Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Gene Austin – Ramona
Tenor with orchestra and pipe organ
Theme Song of the Motion Picture production "Ramona"
Written by Wolfe Gilbert and Mabel Wayne
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records
Gene Austin – Ramona / Girl Of My Dreams
Label: Victor – 21334 (Canada)
Format: Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Released: 1928
Genre: Pop, Stage & Screen
Style: Vocal
Recording on other side of this record: Girl Of My Dreams
youtu.be/jCw8Qk057vE
Gene Austin, born Lemeul Eugene Lucas on June 24, 1900, in Gainesville, Texas, was an American singer and songwriter credited as one of the early pioneers of the "crooner" style. Initially, Austin performed in local taverns and vaudeville shows from his teenage years, but his breakthrough came as a songwriter. In collaboration with his vaudeville partner, Roy Bergere, Austin penned the hit song "How Come You Do Me Like You Do?" in 1924, which became a success when recorded by Marion Harris. Subsequently, in April of the same year, Austin provided his voice anonymously for several recordings by George Reneau on behalf of Vocalion. By September, Austin and Reneau performed duets for Edison Records. In January 1925, Austin's career as a recording artist took off when he performed his song "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street" in a duet with singer Aileen Stanley under the Victor label. The following month, Austin returned to the Victor studio for numerous solo recordings. His mellow and captivating tenor voice perfectly suited the new electronic recording technology introduced in early 1925, establishing him as one of the originators of the "crooner" style. Consequently, Austin gained immense popularity. His 1926 "Bye Bye Blackbird" was in the year's top 20 records, and his 1928 recording of "My Blue Heaven" sold more than 5 million copies. As the Great Depression led to a decline in record sales, Austin transitioned to radio. From 1932 to 1934, he hosted his own radio show, performing as part of a trio with bassist Candy Candido and guitarist Otto "Coco." Additionally, Austin appeared in several movies throughout his career. He was married five times and had two children. He passed away on January 24, 1972, in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 71 due to lung cancer. In recognition of his contributions, Gene Austin has been posthumously awarded two Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. The first in 1978 for his 1928 recording of "My Blue Heaven" and the second in 2005 for his 1926 recording of "Bye, Bye, Blackbird."
Ramona is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Edwin Carewe, based on Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel Ramona, and starring Dolores del Río and Warner Baxter. This was the first United Artists film with a synchronized score and sound effect, but no dialogue, and so was not a talking picture. The novel had been previously filmed by D. W. Griffith in 1910 with Mary Pickford, remade in 1916 with Adda Gleason. It again made in 1936 with Loretta Young.
Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912 the Gramophone Company established 78 rotations per minute as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "non-breakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.
Gene Austin – Ramona
Tenor with orchestra and pipe organ
Theme Song of the Motion Picture production "Ramona"
Written by Wolfe Gilbert and Mabel Wayne
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records
Gene Austin – Ramona / Girl Of My Dreams
Label: Victor – 21334 (Canada)
Format: Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Released: 1928
Genre: Pop, Stage & Screen
Style: Vocal
Recording on other side of this record: Girl Of My Dreams
youtu.be/jCw8Qk057vE
Gene Austin, born Lemeul Eugene Lucas on June 24, 1900, in Gainesville, Texas, was an American singer and songwriter credited as one of the early pioneers of the "crooner" style. Initially, Austin performed in local taverns and vaudeville shows from his teenage years, but his breakthrough came as a songwriter. In collaboration with his vaudeville partner, Roy Bergere, Austin penned the hit song "How Come You Do Me Like You Do?" in 1924, which became a success when recorded by Marion Harris. Subsequently, in April of the same year, Austin provided his voice anonymously for several recordings by George Reneau on behalf of Vocalion. By September, Austin and Reneau performed duets for Edison Records. In January 1925, Austin's career as a recording artist took off when he performed his song "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street" in a duet with singer Aileen Stanley under the Victor label. The following month, Austin returned to the Victor studio for numerous solo recordings. His mellow and captivating tenor voice perfectly suited the new electronic recording technology introduced in early 1925, establishing him as one of the originators of the "crooner" style. Consequently, Austin gained immense popularity. His 1926 "Bye Bye Blackbird" was in the year's top 20 records, and his 1928 recording of "My Blue Heaven" sold more than 5 million copies. As the Great Depression led to a decline in record sales, Austin transitioned to radio. From 1932 to 1934, he hosted his own radio show, performing as part of a trio with bassist Candy Candido and guitarist Otto "Coco." Additionally, Austin appeared in several movies throughout his career. He was married five times and had two children. He passed away on January 24, 1972, in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 71 due to lung cancer. In recognition of his contributions, Gene Austin has been posthumously awarded two Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. The first in 1978 for his 1928 recording of "My Blue Heaven" and the second in 2005 for his 1926 recording of "Bye, Bye, Blackbird."
Ramona is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Edwin Carewe, based on Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel Ramona, and starring Dolores del Río and Warner Baxter. This was the first United Artists film with a synchronized score and sound effect, but no dialogue, and so was not a talking picture. The novel had been previously filmed by D. W. Griffith in 1910 with Mary Pickford, remade in 1916 with Adda Gleason. It again made in 1936 with Loretta Young.
Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912 the Gramophone Company established 78 rotations per minute as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "non-breakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.
