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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 ZLOMBARDO, Guy(b 19 June '02, London, Ontario; d 5 Nov. '77) Bandleader. He first formed a band in the early 1920s in Canada (first records '24 on Gennett) with brothers Lebert (lead trumpet), Victor (baritone sax; d 22 Jan. '94 aged 81, Boca Raton FL) and Carmen (b 16 July '03; d 17 April '71, Miami FL, who led the reed section and the vocal trio, sang solo and wrote songs). Guy was a violinist turned front man, never played with the band. 'The sweetest music this side of heaven' by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians was established '30 as America's most popular dance music by a successful residency at NYC's Roosevelt Grill: with sweet trumpets (usually muted), vibrato-laden reeds, later a twin-piano gimmick, the band was not usually said to swing, yet it often seemed to float over the beat; a dozen titles listed in Brian Rust's Jazz Records 1897-1942 are evidence that the band could play hot if it wanted in the early days. The reliability and musicianship were so high that Louis Armstrong named it his favourite band. Carmen's vibrato was that of the flute player he trained to be; he played the tenor sax like an alto. It may have sounded corny to later generations, but it was a hip 1920s dance band that never changed, and the third biggest act on records of the entire period 1890-1954 (after Bing Crosby and Paul Whiteman). Skip Nelson, Don Rodney and sister Rose Marie Lombardo were among vocalists in the mid-'40s; from late '40s nearly all vocals were by Kenny Gardner (b 20 March '13, Lakeview IA; d 26 July 2002: he was married to Guy's sister Elaine); one of his most memorable was 'Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think' '50. Victor led his own band '47-51; Guy was also a well-known speedboat racer, good enough to win trophies.
The band did a lot of radio work, also films Many Happy Returns '34, Stage Door Canteen '43, No Leave, No Love '46; the annual New Year's Eve broadcast always closed with band's theme 'Auld Lang Syne'. Carmen co-wrote some of the biggest hits: 'Coquette' and 'Sweethearts On Parade' '28 (the latter covered by Armstrong), 'Boo Hoo' and 'A Sailboat In The Moonlight' '37 (the first covered by Count Basie with Jimmy Rushing, 'Sailboat' by Teddy Wilson and Billie Holiday and by a Duke Ellington small group with young Buddy Clark singing), 'It's Easier Said Than Done' '38, 'Seems Like Old Times' '46, 'Our Little Ranch House' '50 and 'Get Out Those Old Records' '51 (vocal duet by Carmen and Kenny); 'Powder Your Face With Sunshine' '49 was a hit for several artists. Carmen also wrote scores for shows, summer entertainments at Jones Beach NY late '50s and '60s. The band sold more than 100 million records, with over 200 hit singles '27-54, on Columbia '27-31, Brunswick '32-4, Decca '34-5, Victor '36-8, then back on Decca. They recorded with Kate Smith '32, on Decca with Hildegarde, Bing Crosby, Andrews Sisters. Twenty-six no. 1 hits began with 'Charmaine' '27, ended with 'The Third Man Theme' '50 (see Anton Karas), including (apart from some of Carmen's) 'You're Driving Me Crazy' '30, 'Stars Fell On Alabama' '34, 'What's The Reason I'm Not Pleasin' You' '35 (also a hit for Fats Waller), 'Red Sails In The Sunset' '35, 'So Rare' '37 (revived by Jimmy Dorsey for no. 2 hit '57), 'Penny Serenade' '39, 'The Band Played On' and 'Intermezzo' '41, 'Managua, Nicaragua' '47. Guy Lombardo In Hi-Fi '55 on Capitol remade the hits in good sound. |