Les Brown (bandleader) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Les Brown
Brown in 1947
Background information
Birth name	Lester Raymond Brown
Born	(1912-03-14)March 14, 1912 Reinerton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 4, 2001(2001-01-04) (aged 88) Pacific Palisades, California, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, big band, swing, traditional pop
Occupation(s)	Musician, bandleader
Instruments	Saxophone, clarinet
Years active	1936–2000
Labels	Decca, Bluebird, Columbia, Capitol
Associated acts	Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Bob Hope

Les Brown with Doris Day in 1946

Lester Raymond Brown (born March 14, 1912 – died January 4, 2001) was an American jazz musician. He was famous for leading his amazing big band, called Les Brown and His Band of Renown. He led this band for over 60 years, from 1938 all the way to 2000!

Meet Les Brown: A Big Band Legend

Les Brown was born in Reinerton, Pennsylvania. He loved music from a young age. In 1926, he went to the Conway Military Band School. He studied there for three years. Later, he earned a music scholarship. This allowed him to attend the New York Military Academy. He graduated from there in 1932.

After that, Les went to Duke University. He studied there from 1932 to 1936. While at Duke, he led a group called Les Brown and His Blue Devils. They played music often on campus. They also toured up and down the East Coast. In 1936, Les took the band on a big summer tour. Some members went back to college. But others stayed with Les. They kept touring and became the Band of Renown in 1938.

Hit Songs and Famous Singers

In 1941, Les Brown's band had a number one hit song. It was called "Joltin' Joe DiMagio". Betty Bonney was the lead singer. In 1942, the band worked on a movie called Sweet and Hot. They also played at the Palladium Ballroom in Hollywood.

A few years later, in 1945, the band helped a singer become very famous. Her name was Doris Day. They recorded the song "Sentimental Journey" together. This song came out when World War II ended in Europe. It became a special song for many soldiers coming home. The band had nine other number-one hit songs. One of them was "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm".

From 1952 to 1953, Les Brown was the orchestra leader. He led the music for Doris Day's radio show. It was called The Doris Day Show on CBS.

Performing with Bob Hope

Les Brown and the Band of Renown worked with Bob Hope for almost 50 years. They performed together on radio, stage, and television. They went on 18 USO Tours for American troops. These tours entertained over three million people around the world. Before the Super Bowls were on TV, Bob Hope's Christmas Specials were very popular. They were some of the most-watched shows ever.

A famous singer named Tony Bennett was "discovered" by Bob Hope. Tony Bennett had his first public performance with Les Brown and his band.

Movies and TV Shows

Les Brown and his band appeared in several movies. Their first film was Seven Days' Leave in 1942. It starred Victor Mature and Lucille Ball. In 1957, they were in a movie called Rock-A-Billy Baby. In 1963, they appeared in the comedy The Nutty Professor. They played their theme song, "Leap Frog", in the film.

The band was also the house band for two popular TV shows. They played on The Steve Allen Show from 1959 to 1961. They also played on The Dean Martin Show from 1965 to 1972. Les Brown and his band performed with many other famous artists. These included Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole.

Honoring Les Brown

Every year, there is a Les Brown Big Band Festival. It started in 2006 in Les' hometown. It features big bands that play songs from the big band era. In 2012, for his 100th birthday, his hometown renamed a street after him. It is now called Les Brown Lane. In 2013, his hometown of Reinerton, Pennsylvania, adopted a special slogan. It is "Reinerton: The Town of Renown". This honors Les and his famous band.

Les Brown Sr. passed away in 2001. He was 88 years old. He was buried in California. He left behind his wife, Evelyn, and his two children.

His grandson, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, is also famous. He helped create the popular cartoon shows Phineas and Ferb and Milo Murphy's Law.

In 2010, Les Brown was honored. He was added to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Les Brown Jr.

After Les Brown Sr. passed away, his son, Les Brown Jr. (1940–2023), took over the band. He became the full-time leader of the Band of Renown in 2001. The band continued to perform all over the world. They also had a regular big band show in Branson, Missouri.

Les Brown Jr. also hosted a national radio show. He was an actor on TV in the 1960s. He appeared in shows like Gunsmoke and Gilligan's Island. He was also a rock musician and producer. He worked with artists like Carlos Santana. He also helped promote concerts for country music stars. In 2004, Les Brown Jr. received a special award. It was the "Ambassador of Patriotism" award. Les Brown Jr. passed away in 2023 at the age of 82.

Images for kids

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  Les Brown with Doris Day in 1946