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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHARMONICATSHarmonica trio. Jerry Murad (lead; b in Turkey, d May '96) and Al Fiore (chording) left Borrah Minevich's Harmonica Rascals (popular variety group appearing on TV well into '50s) to form Harmonicats in Chicago '44 with Don Les (bass; d 25 Aug. '94 aged 79). 'Peg O' My Heart' on obscure Vitacoustic label was surprise no. 1 hit '47 (during musicians' union strike: harmonica was not considered a musical instrument); next year they reached no. 22 with 'Hair Of Gold' on Universal; got Mercury contract: no more big hits, but singles sold well over the years: 'Malaguena', 'The Harmonica Player', 'Just One More Chance', 'Hora Staccata', etc; also duets with pianist Jan August. Murad published Jerry Murad's Harmonica Technique For The Super-Chromatic; played solo on hit record 'The Story Of Three Loves' (no. 14 '53), film theme credited to Miklos Rozsa, orchestra cond. by Richard Hayman (see his entry). Harmonicats carried on, made LPs on Columbia: Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White no. 17 LP '61; single made Hot 100 '60. |