Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Music Events Timeline - 1960
RCA Victor Records announces that it will release all pop singles in mono and stereo simultaneously, the first record company to do so.
LES ELGART
American swing band leader, formerly lead trumpet player for the orchestras of Bunny Berigan, Charlie Spivak and Hal McIntyre. In 1945, Les formed his own organisation in Brooklyn, New York, in tandem with his alto saxophonist-playing brother Larry Elgart. The band, its theme song being "Sophisticated Swing", featured superior arrangements by Bill Finegan and a young Nelson Riddle. It enjoyed a measure of popular success -- until the Musician's Union recording strike and personal rivalry between the brothers caused a break-up. Les and Larry went their separate ways, but neither managed to succeed on their own. They re-formed in 1953, with breezy new arrangements by Charles Albertine and an emphasis on ensemble sound, rather than solos. This melodic approach proved popular and album sales (recording contract with Columbia) boomed. The Les Elgart Orchestra performed at many top venues, including at the Waldorf Astoria and at the Hollywood Palladium, as well as undertaking national tours of the college circuit.
Les's most enduring composition was "Bandstand Boogie", voted America's number one dance band song by Variety and Billboard Magazine. It was also featured as the theme music for Dick Clark's Bandstand (1952). By the late 1950's, Les had moved to California and turned the leadership of the group over to his brother. They re-united yet again, in 1963, as joint leaders of the Les & Larry Elgart Orchestra. In 1986, Les was inducted into the Big Band Hall of Fame.
IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT
The 1928 Broadway production of Rosalie starred Marilyn Miller and featured music by operetta composer Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by P.G. Wodehouse and additional songs by George and Ira Gershwin.
When a film of the musical comedy was proposed in 1937, Cole Porter was assigned to write new music and lyrics.
Finding the song "In the still of the night" too difficult to sing, famous performer Nelson Eddy asked Cole Porter to write "a new one". But Porter played the (original) song for producer Louis B Mayer and he found the song to be excellent. Thus, Eddy duly recorded the first version and later even added the song to his repertoire. Many other vocalists would follow in his footsteps.
MHO
Brilliant, out-of-this-world swing arrangement of the Cole Porter classic. Could listen to this gem all day and all night.
Listen once, listen twice, listen even more and you each time will discover new elements in the arrangement.
It is truly remarkable how much musicality has been 'inserted' here in this short track (lasts for nearly two minutes.....unfortunately :)
And finally, ...... Mister Elgart ...... what a finale !!
Enjoy !
Music Events Timeline - 1960
RCA Victor Records announces that it will release all pop singles in mono and stereo simultaneously, the first record company to do so.
LES ELGART
American swing band leader, formerly lead trumpet player for the orchestras of Bunny Berigan, Charlie Spivak and Hal McIntyre. In 1945, Les formed his own organisation in Brooklyn, New York, in tandem with his alto saxophonist-playing brother Larry Elgart. The band, its theme song being "Sophisticated Swing", featured superior arrangements by Bill Finegan and a young Nelson Riddle. It enjoyed a measure of popular success -- until the Musician's Union recording strike and personal rivalry between the brothers caused a break-up. Les and Larry went their separate ways, but neither managed to succeed on their own. They re-formed in 1953, with breezy new arrangements by Charles Albertine and an emphasis on ensemble sound, rather than solos. This melodic approach proved popular and album sales (recording contract with Columbia) boomed. The Les Elgart Orchestra performed at many top venues, including at the Waldorf Astoria and at the Hollywood Palladium, as well as undertaking national tours of the college circuit.
Les's most enduring composition was "Bandstand Boogie", voted America's number one dance band song by Variety and Billboard Magazine. It was also featured as the theme music for Dick Clark's Bandstand (1952). By the late 1950's, Les had moved to California and turned the leadership of the group over to his brother. They re-united yet again, in 1963, as joint leaders of the Les & Larry Elgart Orchestra. In 1986, Les was inducted into the Big Band Hall of Fame.
IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT
The 1928 Broadway production of Rosalie starred Marilyn Miller and featured music by operetta composer Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by P.G. Wodehouse and additional songs by George and Ira Gershwin.
When a film of the musical comedy was proposed in 1937, Cole Porter was assigned to write new music and lyrics.
Finding the song "In the still of the night" too difficult to sing, famous performer Nelson Eddy asked Cole Porter to write "a new one". But Porter played the (original) song for producer Louis B Mayer and he found the song to be excellent. Thus, Eddy duly recorded the first version and later even added the song to his repertoire. Many other vocalists would follow in his footsteps.
MHO
Brilliant, out-of-this-world swing arrangement of the Cole Porter classic. Could listen to this gem all day and all night.
Listen once, listen twice, listen even more and you each time will discover new elements in the arrangement.
It is truly remarkable how much musicality has been 'inserted' here in this short track (lasts for nearly two minutes.....unfortunately :)
And finally, ...... Mister Elgart ...... what a finale !!
Enjoy !
