Leon René facts for kids

Leon René (born February 6, 1902 – died May 30, 1982) was an American music composer. He wrote many popular songs, including pop, R&B, and rock and roll hits. He was also a record producer in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Sometimes, he used the name Jimmy Thomas or Jimmie Thomas for his songwriting. He also started several record labels.

A Life in Music

Leon René was born in Covington, Louisiana. He is best known for his famous song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano". This song was a tribute to the cliff swallows. These birds fly back to Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California every spring.

The Swallows Song

The song became very popular when it was released in 1940. It stayed at the top of the Your Hit Parade music charts for many weeks. The lyrics talk about the swallows' return:

When the swallows come back to Capistrano

That's the day you promised to come back to me

When you whispered, "Farewell," in Capistrano

'twas the day the swallows flew out to sea

Many famous musicians recorded this song. These included The Ink Spots, Fred Waring, Guy Lombardo, and Glenn Miller. At the Mission San Juan Capistrano, there is a special room honoring René. It displays the piano where he wrote the song. You can also see his office desk and copies of the song's sheet music. René's family donated these items.

Other Famous Songs

Leon René wrote many other well-known songs. These include "When It's Sleepy Time Down South". He wrote this song with Clarence Muse and his brother Otis René. Other hits were "Gloria", "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", "Rockin' Robin", and "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus".

Starting Record Labels

In the 1940s, Leon René and his brother Otis René started their own record companies. They created independent rhythm and blues labels called Exclusive Records and Excelsior Records. Otis was in charge of Excelsior Records, while Leon managed Exclusive Records.

They even bought their own factory to make records. However, record players changed from using 78 rpm records to 45 rpm records. Their factory could not make the new 45 rpm records. Because of this, their record labels had to close down. Otis René's Excelsior label operated from 1944 to 1951. Leon René's Exclusive Records was active from 1944 to 1950. Some artists on Exclusive Records included "Frantic" Fay Thomas, the Buddy Baker Sextet, Joe Liggins, and Johnny Moore's Three Blazers.

New Record Companies

After Exclusive Records closed, Leon René started Class Records in 1951. He worked with his son, Rafael "Googie" René, and Preston Love. Class Records released successful songs by his son, as well as by Oscar McLollie and Bobby Day. Bobby Day also recorded under the names Bobby Byrd of The Hollywood Flames and Bob & Earl.

In 1958, Leon René opened another company called the Rendezvous Record Company. This company produced hit songs by B. Bumble and the Stingers. Rendezvous Records closed in 1963.

Leon René passed away in Los Angeles, California, when he was 80 years old. He was the grandfather of Chris Rene, who was a contestant on the TV show X Factor.

"Boogie Woogie Santa Claus"

"Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" is a popular song written by Leon René. Mabel Scott recorded the song in late 1947 for Supreme Records. It became a top 15 hit on Billboard's Race Records chart.

Patti Page also recorded the song in 1950. While her version did not become a big hit, the other song on her record, "Tennessee Waltz", became a number one hit in the United States. Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra released their own version in 1950 with Sonny Parker singing. Many other artists have recorded this song over the years. These include The Brian Setzer Orchestra for their 2002 album Boogie Woogie Christmas and Colin James for his 2007 album Colin James & The Little Big Band: Christmas.

Selected Compositions

• "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano"
• "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" (with Clarence Muse and brother Otis René)
• "Gloria"
• "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman"
• "Rockin' Robin"
• "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus"
• "I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City"
• "Sweet Lucy Brown"
• "That's My Home"
• "Beyond The Stars"
• "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat"
• "I'm Lost"
• "Near To You" (Recorded by The Basin Street Boys)
• "Summertime Gal"
• "If Money Grew On Trees"