Guy Lombardo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guy Lombardo
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Lombardo in 1944
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| Born |
Gaetano Alberto Lombardo
June 19, 1902 London, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | November 5, 1977 (aged 75) Houston, Texas, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) | Lillibell Lombardo |
| Relatives | six siblings, including brothers Carmen, Lebert and Victor and sister Rose Marie |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Jazz, big band, traditional pop |
| Occupation(s) | Bandleader, musician |
| Instruments | Violin |
| Years active | 1924–1977 |
Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (born June 19, 1902 – died November 5, 1977) was a famous bandleader, violinist, and hydroplane racer. He was born in Canada and later became an American citizen.
Guy Lombardo formed his famous band, the Royal Canadians, in 1924. He started it with his brothers Carmen, Lebert, and Victor, along with other musicians from his hometown. They became known for playing "the sweetest music this side of Heaven." It's believed that the Lombardo family sold between 100 and 300 million records! Many of their songs featured the band's lead singer, Kenny Gardner, who joined in 1940.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Guy Lombardo was born in London, Ontario, Canada. His parents, Gaetano Alberto and Angelina Lombardo, were immigrants from Italy. His father was a tailor and loved to sing. He encouraged four of his five sons to learn musical instruments. This way, they could play along with him.
Guy and his brothers started their first orchestra when they were still in elementary school. They practiced in the back of their father's tailor shop. Guy first played for the public with his brother Carmen in 1914. This was at a church party in London. His first time recording music was in early 1924.
The Royal Canadians Band
After their first recording, the band signed with different record companies. They recorded many popular songs between 1927 and 1931. In 1938, Guy Lombardo became a citizen of the United States.
From 1941 to 1948, Guy's youngest sister, Rose Marie, joined the Royal Canadians. She was the band's first female singer. Some people who liked jazz music thought Lombardo's "sweet" big-band music was too simple. But famous trumpeter Louis Armstrong actually said Lombardo's band was his favorite!
After Guy Lombardo passed away in 1977, his brothers Victor and Lebert continued the Royal Canadians. Later, the band's name was used by other band leaders. The band was brought back in 1989 by Al Pierson and was still active in 2021.
New Year's Eve Celebrations
Guy Lombardo is best known for his New Year's Eve performances. For almost 50 years, his orchestra played on radio and then on television. They played at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from 1929 to 1959. Then, they moved to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel until 1976.
Millions of people across North America watched his New Year's Eve shows. These live broadcasts were a big part of New Year's parties. Because of this, Lombardo was called "Mr. New Year's Eve."
The band's first New Year's Eve radio show was in 1929. They soon became famous for playing "Auld Lang Syne" as the clock struck midnight. In 1956, the Lombardo band had their first New Year's TV special on CBS. This show included live parts from Times Square.
Even after Guy Lombardo's death, his band's New Year's specials continued for two more years. Today, the Royal Canadians' recording of "Auld Lang Syne" is still played as the first song of the new year in Times Square.
Other TV and Film Appearances
Guy Lombardo also appeared on television and in movies. In 1954, he hosted a TV show called The Guy Lombardo Show. He also played himself in the TV series Route 66 in 1963. In 1975, he appeared as himself again in an episode of Ellery Queen.
Lombardo and his orchestra were in the 1934 film Many Happy Returns. He also had a small role in the 1970 film The Phynx. Clips from his own shows were used in the 1977 movie Looking for Mr. Goodbar.
Hydroplane Racing Champion
Guy Lombardo was also a very successful speedboat racer. He won the Gold Cup in 1946 with his fast boat, Tempo VI. He also won the Ford Memorial in 1948 and the President's Cup and Silver Cup in 1952. From 1946 to 1949, Lombardo was the top U.S. national champion. He won every major trophy in the sport before he stopped racing in the late 1950s.
In 1959, his jet-powered boat, Tempo Alcoa, was destroyed during a test run. It was going over 250 miles per hour. After this, Lombardo retired from hydroplane racing. In 2002, he was added to the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame for his achievements.
In his later years, Lombardo lived in Freeport, New York. He owned a seafood restaurant there called "Guy Lombardo's East Point House." He also became a promoter and music director for the Jones Beach Marine Theater. This outdoor theater was built with him in mind.
Personal Life
While playing music in Cleveland, Guy Lombardo met Lillibeth Glenn. They got married in 1926.
Death and Legacy
Guy Lombardo passed away on November 5, 1977, from a heart attack. His wife, Lillibeth, was with him when he died. He is buried in Pinelawn Memorial Park in East Farmingdale, New York.
Lombardo has been honored in many ways. In 1999, he was featured on a postage stamp in Canada. He has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. In 2002, he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. He was also added to the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
The house where Guy Lombardo and his siblings grew up is still in London, Ontario. There is also a bridge named after him in London, Ontario, and an avenue in Freeport, New York. The Guy Lombardo Society works to keep his music and history alive.
Guy Lombardo Museum
From the mid-1980s until 2007, there was a museum dedicated to Guy Lombardo in London, Ontario. It closed because it didn't have enough visitors or money. Many items from the museum are now kept by a former curator.
Lebert Lombardo's children also have a large collection of items from the band. These include photos, records, and awards. They have tried to donate their collection to universities and museums, but no one has taken it yet. The Library of Congress has a collection of Lombardo's films.
Top Songs (Singles Discography)
Before Billboard magazine started its top 40 charts in 1940, Guy Lombardo had over 140 hit songs. Twenty-one of these reached No. 1! Some of his biggest hits were "Charmaine", "It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane", "Boo-Hoo", "We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye", and "Red Sails in the Sunset".
Here are some of his songs that made the "Top Ten" charts:
Columbia Records Hits
- 1927 – Charmaine
- 1928 – Beloved
- 1928 – Coquette
- 1928 – Sweethearts on Parade
- 1929 – I Get the Blues When It Rains
- 1930 – A Cottage for Sale
- 1930 – Confessin' (That I Love You)
- 1930 – Crying for the Carolines
- 1930 – You're Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do)
- 1931 – Goodnight Sweetheart
- 1931 – Sweet and Lovely
Brunswick Records Hits
- 1932 – How Deep Is the Ocean
- 1932 – I'll Never Be the Same
- 1932 – Paradise
- 1932 – We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye
- 1933 – By a Waterfall
- 1933 – Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
- 1933 – Don't Blame Me
- 1933 – Stormy Weather
- 1934 – Stars Fell on Alabama
Decca Records Hits (1934–1935)
- 1934 – Winter Wonderland
- 1935 – Cheek to Cheek
- 1935 – Red Sails in the Sunset
Victor Records Hits (1936–1938)
- 1936 – The Way You Look Tonight
- 1937 – Boo–Hoo
- 1937 – It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane
- 1937 – September in the Rain
- 1937 – So Rare
- 1938 – Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen
Decca Records Hits (1939–1952)
- 1939 – Deep Purple
- 1939 – South of the Border
- 1940 – When You Wish Upon A Star
- 1944 – It's Love-Love-Love
- 1944 – Together
- 1945 – Always
- 1945 – Bell Bottom Trousers
- 1946 – Seems Like Old Times
- 1946 – The Gypsy
- 1947 – Anniversary Song
- 1947 – April Showers
- 1949 – Red Roses for a Blue Lady
- 1950 – Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
- 1950 – The Third Man Theme
- 1950 – Harbor Lights
- 1950 – The Tennessee Waltz
- 1952 – Blue Tango
Albums Discography
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians released many albums throughout their career. Here are some of them:
Decca Records Albums:
- Decca DL 9014 Guy Lombardo Presents Arabian Nights (1954)
- Decca DL 8070 A Night At The Roosevelt With Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1954)
- Decca DL 8119 Guy Lombardo & His Twin Pianos (1955)
- Decca DL 8136 Enjoy Yourself (1955)
- Decca DL 8208 The Band Played On (1956)
- Decca DL 8333 Silver Jubilee (1956)
- Decca DL 8354 Jingle Bells (1956)
- Decca DL 4117 New Year's Eve with Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1962)
- Decca DXB 185 The Best of Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1964)
- Decca DL 4812 Guy Lombardo's Greatest Hits (1967)
Capitol Records Albums:
- Capitol W 738 Guy Lombardo in Hi-Fi (1956)
- Capitol T 739 Your Guy Lombardo Medley Vol. 1 (1956)
- Capitol T 892 Lively Guy (1957)
- Capitol ST 1019 Berlin by Lombardo (1959)
- Capitol ST 1121 Dancing Room Only (1959)
- Capitol ST 1191 Lombardo Goes Latin (1959)
- Capitol ST 1244 Your Guy Lombardo Medley Vol. 2 (1960)
- Capitol SKAO Sing The Songs of Christmas (1960)
- Capitol ST 1461 The Best of Guy Lombardo (1961)
- Capitol ST 1947 The Sweetest Medleys This Side of Heaven (1963)
- Capitol ST 2481 A Wonderful Year (1966)
- Capitol ST 2639 The Sweetest Sounds Today (1967)
- Capitol SKAO 2940 The Best of Guy Lombardo Vol. 2 (1968)
London Records Albums:
- London XPS904 Every Night Is New Year's Eve with Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians at The Waldorf Astoria (1973)
See also
- Carmen Lombardo
- Lebert Lombardo
- Victor Lombardo
- Music of Canada
Images for kids
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Lombardo in 1944
