Today is Guy Lombardo’s birthday and your probably wondering about now who the heck is Guy Lombardo?
Gaetano Alberto “Guy” Lombardo was born on June 19, 1902, and died on November 5, 1977, and was famous as a Canadian-American bandleader and violinist.
Forming The Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert, and Victor, and other musicians from his hometown, Lombardo led the group to international success, billing themselves and creating “the sweetest music this side of Heaven”.
The Lombardo’s are believed to have sold between 100 million and 300 million phonograph records during their lifetimes.
Lombardo is remembered for almost a half-century of New Year’s Eve big band remotes, first on radio, and then on television. Lombardo’s orchestra played at the Roosevelt Grill in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from 1929 to 1959, and from then until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
The Live broadcasts of their performances were a major part of New Year’s celebrations across North America.
Today’s YouTube brought to you by user name KKD1247, is an old kinescope from over 50 years ago! For 100 years, the slow drop of a lighted glass ball on New Year’s Eve from atop One Times Square in New York City has become an American tradition. A huge crowd gathers every year to welcome in the New Year.
Beginning in 1956, Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians entertained the US on New Year’s Eve with a combination of music and the live “ball drop” at Midnight. Guy continued this tradition until his death in 1977.
By the middle 1970s, the Lombardo TV show was facing competition, especially for younger viewers, from Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, but Lombardo remained popular among viewers, especially older ones.
Even after Lombardo’s death, the band’s New Year’s specials continued for two more years on CBS.
The Royal Canadians were noted for playing the traditional song Auld Lang Syne as part of the celebrations. Their recording of the song still plays as the first song of the New Year in Times Square.
Here’s to that BIG BAND LEADER up in the sky, happy birthday to Guy Lombardo, and thank you for sharing career with us.
Have a wonderful weekend, by listening to your favorite song as you tap your foot along to the tune, remember the conductor Guy Lombardo.
Written & Designed by JD Mitchell
jdmitchelldesigns@gmail.com
Days to Remember 