Uploaded December 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Deep Purple
Music by Peter De Rose
Performed by Don Baker on the NY Paramount Organ
March 3, 1942
Columbia 36626
Peter De Rose and His wife, May Singhi Breen, had an early morning radio program on NBC. Breen played the ukulele while De Rose accompanied her on the piano; they both sang in harmony. They were known as the "Sweethearts of the Air." Paul Whiteman, a close friend of De Rose, had heard Peter repeat a short piano phrase during a radio broadcast. When Whiteman asked him what that tune was, De Rose explained it was not a song but a "finger exercise." Whiteman told him he wanted to use it in his next concert and commissioned him for the arrangement. De Rose missed the deadline for the concert but eventually completed the composition as "Deep Purple" and Whiteman ultimately recorded it in 1934 with His concert orchestra. The arrangement included a second tune which was later published as "Lilacs in the Rain." The vocal edition with lyrics by Mitchell Parish was released in 1939.
The Don Baker organ arrangement of "Deep Purple" is patterned after the Paul Whiteman version in that it includes the phrases from the song "Lilacs in the Rain."
Don Baker was born in St. Thomas, Ontario Canada in 1903. There he studied piano at the Mount Royal Conservatory and in 1925 was hired as a demonstrator and a teacher at the Wurlitzer Music store in New York City. His first theatre job was at the Brooklyn Paramount playing noon and dinner-hour concerts for the moviegoers. An opportunity to perform in England resulted in weekly broadcasts over the BBC, and performances at five of the Bernstein Theatres. After 18 months in England he returned to the United States and was hired as staff organist at radio station WOR in New York City. He then moved to the Paramount Theatre and played on bills featuring top big bands headed by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and others. After New York City, Baker went on to the Hollywood Palladium where Freddie Martin, Harry James and other Big Bands were featured attractions. In 1949 he moved to Las Vegas and performed at the Last Frontier. In the late 1950s, he became a touring artist for Conn Organs. In 1964 he returned to New York to play the final concert at the Paramount Theatre. He resided in Nevada until 1974 performing in Reno and Lake Tahoe. In 1974 he moved to Clearwater, Florida where he spent his final years. He died on 26 June 1989 in Leesburg, Florida.
Deep Purple
Music by Peter De Rose
Performed by Don Baker on the NY Paramount Organ
March 3, 1942
Columbia 36626
Peter De Rose and His wife, May Singhi Breen, had an early morning radio program on NBC. Breen played the ukulele while De Rose accompanied her on the piano; they both sang in harmony. They were known as the "Sweethearts of the Air." Paul Whiteman, a close friend of De Rose, had heard Peter repeat a short piano phrase during a radio broadcast. When Whiteman asked him what that tune was, De Rose explained it was not a song but a "finger exercise." Whiteman told him he wanted to use it in his next concert and commissioned him for the arrangement. De Rose missed the deadline for the concert but eventually completed the composition as "Deep Purple" and Whiteman ultimately recorded it in 1934 with His concert orchestra. The arrangement included a second tune which was later published as "Lilacs in the Rain." The vocal edition with lyrics by Mitchell Parish was released in 1939.
The Don Baker organ arrangement of "Deep Purple" is patterned after the Paul Whiteman version in that it includes the phrases from the song "Lilacs in the Rain."
Don Baker was born in St. Thomas, Ontario Canada in 1903. There he studied piano at the Mount Royal Conservatory and in 1925 was hired as a demonstrator and a teacher at the Wurlitzer Music store in New York City. His first theatre job was at the Brooklyn Paramount playing noon and dinner-hour concerts for the moviegoers. An opportunity to perform in England resulted in weekly broadcasts over the BBC, and performances at five of the Bernstein Theatres. After 18 months in England he returned to the United States and was hired as staff organist at radio station WOR in New York City. He then moved to the Paramount Theatre and played on bills featuring top big bands headed by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and others. After New York City, Baker went on to the Hollywood Palladium where Freddie Martin, Harry James and other Big Bands were featured attractions. In 1949 he moved to Las Vegas and performed at the Last Frontier. In the late 1950s, he became a touring artist for Conn Organs. In 1964 he returned to New York to play the final concert at the Paramount Theatre. He resided in Nevada until 1974 performing in Reno and Lake Tahoe. In 1974 he moved to Clearwater, Florida where he spent his final years. He died on 26 June 1989 in Leesburg, Florida.
