; metal/hard rock style faced increasing competi-Preacher Smith’s Deacons
tion from many other bands. They continued to Rock Baby, Rock It! (1957) “Roogie Doogie” and perform into the 21st century and were the sub-

“Eat Your Heart Out”

jects of a book wittily titled Growing Old Dis-

Radio 147
gracefully. In 1966 a self-titled short film con-1943–1989); Gary Duncan (guitar); David Frei-taining much of their music was released.

berg (Boston, Massachusetts, 1938–) (bassist); What’s Good for the Goose (1969) * The Mon-Greg Elmore (Coronado, California, 1946–) ster Club (1981)

(drums); Nicky Hopkins (London, England, 1944–1994) (piano)

Prima, Louis see Louis Prima with Quicksilver vocalist Dino Valenti had played His Band
with iconic ’60s groups such as Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Grateful Dead. He is known today for his Prince Modupe’s Congo Choir
song “Get Together” which contains the line that Prince Modupe (French Guinea?)

seems to perfectly summarize the 1960s: “C’mon The true life history of the man who called people now, smile on your brother, everybody himself Prince Modupe is hard to uncover, but get together to love one another right now.”

what is certain is that he worked at MGM as an The band he helped co-found, the Quicksil-actor and “consultant.” He advised that studio ver Messenger Service, was a San Francisco Bay–
about the authenticity of films it set in exotic area psychedelic group that recorded five albums Africa.

in their heyday, which was from 1965 to about Drums of the Congo (1942) †

1971. Their one chart hit “Fresh Air” came in

†Their appearance in this film has not been 1970. There were occasional reunions of some confirmed.

members as recently as 1987 but they never recaptured their early success.

Proctor, Lynn see Lynn Proctor Trio Revolution (1968) [documentary] “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and “Codine” * Captain Milk-Pyramids
shake (1970) * Fillmore (1972) [documentary]

Steve Leonard (bassist)

Radio Pictures Beauty Chorus see

A rather late arrival on the surf band scene, the Long Beach, California–based Pyramids had Doris Eaton and the Radio Pictures one Top Twenty hit with “Penetration.” They Beauty Chorus
were publicized as “America’s Answer to the Beatles” and, as such, they shaved their heads rather Radio Rangers see Doye O’Dell and than grow their hair long. During concerts, how-the Radio Rangers
ever, they wore Beatles “mop top” wigs which they then removed and flung into the audience.

Radio Rogues; Three Radio Rogues Further publicity involved their arrival at concerts Eddie Bartell (Brooklyn, New York, 1907–1991); in such conveyances as helicopters, or even atop Syd Chalton; Jimmy Hollywood; R. D. Bartell; elephants.

Henry Taylor

Bikini Beach (1964) “Record Run” and “Bikini In its time the Radio Rogues was an enor-Drag”

mously popular act that was heard on the radio and was seen on Broadway and in live theater Quartet [unknown]

appearances. Their particular shtick was imitat-Follies Girl (1943)

ing radio performers—and sometimes singing—
at a time when that medium was becoming a Quatros Latinos
major entertainment force in homes across the country: the 1920s. They continued on until Los Quatros Latinos was a gospel group.

radio itself was overtaken by newer technology.

Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-Going Hollywood (1933) * Every Night at Eight mentary]

(1935) * Hats Off (1936) * Blossoms on Broadway (1937) * Reveille with Beverly (1943) * Harvest Quicksilver Messenger Service

Melody (1943) * O, My Darling Clementine (1943) Dino Valenti (Chester Powers, 1937?–1994) (lead

* She Has What It Takes (1943) * Spotlight Scan-singer); John Cipollina (Berkeley, California, dals (1943) * Trocadero (1944)

148

Raiders

Raiders see Paul Revere and the Raiders Ranch House Cowboys see Romaine Lowdermilk and His Ranch House

Rainbow Four

Cowboys

Jack Barbee; Jack Frost; Chick Madden; Art Smith Bowery to Broadway (1944) * The Naughty Randall Sisters

Nineties (1945)

The Randalls were a singing trio.

Stand Up and Cheer! (1934) Rainbow Ramblers see Jimmie Davis and His Rainbow Ramblers

Randi, Don see Don Randi Trio Plus One

Rainwater Wranglers

The Wranglers were western swing musicians.

Range Ramblers see Ray Whitley and Song of the Trail (1936)

His Range Ramblers

Ramos, Bobby see Bobby Ramos Band Range Ranglers Band see Arizona Ramsay Ames and Her Tropicanans Wranglers

Ramsay Ames (Rita Phillips, New York, New Ranger Chorus; Ranger Chorus of York, 1924–1998)

Forty

Auburn-haired Ramsay Ames was primarily known as a “B” actress in serials and such films Ride ’Em Cowboy (1942)

as The Mummy’s Ghost and Calling Doctor Death.

However, the former model and dancer had Rangers (1930s)

worked with Xavier Cugat and had led her own The Rangers, active in the 1930s, were an octet.

rumba band. It supposedly disbanded because Going Hollywood (1933)

so many of its members were off fighting in World War II.

Rangers (1960s)

Crazy House (1943)

The Rangers, active in the 1960s, were a gospel Ranch Boys
group.

Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-Joe “Curly” Bradley (Raymond Courtney, Okla-mentary]

homa, 1914–1985) (guitar); Ken Carson (Hubert Flatt, Oklahoma, 1914–1994); Jack Ross (Mexico, ca. 1904–)

Ray Anthony and Band; Ray Anthony At their prime in the 1930s the Ranch Boys and Orchestra
even rivaled the Sons of the Pioneers in popular-Ray Anthony (Raymond Antonini, Bentleyville, ity. Former members of the Beverly Hillbillies, Pennsylvania, 1922–)

they struck out on their own about 1934 and One of the few successful bandleaders to be-made records, performed on the radio and come prominent after the Big Band era had al-toured until about 1940.

ready declined, Ray Anthony formed his band That was about a year before they disbanded.

about 1946. Its theme song, appropriate to the Ken Carson later joined the Sons of the Pioneers fact that he was trumpeter, was “The Man with and then went into television, most notably as a the Horn.” His style was an homage to — or im-permanent cast member of Garry Moore’s show.

itation of— Glenn Miller, for whom he had been Curly Bradley portrayed Tom Mix on a long-a sideman, and/or Harry James.

running radio show.

He also had played trumpet with Jimmy In Old Monterey (1939)

Dorsey. His own brand of music was more pop than jazz, with “The Bunny Hop” being a mil-Ranch Hands see Lew Preston and lion seller. With his dark good looks Anthony His Ranch Hands
was somewhat of a sex symbol as well, his mar-

Ray 149

He was even bruited to be
the first entertainer to have
done a musical show in the

Roman Coliseum — or at
least the first one in 2,000
years! In a career that spanned
some fifty-five years Ray

Charles was showered with
numerous honors, including
a Grammy Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award, dozens of

Grammys, induction into
the Rock and Roll Hall of

Fame in its first year (1986),
the Rhythm and Blues

Foundation in 1991, and
the Jazz Hall of Fame in

2004.

Ray Anthony (at right) and band in This Could Be the Night.

The capstone to a distin-
guished career was perhaps
riage to Hollywood “B” actress Mamie Van the biographical film Ray, starring Jamie Foxx, Doren garnering much publicity.

who was awarded a Best Actor Oscar in 2005 for Without his band he appeared in such films as his portrayal. Charles also had the singular honor High School Confidential and Sun Valley Serenade.

of having a Los Angeles post office named for As apt a businessman as he was a musician, in him. In 2007 the controversial musical Ray the 1980s Ray Anthony formed franchised swing Charles Live! debuted in California; it empha-bands to play Big Band–era music in schools and sized (some said over- emphasized) his somewhat on the radio.

colorful private life.

Daddy Long Legs (1955) * The Girl Can’t Help The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) [documentary]

It (1956) * This Could Be the Night (1957)

“One Two Three” * Blues for Lovers (1966) Ray Charles Orchestra

Ray Charles (Ray Robinson, Albany, Georgia, 1930–2004)

Considered one of the very great pop singers, Ray Charles survived a hard childhood during which he lost his eyesight to glaucoma at the age of seven, and not too long thereafter was or-phaned. He performed in Midwest clubs and had a trio in the late ’40s that he modeled after that of Nat “King” Cole, about the time Charles first started making records.

He had a band from about 1954 that played everything from gospel music to rhythm-and-blues, rock-and-roll and jazz. His first hit record was 1955’s “I Got a Woman” and it was ultimately followed by such successful recordings as

“I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Born to Lose,” “Unchain My Heart” and the iconic “Georgia.” By the end of his life it was estimated that he had sung on some 250 albums.

Ray Charles.

150

Ray

Ray Eberle and His Orchestra
chestra about 1956, led it for some ten years, and Ray Eberle (Hoosick Falls, New York, 1919–1979) was still going into the 1970s.

The younger brother of band singer Bob Hit Parade of 1943 (1943)

Eberly (who had changed the spelling of the family name for ease of pronunciation), Ray Ray Noble and His Band

Eberle joined Glenn Miller’s famed ensemble as Ray Noble (Brighton, England, 1903/07–1978) a vocalist in 1938. Among his big selling records The leader of the “sweet” New Mayfair Dance were “At Last,” “Serenade in Blue” and “Moon-Orchestra and music director/arranger at the light Cocktails.”

BBC in his native England, Ray Noble launched After being summarily fired by the stern his American, primarily jazz, band in 1935. They taskmaster in 1942, Ray Eberle joined the Gene played the prestigious Rainbow Room in Man-Krupa band and then formed his own orches-hattan before disbanding in 1937; among its tra. Even though Glenn Miller had dismissed renowned sidemen were Glenn Miller, Claude him Eberle modeled his group’s arrangements Thornhill and Charlie Spivak.

after those of Miller and played many of his big That same year he regrouped and became the hits. His theme song was even “Serenade in bandleader for top radio shows with Edgar Blue.” He continued with the band into the Bergen, Jack Benny, and George Burns and Gra-1950s.

cie Allen. Noble segued to television where he In 1970 Eberle joined the Tex Beneke–led continued playing off of his stiff upper-lip En-Glenn Miller band, which toured many presti-glish image as both bandleader and actor.

gious venues, and so came full circle. In the Mustachioed Ray Noble was also the com-1940s he had been seen in a few movie musicals poser of classic songs like “Love Is the Sweetest like Sun Valley Serenade, Honeymoon Lodge and Thing,” “The Very Thought of You” and “Good-Orchestra Wives before forming his band, and night Sweetheart,” the latter two of which were later he made many television appearances.

his theme songs.

Hi’Ya, Sailor (1943) * This Is the Life (1944) The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935) * A Damsel in Distress (1937) * Here We Go Again (1942) * The Ray McKinley and His Orchestra

Pride of the Yankees (1942) * Lake Placid Serenade (1944)

Ray McKinley (Fort Worth, Texas, 1910–1995) A sideman in the bands of Red Nichols and Ray Whitley and His Bar-Six Cowboys; the Dorsey brothers, drummer Ray McKinley co-led a boogie-woogie orchestra from 1939 with Ray Whitley and His Orchestra; Ray Will Bradley. Among their recordings was the Whitley and His Range Ramblers
famous “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar”; oth-Ray Whitley (Atlanta, Georgia, 1901–1979); Earl ers included “Bounce Me Brother with a Solid Phelps; Willie Phelps; Norman Phelps; Ken Four” and “Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat.”

Card; Ken Carson; Spade Cooley; Merle Travis With such songs the band acquired quite a Ray Whitley was a man of many parts, being following, but Bradley left in 1942 to form his a singer, yodeler, songwriter and actor. He ar-own group and McKinley rebuilt what re-rived in New York and found his niche there mained. His own successes included “Hard singing on radio’s National Barn Dance with the Hearted Hannah” and “You’ve Come a Long Range Ramblers about 1930. They later became Way from St. Louis.”

the Bar-Six Cowboys.

At some point his theme song was “Howdy, By about 1936 Whitley was in Hollywood Friends.” When he went into the military he where he would appear in more than fifty movies joined Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force band as a both solo and with his bands, the first being drummer and kept it going as leader after the Hopalong Cassidy Returns. He also found time to latter’s disappearance in 1944.

record and work on improved guitar design.

“The Most Versatile Band in the Land” was Although a good singer, he never had his own the name given to Ray McKinley’s post-war or-oater series like several of his contemporaries but chestra and it performed until disbanding in did appear in some eighteen western musical 1952. He again took over the Glenn Miller or-shorts for RKO. His proficiency with a bullwhip,

Red 151
honed on the rodeo circuit, could well have for Wooden Indians,” “Confusion Among a Fleet made him a rival of the oater hero Whip Wilson.

of Taxicabs Upon Meeting with a Fare” and Ray Whitley appeared frequently on Roy

“Dinner Music For a Pack of Hungry Canni-Rogers’ television show and his film career ended bals.” He was obviously a man of some humor.

on a high note when he was cast in Giant (1956).

The quintet (sextet) lasted only a couple of As a songwriter he is famed for composing the years but had some record hits, even though the Gene Autry perennial “Back in the Saddle Again”

critics disdained it as not being serious music.

and “I Hang My Head and Cry.” He was In the early 1940s Scott sold his music rights to posthumously inducted into both the Nashville Warner Brothers which then proceeded to use it Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Western Music widely in their cartoons. To this day his music is Association Hall of Fame.

still being heard in animated features, especially Hittin’ the Trail (1937) * Mystery of the Hooded his composition “Powerhouse.”

Horseman (1937) * Where the West Begins (1938) Other Raymond Scott compositions included

† * Boss of Boomtown (1944) * The Old Texas Trail

“In an Eighteenth Century Drawing Room,”

(1944) * Riders of the Santa Fe (1944) * Trail to

“Mountain High, Valley Low” and “The Toy Gunsight (1944) * Trigger Trail (1944) * Beyond the Trumpet.” He had formed a big band in the Pecos (1945) * Renegades of the Rio Grande (1945) 1940s but ultimately settled into composing for

†Their appearance in this film is not confirmed.

Broadway shows and leading the orchestra on television’s Your Hit Parade.

Raymond Maurel and the Cimini

Scott was also a noted inventor of electronic Male Chorus
gadgetry, his major one being the Electronium, one of the first synthesizers. Other gizmos in-Raymond Maurel (Mario Cozzi, Florence, Italy) cluded the so-called Karloff, which produced a A well-known opera singer, Raymond Mau-range of sounds, and the Clavinox, a type of rel had small acting roles in several early talkies.

electronic keyboard. Although eccentric, Ray-Street Girl (1929)

mond Scott had proved himself to be a real Renaissance man.

Raymond Paige and His Orchestra Ali Baba Goes to Town (1937) * Sally, Irene and Raymond Paige (Wausau, Wisconsin, 1900?–

Mary (1938) * Happy Landings (1938) * Rebecca 1965)

of Sunnybrook Farm (1939)

Paige was somewhat of a master at conducting large-scale orchestras, sometimes up to 100

Rebel Rousers see Duane Eddy and members strong. During the 1930s he had been the Rebel Rousers
a conductor on the radio and at movie studios, and for the fifteen years after 1950 he was the Red Arnall and His Western Aces music director at New York’s Radio City Music Red Arnall (T. J. Arnall)

Hall. He also conducted the Hollywood Bowl Blazing Across the Pecos (1948) Orchestra.

Hollywood Hotel (1938)

Red Caps see Steve Gibson’s Redcaps Raymond Scott and His Quintet;

Red Foley and His Saddle Pals

Raymond Scott Quintet

Red Foley (Clyde Foley, Blue Lick or Berea, Raymond Scott (Harry Warnow, Brooklyn, New Kentucky, 1910–1968)

York, 1908/10–1994); John Williams (drums); From about 1930 Red Foley sang and played Fred Whiting (bassist); Eric Hoex (saxophone); the guitar on radio, including the National Barn Pat Pimiglio (clarinet); Dave Wade (trumpet) Dance program with the group the Cumberland Pianist Raymond Scott played in the CBS

Ridge Runners, and on recordings. One of his radio orchestra and in the mid–1930s formed his early efforts “Old Shep” became somewhat of a swing “quintet,” which was actually a sextet. For classic and it was far from the only one; he was it he composed pieces with names like “New to become one of the most famous country/west-Year’s Eve in a Haunted House,” “War Dance ern singers of all time.

152

Red

In 1938 he became one of the first country highly fictionalized 1959 biopic The Five Pen-performers to have a network radio program.

nies, in which Nichols dubbed the trumpet play-Foley first made the charts during World War II ing, and he continued to lead small groups into with the patriotic “Smoke on the Water” and it the 1950s.

was all upwards from there. He became a regu-Quicksand (1950) * Wabash Avenue (1950) *
lar on Grand Ole Opry and later had a television Disc Jockey (1951) * The Gene Krupa Story (1959) show.

His string of hits included over forty country Red Norvo Trio
and gospel chart records, many in the top ten, Red Norvo (Kenneth Norville, Beardstown, Illi-among them “Peace in the Valley,” “Steal Away,”

nois, 1908–1999) (vibes); Mundell Lowe (guitar);

“One By One” and “Just a Closer Walk with Red Kelly (bassist); Tal Farlow (guitar); Charles Thee.” Red Foley’s 1950s renditions of “Chat-Mingus (bassist); Jimmy Raney; Red Mitchell tanoogie Shoeshine Boy,” “Candy Kisses” and Norvo (his stage name was supposedly an an-

“Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” were pop nouncer’s mispronunciation of Norville) is cred-favorites as well.

ited with introducing the xylophone and vibra-He often teamed with both country and pop-phone to jazz music. He also was a master of the ular music singers like the Andrews Sisters and marimba. With his then-wife, the great blues Ernest Tubb. He also essayed a few rock-and-singer Mildred Bailey, he founded an orchestra roll tunes. On television Red Foley co-starred in in 1941 and they were thereafter known as “Mr.

the television series Mr. Smith goes to Washington and Mrs. Swing,” also the title of their theme and on Ozark Jubilee. He was elected to the song.

Country Music Hall of Fame and had been des-Red Norvo had appeared in vaudeville and ignated the top U.S. folk artist in 1950.

first recorded in 1933. He had previously estab-The Pioneers (1941)

lished an all-marimba band, performed with a group called the Collegians and was a sideman in Red Mountain Jug Band

Paul Whiteman’s orchestra. He formed his Trio Pat May; Bill Boelk; Randy Thornally; Pat in 1949 after leading a quintet and sextet. Follow-Rooney
ing its break-up he played with Benny Good-The Strawberry Statement (1970) man, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie (Bird) Parker and Teddy Wilson.

Red Nichols and His Five Pennies Texas Carnival (1951) * Screaming Mimi (1958) Red Nichols (Ernest Nichols, Ogden, Utah, 1905–1965)

Red River Valley Boys see Johnny Cornetist Red Nichols’ first recordings came Bond and His Red River Valley Boys in 1922 with many of the same jazz musicians playing under different names, including the Red Tops see Rosco Gordon and His Syncopatin’ Five, the Redheads, the Varsity Red Tops

Eight, the Six Hottentots, the Alabama Red Peppers and even Miff Mole and his Little Molers.

Redcaps see Steve Gibson’s Redcaps Nichols also worked under bandleaders like Paul Whiteman and was supposedly heard on Reflections; Joni Lyman and the more than 4,000 recordings in the 1920s alone.

His first Five Pennies group was launched in the Reflections
mid–’20s and their recording of “Ida” in 1927

Joni Lyman; Ray Steinberg
sold more than one million copies. He also led Somewhat of a one-hit wonder, that one the pit band for a George Gershwin musical and being the smash (“Just Like) Romeo and Juliet,”

was on radio with chanteuse Ruth Etting.

the Reflections were a Detroit-based quintet.

Later on Nichols led an unsuccessful swing They also recorded “Poor Man’s Son” and “Like band before returning to his more tried-and-true Columbus Did.” In the 1970s they merged with jazz ensemble with its theme song “Wail of the the Larados.

Winds.” Danny Kaye portrayed him in the Winter-a-Go-Go (1965) (“I’m) Sweet on You”

Rhythm 153

Regency Three
have a weekly radio show, as well as being seen The Regency Three was a singing group.

in other top nightspots.

I Walk Alone (1948)

The Revuers broke up in the mid–1940s after their single film in which most of their material was left in the cutting room. Holliday then Reichman, Joe see Joe Reichman and began a successful Broadway and Hollywood His Orchestra
career. She was lauded for her “dumb blonde”

roles in Born Yesterday (winning an Oscar for Reisman, Leo see Leo Reisman and Best Actress), Adam’s Rib, Bells Are Ringing and His Band
others.

Comden and Green also conquered Broad-Remo Four see Tommy Quickly and way and then the movies. Together they wrote the Remo Four
numerous screenplays ( Singin’ in the Rain, Aun-tie Mame and The Band Wagon among them) and stage musicals. During their sixty-plus years Renegades
of collaboration they garnered seven Tonys and Bruce Johnston; Sandy Nelson; Richard Podolor; wrote enduring hit songs like “Make Someone Nik Venet

Happy,” “Just in Time” and “The Party’s Over.”

Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow (1959) “Geronimo,”

Greenwich Village (1944)

“He’s My Guy” and several other songs Rey, Alvino see Alvino Rey and His Republic Rhythm Riders

Orchestra

George Bamby (accordion); Darol Rice (clarinet); Buddy Dooley (guitar); Michael Behan, Reyes, Chuy see Chuy Reyes...

Jr. (bassist); Slim Duncan (fiddle) Working primarily with oater star Rex Allen Rhythm Boys see Bing Crosby and at the very end of the movies’ “B” western era, the Republic Rhythm Riders were a group of musi-His Rhythm Boys
cians cobbled together by the Republic Studio to appear in films. (This would have been less Rhythm Cowgirls see Judy Clark and expensive for the studio than hiring a pre-exist-Her Rhythm Cowgirls
ing group.) Some members had previously appeared with another three-R group, the Roy Rhythm Masters

Rogers Riders.

Border Saddlemates (1952) * Colorado Sundown Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) (1952) * The Last Musketeer (1952) * Old Oklahoma Plains (1952) * South Pacific Trail (1952) *

Rhythm Rangers see Cal Shrum’s The WAC from Walla Walla (1952) * Old Over-Rhythm Rangers
land Trail (1953)

Rhythm Rascals

Revuers

Will Jones; James Turner; Lloyd George; [first Betty Comden (Elizabeth Cohen, Brooklyn, name unknown] Howell

New York, 1917?–2006); Judy Holliday ( Judith Rhythm Rascals founder Lloyd George went Tuvim, 1921?–1965); Adolph Green (1915?–
on to become the first Lonzo in the hillbilly act 2002); John Frank; Alvin Hammer

Lonzo and Oscar.

In the late 1930s Judy Tuvim (later Holliday) The Girl from Chicago (1932) * Nobody’s Baby brought in a group of her friends, including (1937) * Hollywood Bound (1946) †

Betty Comden and Adolph Green, to perform

†This film was compilation of three film shorts with her in a satirical musical act at the New that featured Betty Grable early in her career.

York nightclub the Village Vanguard. They The Rhythm Rascals appeared in the 1935 two-called themselves The Revuers and went on to reeler A Night at the Biltmore Bowl.

154

Rhythm

Rhythm Riders see Art Davis and His who of course were not really brothers. Their Rhythm Riders
recording of “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”

is a classic that will probably never fade from the Rhythm Wranglers see Cal Shrum’s ranks of all-time greatest hits. It is said to be the most performed song on radio even today.

Rhythm Wranglers

Formed in 1962 as the Paramours, Medley and Hatfield adopted their new name about a year Rhythmaires
later for such recordings as “Little Latin Lupe The Rhythmaires were a female singing group Lu” and other minor rhythm-and-blues num-that appeared in Walt Disney films.

bers. They had supposedly adopted the name The Reluctant Dragon (1941) (voices only?) *
after a fan yelled “That was righteous, brothers!”

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) during one of their performances.

(voices only) * So Dear to My Heart (1949) After establishing themselves with “Loving Feeling” their clean-cut image and singing style Rich, Buddy see Buddy Rich and His more befit such powerfully dramatic songs as Orchestra

“Unchained Melody,” “Just Once in My Life”

and “Ebb Tide.” The Brothers’ last big success came with (“You’re My) Soul and Inspiration.”

Rich, Freddie see Freddie Rich and There was one last minor hit, “He,” before His Orchestra

Medley embarked on a solo career in 1967 or ’68.

Hatfield and Jimmy Walker carried on as the Rickett, Nooney see Nooney Rickett Righteous Brothers for a few years before the Four
originals re-teamed for “Rock and Roll Heaven”

in the 1970s. They continued performing to-Riders of the Purple Sage see Foy Will-gether off and on until Hatfield’s death.

ing and the Riders of the Purple Sage Apart, Medley and Hatfield never reclaimed the chemistry that they had together. Their voices had a special blending that was all too rare Righteous Brothers
in rock-and-roll. The Righteous Brothers were Bill Medley (Santa Ana, California, 1940–) (bari-inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in tone); Bobby Hatfield (Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, 2003.

1940–2003) (tenor); Jimmy Walker

A Swingin’ Summer (1965) “Justine” * Beach Among the premier exponents of so-called Ball (1965) “Baby, What You Want Me to Do”

“blue-eyed soul” were the Righteous Brothers, Riley, Mike see Mike Riley...

Rio Brothers; Three Rio Broth-
ers; Eddie Rio and Brothers

Frank Rio (1925?–2005); Eddie Rio; Larry Rio

The Rio “Brothers” were actually a father (Eddie), his brother (Larry) and Eddie’s son Frank. They were a triple-threat act of comedy, singing and dancing.

New Faces of 1937 (1937) * Hollywood Varieties (1950) * Casa Manana (1951) Rip Chords

Phil Stewart; Rich Rotkin; Arnie Mar-Bobby Hatfield (left) and Bill Medley, the Righteous Brothers.

cus

Rogers 155

The rock group that most memorialized the (Francis Avallone, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Southern California car culture was the Rip 1940–) (trumpet)

Chords trio. With their smash hit “Hey Little In the 1950s Rocco and the Saints, a Philadel-Cobra” and others like “409,” “Three Window phia and summer resort dance band, boasted two Coupe” and “Red Hot Roadster” they enjoyed a teenaged future bubblegum rock stars. Francis short period of popularity following their 1962

Avallone (later Frankie Avalon) became known formation. They also charted with “Here I on local television and went on to become a sta-Stand” and “Gone.”

ple in the beach movies of the 1960s and a cred-Although the Chords made personal appearible actor in more serious fare until the 1980s.

ances as a threesome, their records often had ad-Robert Ridarelli (later Bobby Rydell) also ap-ditional singers (including Terry Melcher and peared on television as a teen and was later an Bruce Johnston) and credit for who sang on what occasional actor ( Bye Bye Birdie). He produced singles and albums is somewhat murky. The solo hits like “Wild One,” “Swingin’ School”

original group split up in 1965 but various mem-and “Sway” and had the signal honor of having bers still tour today.

the fictional high school in the popular musical A Swingin’ Summer (1965) “Red Hot Roadster”

Grease named after him.

Jamboree (1957) “Twenty Four Hours a Day”

Rippling Rhythm Orchestra see Shep Fields and His Orchestra

Rocket Trio [unknown]

The Music Goes ’Round (1936) Riptides

Mondo Hollywood (1967)

Rocking R’s

The Hot Bed (1965)

Ritter, Tex see Tex Ritter’s Tornadoes Rocky Twins

Robert B. Mitchell and His St.

The Rocky Twins were drag entertainers.

Brendan’s Boys Choir see Bob Blondie of the Follies (1932) Mitchell’s Boys Choir

Rodeo Rangers see Curly Clements Robertos [unknown]

and His Rodeo Rangers

A Song for Miss Julie (1945) Rodeo Revelers

Roberts Brothers [unknown]

Sunset Carson Rides Again (1947) Tin Pan Alley (1940)

Rodeoliers

Robinson, Smokey see Smokey The Rodeoliers were radio singers.

Robinson and the Miracles

Home on the Prairie (1939) “I’m Gonna Round Up My Blues” and “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Rocco and Saulter

Mountain”

Maurice Rocco; Dorothy Saulter

Maurice Rocco was a pianist and Dorothy Rodik Twins

Saulter a soprano.

Verna Rodik; Verda Rodik

52nd Street (1937); Walter Wanger’s Vogues of The Rodik Twins were singers.

1938 (1937)

The Return of Daniel Boone (1941) Rocco and the Saints; Rocco and His Rogers, Roy see Roy Rogers Riders Saints

Bobby Rydell (Robert Ridarelli, Philadelphia, Rogers, Shorty see Shorty Rogers and Pennsylvania, 1942–) (drums); Frankie Avalon Band

156

Romaine

Romaine Lowdermilk and His Ranch Rooney, Mickey Jr. see Mickey House Cowboys

Rooney Jr. and his Combo

Romaine Lowdermilk (Kansas, 1890–1970) Most active in the 1920s and ’30s as a radio Rosco Gordon and His Red Tops
singer ( The National Barn Dance) and songwriter, Rosco Gordon (Memphis, Tennessee, 1928/34–

Romaine Lowdermilk wrote such tunes as “Mr.

2002)

Cowboy Goes to Town” and “The Rodeo Parade.”

Pianist and singer Rosco Gordon was on local Arizona Frontier (1940) * Rainbow Over the radio by 1950 and began recording about a year Range (1940)

later. One of his songs “Booted” became a top rhythm-and-blues hit; another was “No More Ronettes

Doggin’.” Yet another, “The Chicken,” begat a Veronica Bennett (aka Ronnie Spector) (New dance fad of that name.

York, New York, 1943–); Estelle Bennett (New Throughout the 1950s and ’60s Gordon toured York, New York, 1944–); Nedra Talley (New and recorded, both with the Red Tops and as a York, New York, 1946–)

solo performer. After a lengthy retirement he re-Described as “urban hot and urban cool,” and emerged in the 1980s to appear at many music one of the most influential of the rock-and-roll festivals and was still recording as late as 2000.

“girl groups,” was the Ronettes, the Bennett sis-Rock Baby, Rock It (1957) “Bop It” and ters and cousin Nedra. Their hits were to in-

“Chicken in the Rough”

clude “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You” and

“Walking in the Rain.” Calling themselves the Rough Riders see Jimmy Wakely and Darling Sisters as young teenagers, the trio piled His Rough Riders; Roy Knapp Rough their long black hair up as high as it could go, Riders
donned tight skirts and plentiful makeup and set out to conquer show business.

Rounders [unknown]

They supposedly got their professional start when a club manager mistook them for another The Rounders may have been dancer-singers.

act. One of their first gigs was as dancers at the They provided background for the Brox Sisters famous Peppermint Lounge, home of the Twist.

and Cliff Edwards when they performed the clas-Renamed Ronnie (for Veronica) and the Rela-sic song “Singin’ in the Rain” in its first film ap-tives, they played local theaters, began recording pearance in MGM’s Hollywood Revue of 1929.

with little initial success, and backed other singers, Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929) * Blaze o’

including Bobby Rydell and Del Shannon.

Glory (1929)

This all changed when record producer Phil Spector, famous for his “wall of sound” music, Roundup Boys see Eddie Cletro and discovered the Ronettes and personally fell for His Roundup Boys

Veronica, whom he later married. The trio became world-famous after touring with the Bea-Routers
tles and Rolling Stones, but Spector eventually The Routers may not have been an actual band turned to shepherding other talents and their but a group of studio musicians brought together popularity slowly declined,
for one film.

The Ronettes disbanded in 1966. Veronica Surf Party (1964) “Great White Water” and Bennett launched a solo career that lasted into

“Crack Up”

the 1980s and she is still considered one of the great ladies of rock-and-roll. She also had a few Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain solo acting roles in films. The Ronettes were in-Boys; Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mounducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in tain Boys and Girls; Roy Acuff and His 2007.

The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary] *

Smoky Mountain Boys, with Rachel The Big T.N.T. Show (1966) [documentary] “Be Roy Acuff (Maynardsville, Tennessee, 1903–

My Baby” and “Shout”

1992) (fiddle); Rachel Veach (banjo); Oswald

Royal 157

Veach (guitar); Jess Easterday (guitar); Lonnie Purple Sage in 1951 as the singing “boys” in Wilson; Velma Williams

Rogers’ few remaining films.

Beginning his career in touring medicine It is most probable that there were a group of shows and on local Tennessee radio, fiddler Roy disparate musicians specifically hired for the Roy Acuff eventually had one of the most popular of Rogers Riders, rather than being a previously es-the western swing bands and was considered the tablished group of their own. Several later ap-first country superstar. His group became regu-peared with the Republic Rhythm Riders and lars on radio’s Grand Ole Opry in 1938.

with other groups.

His original band, formed in 1933, had been In Old Amarillo (1951) * Pals of the Golden West called the Tennessee Crackerjacks and the Crazy (1951) * South of Caliente (1951) Tennesseans. (The “Crazy” possibly came from Acuff antics like yo-yo tricks and balancing a Royal Canadians see Guy Lombardo fiddle on his nose.) During World War II Acuff and His Royal Canadians
actually eclipsed Frank Sinatra in some popularity polls.

Royal Hawaiian Orchestra see Harry Roy Acuff was involved with music, either performing or running his own music publish-Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
ing company, until the 1970s. He received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 1991 and Royal Hawaiian Serenaders
was supposedly the first living person to be in-Barney Isaacs (Alvin Isaacs, Jr., 1924–1996) (steel ducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

guitar); Alvin Isaacs, Sr. (1904–1984) (multiple Known as the “King of Country,” and trading instruments); Benny Kalama; George Kainapau on that popularity, in 1948 he ran unsuccessfully Alvin Isaacs, Sr., the sire of a large (ten chil-for governor of Tennessee. Among the Acuff dren) musical family, was the leader of the Royal groups’ recordings were “Wabash Cannonball,”

Hawaiian Serenaders, a quartet that performed

“Great Speckled Bird,” “Night Train to Mem-at Honolulu’s Royal Hawaiian Hotel and on phis,” “Wreck on the Highway” and “Beneath radio. He was also credited with being the com-That Lonely Mound of Clay.”

poser of more than 300 songs and had been part Grand Ole Opry (1940) * Hi Neighbor (1942) of music ensembles from the age of thirteen.

* O, My Darling Clementine (1943) * Sing Neigh-His son Alvin was considered a master of the bor Sing (1944) * Cowboy Canteen (1944) * Night steel guitar and had been a part of the radio show Train to Memphis (1946) * Smoky Mountain Hawaii Calls for many years before joining his fa-Melody (1948) * Home in San Antone (1949) ther’s Serenaders in 1948. His guitar was heard on hundreds of recordings and he toured widely, as Roy Rogers Riders
well as serving as music director for a Hawaiian record company.

Pat Brady (Robert O’Brady, Toledo, Ohio, 1914–

Million Dollar Weekend (1948) 1972); Jimmy Bryant (guitar); George Bamby (accordion); Buddy Dooley (guitar); Michael Royal Hawaiians see Harry Owens Burton (bassist); Darol Rice (clarinet) and His Royal Hawaiians

Roy Rogers (1911–1998) was Republic’s “King of the Cowboys” and one of the most popular of Royal Rogues see Cecil Stewart and the singing cowboys. Although possessed of a fine voice (and yodeling ability) of his own he His Royal Rogues
usually was backed by a western swing group, the most famous being the Sons of the Pioneers Royal Teens
which he co-founded.

Bob Gaudio (Bronx, New York, 1942–); Billy The Sons were replaced in his pictures in 1948

Dalton (bassist); Bill Crandall (saxophone); Tom by Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage Austin (drums); Larry Quagliano; Al Kooper; for financial reasons (i.e., they cost the Repub-Joe Villa; Ray Mariani
lic Studio less). For the same reason the Roy The one-shot wonders who were the Royal Rogers Riders then replaced the Riders of the Teens captured the public’s fancy with the catchy

158

Rubini
song “Short Shorts” (it sounded more like “Shawt other compositions was “Somebody Else Is Tak-Shawts” as they sang it). The New Jersey–based ing My Place.”

quartet was formed in 1956 or ’57, and was orig-Cigarette Girl (1947) * Sarge Goes to College inally dubbed the Royal Tones.

(1947)

The group had backed-up various rhythm-and-blues groups before making the record that Russian Cossack Choir
went to number three on the charts. They be-Balalaika (1939)

came a quintet prior to producing the minor

“Harvey’s Got a Girlfriend” and “Believe Me.”

Russo and the Samba Kings

The latter song marked a departure in the band’s style in an unsuccessful effort to repeat their ini-Russo Do Pandeiro (Antonio Cardoso Martins, tial success.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1913–1985) Let’s Rock! (1958) “Short Shorts”

Russo Do Pandeiro was a stage name that was taken from the pandeiro, the tambourine-like Rubini, Jan see Jan Rubini Orchestra percussion instrument of which Antonio Cardoso Martins was master. Before coming to the U.S. from his native Brazil he had accompanied Rudy Sooter and His Californians such star personalities as Carmen Miranda and Riders of Pasco Basin (1940) Josephine Baker. He was active in music from the late 1920s and had appeared in a few Brazil-Ruloff, Follette and Lunard [unknown]

ian movies.

Melody Parade (1943)

Romance on the High Seas (1948) * A Song Is Born (1948)

Runaway Pancake

Sacred Harp Singers

Wanderlove (1970)

Festival (1967) [documentary]

Russ Morgan and His Orchestra

Saddle Kings see Hank Caldwell and Russ Morgan (Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1904–

His Saddle Kings

1969)

Trombonist Russ Morgan was the co-writer Saddle Pals see Red Foley and His of the standard “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Saddle Pals; Jimmy Le Fevre and His Loves You.” A former coal miner, he had begun his music career as an arranger for luminaries Saddle Pals; Jimmy Wakely...

like John Philip Sousa and Victor Herbert, and played in various bands including those of Fred-Saddle Tramps see Buster Fite and die Martin, Ted Fio Rito and Phil Spitalny.

the Saddle Tramps

During Morgan’s career as a sideman he developed his signature “wah wah” sound on the Sagebrush Serenaders
trombone. He was encouraged to form his own Enright Busse; John Scott; John Wilder band by crooner Rudy Vallee and thus launched Man from Rainbow Valley (1946) the much-publicized “Music in the Morgan Manner” in 1936. The orchestra’s theme song St. Brendan’s Boys Choir see Bob was “Does Your Heart Beat for Me?” and their Mitchell Boys Choir
record hits included “Cruising Down the River”

and “Sunflower.”

St. Joseph’s Choir

The Russ Morgan ensemble played in the top hotels and theaters well into the 1950s, although The Wizard of Oz (voices only?) * Forty Little the band size was reduced, and then in Las Vegas Mothers (1940)

for a dozen years in the ’60s and ’70s. He was a multi-talented man who played several instru-St. Luke’s Choristers see Dorr’s St.

ments, arranged music and sang. Among his Luke’s Choristers

San 159

Saints see Rocco and His Saints Whatever the derivation of their name, the Pharaohs recorded the novelty tune “Woolly Sal Hoopii and His Hawaiian Band Bully” in 1965 and had a three million seller.

The sly “Li’l Red Riding Hood” was another big Sal Hoopii (Solomon Ho’opi’i Ka’ai’ai (Hon-hit in 1966. A while later the band added a female olulu, Hawaii, 1902?–1953)

vocal trio called the Shamettes.

The youngest of twenty-one children, Sal A bunch of not-too memorable novelty songs Hoopii still managed to make himself heard over followed, e.g., “Ring Dang Doo” and “The Hair the crowd by his musical ability on the ukulele on My Chinny Chin Chin.” Samudio ultimately and Hawaiian guitar. He parlayed this talent into went on to a solo career as a gospel singer and was a trio that began recording blues-influenced and still active into the 21st century. He also appeared Hawaiian music in 1927; “Hula Girl” was one solo in the film The Border (1982).

of their most popular tunes.

When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965) “Monkey He was also a respected music arranger, but See Monkey Do”

in the latter 1930s Hoopii effectively gave up music to join with evangelist Aimee Semple Sam the Soul and the Inspirations McPherson. He did issue a few more recordings and resumed a music career again after her death.

Mondo Mod (1967) [documentary] “Mary Lou”

His reputation as one of the foremost Hawaiian steel guitarists remained strong even after his Samba Kings see Russo and the own death.

Samba Kings

Flirtation Walk (1934) * Hawaiian Nights (1939) Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra

Sam and the Ape Men

Sammy Kaye (Samuel Zarnocay, Lakewood, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965) Ohio, 1910–1987)

“Swing and sway with Sammy Kaye” was that Sam Butera and the Witnesses
orchestra leader’s famous tagline. During some of his performances he employed a well-known Sam Butera (New Orleans, Louisiana, 1926/27–) gimmick whereby an audience member would Saxophone player Sam Butera gained a repu-be called up to conduct his band. It was effective tation as an arranger, conductor and comic foil enough to earn him an early television program for Louis Prima. His band the Witnesses made called “So You Want to Lead a Band?”

recordings and was also Prima’s sometime Kaye’s sweet music sound earned him much backup group.

popularity in the 1930s and ’40s in elegant New Senior Prom (1958) * Hey Boy! Hey Girl! (1959) York hotels and on the radio. The orchestra,

* Twist All Night (1962)

whose theme song was “Sammy’s Melody,” was never considered top-drawer by other musicians, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
but under his strict discipline it maintained a Domingo Samudio (Dallas, Texas, 1937–) (organ/
strong niche with fans. He himself played the guitar); Jerry Patterson; Ray Stinnett; Butch clarinet and saxophone.

Gibson; Frank Carabetta (multi-instruments); Although he exhibited a smiling, easygoing Tony Gerace (bassist); Billy Bennett (d. 2000) persona, at one point Sammy Kaye’s dictatorial (drums); Andrew Kuha (guitar); Louis Vilardo ways almost had the entire band quitting en (drums)

masse. However its easily danceable music kept Domingo Samudio (aka Sam the Sham) took it going into the 1960s and after the leader him-over the leadership of Andy and the Night Rid-self retired the group has continued to perform ers, the band in which he was playing. He re-to this day.

named it after himself and in tribute to the then-Iceland (1943) * Song of the Open Road (1945) popular movie The Ten Commandments. The

“Sham” may come from the slang word “sham-San Cristobal Marimba Band
ming” that apparently meant cutting up while Dominguez Brothers
performing.

Tropic Holiday (1938)

160

San

San Francisco Opera Company
but persevered to retain its place among the great The Lost Weekend (1945)

bands of its type. Santana’s hit singles over the years included “Evil Ways,” “Maria, Maria,”

“Smooth,” “Soul Sacrifice” and “Black Magic Sandpipers

Woman.” In 1998 the group was inducted into Richard Shoff; Michael Piano; Jim Brady; Pamela the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Ramcier

Woodstock (1970) [documentary] “Soul The male members of the Sandpipers quartet Sacrifice” * Soul to Soul (1971) [documentary]

were graduates of the Robert (Bob) Mitchell

“Jingo,” “Black Magic Woman” * Stamping Boys Choir. First calling themselves the Four Ground (1971) [documentary] “Gumbo” * Fill-Seasons, they learned about the other group of more (1972) [documentary]

that name and so changed theirs to the Grads before assuming their final name.

Satch Gould and His Boys

The folk singers had one hit with the endur-The Lusting Hours (1967)

ing standard “Guantanamera” and lesser successes with “Kumbaya” and others of that ilk.

The Sandpipers memorably sang the poignant Satins see Five Satins

“Come Saturday Morning” on the soundtrack of the film The Sterile Cuckoo, but that was some-Saturday Revue
what of a last hurrah. They straggled into the Wild Wheels (1969) “Holiday Right Here”

mid–1970s before disbanding.

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) Savannah Club Chorus see “Shootsie”

Keith and the Savannah Club Chorus Santamaria, Mongo see Mongo Santamaria and His Band

Savitt, Jan see Jan Savitt...

Santana

Sawyer, Terri see Terri Sawyer Quartet Carlos Santana (Autlan de Navarro, Mexico, 1947–) (guitar); Tom Frazier (guitar); Mike Cara-Schnicklefritz Band see Corn Colonel bello (1947–) (congas/percussion); Rod Harper and His Band

(drums); Gus Rodriguez (bass guitar); Greg Rolie (1947–) (organ); Jose Areas (1946–) (tim-Scobey, Bob see Bob Scobey and His bales); Michael Shrieve (1949–) (drums); David Band

Brown (1947–) (bassist)

World-famous Latin-rock guitarist Carlos Santana and the group that began as the Santana Scott, Raymond see Raymond Scott Blues Band reputedly had sold some 80 million and His Quintet
albums by the end of the 20th Century. Although formed in 1966 under Santana’s name he Scotty McKay Quintet
was not necessarily the leader of the group. The The Scotty McKay Quintet was a Texas garage band was more of a collective effort even after it band that recorded from about 1959 into the was simply dubbed Santana.

’70s.

At the Woodstock Festival Santana was one The Black Cat (1966) “Bo Diddley,” “Brown of the standouts. Their success helped propel Eyed Handsome Man” and “Sinner Man” *
their first album into the stratosphere, as did Creature of Destruction (1967) “All Around the many of the ones that followed. In 1973, after World” and “Watch Out for the Batman”

internal dissension, Carlos Santana formed a new group and ultimately settled on a Latin funk sound that came to memorialize the band.

Seckler Group

The Grammy Award–winning ensemble has Marvin Bailey; Justin Conlon; Mack McLean; gone through its ups and downs over the years Bill Seckler

Sha-Na-Na 161

The Seckler Group was a vocal ensemble.

pop charts but their ascendance was short-lived, Lost in a Harem (1944) * Meet Me in St. Louis although cover singles like “The Look of Love,”

(1944)

“Fool on the Hill” and “Look Around” did well.

Their last hit was 1968’s “Scarborough Fair”

Seeds
though the group continued to remain very pop-Sky Saxon (vocals/bass guitar); Jan Savage (gui-ular in South America.

tar); Daryl Hooper (keyboard); Rick Andridge Mendes staged a comeback in the 1980s with (drums)

“Never Gonna Let You Go” and had several suc-

“You’re Pushin’ Too Hard” was one of the cessful albums thereafter. By that time Brasil ’66

Seeds’ first singles, coming about a year after had been replaced by Brasil ’77. In the early their formation in 1965. It was a notable debut 1990s he was several years too early for his newest but was also the high point of their record ca-incarnation: Brasil ’99.

reers. Much later it was designated as one of the Sullivan’s Empire (1967)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.

Seven Singing Buckaroos

Further singles and albums did not match that The Singing Buckaroo (1937) auspicious beginning, with releases like “Mr.

Farmer” and “A Thousand Shadows” only scor-Sextetto Habanero see Habanera ing modestly. The band, which had gone heav-Sextette
ily toward a raw psychedelic sound, broke up in 1970.

Leader Sky Saxon (who later called himself Seymour and Corncob

Sky Sunlight) re-formed the Seeds in the late Seymour and Corncob were “hayseed” musicians.

1980s and they have continued to pop up every Here Comes Cookie (1935) * Way Down East now and then into the current century.

(1935)

Psych-Out (1968) “Two Fingers Pointing on You.”

Shadows see Bob Luman and the Shadows

Sentimentalists

Ann Clark; Jean Clark; Peggy Clark; Judy Clark Shamrock Cowboys

Before the Clark Sisters decided to perform under their own names they were the Sentimen-The Shamrock Cowboys were members of the talists who sang with Tommy Dorsey’s band.

Spade Cooley band but he did not perform with Their specialty was imitating musical instru-this group.

ments, a talent used on several recordings in-Singin’ Spurs (1949)

cluding “Sugar Blues.” They had several chart songs, most of them covers of others groups’ hits.

Sha-Na-Na

Broadway Rhythm (1944)

Donny York; Jocko Marcellino (drums); Scott Simon (piano); Henry Gross (guitar); David Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66

Ryan; Mal Gray; Jon Bauman; Scott Powell; Sergio Mendes (Niteroi, Brazil, 1941–) (piano); Lennie Baker; Denny Green; Johnny Contardo; Jose Soares (percussion); Joao Palma (percus-Richie Jaffe; Bruce Clark; Elliot Cahn; Henry sion); Bob Matthews (bassist); Lani Hall (vocals) Gross; Chris Donald

Originally trained as a classical pianist, Ser-Yet another group that started out calling it-gio Mendes founded his so-called “Latin-Rock”

self the Kingsmen, Sha-Na-Na took its new group Brasil ’66 in — not surprisingly —1966. It moniker from the refrain of the rock-and-roll initially consisted of four men and two women standard “Get a Job.” Kind of a faux 1950s doo-and was U.S. based, Mendes having emigrated wop parody group, they started performing at from Brazil earlier in the decade. In his native Columbia University about 1968 or ’69 and ap-land he had led the Bossa Nova Trio.

peared at the now-legendary Woodstock Festival.

Brasil ’66’s first two albums shot up on the For about five years from the late 1970s Sha-

162

Shane

Na-Na had a popular television show. Although credited with producing some 300 recordings, they made recordings they were most successful fifty of which were hits.

in live concerts in which their comedy, choreog-In 1936 and ’37 the Fields band placed num-raphy and costuming could be seen to great adber one in the Paramount Theatre Big Band poll.

vantage. They continue to benefit from the nostal-In the 1940s Fields formed an all-reed orchestra gia for early rock songs, mixing music and comedy that featured future comedy great Sid Caesar.

in pleasing proportions in their touring shows.

Fields himself was a saxophone and clarinet Woodstock (1970) [documentary] “At the Hop”

player. Eventually he returned to the musical

* Grease (1978)

sound that had made him famous and the band continued on into the 1950s. In latter years he Shane Fenton and the Fentones
became a disc jockey.

The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1937) Shane Fenton (Bernard Jewry, London, England, 1942–); Mick Eyre (guitar); Jerry Wilcock (guitar); Bill Bonney (Walter Bonney) (bassist); Tony Shepp, Hobie see Hobie Shepp and Hinchcliffe (drums)

the Cowtown Wranglers

The Fentones were a British pop band called the Tremelos when Shane Fenton joined them Sheriff ’s Boys Band
and eventually they became his renamed back-up The “Sheriff ” of the Sheriff Boys Band was long-group. Their onstage presence was enlivened by time Los Angeles County lawman Eugene Biz-their costuming: Fenton wore a silver lame suit cailuz. He encouraged the formation of a band and the rest were “pretty in pink.”

with young musicians who were then trained by The Fentones had four British chart songs: a veteran conductor.

“I’m a Moody Guy,” “Walk Away,” “It’s All Over Good Luck, Mr. Yates (1943) * Magic Town Now” and “Cindy’s Birthday,” their biggest suc-

(1947) †
cess. The group disbanded in 1965.

†Their appearance in this film is not confirmed.

Play It Cool “It’s Gonna Take Magic” (1962) *

It’s All Happening (1963)

Sherrell Sisters (aka Sherrill Sisters) Doris Sherrell; Grace Sherrell

Shaw, Artie see Artie Shaw and His The Sherrell Sisters were singers.

Band

Follow the Leader (1944) “Now and Then” *

Moon Over Las Vegas (1944) Shaw, Freita see Freita Shaw...

Sherrill Sisters see Sherrell Sisters Shearing, George see George Shearing Quintet

Sherven Brothers Rodeoliers see

Rodeliers

Shep Fields and His Orchestra

Sherwood, Bobby see Bobby Shep Fields (Brooklyn, New York, 1910–1981) Sherwood and His Orchestra

With his memorably-named Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, Shep Fields literally opened his radio Sherwood Singers
show the Rippling Rhythm Revue with the sound of bubbles being blown through a straw in a pot The Young Swingers (1963)

of water. Naturally enough one of their theme Shilkret, Nathaniel see Nathaniel songs was “Rippling Rhythm”; the other was

“Ritual Fire Dance.”

Shilkret Orchestra

The “sweet” dance band was formed in the early 1930s and had record hits like “Jersey Shirelles

Bounce,” “Cathedral in the Pines” and “Thanks Shirley Owens (1941–) (lead vocals); Adeline for the Memory.” (The latter, from Fields’ film,

“Micki” Harris (1940–1982); Beverly Lee (1941/
became Bob Hope’s theme song.) The band was 42–); Doris Coley (1941–2000)

Simon 163

Originally dubbed the Poquellos, the trail-big bands as those of Woody Herman and Stan blazing New Jersey quartet the Shirelles began Kenton in the 1940s. He had his own big band harmonizing in 1958. Their first hit “I Met Him for a while and then formed a smaller combo, on a Sunday” was actually written by them for a releasing several jazz albums with a “bop” flavor.

high school talent show but became a big na-He is considered a pioneer of the West Coast jazz tional smash after they got a recording contract.

scene.

The Shirelles’ name was a combination of Somewhat of an innovator, Rogers experi-Shirley Owens’s first name and part of the last mented with bi-tonality and twelve tone compo-syllable of the then-popular group the Chantels.

sition. By the 1960s he had disbanded his en-In contrast to girl groups like the Ronettes who semble in order to write music for television and opted for a sexy, almost tough, look, they were films, as well as doing music scoring for those outfitted demurely.

media. He did occasionally return to performing On the strength of that first record the Shirelles in the 1980s and into the ’90s, even taking up toured in theaters and then had other successes the flugelhorn.

with “Tonight’s the Night” and especially “Will The Glass Wall (1953) * The Man with the You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” This was the Golden Arm (1955)

first-ever number one chart hit by a black female group.

Shorty Thompson and His Saddle

Other songs like “Dedicated to the One I Rockin’ Rhythm

Love” “Baby It’s You,” “Soldier Boy” “Foolish Little Girl” and “Mama Said” cemented their Shorty Thompson; Chet Atkins; Zed Tennis place as a leading girls group. However by 1964

El Dorado Pass (1948)

the English Invasion had breached American shores and the Shirelles’ popularity began to Shrum, Cal see Cal Shrum...

wane.

Somewhat ironically Beatle John Lennon Shrum, Walt see Walt Shrum...

named them as his favorite group and the Beatles featured two of their songs on their first Sid Catlett’s Band
album. In the late 1960s the Shirelles became a Sid Catlett (Evansville, Indiana, 1910–1951) trio (billed as Shirley and the Shirelles) and Jazz drummer “Big” Sid Catlett played in toured with other fading rock groups, already bands both large and small prior to joining kind of a nostalgia item.

Benny Goodman in 1941. But he never stayed But the Shirelles still carried a cachet and in with anyone for very long and a few years later the 1990s there were three separate ensembles he formed his own band. In 1947 he joined Louis calling themselves by that name, with each hav-Armstrong’s All Stars. He was known for his ing one original member. They were inducted showy drum work during which he frequently into the Rhythm-and-Blues Hall of Fame in tossed his sticks into the air.

1994 and the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame three Boy! What a Girl! (1947) * Harlem Follies (1950) years later.

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) *

Silly Symphonists see Al Trace and Let the Good Times Roll [documentary] (1973) His Silly Symphonists

“Shootsie” Keith and the Savannah Simon and Garfunkel

Club Chorus

Paul Simon (Queens, New York, 1941–); Art Harlem Follies (1949?)

Garfunkel (Queens, New York, 1941–) Although the duo of Paul Simon and Art Gar-Shorty Rogers and Band
funkel have long since gone their separate ways Shorty Rogers (Milton Rajonsky, Laurel or Great some of their songs endure as virtual anthems to Barrington, Massachusetts, 1922/24–1994) the period in which they were written. Their Jazz musician Shorty Rogers played trumpet phenomenal career began in an unprepossessing with, and did musical arrangements for, such way with the 1950s twosome they called Tom

164

Simp-Phonies
and Jerry that produced the bubblegum hit Singing Constables see Arizona

“Hey, Schoolgirl.”

Wranglers

Lasting fame as folk singers came under their own names with “The Sound of Silence” in 1965.

Singing Cowboys

Their soundtrack music for the 1968 mega-hit film The Graduate further cemented it. Among Lloyd Perryman; Rudy Sooter; Curley Hogg the hits that flowed from them were “Scarbor-It is likely that the Singing Cowboys was a ough Fair,” “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,”

group put together for this one film only from

“Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” “I Am a Rock”

members of existing western swing groups.

and “Homeward Bound.”

Santa Fe Rides (1937)

Simon and Garfunkel’s emergence at a time of national upheaval over the Vietnam War made Singing Guardsmen
their music a symbol for antiwar forces, along Wagon Wheels (1934)

with that of Peter, Paul and Mary and other folk groups. Their song “Mrs. Robinson,” from The Singing Indian Braves

Graduate, earned a Grammy for record of the Singin’ in the Corn (1946) year and Simon won one for best original score for the movie.

Singing Riders

Their album “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

proved a major hit, winning additional Grammy The Singing Riders all dressed alike and rode Awards. However, Simon and Garfunkel’s in-white horses.

creasingly rocky personal relationship caused Westward Ho (1935)

them to split in 1970. In subsequent years both continued to be very active musically.

Singing Strings

Paul Simon garnered a reputation as an inno-The Singing Strings was a six member female vator working in various musical forms. Many vocal ensemble.

of his songs have been recorded by other Pot O’ Gold (1941)

performers and he has essayed Broadway musicals. He also has made an occasional movie ap-Sissle, Noble see Noble Sissle and His pearance, notably in One-Trick Pony and Annie Orchestra

Hall.

Art Garfunkel also dabbled with acting in Sistine Chapel Choir

Catch-22 and Carnal Desire. From time to time Holy Year 1950 (1950) [documentary]

the duo reunited for concerts but each has continued to thrive as individual performers. Although perhaps better known as folk singers, Six Bar-B Cowboys
they were inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall Gun Law (1938) * Where the West Begins (1938) of Fame.

Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary] “Fifty-Six Candreva Brothers [unknown]

Ninth Street Bridge Song”

William Candreva

Here Comes Cookie (1935)

Simp-Phonies

6-Harlem Beauties-6 [unknown]

Country Fair (1941) * The Medico of Painted Springs (1941)

Dirty Gertie from Harlem, U.S.A. (1946) Six Hits; Six Hits and a Miss

Sims, Artie see Artie Sims and His Band

Marvin Bailey; Pauline Byrne; Vincent Degen; Lee Gotch; Phil Hanna; Frank Howard; Howard Hudson; Betty McCabe; Mack McLean; Tony Singing Buckaroos see Jimmie Davis Paris; Jerry Preshaw; Charles Schrouder; Bill and His Singing Buckaroos

Seckler; Conrad Taylor

Slim 165

Broadway Serenade (1939) * Down Argentine so he occasionally played a character other than Way (1940) * If I Had My Way (1940) * Hit Pa-

“himself.” He and his band also appeared in rade of 1941 (1940) * Hellzapoppin’ (1941) * Keep some musical shorts and produced hit record-

’Em Flying (1941) * The Big Store (1941) * Lady ings like “Deep in a Dream” and “Garden of the Be Good (1941) * Time Out for Rhythm (1941) *

Moon.” He also played solo roles in films such Ziegfeld Girl (1941) * Babes on Broadway (1942) as 1937’s College Swing.

* Butch Minds the Baby (1942) * Call Out the After leading a service band during World Marines (1942) * For Me and My Gal (1942) *

War II, Ennis managed to find work through-Panama Hattie (1942) * Springtime in the Rock-out the 1950s, including a lucrative several years ies (1942) * DuBarry Was a Lady (1943) * Pre-conducting the house band at the Los Angeles senting Lily Mars (1943)

Statler-Hilton. Unfortunately, he died in a Beverly Hills restaurant after choking on some food.

Six Saddle Tramps see Buster Fite College Swing (1938) * Blondie Meets the Boss and His Six Saddle Tramps

(1939) * Swing It Soldier (1941) * Sleepytime Gal (1942) * Follow the Band (1943) * Radio Stars on Parade (1945) * Let’s Go Steady (1945) Six Sizzlers Orchestra

Underworld (1937)

Slack, Freddie see Freddie Slack and His Orchestra

Six Solid Senders see Judy Clark and the Six Solid Senders

Slam Stewart Trio see Slim and Slam Six Spirits of Rhythm [unknown]

Slate Brothers

Gambling (1934)

Syd Slate (Russia, 1907–1976); Henry Slate (New York, New York, 1910–1996); Jack Slate (1909–

Six Sweethearts [unknown]

1989)

Swing It Soldier (1941)

The multi-talented Slate Brothers were singers and dancers.

Skinnay Ennis and His Band; Skinnay Happy Days (1930) * College Swing (1938) *

Harlem Follies (1950) * Meet Me in Las Vegas Ennis and the Groove Boys

(1955)

Skinnay Ennis (Robert Ennis, Salisbury, North Carolina, 1907–1963)

“Sleepy” Williams and His Three Orchestra leader Skinnay Ennis was really very Shades of Rhythm [unknown]

thin, hence his accurate nickname. (The un-orthodox spelling apparently was the result of a

“Sleepy” Williams; Lucius Smith; Alice Haynes misspelling on a record label.) As a member of Marcus; Louise Harris

Bob Hope’s radio family he developed the knack Hoosier Holiday (1943)

of exchanging barbs with the comic and thus was allowed to exhibit more of his personality than Slick and Slack [unknown]

many bandleaders.

The Joint Is Jumpin’ (1949?) Ennis had also appeared with Bob Crosby and was later to work with Abbott and Costello on Slim and Slam; Slim Gaillard Trio; their late ’40s radio show. He had been a drummer and vocalist with the Hal Kemp band before Slam Stewart Trio
forming his own orchestra in 1938. His vocals Slim Gaillard (Bulee Gaillard, Santa Clara, Cuba had a distinctive “out-of-breath” quality about or Detroit, Michigan, 1916?—1991); Slam Stew-them and when he recorded the hit “Got a Date art (Leroy Stewart, Englewood, New Jersey, with an Angel” it became Kemp’s theme song.

1914–1987); Bam Brown; Beryl Booker; Johnny Because of his comedy skills Skinnay Ennis Collins; Billy Taylor
was a better film actor than most of his confreres His entrée into show business was somewhat

166

Slim
inauspicious (tap dancing while playing the gui-Slim Gaillard Trio see Slim and Slam tar in vaudeville) but Slim Gaillard rose above those modest beginnings. He formed a duo with Sly and the Family Stone

Slam Stewart as Slim and Slam in 1937 or ’38

Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart, Dallas or Denton, and they had some hit recordings, including Texas, 1944–) (organ); Freddie Stone (guitar);

“Flat Foot Floogie (with a Floy, Floy”). They also Larry Graham (bassist); Vaetta Stewart (tam-essayed “Tutti Frutti” and other novelties.

bourine/piano); Mary McCreary (vocals); Elva Gaillard, who also played piano and vibes, in-Mouton (vocals); Rose Stone (vocals/keyboard); vented a kind of jive language that he dubbed Greg Errico (drums); Jerry Martini (saxophone)

“vout” or “vout oreenie,” and even composed a As youngsters Sylvester Stewart and three sib-lengthy work called Opera in Vout. As a song-lings formed the Stewart Four and made a writer he produced the classic “Down By the Sta-recording of gospel songs. Later he and his tion” and the less-than-classic but catchy “Ce-brother belonged to the San Francisco Bay–area ment Mixer, Put-ti, Put-ti.”

group The Viscaynes. Subsequently, for a gig as He and Stewart had a radio show where he a San Francisco radio disc jockey Sylvester played the guitar and Stewart the bass. When changed his name to Sly Stone.

they split in 1942 Bam Brown became the bassist Both Sly and his brother formed their own and they teamed for several years thereafter.

bands—the former’s was called Sly and the Ston-Gaillard was an extremely colorful performer, ers. After they merged their groups in 1967 Sly doing things like playing the piano with his and the Family Stone was launched as a racially hands turned upside down.

integrated band. Their first major record success Conservatory-trained Slam Stewart got his was the rocking “Dance to the Music.” Others nickname from the sound his bass fiddle made included “Everyday People,” “Hot Fun in the while he was plucking the strings. He was one of Summertime” and “Sing a Simple Song”; sev-the premier and most recorded jazz musicians of eral albums also scored in the millions of copies.

his day. Before and after teaming with Gaillard The band had a mélange of styles that ranged he played in several small ensembles.

from funk to show tunes to psychedelic music One of them was his own Trio (piano, bass, (their onstage costuming also tended to be psy-guitar) which at times included Billy Taylor, chedelic.) They were a most colorful ensemble Beryl Booker and Johnny Collins. Stewart also during their major period of activity from 1967
played with such giants as Benny Goodman, Art to 1975, and were considered groundbreakers in Tatum and Charlie Parker and sometimes es-both their music and their racial and gender mix.

sayed classical pieces. One of his specialties was Woodstock was one of the venues at which they humming while plucking the bass.

appeared.

When his brand of music became somewhat In the 1970s Sly and the Family Stone’s music passé Slim Gaillard left the music industry but became darker as drug abuse crept into the fab-took some television acting jobs, including Roots: ric of the band. After the initial group’s dissolu-the Next Generation. He had appeared in several tion, the reclusive Stone formed another with movies in the 1940s and also had later roles in which he toured until the late 1980s. They were films like Planet of the Apes. Acting was a natu-inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame ral for the 6' 4" man who in his youth had been in 1993.

known as the “Dark Gable.”

Woodstock (1970) [documentary] “I Want to Returning in the 1980s to the music scene, Take You Higher” and “Hey Music Lover”

Gaillard made some new recordings and was a familiar figure at festivals around the world. In Smart Set [unknown]

1989 the BBC aired a documentary called The World of Slim Gaillard. He had lived in England Lone Star Moonlight (1946) since 1983.

Hellzapoppin’ (1941) * Almost Married (1942) Smiley and Kitty

* Stormy Weather (1943) * Star Spangled Rhythm Smiley Wilson; Kitty Carson Wilson (1943) * Stairway for a Star (1946?) * Sweetheart Smiley and Kitty Wilson sang on radio in of Sigma Chi (1946) * Boy! What a Girl! (1947) Texas and Nashville. In latter days Smiley be-

Smokey 167
came a top talent agent for country singers like Tall (at least 6'5") and matinee-idol hand-Loretta Lynn.

some, Ballew was perhaps an unconvincing oater Square Dance Jubilee (1949) “Mocking Bird”

lead but an able enough second lead and sup-and “It’s a Boy”

porting player in films like I Killed Geronimo and The Red Badge of Courage. He appeared in Smith, Hubert see Hubert Smith and movies up to the early 1950s; his first had been His Coral Islanders

1937’s Palm Springs.

In one of his starring western films, Rawhide, Ballew had a most unusual co-star: baseball leg-Smith, Jimmy see Jimmy Smith...

end Lou Gehrig. Supposedly the vocalist on more than 5,000 recordings using different Smith, Preacher see Preacher Smith’s names, Smith Ballew also appeared on Broad-Deacons
way and in nightclubs.

Under Arizona Skies (1946) Smith Ballew and the Sons of the Sage Smokestack Lightnin’

Smith Ballew (Palestine, Texas, 1902–1984) Kelly Green; Ric Eiserling; Art Guy (drummer); It definitely was not John Wayne singing in Ron Darling
his early 1930s “B” westerns as the character A rock band of the mid–1960s, Smokestack

“Singing Sandy,” but it may well have been Lightnin’ frequently played at the famed Sunset Smith Ballew. He later also had his own brief Strip club Whiskey-A-Go-Go, the “in” place in oater series in the latter 1930s that included Los Angeles for several years. Their album “Off Hawaiian Buckaroo and Panamint’s Bad Man.

the Wall” has gained respect over the years since Starting out in college bands, Ballew sang and the group disbanded in 1970.

played the banjo in several big orchestras includ-Dreams of Glass (1968) “Well Tuesday”

ing those of Ted Fio Rito, Ben Pollack and Freddie Rich. He also had his own radio show, Shell Chateau. Familiarly known as “Sykes,” he also Smokey Robinson and the Miracles led his own band in which Glenn Miller played Smokey Robinson (William Robinson, Jr., De-trombone.

troit, Michigan, 1940–); Clarence Dawson; Warren “Pete” Moore (bass);

Ronnie White (1938?–1995)

(baritone); James Grice;

Claudette (Rogers) Robin-
son; Bobby Rogers (tenor);

Emerson Rogers (tenor);

Marv Tarplin (guitar)

In the mid–1950s some
of the men who were to be-
come the Miracles began in
a high school group called
the Chimes (later the Mata-
dors). Berry Gordy, the
young Motown entrepre-
neur-to-be, liked their
sound and indeed they be-
came a symbol of the so-
called “Motown sound.”

He renamed them the Mir-
acles, with the addition of

Smith Ballew (tall man at center) in one of his starring westerns (late a female member.

1930s).

The group’s success was

168

Smoky
not the proverbial overnight one; their first hit that era they received credit on the recording for

“Shop Around” did not come for a few years but their contribution.

once going the Miracles never looked back. A Follies Girl (1943)

string of hits followed, including “The Track of My Tears,” “You Really Got a Hold on Me,”

Sonny and Cher

“Going to a Go-Go,” “What’s So Good About Sonny Bono (Salvatore Bono, 1935–1998); Cher Goodbye” and “I’m the One You Need.”

(Cherilyn LaPiere, El Centro, California, 1946–) In the mid–1960s they became Smokey One of the most popular (some might say Robinson and the Miracles and had one of their bizarre) boy-girl teamings in music history were biggest successes with “I Second That Emotion.”

Sonny and Cher, who were originally dubbed

“Tears of a Clown” was the Miracles’ final hit.

Caesar and Cleo. After an uncertain start — and Robinson, a songwriter for many other rock a well-advised name change — they hit the jack-groups as well as a talented singer, embarked on pot with “I Got You Babe.” Sonny, thirty years a solo career in 1972. Among his own composi-old, was a fairly successful songwriter. Cher, who tions were “My Guy” and “The Way You Do the was nineteen, had previously made records under Things You Do.”

the name of Bonnie Jo Mason.

In 1996 he received a Lifetime Achievement Of course it was not only their music-mak-Award from the National Academy of Songwriting but their contrasting personalities, often ers. Smokey Robinson was inducted into the cornball humor, and evolving relationship that Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and re-made the duo famous. Their celebrity was ce-ceived Kennedy Center honors in 2006. The mented by a long-running Emmy-nominated Miracles remained together for a few more years variety show in the early 1970s. They had previ-with “Love Machine” being their best seller dur-ously headlined a poorly-received movie called ing that time. They were inducted into the Vocal Good Times; Cher alone starred in Chastity.

Group Hall of Fame in 2001.

Other Sonny and Cher hits were “The Beat The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

Goes on,” “Little Man” and “Baby, Don’t Go.” By

“That’s What Love Is Made of,” “You Really Got 1974 their always-in-the-limelight marriage was a Hold on Me” and “Mickey’s Monkey”

ending and so their variety show fell by the way-side. They each got their own television shows Smoky Mountain Boys see Roy Acuff...

and thereafter rarely reunited professionally.

Diminutive Sonny Bono went on to a semi-Smoky Mountain Boys and Girls see
successful career as a singer and film actor ( Hair-Roy Acuff...

spray), became the mayor of Palm Springs and then a U.S. congressman. Cher continued her Smoky Mountain Boys, with Rachel successful career as a solo performer, and with an
see Roy Acuff...

unerring flair for publicity managed to stay in the public eye for many years longer while pro-SMU 50
claiming many “final” tours.

see Southern Methodist She made such well-received movies as Come University 50

Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Silkwood, The Witches of Eastwick and Solidaires see Leo Diamond and His Mask and had an acclaimed Oscar-winning role Solidaires
in Moonstruck. She also continued to issue well-received albums.

Song Spinners

Wild on the Beach (1965) “It’s Gonna Rain” *

Good Times (1967) “It’s the Little Things,” “Trust The Song Spinners’ biggest moment in the lime-Me” and several other songs
light came during a musicians’ strike in 1943.

The popular song “You’ll Never Know” was recorded by crooner Dick Haymes without in-Sonny Dunham and His Orchestra
strumentation and the Spinners provided a cap-Sonny Dunham (Elmer Dunham, Brockton, pella background accompaniment. Unusually for Massachusetts, 1911/14–1990)

Sons 169

The New York Yankees are not only a base-It was not long before their singing and yodel-ball team but also the name of Sonny Dunham’s ing attracted radio listeners far and wide. The first, short-lived orchestra in the early 1930s. He Pioneer Trio became the Sons of the Pioneers was originally a trombonist but made his repu-through a radio announcer’s error and as such tation playing the trumpet as a sideman in var-they went to recording and movie fame, first ious bands, particularly Glen Gray’s Casa Loma providing support in many Charles Starrett orchestra.

oaters. The talented Farr brothers, who played His fellow musicians called him the “Man what they termed “cowboy jazz,” became impor-from Mars” because he blew such high notes. In tant additions to the group. “Tumbling Tumble-1940 Dunham established the band that would weeds,” written by Bob Nolan, was the Pioneers’

be his most successful, with its theme song theme song.

“Memories of You.” The group recorded and They began appearing in Roy Rogers films in toured until being disbanded in the early 1950s.

1941 (with Red River Valley) and continued with He thereafter led various bands but his time in him until 1948’s Night Time in Nevada. Foy the limelight had passed.

Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage then Behind the Eight Ball (1942) replaced them. Unlike many other western swing groups who were strictly anonymous background Sons of Adam
in films the Pioneers often had speaking parts.

Bob Nolan sometimes played the second male Michael Stuart-Ware (drums); Mike Port; Randy lead.

Holden; Jack Tanna

Roy Rogers went on to make some ninety The Sons of Adam were a garage band active films and had a popular television show in the in the mid–1960s.

early 1950s with his wife, and frequent leading The Slender Thread (1965)

lady, Dale Evans. As late as the mid–’70s Rogers had a hit record with “Hoppy, Gene and Me”

Sons of the Pioneers; Cliff Lyons and and was inducted into the Country Music Hall the Sons of the Pioneers
of Fame in 1988.

Roy Rogers (Leonard Sly [later Slye], (Cincinnati, In 1979 the Sons of the Pioneers were desig-Ohio, 1911–1998); Bob Nolan (Clarence Nobles, nated a “National Treasure” by the Smithsonian Point Hatfield or Winnipeg, Canada, 1908–1980); Institution and their recordings of “Cool Water”

Tim Spencer (Vernon Spencer, Webb City, Mis-and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” were placed in souri, 1908–1974); Hugh Farr (Thomas Farr, the National Archives. They were also inducted Plano, Texas, 1903–1980); Karl Farr (Rochelle, into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. With Texas, 1909–1961) (lead guitar); Lloyd Perryman new members they have continued performing (Ruth, Arkansas, 1917–1977); Ken Curtis (Cur-into the 21st century.

tis Gates, Colorado, 1916–1991); Pat Brady; Ken The Gallant Defender (1935) * The Old Home-Carson; Tommy Doss; George Fisher; Cliff Lyons stead (1935) * Tumbling Tumbleweeds (1935) *

Without doubt the most famous (if not nec-The Big Show (1936) * The Old Corral (1936) *
essarily the greatest) western swing ensemble, California Mail (1936) * Rhythm on the Range the Sons of the Pioneers were founded during (1936) * Ride, Ranger, Ride (1936) * Song of the the heart of the Great Depression. One of them Saddle (1936) * The Mysterious Avenger (1936) *
was Leonard Sly(e), later to become famous after The Old Barn Dance (1936) * The Old Wyoming his first starring vehicle, 1938’s Under Western Stars.

Trail (1937) * Outlaws Of the Prairie (1937) *

As Roy Rogers he became Republic Studio’s Springtime in the Rockies (1937) * Call of the

“King of the Cowboys.” Previously he had Rockies (1938) * Law of the Plains (1938) * The played small parts in other stars’ westerns under Cattle Raiders (1938) * The Colorado Trail (1938) the name of Dick Weston. He and Bob Nolan

* West of Cheyenne (1938) * West of the Santa Fe had been members of the Rocky Mountaineers (1938) * Rio Grande (1938) * South of Arizona and several other groups before they and Tim (1938) * Riders of the Black River (1939) * West-Spencer got together to form the International ern Caravans (1939) * The Stranger from Texas Cowboys, then the O-Bar-O Cowboys, and (1939) * Texas Stampede (1939) * Spoilers of the finally the Pioneer Trio in Los Angeles in 1933.

Range (1939) * North of the Yukon (1939) * The

170

Sons

Thundering West (1939) * Outpost of the Moun-Skies (1946) * Rainbow Over Texas (1946) * Roll ties (1939) * The Man from Sundown (1939) *
on, Texas Moon (1946) * My Pal Trigger (1946) *

Blazing Six Shooters (1940) * Two-Fisted Rangers Heldorado (1946) * Ding Dong Williams (1946) *

(1940) * The Thundering Frontier (1940) * Bul-Home In Oklahoma (1946) * Home on the Range lets for Rustlers (1940) * West of Abilene (1940) *

(1946) * On the Old Spanish Trail (1947) * Bells The Durango Kid (1940) * Texas Stagecoach of San Angelo (1947) * Springtime in the Sierras (1940) * The Pinto Kid (1941) * Outlaws of the (1947) * Apache Rose (1947) * The Hit Parade of Panhandle (1941) * Red River Valley (1941) * Ro-1947 (1947) * The Gay Ranchero (1948) * Melody mance on the Range (1942) * Ridin’ Down the Time (1948) (voices only) * Under California Canyon (1942) * The Man from Cheyenne (1942) Stars (1948) * Night Time in Nevada (1948) * Eyes

* Heart of the Golden West (1942) * Call of the of Texas (1948) * Rio Grande (1950) * Wagonmas-Canyon (1942) * South of Santa Fe (1942) * Sons ter (1950) * Everybody’s Dancin’ (1950) * The of the Pioneers (1942) * Sunset on the Desert (1942) Fighting Coast Guard (1951)

* Sunset Serenade (1942) * Silver Spurs (1943) *

The Man from Music Mountain (1943) * Idaho Sons of the Sage see Smith Ballew (1943) * Song of Texas (1943) * King of the Cow-and the Sons of the Sage
boys (1943) * San Fernando Valley (1944) * Yellow Rose of Texas (1944) * Hands Across the Border (1944) * The Cowboy and the Senorita (1944) *

Sooter, Rudy see Rudy Sooter and Lights of Old Santa Fe (1944) * Song of Nevada His Californians

(1944) * Hollywood Canteen (1944) * Sunset in El Dorado (1945) * The Man from Oklahoma (1945) Southern Methodist University 50

* Don’t Fence Me In (1945) * Along the Navajo The “50” was a college choir.

Trail (1945) * Utah (1945) * Bells of Rosarita The Big Show (1936)

(1945) * Song of Arizona (1946) * Under Nevada Spade Cooley and His

Orchestra

Spade Cooley (Donnell Cooley, Pack Saddle or Grand, Oklahoma, 1910–

1969)

Originally trained as a classical cel-list and violinist, Spade Cooley played fiddle in western bands from 1934
and formed his own western swing
ensemble in 1941. He was eventually dubbed (perhaps by himself ) the

“King of Western Swing.” His nick-
name of “Spade” supposedly came
about because of an extended run of spades he once held in a poker game.

Cooley appeared in films both
with and without his band, includ-
ing three minor starring westerns in 1950 ( Border Outlaws, The Silver Bandit, The Kid from Gower Gulch).

At the time of his death he was on leave from prison where he had been incarcerated for murdering his wife in 1961. In fact he is the only known convicted killer who has a star on The Sons of the Pioneers.

Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Spooky 171

In 1946 Spade Cooley starred on what was board, cowbells, foghorns, pistol shots, bird calls, supposedly the first television show to feature belches, barking dogs and even a toilet seat ballroom dancing. He also had a television west-

(dubbed the “latrinophone”).

ern variety show from 1948 to ’56. At one time The public responded enthusiastically to he had been Roy Rogers’ stand-in.

Jones’ eccentric music-making and earned him Chatterbox (1943) * The Singing Sheriff (1944) several number one records in the 1940s, includ-

* Senorita from the West (1945) * Rockin’ in the ing “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Rockies (1945) * Vacation Days (1947) * Square Teeth.” Among other popular songs were “The Dance Jubilee (1949)

Sheik of Araby” and “Dance of the Hours.” He always prefaced his (mis)playing of such classics Specht, Paul see Paul Specht and His as “The William Tell Overture” and “Liebe-Orchestra
straum” by gravely intoning, “Thank you, music lovers.”

Spencer Davis Group

Besides his extreme gauntness, Spike Jones was possessed of an angular face, red hair and a Spencer Davis (Swansea, Wales, 1939–) (guitar); wardrobe usually consisting of garish, tight-Muff Winwood (bassist); Steve Winwood (vo-fitting checked suits. This made him a natural cals); Pete York (drums)

for character roles in films besides those in which Founded in the heady days just before the the City Slickers appeared. The orchestra also British Invasion, the Spencer Davis Group had had long-running radio and television shows.

U. S. hits in the mid–’60s like “Gimme Some Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) * Meet the Peo-Lovin’” and “I’m a Man.” They also did record-ple (1944) * Bring on the Girls (1945) * Breakfast ings in German.

in Hollywood (1946) * Ladies Man (1947) * Va-The popularity of the Group diminished after riety Girl (1947) * Fireman, Save My Child (1954) the Winwood brothers left to play with the band Traffic, but Spencer Davis soldiered on. He continued to release albums periodically and found Spirit
renewed success in the 1980s and beyond with The Model Shop (1969) “Nothing to Do and Lit-new ensembles.

tle to Say”

Pop Gear (1965) [documentary] “My Babe” *

Go Go Mania (1965) * The Ghost Goes Gear Spitalny, Phil see Phil Spitalny and His (1966) * Here We Go ’Round the Mulberry Bush Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra, (1968)

Featuring Evelyn and Her Magic Violin Spike Jones and the City Slickers; Spike Jones and His Orchestra

Spivak, Charlie see Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra

Spike Jones (Lindley Jones, Long Beach, California, 1911–1965)

Supposedly earning his nickname because he Spooky Tooth
was as thin as a railroad spike, the bandleader Mike Harrison (Carlisle, England, 1942–) (key-Spike Jones carved a unique place for himself as board); Greg Ridley (Alfred Ridley, England, a master of cacophony. He played in several or-1942–2003) (bassist); Luther Grosvenor (Ever-chestras, and was a studio drummer, before es-sham, England, 1946–) (guitar); Mike Kellie tablishing the City Slickers which gained a rep-

(Birmingham, England, 1945–) (drums); Gary utation for “murdering” classic melodies.

Wright (Creskill, New Jersey, 1943–) (organ) It was no classic that first brought Jones to The British rock band Spooky Tooth flour-prominence but a ditty entitled “Der Fuhrer’s ished from 1967 to the mid–1970s. Among their Face,” originally from a Disney cartoon, which more successful recordings were “Society’s Child”

accomplished the feat. A follow-up, “Cocktails and “Here I Lived So Well,” but “You Broke My for Two,” became his signature song. The Slick-Heart So I Busted Your Jaw” has to be the most ers’ recordings, including “Chloe,” contained memorable. They reunited in the late 1990s.

many of their trademark “instruments”: a wash-Groupies (1970) [documentary]

172

Sportsmen

Sportsmen; Sportsmen Quartet
band Paul Weston she established a fictional John Rarig (baritone); Thurl Ravenscroft; Gur-comic duo called Darlene and Jonathan Ed-ney Bell (Los Angeles, California, 1912–1976) wards, one of their albums winning an Emmy.

The singing group the Sportsmen, formed in Avenging Waters (1936) * The Old Barn Dance the late 1930s, were regulars on Jack Benny’s (1938) * Gold Mine in the Sky (1938) * Babes on radio and television shows.

Broadway (1942) * Girl Crazy (1943) Puddin’ Head (1941) * Lost Canyon (1942) *

Here Comes Elmer (1943) * O, My Darling Clemen-Stamps
tine (1943) * Moon Over Las Vegas (1944) * Week-V. O. Stamps; Ed Enoch
end Pass (1944) * Feudin’, Fussin’ and a-Fightin’

Among Elvis Presley’s most favored gospel (1948) * Make Believe Ballroom (1949) * Footlight groups was the Stamps quartet. Having been Varieties (1950) * Walking My Baby Back Home professionally active since 1924 they are one of the (1952) * Paris Follies of 1956 (1955) longest-surviving white gospel ensembles. “Give the World a Smile” was one of their first major Spriggins, Deuce see Deuce Spriggins record successes.

and His Band

They began appearing with Presley in 1971
and often backed him at his live performances and on records. They have also sung with lumi-Stabile, Dick see Dick Stabile and naries like Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson and His Band

Ricky Skaggs.

The Stamps continue to make music to this Stafford, Jesse see Jesse Stafford and day, touring throughout the world in major venues and garnering Grammy nominations and His Orchestra
numerous awards. They were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

Stafford Quartet; Stafford Sisters; Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-Stafford Trio
mentary] * Elvis on Tour (1972) [documentary]

Jo Stafford (Coalinga, California, 1917–2008); Christine Stafford (Gainesboro, Tennessee, 1903?–

Stan Kenton and His Orchestra

1990); Pauline Stafford (d. 1988); Vivian Ed-Stan Kenton (Wichita, Kansas, 1911/12–1979) wards; Mary Mahoney; Judy Matson; Dorothy Pianist Stan Kenton formed his own ensem-Wilkerson
ble about 1941 after playing in other orchestras The Stafford Sisters made their debut on radio (e.g., Gus Arnheim, Johnny “Scat” Davis) for in 1935 but as an ensemble they were not des-many years. Almost from the first he distin-tined to endure for very long. Pauline and Chris-guished himself with his super-sized groups and tine left the group for marriage and the one who their somewhat unconventional music. (At 6' 6"

was to be the most famous, Jo, joined the Pied in height he was also super-sized!) “Artistry in Pipers in the mid–1940s. While the sisters were Rhythm” was his evocative and prescient theme in films they performed some comedy singing, in song and the band’s descriptive name.

one picture playing the sour-voiced “Levinsky In the era of the sweet big bands his groups Trio.”

sometimes played Afro-Cuban rhythms with a Jo Stafford went on to a distinguished solo ca-variety of percussive instruments. Later, often reer and a reputation as one of the 20th century’s composing his own music, Kenton experimented greatest chanteuses with such smash records as with different sounds and sometimes pure disso-

“My Happiness,” “Shrimp Boats,” “Jambalaya,”

nance. For two years running in the late ’40s his

“Temptation” and especially “You Belong To was declared Band of the Year.

Me.” She was supposedly the first female singer As the 1940s drew to a close Kenton had to sell 25 million records.

formed his Innovations in Modern Music or-Stafford also had another string to her bow chestra that contained more than forty players and was a successful comedienne under the un-

(later drastically reduced in size). His choice of likely rubric of Cornelia C. Stump. With hus-music continued to be eclectic and unconven-

Statesmen 173
tional for its time, but he eventually came to be Around” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” *
best known for his progressive jazz stylings.

Soul To Soul (1971) [documentary] “When Will Following his New Concepts in Rhythm and We Be Paid?” and “Are You Sure?” * Wattstax New Era in Modern Music Orchestras, Stan Ken-

(1973) [documentary]

ton’s last great ensemble was his Mellophonium band of the 1960s. Increasingly, he turned to music Stardusters
education in high school and colleges and thereby June Hutton (Chicago, Illinois, 1920–1973); influenced a new generation of musicians with his Glenn Calyon; Curt Purnell; Dick Wylder own passion for innovation. His will specified The most famous member of the Stardusters that no band use his name after his death.

vocal group was undoubtedly its only female Talk About a Lady (1946)

member, chanteuse June Hutton. She was related to the showy bandleader Ina Ray Hutton Standells

(her half-sister).

Larry Tamblyn (vocals); Tony Valentino; Gary The Stardusters were the quartet attached to Lane (bassist); Gary Leeds (drums); Dick Dodd Charlie Spivak’s orchestra and had a couple of (vocals)

record hits with “This Is No Laughing Matter”

Believe it or not, the Standells who came to-and “Brother Bill.” When Jo Stafford departed gether in 1962 were named thusly for all the from the Pied Pipers in 1944, Hutton replaced times they were standing around waiting for her and eventually went on to a solo career until work! Eventually they stopped standing and the mid–1950s.

started working in local Los Angeles clubs, occa-Slightly Terrific (1944) * Trocadero (1944) sionally on television, and making recordings.

They finally hit the big time with the song Starlighters

“Dirty Water” and the more modest successes The Starlighters was a vocal group.

“Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White” and Fun and Fancy Free (voices only?) (1947) * It

“Why Pick on Me?” They disbanded in the early Happened in Brooklyn * (1947) * Song of Idaho 1970s, except for a couple of reunion gigs, but (1948)

today are credited with having been one of the first garage (punk) bands. Their songs were Starliters see Joey Dee and the sometimes banned on radio for being obscene.

Starliters

Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) “The Swim”

and “Bony Maronie” * Riot on Sunset Strip (1967) Statesmen; Statesmen Quartet; Hovie

“Riot on Sunset Strip” and “Get Away from Here”

Lister and the Statesmen Quartet Mosie Lister (lead vocals); Hovie Lister (d. 2001) Staple Singers

(piano); Gordon Hill (bass); Jake Hess; A.D.

Roebuck “Pop” Staples (Winona, Missouri, 1915–

Soward; Jim Wetherington (d. 1973) (bass); 2000); Mavis Staples (contralto); Cleotha Sta-Denver Crumpler (d. 1957) (tenor); Doy Ott ples; Pervis Staples; Yvonne Staples (baritone)

A gospel, rhythm-and-blues and soul group, A Southern gospel group, the Statesmen was the Staple Singers were composed of a father and formed by Hovie Lister in 1948. Although he eventually four of his children. They were active was a Baptist minister his frantic piano-playing from 1951 but did not achieve much renown style was a precursor of such showmen as Jerry until the latter ’60s. Among their hits from that Lee Lewis.

era were “I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Your-The Statesmen influenced many who followed self,” “Uncloudy Day,” and “Let’s Do It Again.”

them, including Elvis Presley. They are still ac-The Staples also released several albums and in tive in the new century and are considered to the 1960s expanded into rhythm-and-blues. They have been one the premier gospel groups. Among toured abroad extensively with the Bee Gees and their more than 100 recordings are “Get Away others. Their last charted song came in 1985.

Jordan” and “Happy Rhythm.”

Festival (1967) [documentary] “Up Above My Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-Head,” “I Ain’t Gonna Let No One Turn Me mentary]

174

Statler

Statler Brothers

Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine.” They Don Reid (Staunton, Virginia, 1945–) (lead vo-were also the first to record “I Went to Your Wed-cals); Harold Reid (Staunton, Virginia, 1939–) ding,” later covered and popularized by Patti Page.

(bass); Phil Balsley (Staunton, Virginia, 1939–) The Red Caps continued to tour and record (baritone); Lew DeWitt (1938–1990) (tenor); pop and rhythm-and-blues tunes into the 1950s, Jimmy Fortune (tenor)

and were by then known as Steve Gibson and The Statler Brothers are neither named Statler the Original Red Caps. They added girl singer nor are all of them brothers; in fact they claimed Damita Jo to their lineup and played clubs to be named after a brand of facial tissues! (They throughout the country before their long run were initially called the Kingsmen at their forma-finally came to an end in 1961.

tion in 1955, a name later made famous by a folk Son of Inagi (1940) * Mystery in Swing (1940) music group.) Whatever the true origin of their

* Murder with Music (1941) * Mantan Messes Up name, they were a highly-regarded country music (1946) * Excess Baggage (1949) * Destination Mur-

(tinged with gospel) ensemble who won several der (1950)

Grammys and numerous other honors and awards.

The Statlers had more than forty albums to their Steve Miller Band
credit, some having gone double and triple plat-Steve Miller (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1943–), inum, including a couple of comedy albums. Their James Cook (guitar); Tim Davis (drums); Lon-hit singles are less numerous, being composed of nie Turner (bassist); Jim Peterman (keyboard);

“Flowers on the Wall,” “Class of ’57,” “Don’t Wait Boz Scaggs
on Me” and “Bed of Roses.” They presumably The Marksmen was the name of Steve Miller’s have sold more than 15 million records.

first band, formed in 1955 when he was twelve.

With their admixture of songs and comedy That was followed by the Ardells, the World War the Brothers also had a popular variety show on Three Band and the Miller-Goldberg Blues television prior to announcing their retirement in Band. He was nothing if not persistent and it 2002. In their early days, they toured extensively paid off with an appearance on the television with Johnny Cash.

show Hullabaloo.

That Tennessee Beat (1966) With that exposure Miller migrated to San Francisco during the height of the hippie era and Steve Gibson’s Red Caps
the “Summer of Love” days. It was there he assembled his Steve Miller Blues Band, later short-Jimmy Springs (lead tenor/drums); David Patillo ened to the Steve Miller Band. By 1967 they were (2nd tenor/bassist); Richard Davis (baritone/
headliners at local clubs; eventually they were to piano); Steve Gibson (bass/guitar); Beryl Booker tour the world with sellout performances every-

(piano); Doles Dickens; Romaine Brown; Damita where.

Jo; Emmett Mathews (tenor/saxophone) The Miller Band also had a lucrative record Steve Gibson’s Red Caps featured instrumen-contract that led to several multimillion-selling tals and comedy as well as vocals. About 1940
gold and platinum albums, one of which went an they came together from several other groups amazing thirteen-times platinum. Their land-that had been active in the Los Angeles area in the mark single was “The Joker.” The band was still 1930s. Originally called the Four Toppers (al-going strong and remains a highly-influential though there were sometimes more than four music group well into the 21st Century.

members) they renamed themselves the Red Revolution (1968) [documentary] “Your Old Caps (traditionally, railway porters) about 1943.

Lady”

This name was apparently assumed so it would be understood they were a Black group and perhaps be compared to the popular Ink Stevens Sisters

Spots. They turned out numerous recordings Cecile Stevens; Leonetti Stevens; Charmaine and soon came up with the hit “I Learned a Les-Stevens
son I’ll Never Forget.”

The Steven Sisters were young singers and Later successes in the 1940s were “Blueberry dancers.

Hill,” “Boogie Ball” and “Wedding Bells Are Broken Strings (1940) “Kentucky Babe”

Sunshine 175

Stewart, Cecil see Cecil Stewart and Strawberry Alarm Clock

His Royal Rogues

Ed King (lead guitar); Lee Freeman (rhythm guitar); Gary Lovetro (bassist); Mark Weitz (organ); Stewart, Slam see Slim and Slam Randy Seol (drums); George Bunnell (bassist)

“Incense and Peppermints” was the title of Strawberry Alarm Clock’s biggest hit, a song Stokowski, Leopold see Leopold Sto-redolent of the psychedelic music era. Interest-kowski and His Symphony Orchestra ingly, it was vocalized by a sixteen year old, Greg Munford, who was not even a member of the Stone Country
band. It was sung in both their films, one of which is now the uber-cult movie Beyond the Steve Young (guitar); Don Beck; Denny Con-Valley of the Dolls.

way

The Alarm Clock released a couple of albums A short-lived band, Stone Country was in the late 1960s and had one or two minor hits formed in 1967 and by 1969 was already kaput.

but never again had a success like their million In that time the group released but a single, self-seller. They toured and were briefly considered titled, album.

one of the top rock bands before disbanding in Skidoo! (1968)

1971. Several members regrouped in the ’80s for what were already considered “oldies” tours.

Stonemans

Psych-Out (1967) “Incense and Peppermints,”

Ernest Stoneman (Monarat, Virginia, 1893–

“Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow” and “The Pretty 1968); Roni Stoneman; Van Stoneman; Jimmy Song from Psych-Out” * Beyond the Valley of the Stoneman; Donna Stoneman

Dolls (1970) “A Girl from the City,” “I’m Com-There could potentially have been a whole lot ing Home” and “Incense and Peppermints”

of Stonemans because father Ernest and his wife Hattie had fourteen children. (In practice they Stream of Consciousness
broke up into separate groups.) A master of the Hells Angels ’69 (1969)

autoharp, harmonica and Jew’s harp, the patriarch had a very successful recording of “The Sunkissed Brown Skin Chorus

Sinking of the Titanic” in 1924. During the re-mainder of that decade he recorded some 200

[unknown]

songs, but not always under his own name.

Sunday Sinners (1941)

By 1930 Stoneman had begun to include other members of his family in the act, thus making Sunset Riders see Art West and His them one of the longest continuously-perform-Sunset Riders
ing country-western acts ever (along with the Carter Family). They have appeared much on radio and television, on which they had their Sunshine Band see Jimmie Davis and own show, and have won awards as the best vocal His Sunshine Band
group.

The Road to Nashville (1966) * Hell on Wheels Sunshine Boys; Sunshine Boys and (1967)

Girls

Andy Parker (1913–1977); George Bamby (ac-Stop, Look and Listen Trio [unknown]

cordion); Paul Smith; Earl Murphey; Charlie Swing It Soldier (1941) * Babes on Broadway Morgan; Ed Wallace (accordion/piano); Fred (1942)

Daniel; Ace Richman (bassist); J. D. Sumner; A. L. Smith (guitar); J. O. Smith (fiddle) One of the western swing bands that appeared Strangers
in films with oater stars Eddie Dean and Charles From Nashville with Music (1969) * Killers Three Starrett in the 1940s and early ’50s were the Sun-

(1969)

shine Boys. They later played with a minor

176

Sunshine
singer by the name of Elvis Presley. The group Sunshine Serenaders
had begun its life in 1938 as the Red River Louisiana (1947) “All Aboard for Louisiana”

Rangers.

As the Rangers they sang on the radio as a western group, and were known as the Sunshine Supremes

Boys when they sang gospel tunes. Simultane-Diana Ross (Diane Ross, Detroit, Michigan, ously they became yet another incarnation of the 1944–); Florence Ballard (1943–1976); Mary western band the Light Crust Doughboys, so Wilson (1944–); Cindy Birdsong; Jean Terrell performed under three different names at the If the hit 1981 Broadway show and subsequent same time. They combined with the Sunshine 2006 film Dreamgirls is to be believed, the lives Girls for one film, Song of Idaho.

of girl singers are replete with triumph and Driftin’ River (1946) * Stars Over Texas (1946) tragedy. In the case of the real-life Supremes, on

* Tumbleweed Trail (1946) * Range Beyond the whom the show is based, there probably is more Blue (1947) * West to Glory (1947) * Wild Coun-than a dollop of truth in that belief.

try (1947) * West of Sonora (1948) * Song of Idaho In 1959 the Primettes was formed by Florence (1948) * Challenge of the Range (1949) * Quick Ballard and Mary Wilson, both fifteen at the on the Trigger (1949) * Prairie Roundup (1951) *
time. Three other girls were soon added, includ-Junction City (1952)

ing Diane (later Diana) Ross. Two dropped out, relegating them to obscurity and the rest of the Sunshine Company
group to rock history. But that was in the future; at first they had to be content to sing at Maury Manseau (keyboard); Larry Sims (gui-local clubs and talent shows.

tar); Mary Nance (vocals); Merle Brigante (drums) Nineteen sixty-one was the year of their sign-Starting out as a folk singing group in the ing by Motown boss Berry Gordy and the mid–1960s, the Sunshine Company ventured change of name to the Supremes. Their break-into pop-rock, something that may have blurred through came with “Where Did Our Love Go?”

their identity in the long run. Their recordings in 1964. From then on it was one hit after an-included many covers of previously-released ma-other — twelve number one records in all — that terial rather than original songs.

included “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,”

Among their best-remembered recordings are

“Back in My Arms Again,” “Stop! In the Name

“Look, Here Comes the Sun” and “Back on the of Love,” “The Happening,” “You Can’t Hurry Street Again.” Whatever the reasons for their fail-Love,” “I Hear a Symphony,” “My World Is ure to find breakout success, they were consid-Empty Without You” and “Love Is Here and ered a very talented ensemble and were the open-Now You’re Gone.”

ing act for Jefferson Airplane on one tour. The Florence Ballard was considered by many to Sunshine Company disbanded in 1970.

have the best voice but Diana Ross was given the For Singles Only (1968)

lead vocals and by 1967 the group had been renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes. Ballard, Sunshine Girls
volubly discontent, was fired and replaced by June Wiedner; Colleen Summers (later Mary Cindy Birdsong. It is this upheaval that the fa-Ford) (Pasadena, California, 1921–1977); Vivian mous Dreamgirls anthem “And I Tell You I’m Earls; Marilyn Myers

Not Going” memorializes.

The Sunshine Girls appeared in Jimmy The reconstituted Supremes gave their final Wakely westerns and were known for their strong concert in 1970 and Diana Ross embarked on a harmony. The guitar playing was furnished by very successful solo career that included such Colleen Summers, who later went on to become movies as Lady Sings the Blues, The Wiz and Mathe Mary Ford of Les Paul and Mary Ford fame.

hogany. These were expensive “A” pictures that In the latter 1940s they apparently combined were far different from the rock-and-roll quick-with the Sunshine Boys to appear in Song of ies in which the young Supremes had appeared.

Idaho billed as the Sunshine Boys and Girls.

Among her singles were “Do You Know Where I’m from Arkansas (1944) * Song of the Range You’re Going to” and “Ain’t No Mountain High (1944) * The Lonesome Trail (1945) Enough.”

Sweet 177

The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) [documentary]

“Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Indeed, the Swan

“Run Run Run,” “Baby Love” and other songs Silvertones were an inspiration to many artists

* Beach Ball (1965) “Come on to the Beach Ball both before and after initially disbanding in the with Me” and “Surfer Boy” * American Music —
mid–1960s. They ultimately continued on in one from Folk to Jazz to Pop (1967) [documentary]

form or another into the 1980s and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.

Surfaris

Festival (1967) [documentary]

Ron Wilson (1944–1989) (drums); Jim Fuller (guitar); Bob Berryhill (guitar); Pat Connolly Swanee River Boys

(bass); Jim Pash (1949?–2005) (saxophone) Buford Abner (Alabama, 1917–) (lead singer); There are perhaps a few iconic recordings of Merle Abner (Alabama, 1913–) (bass); George surfing music, but surely the Surfaris’ instrumen-Hughes (Texarkana, Arkansas, 1911–) (tenor); tal “Wipe Out” is very high, if not first, on the list.

Billy Carrier (Arthur, Kentucky, 1913–) (bari-The Southern California band was formed in 1962
tone/guitar)

and had a moderate success with “Surfer Joe.”

A white harmony group that sang in the style On the “B” side was “Wipe Out” with its rol-of such Black groups as the Mills Brothers, the licking guitar sound and only two spoken Swanee River Boys were originally known as the words — the title — preceded by a raucous laugh.

Vaughn Four. They performed on the radio from It is often heard as background on commercials about 1938 until the onset of World War II and movie sound tracks. The Surfaris had dis-caused them to disband.

banded by 1966 but reunited from time to time The Boys reunited in the postwar period to and were still performing into the 21st century.

sing again on radio and recordings. Among their One Man’s Challenge (1962) “Surf Bash”

gospel-tinged songs were “He Lifted Me from Sin,” “I Have Desire” and “Was He Quiet or Did Surftones

He Cry?”

Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake (1966) [docu-The Surftones were a Florida-based band.

mentary]

Hell’s Playground (1967?)

Swan Silvertones

Swanee Swingsters

Active from the 1930s, the Swanee Swingsters Claude Jeter (lead tenor/falsetto); Eddie Bor-recorded such tunes as “Slappin’ the Bass” and oughas; John Myles (baritone); Paul Owens

“Take It Easy.”

(tenor); Leroy Watkins; Solomon Womack; John Swanee Showboat (1947)

Manson; Robert Crutcher; William Connor (bass); Robert Crenshaw

Sweet Gum Sisters and Brothers

Formed in the coal country of West Virginia

[unknown]

in the late 1930s, the a cappella ensemble the Swan Silvertones were popular gospel singers in Moonshine Mountain (1964)

the 1940s and ’50s. Originally dubbed the Four Harmony Kings, the group changed its name to Sweet Inspirations
the very apt Silvertone Singers and later added Dionne Warwick (Marie Warrick, East Orange, the “Swan” for the name of their radio program New Jersey, 1940–); Dee Dee Warwick (Delia sponsor the Swan Bakeries.

Warrick, Newark, New Jersey, 1945–2008); National popularity first came in the late Emily Houston; Lee Warwick; Doris Troy; 1940s when the Silvertones released several Sylvia Shemwell; Myrna Smith; Estelle Brown gospel recordings that included “I Cried Holy”

As their name might imply the Sweet Inspira-and “Go Ahead.” During the following decade tions specialized in soul music. The original they added instrumentation to the ensemble and members of the ensemble had come from two added more hits as well, the most memorable other soul groups in the 1960s, the Drinkard being “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep.”

Singers and the Gospelaires. Two of them were It was the latter song’s lyric “I’ll be a bridge over the mothers of the future singing stars Dionne deep water” that supposedly inspired Paul Simon’s Warwick and Whitney Houston.

178

Swingin’

They gained considerable cachet as back-up The Tailor-Maids were a vocal group.

singers to such artists as the Drifters, Wilson So’s Your Uncle (1943) * Down Missouri Way Pickett, Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, but (1944) * Cowboy Canteen (1944) the Inspirations were anxious to record on their own. They first did so in 1967 after some of their Tams
number had departed, most notably Dionne Joseph Pope (Atlanta, Georgia, 1933–1996) (lead Warwick who had gone on to a notable solo ca-vocals); Charles Pope (Atlanta, Georgia, 1936–); reer.

Robert Lee Smith (1936–); Horace Key (Atlanta, Among the Sweet Inspirations’ singles were Georgia, 1936–); Floyd Ashton

“Why Am I Treated So Bad,” “To Love Some-Named for the colorful tam o’shanters they body,” one of their biggest hits “Sweet Inspira-wore while performing, the Tams were formed in tion” and “Gotta Find Me a Brand New Lover.”

the late ’40s or early 1950s. It was quite a while, By the mid–1970s the group had begun to break eight years or so, until they had their first record up but periodically reunited into the 1990s.

hit “Untie Me” but it was “What Kind of Fool Emily Houston, who recorded into the 1990s, (Do You Think I Am?”) that put them high on was awarded a special Grammy.

the charts.

This Is Elvis — the Concert (1970) [documen-Although a Southern-based group they tary] * Elvis —That’s the Way It Is (1970) [docu-seemed to have had their greatest success in En-mentary] * Elvis on Tour (1972) [documentary]

gland where some of their recordings reached high on British pop charts. Among them were Swingin’ Medallions

“Hey Girl, Don’t Bother Me,” “Be Young, Be Charlie Webber (trumpet); Steve Caldwell (sax-Foolish, Be Happy” and “There Ain’t Nothing ophone); Jimmy Perkins (saxophone/bass gui-Like Shaggin’,” referring to the Shag a popular tar); John McElrath (keyboard); Carroll Bledsoe dance craze in the U.K. in the late 1980s.

(trumpet); Jim Doares (guitar); Brent Fortson Weekend Rebellion (1970)

(saxophone/flute); Joe Morris (drums) A South Carolina–based band, the Swingin’

Tarriers

Medallions had the record hit “Double Shot (of Alan Arkin (New York, New York, 1934–); Bob My Baby’s Love”) but little else that excited the Carey; Erik Darling; Carl Carlton
pop charts. Formed in the early 1960s, they Supposedly the first folk group to have a hit toured college campuses before their million-record on the Billboard pop chart with 1956’s seller in 1966. Other records included “She Dri-

“The Banana Boat Song,” the Tarriers were ves Me Out of My Mind” and “Hey, Hey, Baby.”

briefly in the midst of the folk music revival that With numerous personnel changes, they are still the Weavers began. Bob Carey and Erik Dar-touring to the present time.

ling, members of the defunct Tunetellers, formed Weekend Rebellion (1970) [documentary]

the Tarriers as a quartet. The name was derived from the (presumably) Irish folksong “Drill, Ye Swing Wing see Milton Delugg and Tarriers, Drill.”

His Swing Wing

The group had become a trio when Carl Carlton left and they made their first impression as Swinging Cavemen see Paul Lavert back-up singers on the hit record “Cindy, Oh and His Swinging Cavemen

Cindy.” Their own hit song soon followed.

However, Alan Arkin decided to pursue an act-Sylte Sisters
ing career and did become a much-lauded, Oscar-winning film (Best Supporting Actor in The Sylte Sisters were singers.

Little Miss Sunshine in 2007) and Broadway Madison Avenue (1962)

actor.

Erik Darling replaced Pete Seeger with the Tailor-Maids

Weavers and then founded the Rooftop Singers Joline Westbrook; Marilyn Myers; Marian Bar-who scored the number one hit “Walk Right in.”

tel

With all new members, the Tarriers soldiered on

Ted 179
into the 1960s but could be said to finally have when a record producer heard an old demo they been a casualty of the British Invasion.

had made and recalled them to life. The song Calypso Heat Wave (1957)

“Don’t Pull Your Love” became another hit for them as was “Fallin’ in Love.” By the 1970s suc-Taylor and Sinclair
cess was once again eluding them and they dis-Taylor and Sinclair were xylophonists.

banded about 1980, this time apparently for keeps.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) Nightmare in Wax (1969) “Look for the Rainbow”

Taylor Twins [unknown]

Hollywood Bound (1946) †

Teagarden, Jack see Jack Teagarden

†This film is a compilation of three Betty and His Orchestra

Grable musical shorts made in the 1930s. The Twins appeared in 1934’s Ferry-Go-Round.

Ted Dahl and His Orchestra

T-Bones

Girl o’ My Dreams (1934)

Dan Hamilton (1946?–1994) (vocals/guitar); Joe Carollo (bassist); Tommy Reynolds (multi-inTed Dawson and Orchestra
struments); George Dee (Arnold Rosenthal) High Hat (1937)

(bassist); Richard Torres (keyboard/saxophone); Gene Pello (drums)

The rollicking instrumental “No Matter What Ted Fio Rito and His Band

Shape (Your Stomach’s in”) was originally the Ted Fio Rito (originally Fiorito), Newark, New theme of an Alka-Seltzer commercial and was Jersey, 1900–1971)

also a big hit for the T-Bones. It was a short-A pianist and organist, bandleader Ted Fio lived group, forming in 1965 and disbanding Rito was also a prolific songwriter who collabo-about two years later when its latest album failed rated on “Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye,” one to impress.

of Al Jolson’s standards, as well as over 100

The group was revived a couple of years later others. Among them were “Now That You’re Gone” and “Laugh Clown Laugh.” He also had many recording hits with such ditties as “My Little Grass Shack” and “I’ll String Along with You.”

Fio Rito’s sweet band, which was based at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub, had its peak popularity in the 1930s when he had such future movie stars as Betty Grable and June Haver as his vocalists. The group was also a regular on the Hollywood Hotel radio show.

Their theme song, no doubt meant to be in harmony with “Fio Rito,” was “Rio Rita.”

In the early days the band was known for its showy arrangements, including whistling and tricky rhythms. In later years Ted Fio Rito led smaller combos that performed in places like Las Vegas.

The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (1933) * Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934) * Young and Beautiful (1934) * Broadway Gondolier (1935) * Rhythm Parade (1942) * King of the Cowboys (1943) * Silver Skates (1943) * Melody Parade (1943) * Reveille Ted Fio Rito.

with Beverly (1943) * Out of This World (1945)

180

Ted

Ted Lewis and His Orchestra
and opera singer James Melton. Although he was Ted Lewis (Theodore Friedman, Circleville, not a bad instrumentalist he did not play with his Ohio, 1890/92–1971)

orchestra.

A veteran of vaudeville and a bandleader from Ted Weems’ most famous vocalist was un-about 1910, Ted Lewis was famous for his tagline doubtedly silky-voiced Perry Como who joined

“Is e-e-everybody happy?” and the battered top him in 1936. Another was actress-to-be Marvell hat that he wore (and rolled down his arm) for (later Marilyn) Maxwell. When Weems joined decades. He was dubbed the “High-Hatted the service during World War II the orchestra Tragedian of Jazz.”

disbanded, but it was eventually re-established A clarinet player but not a great musician, and continued playing into the 1950s.

Lewis led what was probably one of the most Swing Sister Swing (1938) * Hat Check Honey popular bands of the 1920s and into the ’30s. It (1943)

was jazz-oriented and featured such up-and-comers as Jimmy Dorsey, Fats Waller, Jack Tea-Teddy Buckner and His All-Stars; garden and Benny Goodman. The orchestra’s Buckner All-Stars
recording of “Tiger Rag” sold in the millions and Teddy Buckner ( John Edward Buckner, Sher-they performed in clubs and Broadway shows.

man, Texas, 1909–1994)

The band was winding down by the 1950s but Resembling and emulating Louis Armstrong, even after that was seen on television and in Las and even once his movie stand-in, trumpeter Vegas for another decade or so. Ted Lewis him-Teddy Buckner and his Dixieland band were ac-self was primarily a showman who talk-sang tive during World War II. Some forty years later songs like “Me and My Shadow” (a Black young-they were still playing — at Disneyland.

ster generally “played” the shadow), “On the Buckner had begun his professional life in the Sunny Side of the Street” and “When My Baby

’30s with Kid Ory, Benny Carter and Lionel Smiles at Me,” his theme song.

Hampton. He also played with bands in Mexico As part of his act Lewis often waxed senti-and China. Considered an excellent, and possi-mental about his life. It was strictly cornball, but bly even a great musician, he was also one who apparently what audiences supported in those rarely strayed from tried-and-true musical stylings.

days. His tagline was used as the title for no less Pete Kelly’s Blues (1955) * Hush, Hush Sweet than three films, including a musical short.

Charlotte (1964)

Is Everybody Happy? (1929) * The Show of Shows (1929) * Here Comes the Band (1935) *

Teddy Powell and His Orchestra

Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937) * Hold That Ghost (1941) * Is Everybody Happy? (1943) * Fol-Teddy Powell (Teodoro Paolella, Oakland, Callow the Boys (1944)

ifornia, 1905/06–1993)

Supposedly forming his first band at the age of fifteen, for a short time in the late 1930s Teddy Ted Weems and His Orchestra

Powell led one of the top jazz bands. A violinist, Ted Weems (Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, 1901–1963) banjo and guitar player, he had previously been Violinist/trombonist Ted Weems founded his with Abe Lyman’s orchestra among others. Al-band in 1923 while still a college student. From though it made no recordings after 1942 the the mid–1920s to the early ’30s they were pri-band managed to keep going for a couple of marily a Chicago-based organization appearing years more before disbanding. Its theme song in ballrooms and hotels. The ensemble’s theme had been “Sans Culottes.”

song was “Out Of the Night,” but they found Teddy Powell wrote songs including “Bewil-greater success with “Piccolo Pete” and especially dered” and “If My Heart Could Only Talk” and the standard “Heartaches” which featured a con-had his own music publishing business. He considerable amount of whistling.

tinued to lead regional bands into the 1950s but Beginning on big-time radio with Jack Benny, never regained the brief hour of fame during Weems continued to establish his reputation which his had been considered one of the finest while working with other luminaries such as the ensembles.

popular radio duo of Fibber McGee and Molly Jam Session (1944)

Tennessee 181

Teddy Wilson and His Band

The core of the British rock group Ten Years Teddy Wilson (Theodore Wilson, San Francisco, After was formed about 1960 and underwent California or Austin, Texas, 1912–1986) some name changes that included Ivan Jay and An important milestone was set by jazz pianist the Jaymen, Blues Trip and Blues Yard. In 1966

Teddy Wilson when he became the first African-they assumed their final one.

American musician to perform publicly with a One story about the origin of the name is that racially-mixed jazz ensemble. It was initially the band wanted to commemorate the ten years composed of Benny Goodman (who called Wil-since Elvis Presley had catapulted to fame in son “the greatest musician in dance music 1956. Their initial album was released in 1967, the today”), Gene Krupa and Wilson, and then ex-first of many until 1974.

panded to include another Black musician, Li-They continued to be issued sporadically into onel Hampton.

the 21st century when the group presumably re-From about 1929 Wilson had played with the united for concerts. Among their better-known Benny Carter, Chick Webb and “Satchmo” Arm-singles were “I’m Going Home,” “Love Like a strong orchestras. He was also a much sought-after Man” and “Hear Me Calling.” They appeared accompanist to such African-American chanteuses at the Newport Jazz Festival and the legendary as Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Billie Holiday, Woodstock.

as well as numerous white musicians.

Woodstock (1970) [documentary] “I’m Going Teddy Wilson had formed his own big swing Home” * Groupies (1970) [documentary] “Good band in 1939 but aficionados termed it “too Morning Little Schoolgirl” and “Help Me Baby”

white” and it only lasted a year. (In view of that, his theme song “Jumpin’ on the Blacks and Tennessee Ramblers

Whites” could be interestingly interpreted.) Harry Blair (New Martinsville, West Virginia, Wilson then led a sextet that lasted through 1913?–); “Montana Jack” Gillette (Providence, the war years. Considered one of the greatest Rhode Island, 1908?–) (violin and a variety of swing pianists of his time, Teddy Wilson re-instruments including musical saw, bicycle pump mained active in music to near the time of his and balloon); Cecil “Curly” Campbell (Belew’s death. Besides the movies in which he appeared Creek, North Carolina, 1912?–) (guitar/banjo/
with his orchestra, Wilson had a role in The mandolin); “Happy Tex” Martin (Martin Schopp, Benny Goodman Story, and had also been in at Chenoa, Illinois, 1915?–) (guitar/bassist); “Kid”

least one Broadway show.

Clark (Leland Clark); Claude Casey; Don White Something to Shout About (1943) * Harlem on First heard on the radio about 1928, the Ten-Parade (1946?)

nessee Ramblers made numerous recordings, among them “Grab Your Saddle Horn and Teenagers see also Frankie Lymon and Blow,” “Sweet Mama Treetop Tall,” “The the Teenagers

Preacher Got Drunk and Laid His Bible Down”

and “Midnight Boogie,” as well as more tradi-The credits of the Teenagers’ one film read: tional western songs. “Montana Jack” Gillette

“Radio’s newest and youngest band.”

had previously been with a vaudeville act called One Exciting Week (1946)

the Rodeo Boys, while “Happy Tex” Martin had played with several groups including a Spanish Teenchords see Lewis Lymon and the orchestra.

Teenchords

Ride, Ranger, Ride (1936) * Yodelin’ Kid from Pine Ridge (1937) * Ridin’ the Cherokee Trail (1941) Ten Years After

* O, My Darling Clementine (1943) * Swing Your Partner (1943) * Sundown Valley (1944) Alvin Lee (Graham Barnes, Nottingham, England, 1944–) (vocals/harp); Leo Lyons (David Lyons, Mansfield, England, 1943–) (bassist); Tennessee Three

Chuck Churchill (Michael Churchill, Mold, W. S. Holland (drums); Luther Perkins (d. 1968) Wales, 1946–) (keyboard); Ric Lee (Richard Lee, (electric guitar); Bob Wootton (bass guitar); Cannock, England, 1945–) (drums)

Marshall Grant (bass guitar)

182

Terri

Frequently the backup band for Johnny Cash, Tornadoes appeared on the radio as well as in his the Tennessee Three developed the so-called films.

“boom chicka boom” or “freight train” musical Sing, Cowboy, Sing (1937) * Hittin’ the Trail effect that characterized that singer’s unique (1937) * Riders of the Rockies (1937) * Trouble in sound. They remained with him some forty Texas (1937) * The Utah Trail (1938) * Rollin’

years until his retirement in 1996.

Westward (1939)

The Three had begun as the Tennessee Two with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant in the Texas Cowboys see Texas Jim Lewis...

mid–1950s and have continued to perform into the 21st century. They were portrayed by actors Texas Jim Lewis and His Lone Star in the 2005 film bio of Johnny Cash called Walk Cowboys; Texas Jim Lewis and His the Line.

Johnny Cash! The Man, His World, His Music Band; Jimmie Lewis and His Texas (1969) [documentary]

Cowboys

Jim Lewis (Meigs, Georgia, 1909–1990); Smoky Terri Sawyer Quartet

Rogers; Cactus Soldi

The Block (1964)

Texas Jim Lewis formed the Lone Star Cowboys in the mid–1930s and they played mostly in the New York area, popularizing western swing Terry Twins
on the East Coast. The 1944 release “Too Late to Perhaps the Terry Twins greatest claim to fame Worry, Too Blue to Cry” was one of their bigger is their 1946 soundie called Chiquita Banana in hits.

which they warbled a song of the same name.

In later years Lewis recorded country and nov-With different words it later became a famous elty tunes and was a Seattle children’s show host commercial for the banana company which on television, as well as working in nightclubs.

urged you to “never put bananas in the refriger-He re-formed a western band in the 1960s that ator.”

thrived for another decade.

Stairway for a Star (1946?) Bad Man from Red Butte (1940) * Carolina Moon (1940) * Down Mexico Way (1941) * Pardon Tex Logan and the Lilly Brothers My Gun (1942) * The Old Homestead (1942) *

Tex Logan (Benjamin Logan, Coahoma, Texas) Law of the Canyon (1947) * The Stranger from (fiddle); Everett Lilly (Clear Creek, Washington) Ponca City (1947)

(mandolin/banjo/fiddle); Bea Lilly (Clear Creek, Washington) (guitar)

Texas Playboys see Bob Wills and His Tex Logan was a noted bluegrass fiddler and Texas Playboys
a major presence at folk festivals. The Lilly Brothers began playing and singing on radio as Texas Rangers
the Lonesome Holler Boys in 1938 and contin-Tex Owens (guitar); Herb Kratuska (banjo/gui-ued to about 1970. They made their first record-tar); Paul Sells (accordion); Francis Mahaney (or ing in the latter ’40s.

Mahoney); Roderick May; Robert Crawford; Everett Lilly had also been a member of the Edward Cronenbold; Gomer Cool

Foggy Mountain Boys. He, brother Bea, and Tex On the radio the Texas Rangers were known Logan teamed up about 1952. The Lillys’ career as the CBS-KMBC Texas Rangers. They were was highlighted in the 1979 documentary True basically a quartet but sometimes expanded to Facts in a Country Song.

as many as eight for various picture appearances, Festival (1967) [documentary]

the great majority of which were with western star Johnny Mack Brown.

Tex Ritter’s Tornadoes

Ghost Town Riders (1938) * Colorado Sunset Cowboy star and western singer (“High Noon”) (1939) * Oklahoma Frontier (1939) * Chip of the Tex Ritter (1905–1974) made a long series of “B”

Flying U (1939) * Scatterbrain (1940) * Ragtime oaters from 1936 to 1945. His singing group the Cowboy Joe (1940) * Son of Roaring Dan (1940) *

Three 183

Rawhide Rangers (1941) * Law of the Range (1941) Jack Smith (called the “Man with a Smile in

* The Last Round-Up (1947) * The Arkansas His Voice”) had his own radio show for eight Swing (1948)

years as well as hosting the popular television show “You Asked for It.” His debut in show Texas Stars see Wesley Tuttle and His business had come much earlier, in 1931, when Texas Stars
he and two friends (all still in high school) replaced Bing Crosby’s Rhythm Boys at the leg-Texas Troubadors see Ernest Tubb endary Cocoanut Grove nightclub. They dubbed themselves the Three Ambassadors, named for and His Texas Troubadors
the hotel which housed the club.

The erstwhile students found themselves in Texas Wanderers
heady company indeed as they performed at ven-Cliff Bruner (Texas City, Texas, 1915–2000) ues like San Francisco’s Mark Hopkins Hotel.

(fiddle); Bob Dunn (steel guitar); Leo Raley They also appeared frequently on the radio with (mandolin); Dick McBride (vocals/guitar); stars like Kate Smith before disbanding in 1939.

Moon Mullican (vocals/piano); Hezzy Bryant Jack Smith later had roles in Make Believe Ball-

(bassist); J. R. Chatwell (fiddle) room and On Moonlight Bay. He also sang on Considered one of the pioneers of western several successful recordings.

swing, Cliff Bruner had been a fiddler with Mil-Strange Justice (1932) † * The Constant Woman ton Brown’s Musical Brownies, a group consid-

(1932) * Walking on Air (1936) ered to be the first true western swing band. He

†Their appearance in this film is not confirmed.

formed the Texas Wanderers in 1937 and they appeared in local clubs and on radio.

Three Blue Keys [unknown]

Before disbanding in the mid–1940s their hit The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (1933) recordings included “It Makes No Difference Now” and “Truck Driver’s Blues.” Rather than Three Brian Sisters see Brian Sisters playing traditional western songs, the Texas Wanderers’ music focused on the hardscrabble Three Brown Girls [unknown]

lives of working class people. Bruner himself remained active in music into the early 1990s.

Fools for Scandal (1938)

Village Barn Dance (1940)

Three Cheers [unknown]

Thirteenth Committee

Okay America (1932) * Swing It Soldier (1941) *

Wild Wheels (1969) “I Hear Music”

The Hit Parade of 1943 (1943) Thomas Sisters [unknown]

Three Diamond Brothers see Leo Sugar Daddy (1968)

Diamond...

Thompson, Bill see Bill Thompson Three Dots see Dorothy McCarthy Singers
and the Three Dots

Thompson, Kay see Kay Thompson Three Harmonettes see Harmonettes and Her Radio Choir

Three Heat Waves

Thompson, Shorty see Shorty Thomp-The Three Heat Waves were singer/dancers.

son and His Saddle Rockin’ Rhythm Follies Girl (1943)

Three Ambassadors

Three Hits and a Miss

Jack Smith (Seattle, Washington, 1913?–2006); Martha Tilton (Corpus Christi, Texas, 1915–

Marty Sperzel; Al Teeter; Art Wilson 2006)

184

Three

The most prominent member of the singing elty numbers such as “Swing Out Uncle Wil-group Three Hits and a Miss was the “Miss,”

son” and “It’s a Puzzle to Me (So What”). They i.e., Martha Tilton, who joined it in the early disbanded about 1950.

1930s. Later known for her recordings of “And Straight To Heaven (1939) * A Lady Takes a the Angels Sing,” “I Should Care” and “That’s Chance (1943)

My Desire,” she was dubbed “Liltin’” Martha Tilton.

Three Radio Rogues see Radio Rogues After she departed Three Hits and a Miss Tilton vocalized with major bands such as those of Benny Goodman and Jimmy Dorsey and was Three Rio Brothers see Rio Brothers supposedly the first non-classical female singer to appear in Carnegie Hall. She had radio and tel-Three Shades of Rhythm see
evision shows and on her own appeared in such

“Sleepy” Williams and His Three movies as Swing Hostess, Crime, Inc. and The Shades of Rhythm

Benny Goodman Story.

Topper (1937)

Three Sisters see Fontane Sisters Three Jays

Three Suns

The Three Jays were a vocal ensemble.

Call Out the Marines (1942) Al Nevins (Albert Tepper, Washington, D.C., 1915–1965) (guitar); Morty Nevins (Morton Three Lieutenants [unknown]

Tepper, Washington, D.C., 1919–1990) (accordion); Artie Dunn (Dorchester, Massachusetts, Frank McKee; Herbert Hall; Jack Frost 1922–1996) (organ)

Girl O’My Dreams (1934)

There were few instrumental groups of their time as famous as the melodious Three Suns.

Three Midshipmen [unknown]

Composed of two brothers and their cousin, the Billy McDonald; Bob Farrell; Max Terrill trio began their professional lives in 1939 and by The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (1933) the next year had established themselves at a New York hotel for a seven-year engagement.

Three Mountain Boys [unknown]

In the mid–’40s the Suns and their soaring organ sound scored two recording hits with the Sing While You’re Able (1937) million-selling “Twilight Time” and “Peg o’ My Heart.” Although continuing to call themselves Three Nelsons [unknown]

the Three Suns, the group was sometimes a quin-Henry Johnson; Roy Dove; Harry Johnson tet with a rhythm guitar and bass added for Keep Smiling (1938)

recording sessions. Becoming less traditional, they later added such instruments as a Celestine, Three of August
castanets, pipe organ and vibes.

Wild Wheels (1969)

The Suns broke up and re-formed at least once before disbanding in the 1980s. However Three Oxford Boys see Oxford Boys the mini-revival of lounge music in the 1990s brought their name to the fore once again, Three Peppers
helped by the fact they had made a great number of albums. They had also done several 1940s Walter Williams (bassist); Bob Bell (guitar); Roy soundies, along with their one feature film ap-Branker (piano)

pearance.

Formed in St. Louis in the mid–1930s, the Two Gals and a Guy (1951)

Three Peppers were a swing instrumental and vocal group. They tended to do tried-and-true tunes like “The Sheik of Araby” and “Down By Three Thorntons [unknown]

the Old Mill Stream,” but there were also nov-Youth Aflame (1945)

Tommy 185

Three Tones see Herb Jeffries and the Tommy Atkins Sextet [unknown]

Four Tones

Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929) Thunderbirds see Gay Land and the Tommy Christian and His Band

Thunderbirds

From 1925 to 1930 New York–based orchestra leader Tommy Christian and his band recorded Tic Toc Girls
such novelty tunes as “Bolshevik,” “Elsie Shultz-Yvonne Manoff; Mildred Winston; Barbara en-heim” and “How I Love Bulgarians.” They Johnston
also did more traditional ditties like “In a Little The Hit Parade (1937) “Love Is Good for Any-Spanish Town” and “Show Me the Way to Go thing That Ails You”

Home.”

Howdy Broadway (1929)

Tico Tico Guitars

The Gay Senorita (1945)

Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

Tommy Dorsey (Thomas Dorsey, Jr., Shenan-Tipica Orchestra see Jose Arias and doah or Mahanoy Plane, Pennsylvania, 1905–

His Mexican Tipica Orchestra

1956)

If his publicity tagline “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” his theme song “I’m Getting Titans

Sentimental Over You,” and his owlish appear-Larry Green (bass); Charles Wright (1st tenor); ance made bandleader Tommy Dorsey sound Sam Barnett (2nd tenor); Alvin Branom (tenor/
like an easygoing man it was most misleading. He baritone); Curtis McNair (baritone) was temperamental to the point of being vol-Originally called the Egyptians, the Titans canic, was not above getting into fistfights, and was founded in 1956 by Larry Green, its name was known for firing people with very little supposedly coming from the then-new Titan provocation.

missile. They remained Los Angeles–area per-However, he was undeniably one of the most formers throughout their brief tenure as a rock popular orchestra leaders of the Big Band days group.

and supposedly sold about 110 million records, The Titans’ first recording to make even a among them “Marie,” “Opus No.1,” “Song of mild impression was “G’wan Home Calypso.”

India,” “I’ll Never Smile Again” and “Boogie Like their follow-up records this really did Woogie.” His vocalists included Frank Sinatra not put them on the map but may have given and Jo Stafford.

them the chance to appear in their one film to-Before Tommy went out on his own he had gether. They continued on as a quartet starting co-led a band with older brother Jimmy after in 1958 and then as a trio before disbanding they had been sidemen for Paul Whiteman, Vin-about 1960.

cent Lopez and others. After numerous physical Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957) “Rhythm in scraps they broke up their band to go solo in Blues” and “So Hard to Laugh, So Easy to 1935 but reunited in 1953. He had disbanded his Cry”

original band in 1946, then re-formed it two years later.

As a film performer Tommy Dorsey was someT.J. and the Fourmations
what more animated than many of his confreres.

The Cool Ones (1967) “Hey Hey Ronnie”

Among his roles he played “himself ” in the biopic The Fabulous Dorseys, but it was always Tjader, Cal see Cal Tjader...

his fantastic trombone playing that distinguished him. After his sudden death a band under his name continued touring.

Tobin Mathews and the All Stars Las Vegas Nights (1941) * Ship Ahoy (1942) *

Twist All Night (1961)

Presenting Lily Mars (1943) * DuBarry Was a Lady

186

Tommy
the Four Plus One. They did a few singles, among them “My White Bicycle” and “Revolution,” as well as a couple of albums. In their one film they appeared as a fictitious band called the Snarks.

Smashing Time (1967)

Tony Martinez and His Band

Tony Martinez (San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1920–

2002)

Better known in later years as a character actor on the television show The Real McCoys, Tony Martinez was one of the few Latinos then appearing on any series. He also played on Broadway as Sancho Panza in the long-running Man of La Mancha.

He turned to acting after giving up his band Tony Martinez and His Mambo–USA, which he had formed in the 1940s. A performer on five instruments, he was actually “discovered” as an actor while he and his band were performing in Tommy Dorsey.

a Hollywood club. Thereafter he scored several minor roles in movies besides the one he made (1943) * Girl Crazy (1943) * Broadway Rhythm with the band.

(1944) * Thrill of a Romance (1945) * The Fabu-Rock Around the Clock (1956) “Cubros,”

lous Dorseys (1947) * Disc Jockey (1951)

“Mambo Capri” and other songs

Tommy Duncan and His Western

Tony Pastor and His Orchestra

All-Stars

Tony Pastor (Antonio Pestritto, Middletown, Tommy Duncan (Hillsboro, Texas, 1911–1967) Connecticut, 1907–1969)

A longtime vocalist with Bob Wills’ Texas A tenor saxophonist with Artie Shaw’s band in Playboys, Tommy Duncan had been a member of the mid–’30s, Tony Pastor started his own en-the Light Crust Dough Boys starting about 1933.

semble about 1940 and led it well into the 1950s.

He went out on his own in 1948 and his All-Stars Its theme song was “Blossoms.” Aided by his had an almost immediate hit with “Gamblin’

rather impish personality and good singing Polka Dot Blues.” He also was the composer of voice, the band was especially popular on radio.

such songs as “Bubbles in My Beer,” “Time Among Pastor’s vocalists were the Clooney sis-Changes Everything” and “Stay a Little Longer.”

ters, Betty and Rosemary. As the years passed Duncan’s time with the Western All-Stars was Pastor turned more and more to singing and a relatively brief one and he joined the Miller eventually formed a vocal group with his sons, Brothers band in the early ’50s before embark-ending his music career playing Las Vegas ing on a solo career. This time success eluded lounges in the 1960s.

him but he continued to tour and record to the Two Blondes and a Redhead (1947) time of his death.

South of Death Valley (1949) Top Hatters see Jan Savitt and His Tomorrow

Top Hatters

Steve Howe (electric/acoustic guitar); Keith West Tormé, Mel see Mel-Tones (vocals); John Wood (bass guitar); John Alder (drums)

A British psychedelic rock band, the Tomor-Tornadoes see Johnny and the row had been previously called the In Crowd and Tornadoes; Tex Ritter’s Tornadoes

Treniers 187

Town Criers

Trail Riders see Jimmy Dean and His The Town Criers was a vocal quartet.

Trail Riders

Radio Stars on Parade (1945) * Song of the Prairie (1945) * Cowboy Blues (1946) Trailsmen see Curt Barrett and the Trailsmen

Toys

June Montiero (Queens, New York, 1946–) (2nd Tramp Band; Cotton Club Tramp Band soprano); Barbara Harris (lead singer); Barbara The Tramp Band was kind of a Spike Jones–ish Parritt (Wilmington, North Carolina, 1944–) group, playing on exotic “instruments” like wash-

(alto); Dottie Berry
boards and kazoos.

The three-girl singing group the Toys (a name Stormy Weather (1943)

they incidentally disliked) was a product of Queens, New York. They had come together in the early 1960s as the back-up quartet called the Trans Love Airways

Charlettes but became a trio when Dottie Berry Captain Milkshake (1970)

dropped out. Their catchy recording of “A Lover’s Concerto,” which was “borrowed” from Travis, Merle see Merle Travis and a melody by Johann Sebastian Bach, sold more His Bronco Busters
than a million copies in 1965.

By the time they disbanded in 1968 they had Tremeloes see Brian Poole and the not duplicated that success, but other songs like

“Attack” (that also utilized classical themes), and Tremeloes
especially “Sealed with a Kiss,” did respectably well. They also appeared on television shows like Treniers

Shindig, American Bandstand and Hullaballoo!

Claude Trenier (Mobile, Alabama, 1919–2003); and briefly reunited in the 1980s.

Cliff Trenier (Mobile, Alabama, 1919–1983), Milt It’s a Bikini World (1967) “Attack”

Trenier, Buddy Trenier

Identical twins Claude and Cliff Trenier, to-Trace, Al see Al Trace...

gether with their older and younger brothers, turned out several rock-and-roll records in the Tracy and Elwood [unknown]

1950s as The Treniers. In the 1940s the twins had done an act as the Trenier Twins and then were Love at First Sight (1930) part of the Gene Gilbeaux Orchestra. Apart, they each had also performed with orchestras Traffic
and in nightclubs.

Steve Winwood (vocals/keyboard); Jim Capaldi The Treniers were known for their extremely (Nicola Capaldi, Evesham, England, 1945?–
hyperactive antics onstage, complete with acro-2005); Chris Wood (d. 1983) (saxophone/flute); batic dancing, as they delivered songs the ilk of Dave Mason (guitar)

“Rockin’ Is Our Business,” “Rockin’ on Satur-Formed by some ex-members of the Spencer day Night” and “It Rocks, It Rolls, It Swings.”

Davis Group in 1966, Traffic was a Birmingham, They were also specialists in risqué fare like England–based band whose first recordings

“Poon-Tang” and “Uh Oh, Get Out of the Car.”

“Paper Sun” and “Hole in My Shoe” were hits in When the rock-and-roll craze began slowing, Britain. The group also toured the United States.

the Treniers found new life as early pioneers on Racked by internal dissension, the band dis-the casino circuit in Las Vegas (where they were banded and re-grouped several times, released one of the first African-American groups to per-eleven albums, and were still recording into the form) and Atlantic City. There they could cut 1990s. Traffic was inducted into the Rock and loose as they had not necessarily been able to do Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

in their television appearances. They remained Popcorn: an Audio/Visual Rock Thing (1969) active into the 1990s with others of the Trenier

[documentary]

clan joining them from time to time.

188

Trio

Don’t Knock the Rock (1956) “One of These Tune Twisters

Days” and “The House Will Rock” * The Girl The Tune Twisters were singers.

Can’t Help It (1956) “Rockin’ Is Our Business” *

Sweet Surrender (1935)

Calypso Heat Wave (1957) “Rock Joe” and “Day Old Bread and Canned Beans” * Juke Box Rhythm (1959) “Uh Oh, Get Out of the Car”

Turner, Ike and Tina see Ike and Tina Turner

Trio Calaveras

The Trio were singers.

Turtles

The Three Caballeros (voices only?) (1945) *

Howard Kaylan (1947–) (vocals); Mark Volman The Torch (1950)

(1947–) (vocals); Al Nichol (lead guitar); Don Murray (drums); Chuck Portz (bassist); Jim Tropicanans see Ramsay Ames and Tucker (rhythm guitar)

Her Topicanans

Some members of the band that was to become the famous Turtles started out as the Nightriders Trotter, John Scott see John Scott in high school, and then dubbed themselves the Trotter [and His Orchestra?]

Crossfires. By 1965 they were known as the Tyr-tles (a sly homage to the Byrds), but soon assumed the name by which they were best-known.

Trovadores Chinacos

After some moderate cover hits like “It Ain’t Nicandro Castillo Gomez (Xochiatipan, Mex-Me Babe” and “Let Me Be” the Turtles hit the big ico, 1914–1990); Roque Castillo Gomez time with “Happy Together,” a number one The Trovadores Chinacos were guitarists and charter in 1967. Other Top Twenty recordings a successful singing group from at least the early including “She’s My Girl” and “You Know What 1930s, ultimately appearing in both the Mexi-I Mean” followed.

can and American cinema and touring widely in The Turtles metamorphosed from a straight both countries.

pop sound, becoming a proponent of psyche-The Gay Desperado (1936)

delic music, before disbanding in 1970. Many of its members continued their music careers, True, Bobby see Bobby True Trio Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, for instance, formed the interestingly-named ensemble Tubb, Ernest see Ernest Tubb and Phlorescent Leech and Eddie.

His Texas Troubadors

Out of Sight (1966) “She’ll Come Back”

Tubby Hayes Quintet

Tuskegee Choir

Tubby Hayes (Edward Hayes, London, England, The tradition of choral singing at the historically 1935–)

Black Tuskegee Institute in Alabama goes back Tubby Hayes, master of the tenor saxophone, to 1884 when the first group was founded by vibes and flute, has led ensembles of varying sizes Booker T. Washington himself. Originally a from an octet in the 1950s to a quartet.

quartet, the group mainly varied from four to All Night Long (1961)

eight over the years as they toured the country into the 1940s. At times, however, they expanded Tucker, Orrin see Orrin Tucker’s into a 100-strong ensemble.

Orchestra

The Choir also performed for many Presidents from Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton, and in Tudor Williams Male Chorus

1946 were the first African-American group to be allowed to perform at Washington’s Consti-Winter Carnival (1939)

tution Hall (from which contralto Marion Anderson had been barred years before). They also Tumbleweed Tumblers [unknown]

were much heard on radio and television.

Square Dance Jubilee (1949) George Washington Carver (1940)

Vaughn 189

Tuttle, Wesley see Wesley Tuttle and movies of the 1930s and ’40s, with 1943 being a His Texas Stars
banner year before the cameras. Following their screen career they opened a Miami nightspot.

Two Fat Men [unknown]

Something to Sing About (1937) * The Spirit of Stanford (1942) * She Has What It Takes (1943) *

Tall, Tan and Terrific (1946) Swing Out the Blues (1943) * It Ain’t Hay (1943)

* Hey, Rookie! (1943) * Tahiti Nights (1944) * Peo-Tyrones
ple Are Funny (1946)

Tyrone DeNittis; George Lesser

A Philadelphia rock-and-roll group, the Ty-Vagrants
rones (named after their lead singer Tyrone Disk-O-Tek Holiday (1966) * Blonde on a Bum DeNittis) were helped along by Bill Haley of the Trip (1968) “I Love You, Yes I Do”

Comets fame and recorded some of his songs.

Two of their hits were “Blast Off ” and “I’m Vandellas see Martha and the Shook”; other recordings included “Pink Champagne” and “My Rock ’n’ Roll Baby.”

Vandellas

Let’s Rock! (1958) “Blast Off ”

Vanilla Fudge

U.F.O.’s

Carmine Appice (drums); Tim Bogert (bassist); The Love-Ins (1967)

Mark Stein (organ); Vince Martell (guitar) A psychedelic rock band originally called the Ukonu and His Afro-Calypsonians Electric Pigeons (later abbreviated to the Pigeons), the Vanilla Fudge was formed about Ukonu (A. E. Ukonu)

1967. They recorded for several years, many of Panama Sal (1957)

their songs being “cover” records of other groups’

hits. These included the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride”

Uncle Dave Macon and His Son, Dorris and “Eleanor Rigby.” “You Keep Me Hangin’

Dave Macon (Smart Station, Tennessee, 1870–
on,” formerly a Supremes’ success, garnered a 1952)

gold record for the Fudge.

Considered a Grand Ole Opry pioneer, “Uncle”

The group played many of the important club Dave Macon was a renowned banjo player who venues across the country and released other al-influenced many who followed. He was almost bums and singles, but with somewhat less than fifty years old when he turned professional with their initial success. Vanilla Fudge split up in a vaudeville act, and a few years later he joined 1970 but reunited for albums and tours a few the Opry’s radio family.

times, one as late as 2005.

Macon’s recordings were legendary and he was Popcorn: an Audio/Visual Rock Thing (1969) inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

[documentary]

in 1966. The annual “Dave Macon Days” music and dance festival is staged in Murfreesboro, Vass Family [unknown]

Tennessee to honor his memory and invariably Country Fair (1941)

attracts at least 40,000 people.

Grand Ole Opry (1940)

Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra University of Arizona Glee Club Vaughn Monroe (Akron, Ohio, 1911–1973) At the height of its success the Vaughn Mon-Tumbledown Ranch in Arizona (1941) roe band was on the road more than 200 days a year, and was the highest-earning orchestra of Vagabonds
its kind. Monroe won a Wisconsin trumpet Attilio Risso; Dom Germano; Peter Peterson; competition at the age of fifteen and had begun Till Riaso; Al Torrieri
playing trumpet and singing in big bands about A comic musical group, the four Vagabonds 1937. The radio show Camel Caravan featured played and clowned their way through several the band which had been formed in 1940.

190

Vegas

Its leader was a tall and handsome baritone in 1970 it slowly began to lose steam, basically whose hits included “There, I’ve Said It Again,”

disbanding in 1973. Various members have con-

“Ghost Riders in the Sky,” “Ballerina” “Let It tinued to re-team for concerts, however, and Snow” and his signature theme song “Racing their best albums of the 1960s (e.g., “White with the Moon.” They were all sung through the Light/White Heat”) are still considered classics nose in his inimitable semi-operatic style.

of their kind. A documentary about one of their Monroe was known as “Old Mellow Bellow”

reunions, Velvet Redux, was released in 1993.

and “Old Leather Tonsils” in tribute to his ex-The Velvet Underground and Nico (1966) [doc-tremely deep voice. In the early 1950s, perhaps umentary] * Diaries, Notes and Sketches (1969) because of his western-themed “Ghost Riders”

hit, someone got the bright idea of starring him Vendells
in movie westerns. He proved himself an ade-The Vendells were a Los Angeles garage band.

quate actor in Singing Guns and The Toughest Psycho-A-Go-Go (1965)

Man in Arizona.

Meet the People (1944) * Carnegie Hall (1947) Ventures

Bob Bogle (Robert Bogle, Wagoner, Oklahoma, Vegas, Pat and Lolly see Pat and 1934–) (lead vocalist/bass guitar); Don Wilson Lolly Vegas

(Tacoma, Washington, 1933–); Gerry McGee (Gerald McGee, Eunice, Louisiana, 1937–) (lead Velvet Underground
guitar); Melvin Taylor (Brooklyn, New York, Lou Reed (Freeport, New York, 1942–) (vocals/

1933–1996) (drums); Nokie Edwards (Nole Ed-songwriter); Sterling Morrison (Holmes Morri-wards, Lahoma, Oklahoma, 1935–) (bass) son, Jr., East Meadow, New York, 1942?–1995) Founded in the 1950s by Bob Bogle and Don (guitar); John Cale (viola); Maureen Tucker Wilson as the Versatones, the Ventures are still (drums); Nico (Christa Paffgen, Cologne, Ger-going strong today, although they probably many, 1938–1988) (vocals)

found their greatest success in the 1960s. Their The best-known Velvet Underground alum-new version of “Walk Don’t Run” became an innus today is probably the often controversial Lou ternational smash hit, with some two million Reed. In its heyday from 1965 to 1973 the band records sold. Another version called “Walk Don’t was a considerable influence on other groups, Run ’64” was also a big seller.

and is considered the progenitor of punk rock.

They were particularly popular in Japan, way Starting out as the Warlocks and the Falling outselling the Beatles there, and with about 150

Spikes, the group finally named itself after a book albums and 110 million copies sold are considered about sadomasochism.

the best selling instrumental rock group ever.

For a while the Underground was managed Other hits included “Lullaby of the Leaves” and by artist/tastemaker Andy Warhol, which cer-

“Telstar.”

tainly gave it added visibility. They became a Beloved Invaders (1965) [documentary]

part of his traveling multimedia show (some

“Apache,” “Wipe Out,” “Pipeline” and numer-would say circus) called Exploding. Plastic. In-ous other songs
evitable. and appeared in his movies. Warhol’s protégée, the German singer Nico, was their vo-Victor Young and His Orchestra
calist for this period.

Victor Young (Chicago, Illinois, 1899–1956) It is easy to imagine the Velvet Underground’s Multi-talented violinist Victor Young was a leanings from such memorable songs as “Venus noted arranger and composer whose numerous in Furs” (a further exploration of the S&M
song standards included “When I Fall in Love,”

theme), “The Black Angel’s Death Song,”

“Sweet Sue,” “My Foolish Heart,” “Stella By

“Femme Fatale” and “Heroin.” They continued Starlight” and “Love Letters.” He had begun his to further experiment with their music and grad-distinguished career as a concert violinist in ually their sound became even rawer, more in-Poland where he moved as a child.

tense, and even wildly improvised on occasion.

Returning to the States, Young joined the or-After Reed and then John Cale left the group chestra of Ted Fio Rito after touring as a classi-

Walker 191
cal violinist. Later, with his own orchestra that Lopez was said to have influenced Liberace he had established in 1935 he performed on and Eddie Duchin with his piano stylistics.

radio. Having migrated to Hollywood in the Among his vocalists were the Thornburg sis-mid–1930s, he worked on numerous film scores ters — Elizabeth and Marion — whom he re-

(e.g., Samson and Delilah, Shane, For Whom the named Betty and Marion Hutton. Sidemen in-Bell Tolls, The Quiet Man).

cluded the Dorsey brothers, Xavier Cugat, Artie Victor Young was ultimately nominated for Shaw and Glenn Miller.

twenty-two Academy Awards but won the cov-The Big Broadcast (1932)

eted Oscar just once—and that posthumously—
for the score to Around the World in 80 Days. He Vito’s Group
had also composed for, and occasionally per-You Are What You Eat (1968) [documentary]

formed in, many Broadway shows from the 1930s until shortly before his death.

Walter Wanger’s Vogues of 1938 (1937) Vronsky and Babin

Vitya Vronsky (Kiev, Ukraine, 1909–1992); Vic-Vienna Boys Choir
tor Babin (Moscow, Russia, 1908–1972) Vronsky and Babin, dual pianists, concertized The origins of the Vienna Boys Choir probably all over the world and were considered among date back to the 15th century but the modern the foremost piano teams of their era. It was the version was established in 1924. The Choir con-music of their mentor, the renowned composer sists of boys between ten and fourteen who, di-Sergei Rachmaninoff, which they frequently vided into four touring choirs, give some 300
recorded and from which they became famous.

concerts a year.

It is estimated that they gave more than 1,200

The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935) concerts in North America alone before becoming affiliated with the Cleveland Institute of Vigilantes [unknown]

Music.

Harvest Melody (1943)

Adventures in Music (1944) [documentary]

Vincent, Gene see Gene Vincent...

Vulcanes

Don Roberts (Los Angeles, California) (saxo-Vincent, Paul see Paul Vincent and phone)

His New Yorkers

The Vulcanes were a California-based surf/instrumental band that became briefly popular fol-Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra lowing an appearance on local television in the early 1960s.

Vincent Lopez (Brooklyn, New York, 1895–

I’ll Take Sweden (1965)

1975)

Although the big bands all had theme songs Wakely, Jimmy see Jimmy Wakely...

few are so associated with an orchestra as was the catchy “Nola” with suave Vincent Lopez. For Wald, Jerry see Jerry Wald and His many years his was the house band of New York’s Hotel Taft and he himself played a smooth Orchestra
piano. (It was said he perfected his playing at the monastery in which he was studying for the Walker Brothers
priesthood.)

Scott Engel (Noel Engel, Hamilton, Ohio, He formed his band in 1917 and in the early 1943–) (vocals/bass guitar); John Maus (New

’20s was one of the pioneers of the burgeoning York, New York, 1943–) (vocals/guitar); Gary medium of radio on which he grandly an-Leeds (Glendale, California, 1942–) (drums) nounced himself by intoning “Lopez speaking!”

The Walker Brothers was formed in South-The Vincent Lopez band remained very popu-ern California in 1964 by Scott Engels, John lar into the 1940s, when he had an early televi-Maus and Gary Leeds who all professionally assion show.

sumed the surname of Walker. Ultimately they

192

Walt
found greater success in Great Britain than they one of his albums, was “Summer Samba,” but did in their home country and even borrowed all his albums sold well. One was certified plat-the “mop-top” hairstyles of the Beatles. For a inum for at least one million sales.

brief time the Brothers were almost as popular as For Singles Only (1968)

the Fab Four in England.

Their two big hits in the U.S. were “Make It Wanderers

Easy on Yourself ” and “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Bob Yarborough (tenor); Alfonso Brown (tenor); Shine Anymore,” but they had nine chart hits Frank Joyner (baritone); Sheppard Grant (bass); abroad before disbanding in 1967. Each went on Ray Pollard (1931?–2005) (tenor)

to solo but only Engel, who was still known as Before settling on the name of the Wanderers, Scott Walker, met with some success with a new the pop/jazz quartet was known as the Barons, group called the Rain. The original trio later re-the Barons and Betty (their then-singer), the united briefly in the 1970s.

Larks, and finally the Singing Wanderers. They Beach Ball (1965) “Doin’ the Jerk”

had formed about 1950 and were singing in small Harlem nightspots in the style of the Mills Walt Shrum and His Colorado

Brothers.

Cowboys; Walt Shrum and His

They began recording in 1953 and continued Colorado Hillbillies
performing in nightclubs all over the Eastern Walt Shrum (Oklahoma or Missouri, 1912–1991); seaboard and Midwest. In the meantime, they Rusty Cline; Chuck Peters; Jeannie Akers; Robert found success with records such as “A Teenage Hoag

Quarrel,” “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego”

Walt Shrum was professionally linked with and their biggest charter “For Your Love” in 1961.

his brother Cal playing western swing and ap-They also did a well-received version of “I’ll pearing in movies for many years. His Hillbillies Never Smile Again.”

had a number three record in 1945 with “Triflin’

The Wanderers also made several television Gal” and among his well-known sidemen was appearances with Ed Sullivan, on whose show Spade Cooley.

they were allegedly the first Black group to dance The Old Barn Dance (1937) * Blue Montana as well as sing. After they disbanded Ray Pollard Skies (1939) * The Lost Trail (1945) * The Desert went on to have a minor solo career, appearing Horseman (1946) * Swing, Cowboy, Swing (1946) in the Broadway musical Purlie and ultimately heading an Ink Spots spin-off group in the 1980s.

Walter Fuller and Orchestra; Walter Rockin’ the Blues (1956) “My Sweetie Pie”

Fuller’s Orchestra

Walter Fuller (Los Angeles, California or Dyers-Wanderley, Walter see Walter burg, Tennessee, 1920–2003)

Wanderley Trio

One of the first band arrangers to work in the

“bop” idiom, Walter Fuller worked with such Ward, Clara see Clara Ward Singers greats as Billy Eckstine and Dizzy Gillespie. He also had a big band until the early 1950s.

Ward and Van [unknown]

Sepia Cinderella (1947)

Crazy House (1943)

Walter Wanderley Trio

Waring, Fred see Fred Waring and Walter Wanderley (Recife, Brazil, 1932–1986) His Pennsylvanians

An organist, pianist and composer, Walter Wanderley cashed in on the bossa nova craze in the United States after moving from Brazil in Waters, Ozie see Ozie Waters and His 1966. In his native country, he had made a career Colorado Rangers
juxtaposing modern American music with Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Watson, Deek see Deek Watson and Wanderley’s one U. S. hit record, a single from the Brown Dots

Weavers 193

Watts, Cotton and Chick see Cotton Ozark, Missouri, 1891–1967); Elviry Weaver and Chick Watts

( June Weaver, Chicago, Illinois, 1891–1977) In the late 1930s and early ’40s hillbilly-Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders themed movies enjoyed a brief popularity. One of the main beneficiaries (or perhaps the pro-Wayne Cochran (Thompson or Macon, Georgia, genitors) of this short-lived phenomenon was 1939–)

the country act the Weaver Brothers and Elviry.

Having led bands since 1955, Wayne Cochran They were veterans of the radio show Grand Ole formed the C. C. Riders (i.e., Cochran’s Circuit Opry, on which Leon was a virtuoso of the mu-Riders) in 1963. Playing a combination of soul sical saw.

and rhythm-and-blues music, the band toured The Weavers were known in their vaudeville in the South and Midwest and released record-and Opry days as the “Arkansas Travelers.” June ings like “Harlem Shuffle” and “Get Down with had been married to Leon and then became It.” They were among the first white groups to Frank’s wife. June and Leon’s daughter Loretta play Harlem’s Apollo Theater and other tradi-accompanied them to Hollywood in 1938 to play tionally Black venues, and he himself was called their daughter “Violey” in some of their films.

the “White Otis Redding.”

Before they left the screen some five years The Riders began appearing in venues like later, the Weaver Brothers and Elviry had Las Vegas and on major television programs sung — or rather, twanged— and clowned their where Cochran paraded his bizarre outfits and way through numerous films at Republic Pic-white pompadour. (Publicity claimed that he tures. As bottom-of-the-bill, “B” picture attrac-spent $50,000 a year styling it.) Eventually there tions they were at the same studio as Judy was a film, starring ex-footballer Joe Namath, Canova, their slightly more “A” picture “rival”

which bore the group’s name as a motorcycle in this subgenre. In the late 1940s Leon appeared gang.

in films on his own.

C. C. and Company (1970) “I Can’t Turn You Down in “Arkansaw” (1938) * Swing Your Lady Loose”

(1938) * Jeepers Creepers (1939) * Friendly Neighbors (1940) * Grand Ole Opry (1940) * In Old Weaver Brothers and Elviry

Missouri (1940) * Arkansas Judge (1941) * Moun-Abner Weaver (Leon Weaver, Ozark, Missouri, tain Moonlight (1941) * Tuxedo Junction (1941) *

1882–1950); Cicero Weaver (Frank Weaver, The Old Homestead (1942) * Shepherd of the Ozarks (1942) * Mountain Rhythm (1943)

Weavers

Ronnie Gilbert (New York,

New York, 1926–); Lee Hays

(1914–1981), Fred Heller-
man (Brooklyn, New York,

1927–), Pete Seeger (1919–);

Erik Darling (1933–2008),

Bernie Krause; Frank Hamil-
ton (1934–)

It is very probable that
the Weavers will always be
considered one of the most
iconic folk-singing groups
of all time. No less a person-
age than poet Carl Sandburg
said “When I hear America

The Weaver Brothers and Elviry in their first film Down in “Arkansaw.”

singing, the Weavers are

194

Weeks
there.” The group was founded by Pete Seeger Weno A-Go-Go
and Lee Hays who had been members of a sim-Music City U.S.A. (1966)

ilar group, the Almanac Singers.

The Weavers performed a wide variety of music, Wesley Tuttle and His Texas Stars were politically active, and inspired many folksingers who followed. Among them were certainly Wesley Tuttle (Lamar, Colorado, 1917–2003) Peter, Paul and Mary and the Kingston Trio.

A professional gig on Los Angeles radio was Their first major appearance came at the Village guitarist/singer/yodeler Wesley Tuttle’s entrée Vanguard in New York’s Greenwich Village in into show business at the age of fifteen. His bur-1948, and the 1949 recordings of “Tzena, Tzena, geoning career was extraordinary in that he had Tzena” and “Goodnight, Irene” were huge sellers.

lost three fingers of one hand at the age of six.

They also hit it big with, among others, “On Tuttle soon was appearing with western bands Top of Old Smoky,” “Kisses Sweeter Than like the Beverly Hill Billies, the Saddle Pals and, Wine” and “So Long (It’s Been Good to Know briefly, the Sons of the Pioneers that featured his Ya”). Placed under government surveillance dur-yodeling skill. He even dubbed the yodeling of ing the height of the Cold War and brought be-Dopey in Walt Disney’s Snow White and the fore the House Committee on Un-American Ac-Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

tivities because of their undoubted leftist beliefs, By the mid–1940s Wesley Tuttle had appeared the Weavers eventually lost access to a large part in films with such oater stars as Tex Ritter, Johnny of their audience and disbanded in 1952.

Mack Brown and Jimmy Wakely. He recorded the There were a few reunions of the original hits “With Tears in My Eyes,” “Never” and “De-members thereafter but Seeger, who became the tour” and had been recording western songs like best known member, largely pursued a solo ca-

“Strawberry Roan” since the 1930s.

reer. The documentary The Weavers: Wasn’t that Tuttle also continued doing his radio shows a Time! came out in 1982 to general acclaim.

and subsequently went into television as well. In They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall the 1950s he became a minister and issued sev-of Fame, and in 2006 were awarded the eral gospel albums. Considered a major influence Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

on many prominent western singers who fol-Disc Jockey (1951)

lowed him he was inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

Weeks, Anson see Anson Weeks and Riders of the Dawn (1945) * Song of the Sierras (1946) * Rainbow Over the Rockies (1947) His Orchestra

West, Art see Art West and His Weems, Ted see Ted Weems and His Sunset Riders

Orchestra

West Virginia Ramblers

Welsh Singers

The West Virginia Ramblers were a hillbilly act.

The Oscar-winning 1941 John Ford film How Bad Boy (1935)

Green Was My Valley is a classic for many reasons, not the least of which are the magnificent Western Aces see Red Arnall and the voices of the Welsh Singers. Although the film it-Western Aces
self was not actually shot in the coal-rich but poverty-stricken vales of Wales, the ambiance of Western All Stars see Tommy Duncan that region was convincingly portrayed.

The Welsh Singers establish the authentic tone and His Western All Stars
of the film over the opening credits and are seen off and on throughout harmonizing their mov-Western Caravan Band see Tex Williams ingly beautiful melodies. It is abundantly clear and His Western Caravan Band
they are not just a random selection of Hollywood singers, but the genuine article.

Westerners see Louise Massey’s How Green Was My Valley (1941) Westerners

Wild 195

White and Stanley [unknown]

Wiere Brothers

It All Came True (1940)

Herbert Wiere (Vienna, Austria, 1908–1999); Sylvester Wiere (Prague [later Czechoslovakia], Whiteman, Paul see Paul Whiteman...

1909–1970); Harry Wiere (Berlin, Germany, 1906–1992)

The zany Wiere Brothers were a multi-tal-Whitley, Ray see Ray Whitley...

ented group, singing and dancing and performing acrobatics. Their main shtick was eccentric Who
physical comedy which their odd foreign accents further emphasized. They had a television sit-Pete Townshend (London, England, 1945–) com called Oh Those Bells in the early 1960s.

(guitar); Roger Daltrey (London, England, The Great American Broadcast (1941) * Take It 1944–) (lead vocals); John Entwhistle (1945?–
or Leave It (1944) * Hands Across the Border (1944) 2002) (bass guitar); Keith Moon (Wembley, En-

* Road to Rio (1947) * Double Trouble (1967) gland, 1946–1978) (drums)

To this day, more than forty years after its founding, the British rock band Who is still con-Wilburn Brothers
sidered one of the greatest of its kind. Originally Doyle Wilburn (Virgil Wilburn, Thayer, Mis-called the Detours (and briefly the High Num-souri or Hardy, Arkansas, 1930–1982); Teddy bers), they adopted their current name in 1964.

Wilburn (Thurman Wilburn, Thayer, Missouri They were both dynamic performers and musi-or Hardy, Arkansas, 1931–2003)

cal innovators, notably with their rock opera Beginning as child performers with the Wilburn Tommy. Pete Townshend especially tried to push Family act that included their older brothers and the envelope musically.

sister, Doyle and Teddy appeared on such major With Townshend as the primary writer of radio shows as Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana their music, the Who had hit after hit: “My Hayride. They continued on as a duo when the Generation,” “I Can’t Explain,” “I Can See for rest of the family left show business in the 1950s.

Miles,” “The Kids Are Alright” and very success-Among their recording hits were “Sparkling Brown ful albums. Their vociferous onstage antics also Eyes,” “Roll Muddy River,” “Go Away with Me”

created a stir, the group’s destruction of their in-and “Hurt Her Once for Me.”

struments and sound equipment being a comIn all they had some thirty records on the mon occurrence. They had the dubious honor country music charts and were the back-up of being named the loudest rock band in the group for many another country/western star.

world by the Guinness Book of Records.

From 1964 to ’74 the Wilburns had a television It was with 1969’s Tommy, and the subsequent show that produced more than 350 episodes and 1975 film version with Roger Daltrey (who later also had a series in Australia. They also estab-appeared in many other films) that the Who’s lished a well-known music publishing house and major fame became cemented. The film received talent agency; it was through these that country an Oscar nomination for best original score. The music queen Loretta Lynn got a major push to-films The Kids are Alright and Quadrophenia were ward stardom.

also based on their compositions.

Country Music on Broadway (1964) [documen-There was a downside to their fame as well, tary] * Music City U.S.A. (1966) [documentary]

particularly their 1979 concert in Cincinnati that

* Nashville Rebel (1966)

resulted in eleven fan trampling deaths before the performance began. The Who was inducted Wild Affair Trio
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and Doctor, You’ve Got To Be Kidding (1967) “Little has continued to be an influential presence on Girl”

the music scene and the inspiration for many another rock band.

Monterey Pop (1969) [documentary] “My Wild Ones

Generation” * Woodstock (1970) [documentary]

The Wild Ones were a pop vocal group.

“See Me, Feel Me” and “Summertime Blues”

The Fat Spy (1965) “People Sure Act Funny,”

196

Will

“Do the Turtle,” “Wild Way of Living,” “Come club act with comedienne/chanteuse Kay Thomp-on Down” and “Let’s Dance, Let’s Dance” * Lord son. In the meantime they made a couple of films.

Love a Duck (1966)

The elder Williams brothers faded into domesticity in the early ’50s, while youngest Will Osborne and His Orchestra
brother Andy started his solo career in 1952.

Television appearances were his road to greater Will Osborne (Canada, 1905–1981)

recognition and his success was sealed with the At one time a singer who was considered a ballad “Canadian Sunset.” This was followed up rival to crooner Rudy Vallee in the 1930s, drum-with “Butterfly,” “Are You Sincere?” and “Lonely mer Will Osborne also was a bandleader and Street” among others.

well-regarded composer. (He was purported to Andy Williams hit his stride in the 1960s with be a member of the nobility, supposedly the son several major albums and continued to produce of a lord and heir to a Scottish barony.) such chart singles as “Can’t Get Used to Losing He led several groups in his thirty-year career, You” and “Days of Wine and Roses,” as well as beginning in 1924, which ranged from dance to starring on his own Emmy-winning variety show swing orchestras. For a while his was the house from 1962 to 1971.

band on the Abbott and Costello radio show in the An attempt was made to make Williams into 1940s. His ensemble featured the so-called “Will a movie leading man with 1964’s I’d Rather Be Osborne sound,” produced by the playing of Rich but it was unsuccessful. His mellow public trombones into cardboard megaphones.

persona was much more suited to the intimacy of

“Dry Bones,” “On a Blue and Moonless Night”

the television screen and the recording medium.

and “Pompton Turnpike” were among Osborne’s Kansas City Kitty (1944) * Something in the well-regarded compositions. His orchestra’s theme Wind (1947)

songs were the lesser-known “The Gentleman Awaits” and “Beside an Open Fireplace.” In the 1950s he turned his talents to being the musical Willing, Foy see Foy Willing and director at clubs in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe.

Riders of the Purple Sage

Blues in the Night (1941) * ( Abbott and Costello) In Society (1944) * Swing Parade of 1946 (1946) Willis Brothers

Guy Willis ( James Willis, Alex, Arkansas, 1915–

Williams, Curly see Curly Williams 1981) (vocals/guitar); Skeeter Willis (Charles and His Georgia Peach Pickers

Willis, Coalton, Oklahoma, 1917–1976) (vocals/
fiddle); Vic Willis ( John Willis, Schulter, Okla-Williams, “Sleepy” see “Sleepy” Wil-homa, 1922–1995) (accordion/piano/vocals); Joe liams and His Three Shades of Rhythm Willis

The Oklahoma Wranglers was the name that Williams, Tex see Tex Williams and the Willis Brothers chose on their entrée into His Western Caravan Band
western swing about 1932. At that time it was oldest brother Joe who was a member, Vic joined Williams, Tudor see Tudor Williams in 1939. They performed on local Oklahoma Male Chorus
radio until World War II intervened, then reunited in 1946 to join Grand Ole Opry on which the group was heard, off and on, until the 1990s.

Williams Brothers; Four Williams Eventually the Willises decided to expand be-Brothers
yond their western music base and dropped the Bob Williams; Don Williams; Dick Williams; Oklahoma Wranglers name in favor of their Andy Williams (Wall Lake, Iowa, 1927–) own. As such they toured and appeared in The Williams Brothers quartet was formed in movies with western star Eddy Arnold. They had the late 1930s and was much heard on Midwest-also backed country legend Hank Williams in ern radio stations. The boys became well-known his first recordings.

enough to back Bing Crosby on his recording of The Brothers finally achieved a country music

“Swinging on a Star” and then went on to a night-hit of their own with “Give Me 40 Acres (to

Woody 197

Turn This Rig Around”) in 1964. When one A 1960s “soul” ensemble, the Winstons came Willis died and the other retired, youngest and went rather quickly but did have a hit with brother Vic formed the Vic Willis Trio.

“Color Him Father” in 1969. It made the Top Hoedown (1950) * Forty Acre Feud (1965) Ten in the pop and rhythm-and-blues charts, and won a Grammy for best R-and-B song. This Wills, Bob see Bob Wills and His was ample proof that their previous well-re-Texas Playboys
garded efforts “Amen Brother” and “Need a Replacement” were not just flashes-in-the-pan.

Wilson, Teddy see Teddy Wilson and It’s Your Thing (1970) [documentary]

His Band

Witnesses see Sam Butera and the Wingy Manone and His Band

Witnesses

Wingy Manone ( Joseph Manone, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1900/04–1982)

Woode, Henri see Henri Woode and Despite losing an arm at the age of ten (hence the unsubtle nickname of “Wingy”), Joseph His Sextet

Manone played trumpet on riverboats and with the Crescent City Jazzers, later known as the Ar-Woody Herman and His Orchestra
cadian Serenaders. His own first band, formed Woody Herman (Woodrow Herman, Milwau-in the mid–1930s, was called Joe Manone’s Har-kee, Wisconsin, 1913–1987)

mony Kings that had a hit with “The Isle of Clarinetist Woody Herman was one of the Capri,” later to be his theme song. He also com-most respected bandleaders of his time with his posed several tunes.

so-called Herd, billed as the “Band That Plays the One of his early recordings was “Tar Paper Blues.” He had played clarinet and alto sax pro-Stomp” that was to become a massive hit under fessionally from the age of nine, first in vaude-its new name: “In the Mood.” As Manone be-ville and then as a sideman for Gus Arnheim and came better known he was dubbed “The Juke Isham Jones.

Box King of Jive” and evolved into a comedic In 1939 his group’s big hit “The Woodchop-performer and sidekick to Bing Crosby on the pers’ Ball” appeared to great acclaim; other early singer’s Kraft Music Hall radio show. He later hits included “Blues in the Night” and “Blue became a staple on the Las Vegas music scene.

Flame,” his theme song. Later successful recordIn the early 1950s Manone became somewhat ings were “Caldonia” and “Four Brothers.”

of an unusual household name because of comic The Woody Herman band was a cooperative Jackie Gleason, one of whose recurring televi-effort in which all received an equal share of sion characters was an obnoxious late-night profits and Herman was elected by them as their movie pitchman. He kept offering, as a bonus, front man. Until the mid–1940s the Herman a recording of Wingy Manone’s “There Are Herd remained near the top of popularity polls Fairies at the Bottom of My Garden”— along with its combination of Dixieland, blues and with the unforgettable three-pound wedge of swing. Even Russian composer Igor Stravinsky (the fictional) Facciamara’s mozzeroni cheese.

wrote a piece for it.

Rhythm on the River (1940) * Juke Box Jenny The first Herd was disbanded in 1946 after a (1942) * Hi’Ya Sailor (1943) * Trocadero (1944) *

Carnegie Hall concert but in time the Second, Sarge Goes to College (1947) Third and Thundering Herds succeeded it. Although they flirted with different musical genres, Winslow, Dick see Dick Winslow jazz was always the mainstay and Woody Herman and His Orchestra
remained active well into the 1970s, having led bands for almost fifty years.

Winstons

What’s Cookin’? (1942) * Wintertime (1943) *

Richard Spencer (lead vocalist); Ray Maritano; Sensations of 1945 (1944) * Earl Carroll’s Vanities Quincy Mattison; Phil Tolotta; Sonny Peckrol; (1945) * The Hit Parade of 1947 (1947) * New G. C. Coleman

Orleans (1947)

198

Wranglers

Wranglers see Arizona Wranglers Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

Xavier Cugat (Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mi-nall de Brue y Deulofeo, Girona, Spain, 1900–

1990)

Latin American bandleader Xavier Cugat was certainly one of the most colorful of his kind, both onstage and in the movies. His personality translated well to the screen and he was often re-warded with lengthy speaking parts which he delivered in his theatrically garbled English. He offered moviegoers a distinctive avuncular persona; as a result he had one of the most successful film careers of any orchestra leader.

Known for cradling a diminutive Chihuahua as he conducted, Cugat was dubbed the

“Rhumba King,” though he had been trained as a classical violinist. The orchestra, which was originally a four piece combo called the Gigo-Xavier Cugat.

los, was dressed in showy pseudo–Latin style. A pretty girl, often Lina Romay, sang and gyrated Love (1946) * Holiday in Mexico (1946) * This around the stage fetchingly.

Time for Keeps (1947) * On an Island with You Xavier Cugat succeeded in establishing him-

(1948) * Luxury Liner (1948) * A Date with Judy self as the face of Latin American music but oth-

(1948) * Neptune’s Daughter (1949) ers, like Tito Puente, were considered more authentic. He was also a talented cartoonist and X-L’s
had worked as one before becoming a sideman with the Phil Harris and Vincent Lopez orches-A Time to Sing (1968)

tras. “Cugie,” as he was called, formed a tango Yacht Club Boys
band in the mid–1920s and found success playing at the Cocoanut Grove in Hollywood.

Charles Sadler (New York, New York); George Relocating to New York, Cugat’s group be-Kelly; James V. Kern (1909–1966); Billy Mann came the house band at the posh Waldorf-As-

(New York, New York, 1901–1974)

toria hotel for many years, with its theme song The Yacht Club Boys sang comedy songs and

“My Shawl.” He embellished his credentials with indulged in comic patter in vaudeville and night-hits like “Perfidia,” but found greatest fame with clubs. In addition to their feature films, they ap-Latin-flavored tunes like “El Manicero” and gen-peared in many musical short subjects dating erally followed (or led) the crazes for dances like back to the late 1920s. One member, James the cha cha, conga and mambo.

Kern, latterly established a successful career as a Xavier Cugat had more than one string to his director of early-day television shows, notably I bow: his own line of candy dubbed “Cugat’s Love Lucy.

Nougats.” He was active well into his eighties, Thanks a Million (1935) * The Singing Kid forming an orchestra to tour through Spain in (1936) * Pigskin Parade (1936) * Stage Struck 1986, and he made solo film appearances in (1936) * Artists and Models (1937) * Artists and 1960s American films as well as Spanish films Models Abroad (1938) * Cocoanut Grove (1938) *
some two decades later.

Thrill of a Lifetime (1938) Go West, Young Man (1936) * You Were Never Lovelier (1942) * The Heat’s on (1943) * Bathing Yardbirds

Beauty (1944) * Two Girls and a Sailor (1944) *

Keith Relf (d. 1976) (vocals/harmonica); Eric Week-End at the Waldorf (1945) * No Leave, No Clapton (lead guitar); Jimmy Page (lead guitar);

Zombies 199

Jeff Beck (lead guitar); Chris Dreja (rhythm gui-twenty-four. A film about them, not surpris-tar); Paul Samwell-Smith (bassist); Jim McCarty ingly called The Young Americans, won the Acad-

(drums)

emy Award for Best Documentary in 1968.

A British Invasion band, the Yardbirds are per-The Young Americans (1967) [documentary]

haps more famous for some of the individual members than they are as an ensemble. Certainly Young Gents

Eric Clapton is considered one of the greats on It’s Your Thing (1970) [documentary]

guitar, as are Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Formed about 1963 as the Metropolitan Blues Quartet, the band evolved from the rhythm-and-blues Young Giants
music popular in the early 1960s to the psyche-The Young Giants were a garage band.

delic phenomenon later in that decade.

The Wild World of Batwoman (1966) The Yardbirds’ hits included “For Your Love,”

“Over, Under, Sideways, Down” and “Heart Full Yukon Belles [unknown]

of Soul.” They disbanded in 1968, some of its Belle of the Yukon (1944)

members going on to form the Led Zeppelin, but the Yardbirds name was reconstituted in Zombies

1992 with a couple of the original musicians.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Rod Argent (St. Albans, England, 1945–) (key-of Fame the same year.

board); Paul Atkinson (Cuffley, England, 1946–

Blow-Up (1966) “Stroll on”

2004) (guitar); Colin Blunstone (Hatfield, England, 1945–) (lead vocalist); Chris White (Barnet, England, 1943–) (bassist); Hugh Grundy Young, Ed see Ed Young Fife and (Winchester, England, 1945–) (drums) Drum Corps

Considered one of the more musically sophisticated of British Invasion bands, the Zombies Young, Victor see Victor Young and had hits with “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her His Orchestra

No.” Their period of activity spanned 1961 to 1968, the year they released their much-lauded album “Odyssey and Oracle.” They always Young Americans
seemed to have been more popular in the States As its name implies, the Young Americans were than in their own land.

a clean-cut ensemble that had its first nation-

“Time of the Season,” a single from that wide exposure on a Bing Crosby television spe-album, became a very big hit at a time when the cial in 1962. Many more appearances on variety group had already broken up. In order to capi-shows would ensue. They were supposedly the talize on this unexpected turn of fortune, other first group to popularize a combination of choral musicians toured under the Zombies’ name. Rod singing and dancing.

Argent went on to establish the band Argent, but The Americans’ apparel invariably consisted the original Zombies were not forgotten. The of sweaters and ties for the male members and use of one of their album tracks in the 2004 film skirts for the girls, outfits to make any parent The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou led to renewed proud in the tie-dyed ’60s. To date, there are interest in the band and some of the members some 3,000 alumni who were Young Americans reunited in 2006.

when they were between the ages of fifteen and Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)

This page intentionally left blank

Appendix One: Other United Kingdom Bands

Many bands originating in the United Kingdom made at least one film, mostly in the 1960s. This is a representative sample of those not included in the main part of the book.

Andy Cavell and the Saints

Jackie and the Raindrops

Searchers

Band of Angels

John Barry Seven

Small Faces

Bead Game

John Lennon and the Plastic

Sounds Incorporated

Billy Fury and the Satellites

Ono Band

Spotniks

Blackwells

Kenny and the Wranglers

Springfields

Blue Mountain Boys

King Brothers

Steelemen

Leroys

Bob Wallace and His Storyville

Swinging Blue Jeans

Jazzmen

Les Allen and His Band

Television Toppers

Chantelles

Les Flambeaux Steel Band

Temperance Seven

Charles McDevitt and His

Long and the Short

Three Bells

Skiffle Group

Longhairs

Tommy Eytle and His Calypso

Chris O’Brien and His Carib-

M6

Band
beans

Mellowkings (aka Mello-Kings)

Tommy Quickly and the Remo

Cliff Richard and the Shadows

Merseybeat

Four

Don Sollash and His Rocking

Migil Five

Tony Crombie and His Rockets

Horses

Mindbenders

Tony Lightfoot and His New

Dudley Moore Trio

Mojos

Orleans Jazz Band

Earl Royce and the Olympics

Niteshades

Tornadoes (aka Heinz Burt and

Elaine and Derek
the Tornados)

Orchids

Embers

Trekkers

Outlaws

Four Pennies

Plebs

Trolls

Gamblers

Rapiers

Twice As Much

Gojos

Rey Anton and the Pro Form

Vagrants

Graham Bond Organisation

Rockin’ Berries

Vaqueros

Hedgehoppers Anonymous

Rockin’ Ramrods

Vernon Girls

Humphrey Lyttleton and His

Rolling Stones

Wackers

Band

Rory Blackwell and the Black-

Warriors

Incredible String Band
jacks

Zephyrs

201

Appendix Two: Dance Teams, Skaters
and Other Specialty Acts

In the “golden era” from the dawn of sound to the 1950s, Hollywood seemed always to be searching for musical novelties. Most of the non-instrumental/non-singing groups that appeared in movies were dance teams, but there were also skaters, acrobats and other “specialty” acts. Although they did not directly create music it certainly emanated from the screen during their performances, and thus contributed to filmgo-ers’ enjoyment during their (usually) brief appearances in the limelight.

This is a representative listing of such groups into the 1960s, with the decades in which they appeared in films.

DANCE TEAMS

Big Apple Dancers (1930s)

Chez Paree Adorables (1950s)

Aida Broadbent Girls (1940s)

Blackburn Twins (1940s–1950s)

Chilton and Thomas (1930s)

Alan K. Foster Girls (1920s)

Blue Ridge Mountain Dancers

Christianis (1940s)

(1960s)

Albertina Rasch Ballet (1920s–

Clark and Dexter (1930s)

1930s)

Boscoe Holder Dancers (1960s)

Collenette Ballet (1930s)

Alex Nahera Dancers (1940s)

Brown and Brown (1930s)

Collier Sisters (1920s)

Alfredo Alaria’s Ballet (1960s)

Buck and Bubbles (1930s–

Condos Brothers (1930s–1940s)

Alston and Young (1940s)

1940s)

Cortez and Galante (1930s)

American Ballet of the Metro-

Burton and Kay (1940s)

Cosmic Daddy Dancers (1960s)

politan Opera (1930s)

Cappella and Patricia (1940s)

Costello Twins (1940s)

Archie Savage Trio [aka Archie

Car-Bert Dancers (1940s)

Cotten Sisters (1940s)

Savage Dancers] (1950s–

Carlyle Dancers (1940s–1950s)

1960s)

Countess Sonia and Company

Carmen Amaya and Her Dance

Armand and Diana (1930s)

(1930s)

Company (1940s)

Armando and Lita (1930s–

Covan Studio Dancers (1930s)

Carolina Cloggers (1960s)

1950s)

Crane Sisters (1930s)

Catron and Popp (1940s)

Ashburns (1940s)

Cuban Dancers (1950s)

Chamberlin and Hines (1930s)

Ashton and Co’ena (1930s)

Dancing Debonairs (1940s)

Chandra Kaly and His Dancers

Barnett and Clark (1920s)

(1940s)

DeMarcos (1930s)

Belcher Child Dancers (1920s)

Charles Teske Dancers (1930s)

Devi Dja and Her Balinese

Ben Tyber Ballet Troupe (1960s)

Dancers (1940s)

Charles Weidman Dance

Berry Brothers (1940s)

Group (1940s)

Diana Nellis Dancers (1950s)

Betty Jane Cooper and the

Chester Hale Girls (1920s–

Don and Ernie (1930s)

Lathrop Brothers (1930s)

1930s)

Dunhills (1950s)

202

Appendix Two: Dance Teams, Skaters, Others 203

Earl and Francis (1930s)

Jose Cansino Dancers (1940s)

Ned Wayburn Dancing Girls

Estil McNew and His Kentucky

Jovada and Jimmy Ballard

(1930s)

Briar Hoppers (1960s)

(1950s)

New York City Ballet Company

Fanchon and Marco

Katherine Dunham and Her

(1960s)

(1920s–1930s)

Troupe (1940s)

Nicco and Tanya (1940s)

Fanchonettes (1930s)

Kay, Kay and Katya (1940s)

Nicholas Brothers (1930s–

Florence and Alvarez (1930s)

Kit and Kit (1940s)

1940s, 1960s)

Four Blackbirds [aka Jeni

Lathrops (1930s)

Norman Davis Dancers (1960s)

LeGon with the Four Black-

Lazara and Castillano (1940s)

Ozzy Mallon’s Jitterbugs (1940s)

birds] (1930s)

Lee Scott Dancers (1950s?)

Paramount Gypsy Dancers

Four Congaroos (1940s)

(1930s)

Leonard Harper and His

Four Covans (1920s)

Chorines (1930s)

Parisian Twisters (1960s)

Four Dandies (1940s–1950s)

Leonidoff Ballet (1920s)

Patterson and Jackson (1940s)

Four Hot Shots (1930s)

Lester Horton Dancers [aka

Paul and Paulina (1930s)

Four Step Brothers [aka Step

Lester Horton Dance Group]

Paxton Sisters (1930s)

Brothers; Loren B. Brown

(1940s–1950s)

Pearl Twins (1930s)

and the Four Step Brothers]

Liliane and Marlo (1940s)

Peppy and Peanuts (1940s)

(1940s–1960s)

Lindy Hoppers (1940s)

Peter and Pan (1930)

Four Sweethearts (1940s)

Lionel Blair and His Dancers

Phil and Audrey (1940s)

Fox Movietone Studio Dancers

(1960s) [UK]

(1930s)

Pops and Louis (1940s)

Lola and Fernando (1940s)

G Sisters (1920s–1930s)

Pork Chops and Kidney Stew

Loria Brothers (1930s)

(1950s)

Galante and Leonarda (1930s)

Lorraine and Rognan (1940s)

Ramon and Dolores (1930s)

Gamby-Hall Dancers (1920s)

Lowe, Hite and Stanley (1930s)

Ramon and Rosita (1930s)

Garcias (1940s)

Lucienne and Ashour (1940s)

Ramsdell Dancers (1930s)

Gazzari Dancers (1960s)

Manhattan Twisters (1960s)

Reed-Schapar Dancers (1960s)

Georges and Jalna (1930s)

Marge and Gower Champion

Rene and Estelle (1930s)

Gillian Lynn Dancers (1960s)

(1950s)

Rhoda and Peppino (1930s)

Harlem Congeroo Dancers

Marion Morgan Dancers

Rita and Rubin (1930s–1940s)

(1940s)

(1920s)

Rochelle and Beebe (1940s)

Hi-Hatters [aka High Hatters?]

Maritza Dancers (1940s)

(1940s)

Rogers Trio [aka Rogers Adagio

Mata and Hari (1940s)

Trio; Rogers Dancers]

Hollywood Exhibition Square

Mayris Chaney and Her Dance

Dancers (1940s)

Rosalean and Seville (1930s)

Trio

Igor and Yvette (1940s)

Rosario and Antonio (1940s)

Mazzone Abbott Dancers

International Jitterbugs (1940s)

Roxyettes (1920s)

(1940s)

Jack Cole and Company

Rubenettes (1940s)

Meglin Kiddies (1930s)

(1940s)

Russell Markert Girls (1920s)

Meriel Abbott Dancers (1930s–

Jester and Mole (1930s)

1940s)

Ruth and Lester (1930s)

Jitterbug Johnnies (1940s)

Mescalero Apache Horn

St. Clair and Day (1940s)

Jivin’ Jacks and Jills (1940s)

Dancers (1960s)

St. Clair and Vilova (1940s)

Johnny and Henny (1940s)

Miller Brothers and Lois

Sara Mildred Strauss Dancers

(1940s)

(1930s)

Johnny Conrad and Dancers

(1950s)

Millie and Bubbles (1930s)

Searles and Galian (1940s)

Johnny Coy and his Lassies and

Moore and Allen (1930s)

Sterner Sisters (1930s)

Pipers (1940s)

Music Hall Rockettes (1930s)

Stoney Mountain Cloggers

Johnson Brothers [aka Johnson

Natacha Natova and Company

(1960s)

and Johnson?] (1940s)

(1920s)

Stump and Stumpy (1940s)

204

Appendix Two: Dance Teams, Skaters, Others Sujata and Asoka (1950s–1960s)

Western Theatre Ballet Com-

Twirl, Whirl and a Girl (1940s–

Sultana Dancers (1960s)

pany (1960s)

1950s)

Ted French and His Hollywood

Whitey’s Savoy Lindy Hoppers

Dancers (1940s)

(1930s)

OTHER SPECIALTIES

Ted Williams Adagio Dancers

Will and Gladys Ahern

ACTS

(1920s)

(1930s)

Theodores (1930s–1940s)

Windy City Twisters (1960s)

George Ryan Winslow High-

Thomas and Catherine Dowl-

World Champion Boogie Woo-

Steppers (1960s) (drill team)

ing (1940s)

gie Dancers (1940s)

Maidie and Roy (1930s) (rope

Thomas and Chilton (1930s)

Ygor and Tanya (1930s)

act)

Three Chocolateers (1930s–

Zarco and D’lores (1950s)

Maxellos (1930s–1940s) (acro-

1940s)

bats)

Three Dunhills (1940s)

Olive Hatch Water Ballet

SKATERS (ICE AND

(1940s) (synchronized swim-

Three Martels and Mignon

ROLLER SKATERS)

ming)

(1930s)

Pina Troupe (1930s) (acrobats)

Tip, Tap and Toe (1930s–1940s)

Condon and Bohland (1940s)

Six De Waynes (1940s) (acro-

Tommy and Betty Wonder

Dench and Stewart (1940s)

bats)

(1930s)

Frick and Frack (1940s)

Six Willys (1940s) (jugglers)

Tyler Twins (1930s)

Jackson and Lyman (1940s)

Three Swifts (1940s) (jugglers)

Velasco and Lenee (1940s)

Merry Meisters (1940s)

Tongas (1960s) (acrobats)

Velascos (1930s)

Olympic Trio (1930s)

Water Waltzers (1930s) (syn-

Veloz and Yolanda (1930s–

Rolling Robinsons (1950s)

chronized swimming?)

1940s)

Skating Vanities (1940s)

Y-Knot Twirlers (1950s) (rope

Vernon and Draper (1940s)

Three Hollywood Blondes
act?)

Wayne and Teska (1930s)

(1940s)

Bibliography

Betrock, Alan. Girl Groups: The Story of a Sound.

Hirschhorn, Clive. The Hollywood Musical. New New York: Delilah Books, 1982.

York: Crown, 1981.

The Billboard Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music. New Holland, Ted B. B Western Actors Encyclopedia: York: Billboard, 2003.

Facts, Photos and Filmographies for More Than Brown, Len, and Friedrich, Gary. The Encyclopedia 250 Familiar Faces. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, of Country and Western Music. New York: Tower, 1989.

1971.

Lisanti, Thomas. Hollywood Surf and Beach Movies: Clemente, John. Girl Groups. Iola, WI: Krause, The First Wave, 1959–1969. Jefferson, NC: Mc-2000.

Farland, 2005.

Crenshaw, Marshall. Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Logsdon, Guy, Mary Rogers, and William Jacob-Rock and Roll in the Movies. New York: Harper-son. Saddle Serenaders. Layton, UT: Gibbs-Perennial, 1994.

Smith, 1995.

Crowther, Bruce, and Pinfold, Mike. The Big Band Miller, Lee O. The Great Cowboy Stars of Movies Years. New York: Facts on File, 1988.

and Television. New Rochelle, NY: Arlington Feather, Leonard. The Encyclopedia of Jazz. New House, 1979.

York: Horizon, 1960.

Oermann, Robert. The Listener’s Guide to Country Fetrow, Alan. Feature Films, 1950–1959. Jefferson, Music. New York: Facts on File, 1983.

NC: McFarland, 1999.

Pitts, Michael. Western Movies: A TV and Video Garfield, Brian. Western Films: A Complete Guide.

Guide to 4200 Genre Films. Jefferson, NC: McNew York: Rawson Associates, 1982.

Farland, 1986.

Green, Douglas B. Singing in the Saddle: The His-Rothel, David. The Singing Cowboys. South Bruns-tory of the Singing Cowboy. Nashville: Country wick, NJ: Barnes, 1978.

Music Foundation Press/Vanderbilt University Simon, George T. The Big Bands. 4th edition. New Press, 2002.

York: Schirmer, 1981.

Groia, Philip. They All Sang on the Corner: A Sec-Stanfield, Peter. Horse Opera: The Strange History of ond Look at New York City’s Rhythm and Blues the 1930s Singing Cowboy. Urbana: University Vocal Groups. West Hempstead, NY: Phillie Dee of Illinois Press, 2002.

Enterprises, 1983.

Warner, Jay. The Billboard Book of American Sing-The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country ing Groups. New York: Billboard Books, 1992.

Music. New York: Crown, 1994.

205

This page intentionally left blank

Index

Abbott and Costello in Hollywood 121

Arnheim, Gus 82

Barris, Harry 22

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr.

Arnold, James 69

Barry, Len 56

Toad 154

Around the World 95, 108

Barry, Ray 38

Advise and Consent 126

Artists and Models 10, 35, 118, 198

Bartley, William 66

Aguilar, Dave 40

Artists and Models Abroad 198

Basie, Count 43

Albers, Ken 69

Ascencio, Ofelia 14

Bathing Beauty 82, 86

Albert, Don 55

Ascencio, Sara 14

Beach Ball 70, 90, 133, 154, 177, 192

Alberts, Al 68

Ashlock, Jesse 25

Beach Blanket Bingo 90

Albin, Peter 20

Assunto, Frank 58

Beach Party 53

Alexander’s Ragtime Band 111

Assunto, Fred 58

Beale Street Mama 9, 55

Alguire, Danny 65

Assunto, Jac 58

Beat the Band 76

Ali Baba Goes to Town 142, 151

Atkins, Essie 51

The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful All-American Sweetheart 69

Atlantic City 112, 118, 140

Bend 11

All By Myself 120

Atwater, Clem 59

Beaver, Paul 62

All Night Long 188

Auf Wiedersehen 118

Because They’re Young 57

Allergic to Love 82

Avenging Waters 172

Becker, John 50

Allison, Jerry 45

Azpiazu, Don 86

Beecher, Frank 21

Almost Married 166

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up Along the Navajo Trail 170

The Babe Ruth Story 25, 112
to Me 66

Along the Oregon Trail 71

Babes on Broadway 49, 56, 135, 142, Behind the Eight Ball 169

Always a Bridesmaid 11

165, 172, 175

Behind the Mike 113

Always in My Heart 27

Babes on Swing Street 74

Belew, Benny 18

Always Leave Them Laughing 38, 136

Backus, Donald 51

Belew, Bobby 18

Ambush Valley 136

Baczek, Ted 43

Bell, Freddie 73

American Music — From Folk to Jazz Bad Boy 194

Belland, Bruce 69
to Pop 49, 177

Bad Girls for the Boys 139

The Bellboy 135

The Amorous Sex 66

Bad Man from Red Butte 182

Belle of Old New Mexico 36

Anderson, Ivie 45

Bad Men of Thunder Gap 33

Belle of the Nineties 58

Anderson, Perry 15

Badlands of Dakota 99

Belle of the Yukon 199

Andrew, Sam 20

Bailey, Donald 102

Bells of Coronado 71

Andrews, Laverne 10

Bailey, John 42

Bells of Rosarita 25, 170

Andrews, Maxene 10

Baker, Bill 66

Bells of San Angelo 170

Andrews, Patty 10

Baker, Ginger 45

Beloved Invaders 190

Andrijasevich, Gary 40

Balalaika 158

Bennett, Patricia 40

Angels from Hell 117

Baldra, Chuck 13

Bennett, R. 64

The Angry Breed 136

Balin, Marty 98

The Benny Goodman Story 86, 117

Animal Crackers 132

Ball, Ernie 59

Benti, Phil 40

Anthony, Dan 68

Ball of Fire 76

Bergman, Nat 35

Anything Goes 14

Bamby, George 11

Bernie, Ben 18

Apache Country 37

Bandits of El Dorado 132

Berry, Jan 97

Apache Rose 170

Banjo on My Knee 83

Besito a Papa 21

Apollon, Dave 48

Bar 20 Rides Again 14

Best, Denzil 77

Appell, Dave 48

Barber, Chris 40

Best, William 50

Argentine Nights 10

Barbour, Don 69

Best Foot Forward 86

Arizona Cyclone 135

Barbour, Ross 69

Betty Co-Ed 98

Arizona Frontier 156

Bardelli, Joe 59

Beware 119

Arizona Trail 105

Barefield, Eddie 59

Beyond the Pecos 151

Arkansas Judge 193

Bargain with Bullets 44, 59, 115

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls 160, 175

The Arkansas Swing 91, 183

Barksdale, Chuck 37

The Big Beat 21, 34, 51, 53, 68, 74, Armstead, Josephine 93

Barnet, Charlie 9, 38

77, 86, 112, 127

Arnaz, Desi 52

Barrett, Curt 46

Big Boy 130

207

208

Index

The Big Broadcast 28, 33, 122, 127

Born Wild 9, 136

Burnette, Dorsey 105

The Big Broadcast of 1936 47, 71, Boss of Boomtown 151

Burnette, Johnny 105

94, 150, 191

Boss of Bullion City 82

Burns, Ritchie 90

The Big Broadcast of 1937 20, 115

The Boss of Hangtown Mesa 138

Burroughs, Clark 89

The Big Broadcast of 1938 162

Boswell, Connee (Connie) 27

Burtnett, Earl 58

The Big City 138

Boswell, Martha 27

Burton, Gary 77

The Big Cube 65

Boswell, Vet 27

Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie 103

The Big Hangover 44

Both Barrels Blazing 99

Bush, Eddie 22

The Big Show 20, 66, 117, 169, 170

Bower, Joey 71

Bushy, Ron 95

The Big Show-Off 13

Bowery to Broadway 148

Busse, Henry 87

The Big Store 56, 165

Boy! What a Girl! 50, 163, 166

Busse, Hi 32

The Big Street 137

Boys Town 28, 56

Busseri, Frank 69

The Big T.N.T. Show 32, 92, 93, Brandt, William 82

Butch Minds the Baby 165

120, 128, 149, 156

Branford, Mifflin 37

Butler, Rhett 50

The Biggest Bundle of Them All 45

Brann (Braun), Erik 95

Butterworth, Mabel 61

Bikini Beach 64, 147

Bratton, Creed 80

Byers, Billy 89

Bilk, Acker 7

Bray, Curly 8

Byrd, Billy 62

Billy (William Hinsche) 54

Breakfast in Hollywood 110, 171

The Bishop’s Wife 25

Bregman, Buddy 31

Cabin in the Sky 58, 83, 118

Bitter Sweet 44

Brewster, Barbara 28

The Caddy 54

Black, Bill 21

Brewster, Gloria 28

Café Metropole 97

Black, David 98

Brian, Betty 29

Cairo 82, 112

Black, Johnny 105

Brian, Doris 29

Caldwell, Hank 11, 52, 84

The Black Cat 160

Brian, Gwen 29

California Firebrand 71

The Black Hills 11

Bring on the Girls 171

California Mail 169

Blackwood, Cecil 23

Britt, Elton 20

Call of the Canyon 170

Blackwood, Doyle 23

Broadway 82

Call of the Prairie 14

Blackwood, James 23

Broadway Gondolier 35, 127, 179

Call of the Rockies 69, 169

Blackwood, R.W. 23

Broadway Melody of 1936 101

Call Out the Marines 112, 165, 184

Blackwood, Roy 23

Broadway Melody of 1938 45

Callahan, Bill 34

Blake, Eubie 63

Broadway Melody of 1940 132

Callahan, Joe 34

Blakely, Alan 29

Broadway Rhythm 82, 132, 161, 186

Calloway, Ann 34

Blast-Off Girls 38, 64

Broadway Serenade 108, 165

Calloway, Cab 32

Blaze o’ Glory 156

Broadway Thru a Keyhole 7

Calloway, Liz 34

Blazing Across the Pecos 151

Broken Strings 46, 174

Calypso Heat Wave 89, 121, 188

Blazing Six Shooters 170

Bronson, Johnny 85

Calypso Joe 59, 87, 118

Blazing the Western Trail 26

The Bronze Buckaroo 87

Campbell, Glen 90

The Blazing Trail 84

Brook, Geoffrey 29

Campus Sleuth 26

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom 134

Brook, Ricky 29

Can This Be Dixie? 66, 69

The Block 182

Brookins, Don 14

Cannon, Gus 16

Block Busters 101

Brooks, Charles 33

Canova, Anne 35

Blonde on a Bum Trip 23, 63, 189

Brooks, Danny 56

Canova, Judy 35

Blondie Goes Latin 112

Brooks, Harvey 62

Canova, Pete 35

Blondie in Society 25

Broome, Lee 29

Canova, Zeke 35

Blondie Meets the Boss 165

Broome, Ray 29

Cantanzarita, Artie 29

Blondie of the Follies 155

Brown, Bill 85

Captain Milkshake 108, 147, 187

Bloomfield, Mike 62

Brown, Eddie 103

Carefree 25

Blossoms on Broadway 147

Brown, James 96

Carey, Ezikial 66

Blow-Up 199

Brox, Bobbe 30

Carey, Jacob 66

Blue Canadian Rockies 37

Brox, Lorayne 30

Carle, Frankie 72

Blue Hawaii 107

Brox, Patricia 30

Carlson, Wamp 99

Blue Montana Skies 192

Bruce, Jack 45

Carlucci, Billy 47

Blue Suede Shoes 21

Bryant, Jack 64

Carnegie Hall 134, 190

Blues for Lovers 149

Bryant, Jimmy 101

Carnival 145

Blues in the Night 102, 196

Buck Privates 10

Carnival in Costa Rica 63

Boarding House Blues 113, 116, 120

Buckaroo from Powder River 37

Carnival Rock 23, 25

Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show Buckley, Frank 84

Carolina Blues 85, 108, 113

115

Buckner, Teddy 31

Carolina Moon 182

Boettcher, Carl 79

Buffalo Gun 107

Carpenter, Ike 92

Boettcher, Curt 90

Bullets for Rustlers 170

Carroll, Earl 33

Boggs, Noel 11

Bundesen, Jayne 54

Carroll, Fran 88

Bond, Johnny 102, 105

Bunny Lake Is Missing 199

Carroll, Jimmy 32

Bone, Ralph 31

Burdon, Eric 12

Carroll, Johnny 105

Bonham, Guy 99

Burke, Alohe 66

Carroll, Pete 36

Bookbinder, Tony 22

Burke, Clarence, Jr. 66

Carter, Ben 18

Bop Girl Goes Calypso 46, 80, 118, Burke, Cubie 66

Carter, Benny 18

123, 185

Burke, Dennis 66

Carter, Johnny 66

Border G-Man 142

Burke, James 66

Carver, Bob 49

Border Saddlemates 153

Burke, Kenneth 66

Carver, Eddie 59

Born Reckless 106

Burlison, Paul 105

Casa Manana 20, 49, 61, 125, 154

Index

209

Castillon, Jesus 81

Confessions of a Co-Ed 23

Dancing in Manhattan 49

Catalina Caper 36

A Connecticut Yankee 25

Dancing Lady 92

Catskill Honeymoon 65

Connecting Rooms 64

Dandridge, Dorothy 47

The Cattle Raiders 169

Connell, Jim 100

Dandridge, Louis 15

Cauchi, Les 29

The Constant Woman 183

Dandridge, Vivian 47

Cavaliere, Jack 65

Convention Girl 95

Daniel, Howard 38

Cavallaro, Carmen 36

Cook, Frank 34

Daniels, Freddie 23

Cavallo, Jimmy 101

Cook, Wally 64

Daniels, Jerry 94

C.C. and Company 193

The Cool Ones 15, 113, 185

Dannermann, Don 46

Celebration at Big Sur 46, 61, 67

Coonce, Rick 80

The Dark Corner 60

Cha-Cha-Cha Boom 20, 107, 121, Cooper, Alice 8

Darling, Maryellen 47

122, 123, 141

Copacabana 50

Darling, Polly 47

Chadwick, Les 77

The Corn Is Green 56

D’Artega, Alfonso 48

Challenge of the Range 176

Corneal, John 67

Davidson, Lenny 48

Champagne Waltz 34

Corn’s-a-Poppin’ 89

Davis, Art 13

Chandler, Charles 12

Coronado 60

Davis, Billy, Jr. 65

Chaplin, Blondie 16

Correo, Vinnie 104

Davis, Gary 43

Chapman, Milt 75

Costell, David 75

Davis, Jimmie 100

Chappaqua 75

Costello, Laverne 13

Davis, Ross 31

Chatterbox 127, 171

Cotton, Carolina 52

Davis, Shelly 29

The Cheaters 56

Country Boy 78, 118

Davis, Willie 104

Check and Double Check 44, 58

Country Fair 121, 164, 189

Dawes, Tom 46

Check Your Guns 11

Country Music Caravan 107, 118

Day, Charles 63

Chellette, Carolyn 39

Country Music Holiday 107, 112, 118

Day, Jack 63

Chellette, Judy 39

Country Music Jamboree 45

A Day at the Races 45, 46

Chellette, Mary Jo 39

Country Music on Broadway 11, 195

The Day the Music Died 17, 56

Cherebin, Curtis 85

Country Western Hoedown 39, 42

Daytona Beach Weekend 92, 136

Cheyenne Roundup 103

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father 104

Dean, Eddie 59

Chip of the Flying U 182

The Cowboy and the Senorita 170

Dean, Jimmy 71, 101, 105

A Christmas Carol 56

Cowboy Blues 11, 52, 91, 187

Deane, Sandy 98

Christmas Holiday 25

Cowboy Canteen 30, 127, 157, 178

DeCastro, Babette 49

Cigarette Girl 158

Cowboy from Lonesome River 103

DeCastro, Cherie 49

The Cisco Kid in Old New Mexico Cowboy in the Clouds 99

DeCastro, Peggy 49

99

Craddock, Zeke 20

Dee, Joey 104

Cita, Raoul 85

Craig, Judy 40

Dee Dee 53

Clapton, Eric 45

Crash Donovan 111

Deep in the Heart of Texas 103

Clark, Dave 48

Craswell, Dennis 37

Deere, Carol 77

Clark, Gene 32

Crawford, Marjorie 36

DeFranco, Buddy 31

Clark, James 33

Crawford, Traverse 51

Dehne, Ace 13

Clark, Nicky 85

Crazy House 44, 51, 65, 79, 113, 114, Dehr, Rich 59

Clarke, Alan 89

134, 148, 192

De la Parra, Adolfo 34

Clarke, Michael 32

Creach, John 98

D’Ell, Dennis 90

Clauser, Al 8

Cream’s Farewell Concert 45

Delfield, Bill 31

Cletro, Eddie 59

Creature of Destruction 160

Delightfully Dangerous 131

Cline, Rusty 13

Crime Without Passion 26

DeLoach, Darryl 95

Close Harmony 99

Criss Cross 63

Del Rio, Emmy 14

Club Havana 36, 95

Cropper, Steve 27

DeMarco, Ann 51

Cluskey, Conleth 14

Crosby, Bing 22

DeMarco, Arlene 51

Cluskey, Declan 14

Crosby, Bob 24

DeMarco, Gloria 51

C’mon, Let’s Live a Little 138

Crosby, David 32, 45

DeMarco, Joan 51

Cobb, Ed 69

Crosby, Israel 77

DeMarco, Terry 51

Cocker, Joe 104

Crowe, Bill 23

Demmon, Bob 14

Cocoanut Grove 198

Cruisin’ Down the River 18

Dempsey, William 85

Codarini, Corrado 69

Cuban Love Song 63

Denby, Al 66

The Cohens and the Kellys in Holly-Cuban Pete 52, 111

Dennis, Mike 56
wood 101

Cuckoo Patrol 73

Denny, Jack 95

Colacrai, Cirino 41

Curse of the Voodoo 26

Densmore, John 55

Coleman, Eddie 49

Curtis, Sonny 45

DeRose, Joe 59

College Holiday 34

Cyclone Fury 125

The Desert Horseman 192

College Humor 137

Cyclone of the Saddle 13

Desert Vigilante 84

College Swing 25, 69, 165

Cyclone Prairie Rangers 100

Desi (Desi Arnaz IV) 54

Collette, Buddy 39, 51

Destination Murder 174

Colorado Sundown 153

Daddy Long Legs 149

Devil Rider! 88

Colorado Sunset 182

Dale, Dick 53

The Devil’s Playground 102

The Colorado Trail 169

D’Amato, Maria 100

De Vito, Nick 70

Columbus, Christopher 40

D’Ambrosia, Joey 21

De Vito, Tommy 70

Colvert, Bernie 89

A Damsel in Distress 150

Diamond, Leo 27

Compton, Bob 38

Danchik, Howard 64

Diaries, Notes and Sketches 75, 190

Concert Magic 90

The Dancing Co-Ed 14

Diary of a Mad Housewife 9

Coney Island 114

Dancing Feet 98

Dillard, Dottie 12

210

Index

Dimples 83

The East Side of Heaven 124, 132

Fillmore 81, 99, 147, 160

Ding Dong Williams 170

Easy to Look at 51, 121

Fiore, Al 27, 99

Dinning, Ginger 54

Easy to Take 47

Fiore, Tony 13

Dinning, Jean 54

Eaton, Doris 56

Fireball 500 36, 55

Dinning, Lou 54

Eboli, Osvaldo Moraes 15

Fireball Jungle 125

Dinning, Tootsie 54

Eddy, Buck 30

The Firefly 56, 137

Dino (Dean Paul Martin) 54

Eddy, Chickie 30

Fireman, Save My Child 171

Diodati, Fred 68

Eddy, Duane 57

Fisher, Freddie 43

Dirty Gertie from Harlem, U.S.A. 164

Edgar, Ron 79

Fisher, Stan 53

Disc Jockey 71, 77, 152, 186, 194

Eidson, Ken 90

Fisherman’s Wharf 56

Disk-O-Tek Holiday 15, 40, 48, 73, El Dorado Pass 163

Fite, Buster 32

141, 189

Ellington, Duke 57

Five Bad Men 66

Dixie Jamboree 18

Elliott, Don 88

Flame of the West 140

Do You Love Me? 86

Elliott, Ron 17

Flanigan, Bob 69

Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine Ellison, Stanley 46

The Fleet’s In 102

159

Elsa Maxwell’s Hotel for Women 28

Flennoy, Lorenzo 67

Doctor Rhythm 118

Elvis on Tour 172, 178

Flick, Bob 30

Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding 195

Elvis —That’s the Way It Is 93, 94, Flirtation Walk 159

Dodson, Bert 36

178

Flores, Bill 40

Donahue, Al 8

Enchanted Island 69

Flying Down to Rio 28

Donna, James 37

Enlighten Thy Daughter 139

The Flying Fool 58

Donner, Dave 20

Entner, Warren 80

Flying High 82

Don’t Fence Me In 170

Eppolito, Tom 38

Flying with Music 60

Don’t Knock the Rock 21, 48, 72, 188

Errair, Ken 69

Flynn, Bill 59

Don’t Knock the Twist 36, 57

Ethridge, Chris 67

Foley, Dick 30

Dooley, Clarence 46

European Music Revolution 145

Follies Girl 106, 147, 168, 183

The Doors Are Open 56

Ever Since Venus 94

Follow Me 55

Dorman, Lee 95

Every Night at Eight 147

Follow the Band 27, 111, 165

Dorr, Ripley 56

Everybody Sing 25

Follow the Boys 11, 51, 74, 112, 119, 180

Dorsey, Jimmy 101

Everybody’s Dancin’ 41, 124, 170

Follow the Leader 162

Dortch, Stanley 66

Everyday’s a Holiday 118

Follow Your Heart 83

Dossey, Len 13

Everything’s Ducky 89

Folschow, Robert 37

Double Rhythm 134

Excess Baggage 174

Fools for Scandal 115, 183

Double Trouble 75, 195

Ex-Flame 118

Footlight Varieties 72, 99, 172

Doubleday, Marcus 62

The Exile 55

For Me and My Gal 112, 165

Douglas, Harry 50

Eyes of Texas 170

For Singles Only 34, 116, 134, 176, 192

Douglas, Steve 14, 57

Forbes, Wes 66

Down Argentine Way 15, 67, 165

The Fabulous Dorseys 87, 102, 186

Ford, Robert 79

Down Dakota Way 71

Fagg, Elmo 23

Foreman, Speed 8

Down in “Arkansaw” 75, 193

Family Jewels 75

Forever Yours 114

Down Mexico Way 88, 182

Fantasia 115, 143

Forty Acre Feud 197

Down Missouri Way 135, 178

The Far Frontier 71

Forty Little Mothers 158

Down the Wyoming Trail 135

Farmer, Jimmy 88

Fountain, Pete 58

Drake, Dona 55

The Farmer’s Other Daughter 110

Four Jills in a Jeep 102

Drake, Jack 62

The Fat Spy 195

Francis, Ritchie 64

Drake, Lavern 33

Fataar, Rick 16

Frankenstein’s Daughter 138

Dreams of Glass 167

Fazio, Ralph 104

Frauenfelder, Betty 72

Driftin’ River 176

Feast of Friends 56

Frauenfelder, Reinhardt, Jr. 72

Drifting Along 46

Feder, Miriam 65

Frauenfelder, Reinhardt, Sr. 72

Driscoll, Greg 21

Feder, Sylvia 65

Frauenfelder, Ruth 72

Drums of the Congo 147

Feelin’ Good 28, 130

Frauenfelder, William 72

Dryden, Spencer 98

Felton, John 53

Freddie Steps Out 38

DuBarry Was a Lady 132, 137, 144, Ferrara, Fred 29

Free, White and 21 104

165, 185

Ferry Cross the Mersey 23, 71, 77

Freeman, Ernie 63

Duchess of Idaho 107

Festival 59, 74, 77, 100, 132, 137, Freeman, Jim 66

Duchin, Eddie 60

139, 141, 158, 173, 177, 182

Freeman, Rich 66

Duke, Maurice 35

Feudin’, Fussin’ and a-Fightin’ 172

Freshman Year 114, 120, 132

The Duke Is Tops 16, 37, 84, 123

Feudin’ Rhythm 132

Fried, Marty 46

Duncan, Harry 46

Fields, George 35

Friendly Neighbors 193

Duncan, Slim 84

Fields, Vanetta 93

From Nashville with Music 30, 107, Duncan, Tommy 25

Fiesta 27, 82, 107

175

Dunn, Donald 27

Fifield, Rich 14

From This Day Forward 122

Duran, Carlos 33

52nd Street 43, 155

Frontier Fury 100

Duran, Manuel 33

50,000 B.C. (Before Clothing ) 139

Frontier Gun Law 8

The Durango Kid 170

The Fight Never Ends 14, 127

Frontier Justice 20

Fighting Bill Fargo 60

Frontier Law 105

Eadie Was a Lady 83

Fighting Buckaroo 62, 104

Frontier Outpost 84

Earfin, Gene 43

The Fighting Coast Guard 170

Frontier Town 102

Earl Carroll’s Vanities 197

The Fighting Frontiersman 84

The Frontiersman 25

Earnshaw, Ernie 68

Fighting Mustang 117

Frozen Justice 126

Index

211

Fry, Bobby 64

Girl Crazy 112, 172, 186

Griffiths, Ken 23

Fugitive Valley 57

The Girl from Chicago 153

Grill, Rob 80

Fuller, Bobby 26

Girl Happy 107

Grimes, Lloyd 37

Fuller, Randy 26

Girl o’ My Dreams 179, 184

Grounds for Marriage 65

Fun and Fancy Free 54, 112, 173

The Girl of the Golden West 56, 65

Groupies 57, 104, 171, 181

Fun in Acapulco 68

The Girl, the Body and the Pill 67

Gruesome Twosome 67

Fuqua, Charles 94

Girls on the Beach 16, 45

Guercio, Joe 94

Furlong, Terry 80

Girls Town 145

Guizar, Pepe 67

Git Along Little Dogies 33, 122

Gummoe, John 36

Gaines, Lee 51

Give Out, Sisters 11

Gun Law 164

Gaining, Cub 33

Glamour Girl 76

Gunning for Vengeance 46

Gallagher, Jim 14

Glaser, Chuck 78

The Gallant Defender 169

Glaser, Jim 78

Haas, Gene 13

Galli, Norma 75

Glaser, Tompall 78

Hail the Conquering Hero 82

Galloping Thunder 125

The Glass Wall 163

Hairston, Jester 99

Galloway, Bill 85

The Glenn Miller Story 124, 129

Haley, Bill 21

Gallup, Cliff 76

Go Down, Death! 86, 100

Half Marriage 82

Gals, Incorporated 78, 144

Go-Go Beat Beat! 12, 29, 42, 48, Hall, Harry 67

Gambling 165

89, 121

Hall, Jim 39

Gang Smashers 143

Go, Johnny, Go! 33, 67, 101, 130

Hall, Sammy 23

The Gang’s All Here 15, 20

Go West, Young Lady 25, 71

Hall, Willie 27

Gannon, Mary 7

Go West, Young Man 198

Hallelujah! 46, 55

Garber, Jan 97

Godchaux, Keith 81

Hamilton, Chico 39, 51

Garcia, Jerry 81

God’s Step Children 114

Hands Across the Border 28, 82, 170, Gardner, Ivanetta 61

Goff, Harper 65

195

Gardner, Vernon 50

Goin’ Places 37

Hanson, Maria 7

Garnes, Sherman 72

Going Hollywood 111, 147, 148

Happy Days 77, 165

Garrity, Freddie 73

Going My Way 25

Happy Landings 142, 151

Gas-s-s-s 45, 80, 105

Going Places 118

A Hard Day’s Night 17

Gates, Kenny 23

Gold Diggers in Paris 44

Hargrave, Don 64

Gaucho Serenade 107

Gold Mine in the Sky 172

Harlem Follies 50, 89, 104, 163, 165

Gauchos of El Dorado 80

Goldberg, Barry 62

Harlem Hotshots 117

Gaudio, Bob 70

The Golden Stallion 71

Harlem Is Heaven 64

The Gay Desperado 188

Goldmine in the Sky 103

Harlem Jazz Festival 42, 44, 113, 117

The Gay Ranchero 170

Goldstein, Chuck 68

Harlem on Parade 59, 114, 120, 181

The Gay Senorita 185

Gone Harlem 145

Harlem on the Prairie 87

Gayle (Gayle Caldwell) 96

Gonks Go Beat 121, 133

Harlem Rides the Range 87

The Gene Krupa Story 152

Good Luck, Mr. Yates 25, 162

Harmony Lane 74

General Spanky 62, 74

Good Neighbor Sam 89

Harper 62

Gentleman from Arizona 80

Good Times 168

Harrell, Dickie 76

Gentleman from Dixie 41

Goodman, Al 8

Harrell, Scotty 71, 102

The Gentleman from Texas 46

Goodman, Benny 9, 19

Harris, Bill 42

Gentry, Art 63

Gordon, Jimmy 50

Harris, Clyde 46

George Washington Carver 188

Grand Canyon Trail 71

Harris, Jet 100

George White’s Scandals 76

Grand Ole Opry 157, 189, 193

Harris, Rutha 74

Get Yourself a College Girl 12, 49, Grande, John 21

Harrison, George 16

73, 102, 153, 173

Grant, A. 51

Hart, Jimmy 76

Ghost Catchers 112

Grant, Earl 59

Hart, Mabel 61

The Ghost Goes Gear 171

Gravenites, Nick 62

Hart, Mickey 81

The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini 26

Graves, Fred 67

Harvest Melody 61, 147, 191

Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow 153

Gray, Glen 78

Harvey, Bob 98

Ghost Town Riders 182

Grayson, Hal 83

Haslett, Hank 37

G.I. Blues 107

Grease 162

Hat Check Honey 74, 86, 180

Gibb, Barry 17

The Great American Broadcast 94, Hats Off 147

Gibb, Maurice 17

195

Hatton, Billy 70

Gibb, Robin 17

The Great Caruso 56

Havana Rose 65

Gibbons, Paul 22

The Great Morgan 111

Having a Wild Weekend 49

Gibson, Steve 15

The Great Waltz 25, 72

Hawaiian Nights 124, 159

Gidget 70

Green, Art 14

The Hawk of Powder River 11

Gift of Gab 16, 57, 82

Green, Johnnie 105

Hawkins, Edwin 61

Gigolette 128

Green, Karl 88

Hawkins, Gabrielle 90

Gilbert, Joe 103

Green, Lennie 36

Haydock, Eric 89

Gilberto, Tommy 40

The Green Light 56

Hayes, Isaac 27

Giles, Lem 20

The Green Pastures 83

Hayman, Richard 27

Gilkyson, Terry 59

Greene, Alan 35

Head 130

Gimme Shelter 67, 92, 99

Greenwich Village 15, 153

Heading West 84

Girard, Chuck 90

Gregorakis, James 68

Heart of the Golden West 83, 170

A Girl, a Guitar and a Trumpet 118

Gregorio, Mike 29

Heart of the Rio Grande 103

The Girl Can’t Help It 41, 76, 106, Grier, Jimmie ( Jimmy) 100

Heart of the Rockies 71, 88

145, 149, 188

Griffin, A.C. 79

Hearts Divided 83

212

Index

The Heat’s On 198

Hollinsworth, Pods 15

In Old Amarillo 157

Heavenly Days 112

Holly, Buddy 45

In Old Missouri 83, 193

Heidt, Horace 91

Holly, Dave 21

In Old Monterey 91, 148

Heldorado 57, 170

Hollywood Barn Dance 62, 143

In Society (aka Abbott and Costello in Hell Harbor 82

Hollywood Bound 101, 153, 179

Society) 68, 196

Hell on Wheels 175

Hollywood Canteen 36, 80, 102, 170

In the Navy 10

Hell’s Angels ’69 175

Hollywood Hotel 20, 151

Ingle, Doug 95

Hell’s Highway 63

Hollywood Revue of 1929 22, 30, Ingram, Marv 69

Hell’s Playground 140, 177

156, 185

Innes, Louis 84

Hellzapoppin’ 165, 166

Hollywood Varieties 91, 154

International House 33, 78

Help! 17

Holmberg, Dottie 79

Intorella, Oreste 104

Hemmingway, Gabe 20

Holmberg, Sheri 79

Iona, Andy 11

Henderson, Jimmie 37

Holmes, Jake 100

Is Everybody Happy? 180

Hensley, Roy 37

Holy Year 1950 164

Isley, Ernie 95

Her Lucky Night 11

Home in Oklahoma 68, 170

Isley, Marvin 95

Here Come the Coeds 143

Home in San Antone 57, 129, 157

Isley, O’Kelly 95

Here Comes Cookie 30, 161, 164

Home on the Prairie 155

Isley, Ronald 95

Here Comes Elmer 97, 110, 172

Home on the Range 170

Isley, Rudolph 95

Here Comes the Band 180

Homer (Henry Haynes) 90

Isley, Vernon 95

Here We Go Again 150

Honeymoon Lodge 137

Isn’t It romantic? 61

Here We Go Round the Mulberry

Honolulu 11, 111, 144

It Ain’t Hay 189

Bush 171

The Hooked Generation 15

It All Came True 18, 61, 112, 195

Herron, Red 62

Hooray for Love 33

It Can’t Last Forever 23, 47, 96, 131, He’s My Guy 56, 114

Hoosier Holiday 91, 132, 165

135

Hess, Jake 93

Hootenanny Hoot 30, 76, 103

It Happened at the World’s Fair 107, Hester, Eloise 93

Hopkins, Charles 66

124

Hey Boy! Hey Girl! 119, 159

Hopkins, Gary 64

It Happened in Brooklyn 173

Hey, Let’s Twist! 104, 140

Hopkins, Sy 66

It Happened in Paris 125, 133

Hey, Rookie! 83, 89, 108, 189

Hopwood, Keith 88

It Happened on Fifth Avenue 112

Heywood, Eddie 60

Horror of Party Beach 51

It’s a Bikini World 12, 37, 76, 139, Hi, Buddy 112

The Hot Bed 155

187

Hi, Good Lookin’ 51, 96, 137

Hot Rod Gang 76

It’s a Date 86

Hi, Neighbor 121, 157

Hot Rods to Hell 126

It’s a Gift 14

Hicks, Tony 89

Hot Thrills and Warm Chills 79

It’s a Great Life 69

Hideaway Girl 14

Hotel Imperial 55

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Hi-De-Ho 33, 142

House-Rent Party 121

163

Hier Bin Ich — Hier Bleib’ich 21

How Green Was My Valley 194

It’s a Wonderful Day 77

High Hat 57, 74, 179

How to Commit Marriage 43

It’s All Happening 42

High School 29

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini 111

It’s All Over Town 7, 15, 89

High School Hero 74, 98

Howard, Alan 29

It’s Great to Be Young 128

High Society 118

Howdy Broadway 185

It’s Trad, Dad! 7, 29, 40, 58, 108, 138

Hill, Bill 98

How’s About It? 11, 31

It’s Your Thing 29, 41, 61, 66, 92, Hillman, Chris 32, 67

Huggins, Harley 25

95, 197, 199

Hilly, Joe 25

Hunsaker, Earl 82

I’ve Gotta Horse 15

Hirsch, Chicken 45

Hunt, Gregg 65

Ivins [Ivans], Joe 13

His Fighting Blood 13

Hunt, Tommy 67

The Hit Parade 35, 58, 60, 185

Hunter, Charles 13

Jackie ( Jackie Miller) 96

Hit Parade of 1941 27, 165

Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte 180

Jackson, Al 27

Hit Parade of 1943 74, 80, 132, 150, Hutcherson, Sam 15

Jackson, Don 51

183

Hutton, Ina Ray 93

Jackson, Eddie 38

Hit Parade of 1947 170, 197

Huxley, Rick 48

Jailhouse Rock 107

Hit Parade of 1951 26, 65

Hyams, Margie 77

Jam Session 9, 38, 78, 97, 118, 144, Hit the Deck 107

180

Hit the Ice 70, 106

I Cover Chinatown 11

Jamboree 38, 44, 62, 68, 116, 132, 155

Hite, Bob 34

I Dood It 102

James, Eddie 85

Hits and Bits of 1938 84

I Love a Bandleader 70

James, Harry 9, 85

Hittin’ the Trail 142, 151, 182

I Surrender Dear 135

Jardine, Al 16

Hi’Ya, Sailor 35, 51, 83, 114, 134, I Walk Alone 153

Jaroff, Serge 55

150, 197

Iblings, Henry 82

Jazz Festival 58

Hoedown 144, 197

Iceland 159

Jazz on a Summer’s Day 39

Hoeptner, Tex 8

Idaho 25, 170

Jeepers Creepers 193

Hoff, Carl 35

Idea Girl 38

Jeffries ( Jeffreys), Herb 87

Hold Everything 7

If I Had My Way 165

Jethro (Kenneth Burns) 90

Hold On! 88

If I’m Lucky 86

Jivin’ in Be-Bop 92, 138

Hold That Co-Ed 28

I’ll Get By 86

Joan of Paris 25

Hold That Ghost 10, 180

I’ll Sell My Life 60

Joe Palooka in The Knockout 122

Holiday for Lovers 133

I’ll Take Sweden 191

John Lair’s Renfro Valley Barn Dance Holiday in Mexico 198

I’ll Tell the World 101

65

Holiday Rhythm 37, 41, 93, 132

I’m from Arkansas 128, 144, 176

Johnny Cash! The Man, His World, Holland, Clinton 51

In Caliente 35

His Music 132, 182

Index

213

Johnny Doughboy 63

King Creole 107

Lebak, Jim 21

Johnny Rocco 25

King of Jazz 23, 30, 140

LeBaron, Eddie 60

Johnson, Bernice 74

King of the Cowboys 170, 179

Leckenby, Derek 88

Johnson, Candy 64

Kirby, John 104

Lecuona, Ernesto 63

Johnson, Delores 93

Kirchner, Fritz 15

Lee, Barbara 40

Johnson, Gwen 36

Kirchner, Jeff 15

Lee, Billy 22

Johnson, Hall 83

Kirchner, Mike 15

Leighton, Charles 35

Johnson, Kripp 51

Kirk, Andy 11

Lennon, John 16

Johnson, Ray 71

Kirk, Jack 13

Lerchey, David 51

Johnson, Wayne 25

Kirkland, Mike 30

Leroy, Greg 43

Johnson, Willie 79

Kirkpatrick, Ches 22

Les, Don 99

Johnston, Bruce 16

Kiss the Boys Goodbye 105

Lesh, Phil 81

The Joint Is Jumpin’ 9, 76, 107, 143, Kissin’ Cousins 107

Let It Be 17

165

Klein, Dave 65

Let the Good Times Roll 21, 47, 66, Jolly, Pete 31

Kleinow, Pete 67

163

The Jolson Story 25

Knights of the Range 111

Let’s Go Collegiate 96

Jones, Booker T. 27

Knute Rockne — All American 131

Let’s Go Steady 125, 165

Jones, Carl 51

Kostelanetz, Andre 10

Let’s Make Music 24

Jones, Etta 47

Kowalski, Ted 53

Let’s Rock! 47, 158, 189

Jones, Gary 50

Kramer, Billy J. 22

Levitt, Phil 53

Jones, Isham 95

Kratzsch, Hal 69

Levy, John 77

Jones, Jack 13

Kreutzmann, Bill 81

Lewis, Earl 67

Jones, Matt 74

Krieger, Robby 55

Lewis, Gary 75

Jones, Orville 94

Kruble, Leroy 11

Lewis, Noah 16

Jones, Ralph 21

Krupa, Gene 9, 76

Lewis, Robert 67

Jones, Ray 22

Kupferberg, Tuli 75

Leyva, Lamberto 81

Joplin, Janice 20

Kuzzell, Dudley 82

Liebert, Billy 71

Jordao, Itelio 15

Kweskin, Jim 100

Life Begins in College 28

Juke Box Jenny 38, 111, 128, 197

Lights of Old Santa Fe 170

Juke Box Rhythm 59, 134, 188

Ladies Man 134, 171

Linares, Ronnie 50

Juke Joint 58, 121

The Ladies Man 86

Linda, Be Good 34

Junction City 176

Ladies of the Chorus 26

Lindsey, Dennis 14

Junior Prom 7, 60

Lady Be Good 165

The Little Joe Wrangler 103

Just for Fun 29, 45, 100, 103

Lady for a Night 83

Little Miss Broadway 28, 29, 99

Just for the Hell of It 134

Lady, Let’s Dance! 61, 87, 118, 128

Live It Up! 108

Juventud Rebelde 21

A Lady Takes a Chance 184

Living Venus 25

Lafell, Leon 35

Loaded Pistols 37

Kane, Howard 98

Lake Placid Serenade 86, 150

Lombard, Carole 36

The Kansan 112

Landrush 137

Lombardo, Carmen 82

Kansas City Kitty 196

Langford, William 79

Lombardo, Guy 82

Kantner, Paul 98

Langham, Roy 84

Lombardo, Lebert 82

Karstein, Jimmy 75

Lantree, Honey 90

Lombardo, Victor 82

Katz, Fred 39

Lantree, John 90

The London Rock and Roll Show 21

Kaufman, Denise 7

Larceny with Music 9, 111

Lone Hand Texan 132

Kaukonen, Jorma 98

Larson, Glen 69

The Lone Prairie 25

Kay, John 21

LaRue, Florence 65

Lone Star Moonlight 91, 108, 125, 166

Kaye, Andy 98

Las Vegas Nights 144, 185

The Lone Star Trail 103

Keep ’Em Flying 165

The Last Days of Boot Hill 37

The Lonesome Trail 176

Keep Punching 113

The Last Frontier Uprising 57, 71

Longnecker, Ezra 20

Keep Smiling 184

The Last Horseman 26

Look Back in Anger 40

Keith, Bill 100

The Last Musketeer 153

Look Out Sister 119

Kelley, Kevin 32

The Last Round-Up 183

Loomis, Mark 40

Kelly, Joe 90

Latham, Red 99

Lord Love a Duck 196

Kemp, Hal 83

Lattimore, Carlton 104

Lost Canyon 172

Kenny, Bill 23, 94

Laugh Your Blues Away 140

Lost in a Harem 102, 161

Kentucky Blue Streak 18

Lauritsen, Jack 64

Lost Lagoon 92

Kentucky Jubilee 30

Law and Lawless 80

The Lost Trail 192

Kentucky Moonshine 29

Law and Order 135

The Lost Weekend 160

Kerr, Anita 12

The Law of 45’s 13

The Loud Speaker (aka The Loud-Kettering, Frank 90

Law of the Canyon 182
speaker) 30

Kid Dynamite 126

Law of the Pampas 111

Louisiana 176

The Kid from Amarillo 37

Law of the Plains 169

Louvin, Charlie 39

Kiffle, Karl 89

Law of the Range 183

Love, Mike 16

Killer Diller 11, 42, 110

Lawless Empire 26

Love Affair 25, 29

Killers Three 175

Lawless Land 40

Love and Hisses 18, 28, 142

Kimball, Ward 65

Lawless Range 13

Love at First Sight 139, 187

Kind Lady 143

The Lawless Rider 84

The Love-Ins 40, 133, 189

King, Henry 87

Lawless Valley 70

Love That Brute 112

King, Joe 50

Laws, Maury 88

Love Thy Neighbor 126

King, Phil 35

Lawson, George 50

Love Under Fire 27

214

Index

Lovelady, Dave 71

Mask of the Dragon 46

Mr. Music 126

Loving You 86, 107

The Masked Rider 82

Mr. Rock and Roll 72, 117, 130

Lowe, Bernie 20

Masquerade in Mexico 82

Mitchell, Lloyd 15

Lubahn, Doug 42

Massi, Nick 70

Mitchell, Robert 25

Lucas, Harold 42

Mauldin, Joe 45

The Model Shop 171

Lucy Gallant 69

Maxfield, Mike 22

Molloy, John 64

Lullaby of Broadway 138

May, Billy 22

Mondo Hollywood 155

Luman, Bob 24

Mayo, O.W. 25

Mondo Mod 81, 159

Lunceford, Jimmy ( Jimmie) 102

Maytime 55

The Monkey’s Uncle 16

Lundy, Jimmy 50

McAuliffe, William 25

The Monster Club 147

The Lusting Hours 160

McCartney, Paul 16

Monterey Pop 12, 21, 27, 35, 45, 99, Luxury Liner 144, 198

McCaslin, George 67

122, 164, 195

Lyles, Bill 23

McCoo, Marilyn 65

Montgomery, Robbie 93

Lyman, Abe 7

McDonald, Joe 45

Monticello, Here We Come 31

Lyman, Mel 100

McElroy, Sollie 67

Moon Over Harlem 40

Lymon, Frankie 72

McGuinn, Roger 32

Moon Over Las Vegas 162, 172

Lytle, Marshall 21

McIntyre, Hal 83

Moonlight and Cactus 11, 128

McKernan, Ron 81

Moonlight and Pretzels 63, 71, 78, 95

MacDonald, Robin 22

McLean, Dave 104

Moonlight in Hawaii 126

Macioci, Jim 29

McLemore, Lamonte 65

Moonshine Mountain 37, 76, 177

Mack, Red 51

McPeters, Curtis 13

Moore, Shirley 37

Maclaine, Pete 22

McQuarter, Matthew 42

Morales, Armond 93

MacMurray, Fred 34

McSpadden, Gary 93

Morales, Esy 63

Mad About Music 35

McVea, Jack 96

Moran, Jackie 96

Mad Dogs and Englishmen 104

Meagher, Ron 17

More American Graffiti 45

Madam Satan 7

The Medico of Painted Springs 164

Morgan, Bob 84

Made in Paris 44, 129

Meeks, Johnny 76

Morgan, Charlie 11, 71

Madison Avenue 178

Meet Danny Wilson 36

Morrison, Jim 55

Madriguera, Enric 62

Meet John Doe 9, 25, 49, 83

Morse, Bob 89

Maestro, Johnny 29

Meet Me in Las Vegas 165

Mosby, Curtis 46

Maffei, Frank 47

Meet Me in St. Louis 132, 161

Moulin Rouge 28

Magic Town 162

Meet Miss Bobby Sox 110

Moulton, Victor 15

Maguire, Les 77

Meet the Baron 28

Mountain Justice 114

Mahoney, Dave 68

Meet the Boyfriend 20

Mountain Moonlight 193

Mahramas, George 68

Meet the People 111, 134, 171, 190

Mountain Rhythm 193

Mahramas, Michael 68

Melody Lane 126

Mountjoy, Monte 65

Majewski, Hank 70

Melody Parade 13, 120, 158, 179

Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Make a Wish 56

Melody Time 11, 54, 73, 170

Daughter 88

Make Believe Ballroom 172

Melton, Barry 45

Mrs. Miniver 56

Make Mine Laughs 44, 72

Men of Boys Town 56

Mrs. Parkington 56

Make Mine Music 11, 108, 112, 144

Merchant, Jimmy 72

Muldaur, Geoff 100

Mallery, Clark 65

Merrill, Jack 64

Mullendore, Joe 35

Malneck, Matty 123

Merry-Go-Round of 1938 48

Mulligan, Declan 17

Mama Steps Out 56

Mershon, Gil 71

Munden, Dave 29

Man, Betty 75

Metzger, Hal 84

Murad, Jerry 27, 99

Man About Town 124

Mexican Hayride 67

Murder at the Vanities 58

The Man from Montana 111

Mexicana 56, 141

Murder with Music 174

Man from Music Mountain 146, 170

Midnight Frolics 28, 38

Murderers Row 55

The Man from Oklahoma 170

Miles, Buddy 62

Murphey, Earl 11

Man from Rainbow Valley 57, 158

Miles, Herbie 37

Murphy, Jesse 66

The Man from Sundown 170

Miller, Eddie 61

Murray, Martin 90

Manhattan Merry-Go-Round 33, Miller, Elmaurice 51

Murray, Steve 21

108, 119, 180

Miller, Frank 59

Murray, Tom 20

Mantalis, George 68

Miller, Glenn 78

Muscle Beach Party 53

Mantan Messes Up 174

Miller, Herb 87

Muse, Clarence 41

Many Happy Returns 82

Million Dollar Weekend 157

Music City, U.S.A. 34, 39, 132, 137, Manzarek, Ray 55

Millward, Mike 70

194, 195

Marie Antoinette 56, 65

Minevitch, Borah 27

The Music Goes ’Round 155

Marked for Murder 128

Minstrel Man 11

Music in Manhattan 38, 134

Marks, David 16

The Minx 47

Music in My Heart 10, 29

Marriage Is a Private Affair 56

Miracle in Harlem 107, 121

Music Man 102

Marsden, Freddy 77

Mirandy 20

The Music Man 31

Marsden, Gerry 77

Miss Bobby Socks 119

Musical Mutiny 65, 81, 95, 133

Marsh, Warne 89

Mississippi 33

My Buddy 146

Marshal of Gunsmoke 105

Mississippi Rhythm 100

My Favorite Spy 108

Marshall, Jackie 23

Mistaken Identity (aka Murder with My Friend Irma Goes West 54

Martin, Don 104

Music) 135

My Lucky Star 28

Martin, Eddie 66

Mr. Ace 67

My Old Kentucky Home 83

Martin, Fred 36

Mr. Big 18, 61

My Pal Trigger 170

Martin, Freddie (Freddy) 73

Mr. Broadway 60, 95

My Tale Is Hot 86

Index

215

Mydland, Brent 81

The Old Wyoming Trail 169

Pennies from Heaven 118

The Mysterious Avenger 169

Oliveira, Aloysio 15

Penny, Hank 84

Mystery in Swing 38, 174

Olsen, George 77

Penrod, Jerry 95

The Mystery of the Hooded Horseman On an Island with You 198

People Are Funny 189

151

On Stage Everybody 111

The People Next Door 16, 78

On the Old Spanish Trail 170

Perilous Holiday 61

Nabbie, Jimmy 50

On Top of Old Smoky 37

Pete Kelly’s Blues 95, 180

The Naked Zoo 35

On with the Show 84

Petersen, John 17, 85

Nancy Goes to Rio 15

Once Upon a Coffeehouse 74, 79, 100

Peterson, Sylvia 40

Nash, Graham 45, 89

One Dark Night 87

Petulia 21, 43, 81

Nashville Rebel 195

One Exciting Week 181

Phantom Valley 137

The Nasty Rabbit 139

One Foot in Heaven 25

Pharr, Kelsey 51

The National Barn Dance 54, 91, 121

One Hundred Men and a Girl 115

Phillips, Bobby 33

The Naughty Nineties 148

One in a Million 27

Phillips, Gene 67

The Navy Way 81

One Man’s Challenge 16, 76, 177

Pickens, Earl 46

Naylor, Jerry 45

One Too Many 114

The Picture of Dorian Gray 179

Neal, Jack 76

Operator 13 127

Pigskin Parade 198

Neblett, Charles 74

The Opposite Sex 86

Pillow to Post 118

Negroni, Joe 72

Orchestra Wives 79, 129

Pin Up Girl 39

Neilsen, Sherrill 93

Osborne, Bobby 50

The Pinto Kid 170

Neilson, Ron 79

Osorio, Afonso 15

The Pioneers 57, 152

Nelson, Nate 67

Osorio, Stenio 15

The Playgirl Killer 98

Neptune’s Daughter 198

Out California Way 56, 71

Playmates 82, 108

New Faces of 1937 29, 69, 154

Out of Sight 14, 73, 75, 112, 188

Plumb, Neely 71

New Orleans 118, 136, 197

Out of This World 78, 87, 104, 179

Policy Man 44, 145

New Wine 56

Outcast of Black Mesa 137

Pompilli, Rudy 21

Newman, Bob 84

Outlaws of the Panhandle 170

Poole, Brian 29

Newman, Hank 84

Outlaws of the Prairie 169

Pop Gear 12, 17, 22, 71, 88, 90, 133, Newman, Slim 84

Outpost of the Mounties 170

141, 171

Ney, Michael 42

Over the Santa Fe Trail 13, 50, 91

Popcorn: An Audio/Visual Rock

Nicholls, Alan 98

Owens, Harry 86

Thing 16, 18, 65, 81, 187, 189

The Night Before the Premiere 118

Owens, Henry 79

Pope, Joe 46

Night Club Girl 51, 132

Porter, Del 71

Night Time in Nevada 170

Paige, Tommy 62

Porter, Nancy 78

Night Train to Memphis 157

Paine, John 30

Pot o’ Gold 91, 164

Night World 83

Paint Your Wagon 134

Powell, Austin 37

Nightmare 22

The Painted Desert 142

The Powers Girl 20

Nightmare in Wax 179

Pajama Party 135

Prairie Riders 137

Nikki, Wild Dog of the North 135

Palm Springs Weekend 128

Prairie Roundup 176

No Leave, No Love 82, 198

Palmer, Bill 67

Prairie Stranger 116

No Nukes 46

La Paloma 118

Presenting Lily Mars 24, 165, 185

Nobody’s Baby 14, 101, 153

Palooka 82

The President’s Analyst 42

Noone, Jimmie ( Jimmy) 101

Pals of the Golden West 157

Price, Alan 12

Noone, Peter 88

Pals of the Range 104

Price, Ernie 37

North of the Great Divide 71

Panama Hattie 20, 132, 165

The Pride of the Yankees 150

North of the Yukon 169

Panama Sal 189

Primitive London 22

Northwest Outpost 9

Pan-Americana 84, 133, 138

The Prince and the Pauper 56

Notkoff, Bobby 62

Paradise for Three 72

Priorities on Parade 49

The Notorious Elinor Lee 72

Paradise in Harlem 107, 120

Private Buckaroo 11, 86

Nunley, Louis 12

Paradise Valley 20

Provisor, Dennis 80

The Nutty Professor 75, 115

Pardon My Gun 7, 182

Pruitt, Marvin 69

Pardon My Rhythm 24, 125

Psych-Out 161, 175

O, My Darling Clementine 147, 157, Pardon My Sarong 94

Psycho-a-Go-Go 190

172

Pardon Us 63

Puddin’ Head 111, 172

O’Dell, Doye 57

Parham, Kitty 41

Puerling, Gene 89

Of Men and Music 143

Parker, Andy 11

Puleo, Johnny 27

Ogden, Larry 64

Parris, Fred 66

Oh, Susanna! 117

The Parson of Panamint 82

Quick, Clarence 51

O’Hara, Brian 70

Parsons, Gram 32, 67

Quick on the Trigger 176

Okay, America! 24, 64, 183

Parsons, Ray 21

Quicksand 152

Oklahoma Frontier 182

Party Girl 58

Quirico, DeWayne 26

Oklahoma Raiders 105

Pass, Joe 77

Quirk, Charlie 20

The Old Barn Dance 33, 122, 169, Patterson, J.E. 13

172, 192

Patterson, John 14

Racing Blood 66

The Old Chisholm Trail 103

Patterson, Samuel 51

Radio City Revels 83

The Old Corral 169

Paul, Johnny 71

Radio Stars on Parade 35, 165, 187

The Old Homestead 169, 182, 193

Payton, Denis 48

Radle, Carl 75

Old Oklahoma Plains 153

The Peanut Man 83

Ragtime Cowboy Joe 182

Old Overland Trail 153

Peeples, Lewis 66

Rainbow on the River 56, 83

The Old Texas Trail 151

Penner, Ed 65

Rainbow Over Texas 170

216

Index

Rainbow Over the Range 156

Riding High 128

Saga of Death Valley 103

Ramos, Bobby 26

Riding the Outlaw Trail 140

Sailor Beware 54

Ramsay, Al 75

Riding Through Nevada 100

St. John, Dick 53

Rancho Grande 28, 138

Rinker, Al 22

Saint Louis Blues 83, 111, 124

Randazzo, Teddy 40

Rio Grande 169, 170

Sally, Irene and Mary 29, 151

Randi, Don 55

Rio Rita 67, 82

Salute for Three 55

Random Harvest 56

Riot on Sunset Strip 40, 62

Sanders, Ed 75

Range Beyond the Blue 176

Ripps, Don 35

Sanders, Marty 98

The Rangers Take Over 33

A Ritmo de Twist 21

San Fernando Valley 170

Rapp, Danny 47

River of No Return 11

San Francisco 56

Rascals 27

Riverboat Rhythm 72

San Juan, Olga 78

Raspberry, Larry 76

Rivers, Joan 100

Santa Fe Rides 164

Rat Fink 75

Rivers, Travis 20

Santiago, Herman 72

Rathbone, Donald 89

Road Show 38

Santos, Mario 81

Rawhide Rangers 143, 183

Road to Bali 24

Saratoga 69

Reagon, Cordell 74

The Road to Nashville 132, 137, 175

Sardinha, Anibal Augusto 15

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm 151

Road to Rio 11, 195

Sarge Goes to College 96, 197

Rebel in the Ring 53

Road to Zanzibar 83

Sargent, Tommy 59

The Reckless Age 51

Roaring Rangers 125

Sarong Girl 106

Rector, Jim 64

Robbins, Pro 35

Satin, Arnie 56

Red River Valley 170

Roberts, Bud 8

The Satin Mushroom 124

Reed, Bill 53

Robertson, Bernard 51

Savitt, Jan 97

Reed, Vern 31

Robin Hood of Texas 37

Scandal 120

Rees, Wyndam 64

Robin Hood of the Range 103

Scarface 82

Reese, Jim 26

Robison, Robbie 42

Scatterbrain 33, 124, 182

Reet, Petite and Gone 119

Rock All Night 23, 145

Schaeffer, John, II 68

Reg’lar Fellers 22, 124

Rock Around the Clock 21, 63, 73, Scheckter, Sam 35

Reichman, Joe 104

145, 186

Schwartz, Bernie 43

Reinhart, Dick 71, 102

Rock Baby, Rock It! 18, 55, 66, 105, Scobey, Bob 25

The Reluctant Dragon 154

146, 156

Scoppettone, Dick 85

The Renegade Ranger 142

Rock ’n’ Roll Revue 42. 51, 58, 117

Scott, Shorty 32

The Renegade Trail 111

Rock, Pretty Baby 101

Scraggins, Jad 20

Renegades of the Rio Grande 151

Rock, Rock, Rock 41, 43, 67, 72, 101, Scream Free 27

The Return of Daniel Boone 155

105, 130

Scream of the Butterfly 62

The Return of the Durango Kid 99

Rockin’ in the Rockies 35, 91, 171

Screaming Mimi 152

Reveille with Beverly 24, 44, 74, Rockin’ the Blues 66, 85, 92, 192

Scroggins, Jerry 36

127, 147, 179

Roll Along Cowboy 32

Seal, Bob 42

Revolution 7, 45, 108, 174

Roll Along, Texas Moon 170

Seaside Swingers 73

Revolution Is in Your Head 65, 75

Rollin’ Home to Texas 33

Seckler, Bill 22

Rex, Al 21

Rollin’ Plains 20

Second Chorus 14

Rey, Alvino 9

Rollin’ Westward 182

Second Fiddle 29

Rhapsody in Blue 87, 147

Romance on the High Seas 138, 158

Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar 39, 90

Rhythm-and-Blues Revue 42, 51, 58, Romance on the Range 170

The Second Greatest Sex 126

110, 117

Romano, Tommy 40

Secret Sinners 84

Rhythm Inn 13

Rootin’ Tootin’ Rhythm 8

See My Lawyer 92, 110

Rhythm on the Range 169

Rosales, Edgardo 34

Sellers, Paul 71

Rhythm on the River 105, 197

Rosalie 69

Sells, Paul 105

Rhythm Parade 127, 179

Rose of Santa Rosa 91, 143

Selph, Jimmy 46

Rhythm Round-Up 26, 50, 91, 144

Rose of Washington Square 119

Senior Prom 24, 74, 115, 119, 159

Rice, Darol 71

Rosica, Jim 29

Senorita from the West 171

Rich, Buddy 31

Rosse, Bea 68

Sensations of 1945 33, 43, 116, 197

Rich, Freddie 74

Rosse, Geri 68

Sepia Cinderella 50, 104, 114, 192

Rich, Young and Pretty 69

Rosse, Marge 68

Seven Days Ashore 44, 74

Richards, Dick 21

Rough Riding Ranger 104

Seven Days Leave 74, 115

Riddick, Clyde 79

The Rough, Tough West 140

Sex and the Single Girl 44

Ride ’Em Cowboy 30, 126, 148

The Roundup 111

The Shadow of Silk Lennox 72

Ride, Ranger, Ride 169, 181

Round-Up Time in Texas 33

Shadow Valley 11

Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride 137

Roustabout 107

Shamblin, Eldon 25

Riders of Pasco Basin 158

Rovin’ Tumbleweeds 138

Shantytown 124

Riders of San Joaquin 103

Rowberry, Dave 12

Shaw, Artie 13

Riders of the Black River 169

Rubini, Jan 97

Shaw, Bill 23

Riders of the Lone Star 46

Rumble on the Docks 73

She Has What It Takes 147, 189

Riders of the Northwest Mounted 25

Run with the Wind 86, 133

Shea, Al 31

Riders of the Rockies 182

Rustlers of the Badlands 8

Shearing, George 77

Riders of the Santa Fe 151

Ruvio, Joe 29

Shelton, Billy 42

Riders of the South 46

Ryan, Phil 64

Shelton, Don 89

Riders of the Timberline 82

Shepherd of the Ozarks 193

Riders of the Whistling Pines 37, 144

Saddle Pals 37

Sherman, James 38

Ridin’ Down the Canyon 170

Saddle Serenade 71

Sherman, Sidell 98

Ridin’ the Cherokee Trail 181

Saddles and Sagebrush 25

Sherman, Sidney 39

Index

217

Sherwood, Bobby 26

Smoking Guns 108

Square Dance Jubilee 30, 61, 167, She’s for Me 61

Smoky Mountain Melody 157

171, 188

Shine on, Harvest Moon 121

Smoky River Serenade 28, 91

Square Dance Katy 100

Ship Ahoy 82, 144, 185

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Stabile, Dick 53

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim 137

72

Stage Door Canteen 20, 74, 82, 108

Shoot the Works 18

Snyder, Dwight 71

Stage to Chino 138

Short, Calvin 13

Snyder, Eddie 36, 102

Stagecoach Buckaroo 82

Short, Jimmy 62

Snyder, Hal 84

Stagecoach War 111

Short, Leon 62

So Dear to My Heart 154

Stairway for a Star 50, 166, 182

Show Boat 55, 145

Social Register 74

Stakeout on Dope Street 113

The Show of Shows 180

Solomon, Phil 35

Stampfel, Peter 75

The Showdown 111

Some Like It Hot 76

Stamping Ground 32, 35, 99, 145, Shroeder, Alan 23

Somerville, Dave (David) 53, 69

160

Shrum, Cal 33

Something for the Boys 15

Stand Up and Cheer! 148

Sievert, Bud 71

Something to Shout About 181

The Star Maker 143

The Silver Bullet 138

Something to Sing About 189

Star Spangled Rhythm 80, 166

Silver City Raiders 25

Son of a Badman 57

Starlet 86

Silver Skates 179

Son of Inagi 174

Starlight Over Texas 135

Silver Spurs 170

Son of Roaring Dan 182

Starr, Ringo 16

Silvestri, Louis 68

A Song for Miss Julie 155

Stars on Parade 18, 40, 143

Simmons, Gus 49

A Song Is Born 28, 80, 138, 158

Stars Over Texas 176

Simms, Harry 11

Song of Arizona 25, 170

Start Cheering 106, 119

Simpson, Mary Ellen 7

Song of Idaho 91, 173, 176

Stay Away, Joe 107

Sims, Artie 14

Song of Mexico 107

Steadman, Frances 41

Sing a Jingle 70, 112

Song of Nevada 170

Steel, John 12

Sing a Song, for Heaven’s Sake 23, Song of Russia 131, 141

Steinbeck, George 37

24, 40, 80, 93, 135, 147, 148, 172, Song of Texas 170

Steinberg, Lewie 27

173, 177

Song of the City 56

Steinharter, Jack 88

Sing Another Chorus 142

Song of the Gringo 107

Stevens, Dave 36

Sing, Cowboy, Sing 182

Song of the Islands 86

Stevens, Mark 56

Sing Me a Song of Texas 71, 83, 91

Song of the Open Road 40, 89, 159

Stewart, Carl 84

Sing, Neighbor, Sing 121, 128, 157

Song of the Prairie 46, 52, 91, 187

Stewart, Cecil 38

Sing While You’re Able 29, 184

Song of the Range 105, 176

Stick to Your Guns 103

Sing Your Worries Away 9, 111

Song of the Saddle 169

Stills, Stephen 45

Singin’ in the Corn 164

Song of the Trail 148

Stokes, John 14

Singin’ Spurs 91, 161

Sons of the Pioneers 170

Stolen Heaven 71, 86

The Singing Buckaroo 100, 161

Sooter, Rudy 20

Stormy 13

The Singing Kid 33, 198

Sorci, Tony 38

Stormy Weather 33, 166, 187

Singing on the Trail 11, 52, 68, 91

So’s Your Uncle 51, 96, 97, 178

Stout, John 59

The Singing Sheriff 171

Soul to Soul 66, 92, 93, 160, 173

Stover, Everett 25

Sioux City Sue 37

Souls of Sin 85

Straight to Heaven 184

Sipes, Johnny 84

South of Arizona 169

Strange, Glenn 13

Sis Hopkins 24

South of Caliente 157

Strange Justice 183

Sitting Pretty 92, 144

South of Death Valley 186

The Stranger from Ponca City 182

Six-Gun Law 46

South of Dixie 26, 39

The Stranger from Texas 169

Ski Party 90, 97

South of Santa Fe 170

Strasen, Bob 89

Skidoo! 175

South of the Border 39

The Strawberry Statement 152

Skillet, Hank 20

South of the Chisholm Trail 84

Strazza, Peter 62

Skirts Ahoy! 52

South of the Rio Grande 82

Street Girl 56, 82, 151

Skybound 21

South Pacific Trail 153

Streets of Ghost Town 137

The Skydivers 101

Spangenberg, Bill 31

Strevel, Burl 23

The Sky’s the Limit 74

Spence, Skip 98

Stricklin, Alton 25

Slack, Freddie 74

Spencer, Pete 21

Strictly Dynamite 127

Slaughter, Henry 93

Sperling, Sam 35

Strictly in the Groove 54, 100, 103, Sleepy Lagoon 126

Spirit of Stanford 189

114, 137

Sleepytime Gal 165

Spirit of Youth 45, 145

Strike Up the Band 140

The Slender Thread 169

Spivak, Charlie 39

The Strip 118

Slick, Grace 98

Spoilers of the Range 169

Strother, Cynthia 18

Slightly Scandalous 82

Spotlight Scandals (aka Spotlight Strother, Kay 18

Slightly Terrific 61, 173

Revue) 87, 147

Sugar Daddy 47, 183

Sloey, Al 71

Spree 41

Sullivan, Niki 45

Smart Politics 35, 76

Spriggins, Ace 13

Sullivan’s Empire 161

Smashing Time 186

Spriggins, Deuce 11, 52

The Sultan’s Daughter 44

Smith, Bud 84

Spring Is Here 30

Summer Lovers 101

Smith, Carson 39

Springs, Jimmy 66

Summers, Delrose 61

Smith, Earl 63

Springtime in Texas 34

Summers, Jerry 56

Smith, Jessie 93

Springtime in the Rockies 15, 86, Sumner, J.D. 23

Smith, Jimmy 102

102, 103, 165, 169

Sun Valley Serenade 79, 129

Smith, Mike 48

Springtime in the Sierras 170

Sunday Sinners 175

Smith, Paul 11

Sprouse, Ed 23

Sundown 56

218

Index

Sundown on the Prairie 132

Tender Is the Night 136

Tornado Range 11

Sundown Valley 181

Tennessee Jamboree 107, 118

Torrence, Dean 96

Sunset Carson Rides Again 155

Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Tortilla Flat 25

Sunset in El Dorado 170

Ground 103

Townson, Ron 65

Sunset in the West 71

Terror Trail 137

Trace, Al 8

The Sunset Murder Case 87

Terry, Joe 47

Trail of Robin Hood 71

Sunset on the Desert 170

Tex Rides with the Boy Scouts 20

Trail of the Rustlers 59

Sunset Serenade 170

Texas Carnival 152

Trail to Gunsight 151

Sunshine, Monte 40

The Texas Marshal 13

Trail to Laredo 37

Surf Party 14, 156

Texas Stagecoach 170

Trail to Mexico 82

Susanna Pass 71

Texas Stampede 169

Trail to San Antone 37

Suspense 26

Texas Terrors 103

Trailing Double Trouble 103

Swanee River 55, 83

Thall, George 39

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp 27

Swanee Showboat 61, 177

Thank Your Lucky Stars 171

Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round 28, Sweet and Low-Down 20, 144

Thanks a Million 140, 198

101

The Sweet Beat 66

Thanks for Everything 28

Trask, Walter 14

Sweet Genevieve 8

Thanks for Listening 29

Traveres, Freddy 71

Sweet Music 43, 71

That Girl from Paris 25

Traynor, John 98

Sweet Rosie O’Grady 25, 114

That Man of Mine 87, 94

Trietsch, Kenneth 90

The Sweet Smell of Success 39

That Night in Rio 15, 67

Trietsch, Paul 90

Sweet Surrender 7, 132, 188

That Tennessee Beat 174

Trigger, Jr. 71

The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi 72, That Texas Jamboree 11, 52, 54, 91

Trigger Trail 151

166, 179, 183, 184

That’s My Baby 44, 82, 126

Tripplehorn, Tom 75

Sweetheart of the Campus 70, 137

That’s My Gal 82, 98

Trocadero 61, 124, 147, 173, 197

Sweethearts of the U.S.A. 87, 97, 143

That’s Right— You’re Wrong 108

Tropic Holiday 14, 159

Swing! 114

They Shall Have Music 141

Trotter, John Scott 104

Swing, Cowboy, Swing 22, 192

This Could Be the Night 149

Trouble at Melody Mesa 33

Swing Fever 108

This Is Elvis —The Concert 178

Trouble in Sundown 142

Swing in the Saddle 91, 103

This Is the Army 9

Trouble in Texas 182

Swing It, Professor 70

This Is the Life 18, 26, 150

The Trouble with Girls 137

Swing It, Soldier 165, 175, 183

This Is the Night 58

True, Bobby 26

Swing Out, Sister 114

This Time for Keeps 198

Tubb, Ernest 62

Swing Out the Blues 189

Thomas, Frank 65

Tucson 37

Swing Parade of 1946 119, 196

Thompson, Cotton 25

The Tulsa Kid 103

Swing Sister Swing 180

Thompson, George 15

Tumbledown Ranch in Arizona 189

Swing the Western Way 45, 91, 99

Those Redheads from Seattle 18

Tumbleweed Trail 176

Swing Your Lady 193

Thousands Cheer 19, 24, 108

Tumbling Tumbleweeds 169

Swing Your Partner 121, 181

The Three Caballeros 14, 133, 188

The Tunnel of Love 63

A Swingin’ Affair 53

Three Comrades 56

Turn Off the Moon 8, 143

A Swingin’ Summer 57, 75, 154, Thrill of a Lifetime 35, 198

Turner, Ike 92

155

Thrill of a Romance 111, 186

Turner, Tina 92

Swingtime Johnny 11, 128

The Thrill of Brazil 62

Tuttle, Wesley 105

The Sword in the Stone 124

Throw a Saddle on a Star 54, 71, 91

Tuxedo Junction 117, 193

Sylvester, Terry 89

Thumbs Up 91

Twenty Million Sweethearts 127, 179

Syncopation 9, 73, 83

Thunder Alley 9

20,000 Men a Year 28

Szabo, Dave 36

Thunder Over the Prairie 33

Twilight in the Sierras 71

The Thundering Frontier 170

Twilight on the Prairie 61, 71, 96

Tahiti Nights 189

The Thundering West 170

Twilight on the Rio Grande 37

Take It Big 74, 137

Tiger By the Tail 125

Twilight on the Trail 103

Take It or Leave It 195

Tilley, Jerry 21

Twist All Night 159, 185

Take Me to Town 144

The Timber Trail 71

Twist Around the Clock 123

Taking Off 92

Time Out for Rhythm 60, 78, 165

Two Blondes and a Redhead 186

A Tale of Two Cities 56

The Time, the Place and the Girl 36

Two-Faced Woman 111

Tales of Manhattan 50, 83

Times Square Lady 101

Two-Fisted Rangers 170

Talk About a Lady 173

Tin Pan Alley 29, 155

Two Gals and a Guy 184

The Talk of Hollywood 8

The Tioga Kid 11

Two Girls and a Sailor 86, 198

Tall Feller 20

Tish 56

Two Gun Man from Harlem 37, 87

Tall, Tan and Terrific 9, 189

Titterington, Steve 88

Two Guys from Texas 143

Taxi! 44

Tjader, Cal 33, 77

Two Thousand Maniacs 145

The T.A.M.I. Show 15, 16, 22, 77, To Beat the Band 34

Two Tickets to Broadway 24

97, 123, 156, 168, 177

Tolby, Sean 40

Two Tickets to Paris 104

Taylor, Dallas 42

Tonite Let’s All Make Love in London Taylor, Fred 85

12, 145

Under Arizona Skies 167

Taylor, Gil 90

Too Many Blondes 92

Under California Stars 170

Taylor, Larry 34

Toorish, John 69

Under Colorado Skies 71

Teagarden, Jack 96

Top Man 26, 27, 44

Under Nevada Skies 170

Teenage Millionaire 21

Top of the Town 16, 34, 69

Under Western Stars 122

Templeman, Ted 85

Topper 184

Underwood, Loyal 13

Temptation 146

The Torch 188

Underworld 26, 84, 146, 165

Ten Cents a Dance 7

A Tornado in the Saddle 25

Untamed Youth 89

Index

219

Utah 170

Week-End Pass 51, 114, 172

Willingham, Johnny 33

The Utah Trail 182

Weekend Rebellion 178

Wills, Bob 25

Weeks, Anson 12

Wills, Chill 14

Vacation Days 99, 171

Weir, Bob 81

Wills, Johnny Lee 25

Vacation from Love 111

Weis, Danny 95

Wills, Luke 25

Vaccaro, Rosario 68

Welcome to My Nightmare 9

Wilson, Alan 34

The Vagabond Lover 43

Wellborn, Larry 45

Wilson, Brian 16

Valentine, Hilton 12

Wells, Cory 62

Wilson, Carl 16

Valentino, Sal 17

Welnick, Vince 81

Wilson, Dave 36

Vallee, Rudy 43

Wenzel, Art 39

Wilson, Dennis 16

Valli, Frankie 70

We’re Not Dressing 82, 111

Wilson, Orlandus 79

Vance, Kenny 98

West, Art 13

Wilson, Paul 66

Varieties on Parade 26, 48, 113

West, Doug 98

Winburn, Anna Mae 94

Variety Girl 132, 171

West, John 75

Winfield, Clyde 85

Variety Time 72, 84, 99

West, Ricky 29

Winfield, Jimmy 85

Varsity Show 73

West of Abilene 170

Winfield, Willie 85

Vaughn, Jerry 71

West of Carson City 135

Winley, Harold 42

Velarde, Bayardo 34

West of Cheyenne 169

Winter-a-Go-Go 135, 152

The Velvet Underground and Nico 190

West of Dodge City 132

Winter Carnival 188

Vestine, Henry 34

West of Sonora 176

Wintertime 197

The Vigilantes Ride 26

West of the Santa Fe 169

With a Song in My Heart 36

Village Barn Dance 121, 183

West to Glory 176

With Love and Kisses 39, 128, 142

The Village of the Giants 17

Western Caravans 169

With Six You Get Eggroll 81

Vincent, Jean 76

Westward Ho 13, 164

The Wizard of Oz 49, 111, 158

Vitalich, Diane 7

The Westward Trail 11

Wood, Herman 66

Viva Las Vegas 36, 68, 107

Whalin, June 25

Wood, Louis 66

Whalin, Kermit 25

Woode, Henri 87

Wabash Avenue 152

What a Crazy World 73, 103

Woods, Hosea 16

The WAC from Walla Walla 153

What’s Buzzin’ Cousin? 74

Woods, Thomas 42

Waddy, Henrietta 41

What’s Cookin’? 11, 197

Woodstock 35, 45, 46, 160, 162, 166, Wade, Earl 33

What’s Good for the Goose 147

181, 195

Wagon Team 37

What’s Happening! 17

Words and Music 22

Wagon Wheels 164

What’s Up, Tiger Lily? 120

World by Night 72

Wagonmaster 170

When Johnny Comes Marching Home Wright, Gil 12

Wake Up and Live 18, 28

143

Wright, Norman 51

Wakely, Jimmy 102

When the Boys Meet the Girls 88, Wrigley, Alan 88

Wald, Jerry 99

118, 159

WUSA 146

Walk Softly, Stranger 56

When You’re Smiling 24, 127, 129

Wyoming Hurricane 26

Walker, David 75

When’s Your Birthday? 122

Walking My Baby Back Home 129, 172

Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows 93

Yachnin, Louis 98

Walking on Air 122, 183

Where the Buffalo Roam 120

Yanick, John 104

Wallace, Barbara 43

Where the West Begins 142, 151, 164

The Yanks Are Coming 87

Waller, Jerry 75

Whirlwind Raiders 57

Yellow Rose of Texas 170

Walls, Joe 15

White, Dave 47

Yellow Submarine 17

Walter Wanger’s Vogues of 1938 155, White, Steve 38

Yes Sir, Mr. Bones 44, 89, 99, 141

191

Whitsett, Carson 27

Yodelin’ Kid from Pine Ridge 181

Wanderlove 158

Whitwam, Barry 88

Yolanda and the Thief 56

Ward, Alan 90

Whoopee! 77

You Are What You Eat 62, 65, 85, 191

Ward, Clara 41

Widner, Jimmy 84

You Can’t Ration Love 48

Ward, Jackie 36

Wife, Doctor and Nurse 28

You Were Never Lovelier 198

Ward, Wayne 31

Wild Country 176

You’ll Find Out 108

Ware, Edward 50

Wild on the Beach 14, 96, 168

You’ll Never Get Rich 51

Waring, Fred 73

The Wild Party 31

Younce, George 23

Warren, Quentin 102

The Wild Rebels 23

Young, Audrey 78

Waters, Winnie 84

Wild Wheels 21, 160, 183, 184

Young, Neil 45

Watson, Deek 50, 94

Wild, Wild Winter 14, 17, 53, 96, 98

The Young Americans 199

Watson, Guy 68

The Wild, Wild World of Jayne

Young and Beautiful 179

Wattstax 173

Mansfield 112

The Young Runaways 80

A WAVE, a WAC and a Marine 74, The Wild World of Batwoman 199

The Young Swingers 162

132

Williams, Billy 38

Yount, Dick 85

Way Down East 161

Williams, Curly 46

You’re a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith 112

Way Down South 83

Williams, Ira 38

You’re a Sweetheart 69, 135

The Way of the West 9

Williams, Joseph 46

You’re in the Army Now 124, 133

Way Out West 14

Williams, Marion 41

You’re the One 136

Wayman, Leroy 50

Williams, Ray 64

Youth Aflame 184

Wayne, Chuck 77

Williams, Sanford 46

You’ve Got to Be Smart 15, 89

Weathers, John 64

Williams, Willie 76

Weaver, Ken 75

Williams, Winston 67

Zachariah 45

Weber, Steve 75

Williamson, Bill 21

Zenobia 83

Week-End at the Waldorf 198

Willing, Foy 71

Ziegfeld Girl 132, 165

This page intentionally left blank

Document Outline

- Musical Groups in the Movies, 1929&#8211;1970

- Contents
- Preface
- Musical Groups in the Movies
- Appendix One
- Appendix Two
- Bibliography
- Index

Table of Contents

- Musical Groups in the Movies, 1929&#8211;1970

- Contents
- Preface
- Musical Groups in the Movies
- Appendix One
- Appendix Two
- Bibliography
- Index