Clyde Lucas
Encyclopedia
Clyde Lucas was an American big-band leader who was popular in the United States
in the 1930s and 1940s. He was the leader of Clyde Lucas and His California Dons.
, California
and was of "Chicano
" (American Mexican) background. He began his career as a singer and trombonist in the Herb Wiedoeft
orchestra, and launched his own band in the early 1930s.
The band was versatile, playing a range of styles including popular Mexican tunes, Swing, Hawaiian
and Hillbilly.
The typical line-up at that time included four saxophones, two trumpets and a four-piece rhythm section, often with violins.
Musicians were expected to be able to play more than one instrument.
In 1934, the Morrison Hotel and the Terrace Garden, both in Chicago
, employed Lucas and his Dons.
As the thirties progressed, "Clyde Lucas and his California Dons" grew in popularity, releasing records and playing on the radio.
The band also recorded background music for some of the early talkies.
In September 1938, Paramount Pictures
released an 11-minute movie "short" called Lights, Action, Lucas, featuring the band.
Other headliner shorts released around this time included Listen to Lucas (1938), Meet the Maestros (1938) and Clyde Lucas and His Orchestra (1939)
Singles released for Elite Records in 1941 included Sometimes and Somebody nobody knows, with flip sides Rose O'Day and When roses bloom again.
Other singles from Elite that year included Shrine of St. Cecelia, I said No and Deep in the Heart of Texas.
In 1942 Lucas released a cover of Glenn Miller
's A string of pearls, but reviews were not favorable.
The band did not appeal to every musical taste. One radio announcer "accidentally" said "You are listening to the mucous of Clyde Lucas".
However, in 1943 Billboard Magazine reported that Lucas had abandoned the schmaltzy California Dons, with its strong violin section, and was now heading a more modern swing ensemble. The band was still heavy on brass, with five saxophones and five other brass instruments besides rhythm and drums. A newcomer to the scene named Loren Helberg was featured as a tenor sax soloist, and the vocalist Teeny Riley had replaced Patty Ross.
The band continued to play in hotels and at balls through the 1940s.
Lucas's band played in the July 1941 Police Ball and Reception in Troy, New York
.
In September 1942 the band was playing at the Hotel Claridge in Memphis, Tennessee
and getting good reviews.
In September 1943 the band was at the Tune Town Ballroom in St. Louis, Missouri
.
In December 1945 the band was playing the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island
.
The band eventually disbanded towards the end of the forties.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1930s and 1940s. He was the leader of Clyde Lucas and His California Dons.
Early years
Lucas grew up in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and was of "Chicano
Chicano
The terms "Chicano" and "Chicana" are used in reference to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. However, those terms have a wide range of meanings in various parts of the world. The term began to be widely used during the Chicano Movement, mainly among Mexican Americans, especially in the movement's...
" (American Mexican) background. He began his career as a singer and trombonist in the Herb Wiedoeft
Herb Wiedoeft
-External links:...
orchestra, and launched his own band in the early 1930s.
The band was versatile, playing a range of styles including popular Mexican tunes, Swing, Hawaiian
Music of Hawaii
The music of Hawaii includes an array of traditional and popular styles, ranging from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Hawaii's musical contributions to the music of the United States are out of proportion to the state's small size. Styles like slack-key guitar are well-known...
and Hillbilly.
The typical line-up at that time included four saxophones, two trumpets and a four-piece rhythm section, often with violins.
Musicians were expected to be able to play more than one instrument.
In 1934, the Morrison Hotel and the Terrace Garden, both in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, employed Lucas and his Dons.
As the thirties progressed, "Clyde Lucas and his California Dons" grew in popularity, releasing records and playing on the radio.
The band also recorded background music for some of the early talkies.
In September 1938, Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
released an 11-minute movie "short" called Lights, Action, Lucas, featuring the band.
Other headliner shorts released around this time included Listen to Lucas (1938), Meet the Maestros (1938) and Clyde Lucas and His Orchestra (1939)
1940s
Gloria Wood, a popular singer singer from the 1940s through to the 1970s made her first recordings with the Clyde Lucas band.Singles released for Elite Records in 1941 included Sometimes and Somebody nobody knows, with flip sides Rose O'Day and When roses bloom again.
Other singles from Elite that year included Shrine of St. Cecelia, I said No and Deep in the Heart of Texas.
In 1942 Lucas released a cover of Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
's A string of pearls, but reviews were not favorable.
The band did not appeal to every musical taste. One radio announcer "accidentally" said "You are listening to the mucous of Clyde Lucas".
However, in 1943 Billboard Magazine reported that Lucas had abandoned the schmaltzy California Dons, with its strong violin section, and was now heading a more modern swing ensemble. The band was still heavy on brass, with five saxophones and five other brass instruments besides rhythm and drums. A newcomer to the scene named Loren Helberg was featured as a tenor sax soloist, and the vocalist Teeny Riley had replaced Patty Ross.
The band continued to play in hotels and at balls through the 1940s.
Lucas's band played in the July 1941 Police Ball and Reception in Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
.
In September 1942 the band was playing at the Hotel Claridge in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
and getting good reviews.
In September 1943 the band was at the Tune Town Ballroom in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
.
In December 1945 the band was playing the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
.
The band eventually disbanded towards the end of the forties.