Guy Lombardo: How The Royal Canadians Changed American Radio and
New Year's Eve Forever
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from RUSC Member's Area
Born on June 19, 1902, in London, Ontario, Lombardo was the son of an immigrant tailor who made sure that his children could all play an instrument. Guy first performed with a brother in 1914 at a church lawn party. He went on to form The Royal Canadians in 1924 with his three brothers and various musicians from Ontario. Guy Lombardo gained international fame as a bandleader and violinist in both Canada and America.
In the early days of radio, Guy Lombardo appeared as a guest panelist on The Adventures of Ellery Queen. Panelists were called clue sifters and attempted to guess the murderer in the latest adventure program. Lombardo was also a guest on the radio show, Band Remotes (1935 – 1950), a live program that featured the popular music of the day. He had already moved his band from Canada to America and he acquired many fans because his music was so unique. Lombardo became the man who invented New Year’s Eve after his first broadcast on New Year’s Eve aired in Chicago in 1927 – making his theme song, Auld Lang Syne.
Lombardo often featured his brothers, Carmen, Lebert, and Victor, along with his sister, Rose Marie. Guy had always believed that musical success could be achieved by putting it out on the fairly new gadget called radio, and he was right. After his big New Year’s Eve breakthrough, Lombardo began to appear on CBS with George Burns and Gracie Allen, Ogden Nash and substituted for the Phil Harris/Alice Faye show during the summer of 1949.
Lombardo’s music was pronounced, The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven, and everyone wanted to dance to it. He began recording on the Gennett label with his band, but in the beginning, they didn’t sell very well, leading Guy to the decision that changes had to be made if success was really going to be within their reach. Change, they did – Guy and the band broadcast a segment of their music at the Granada Café (which Guy paid the radio station for). That radio performance brought bunches of excited people into the club before the night was over – so the radio station increased its time slot further into the evening.
Until this time (1927), Lombardo played the violin in his band, but now he began to focus on leading the band. This was a great decision for Lombardo. His great personality made him perfect for chatting with the audience, joking, and leading everyone to have a great time. Lombardo achieved his dream of success – both on the radio and stage. His group, The Royal Canadians, was extremely successful during the 30s and 40s and received high praise from such jazz greats as Louis Armstrong.
Guy Lombardo married Elaine Gardner, sister of Kenny Gardner, a vocalist in the band. Lombardo passed away on November 5, 1977. In 2007, Lombardo was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
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