Skitch Henderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skitch Henderson
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Henderson in 1965
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lyle Russel Henderson |
| Born | January 27, 1918 Halstad, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | November 1, 2005 (aged 87) New Milford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, classical |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1937–2005 |
Lyle Russel "Skitch" Henderson (January 27, 1918 – November 1, 2005) was a talented American musician. He was a pianist, conductor, and composer. His unique nickname "Skitch" came from his special ability. He could "re-sketch" a song by playing it in a different musical key. Famous singer Bing Crosby even suggested he use this name professionally.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Skitch Henderson was born in 1918 in Halstad, Minnesota. His parents were Joseph and Josephine Henderson. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was only two years old. After that, his aunt Hattie and uncle Frank raised him.
His aunt Hattie started teaching him piano when he was just four years old. Even though he didn't go to a special music school, he learned from amazing music teachers. These included Fritz Reiner and Arturo Toscanini. Toscanini even invited Skitch to conduct the NBC Symphony Orchestra. Skitch often said he learned a lot by playing piano in restaurants with popular singers.
Music in Movies
Skitch Henderson started his professional music career in the 1930s. He played piano in many places across the American Midwest. His big chance came in 1937. He became an accompanist for a special tour by MGM studios. On this tour, he worked with young stars like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Skitch later shared a story about working with Judy Garland. He said he helped her learn the famous song "Over the Rainbow" for the movie The Wizard of Oz. He also played piano for her first public performance of the song.
Radio Days
After his movie work, Skitch Henderson became very active in radio. In 1940, he was in charge of music for a show called Blue Network Varieties.
After World War II, Skitch worked for the NBC Radio Network. He was the music director for Frank Sinatra's radio show, Light-Up Time. He also played piano for Bing Crosby on Philco Radio Time. Skitch also performed on Bob Hope's Pepsodent Show.
In 1946, Skitch Henderson and the Golden Gate Quartet had their own summer radio show. It was sponsored by Old Gold cigarettes. Skitch also had his own disc jockey program on WNBC in New York City in 1950.
Making Records
In 1946, Skitch Henderson started his own orchestra. He signed a contract with Capitol Records. One of his first recordings was a set called Keyboard Sketches. He made recordings throughout his life, from old 78s to modern CDs.
In the early 2000s, he released two albums as a pianist for Arbors Records. These were Swinging With Strings (2001) and Legends (2003). He also conducted The New York Pops orchestra for an album with Maureen McGovern.
In 1963, Skitch conducted a recording of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. This recording featured famous singers Leontyne Price and William Warfield. It was a big success and won a Grammy Award.
Television Career
Skitch Henderson had a long career at NBC television. He was the conductor for the orchestras on several popular shows. These included The Today Show and Tonight Starring Steve Allen. He also led the orchestra for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Skitch started working at NBC in 1951. He left in 1957 but returned when Johnny Carson became the host of The Tonight Show. Skitch led the orchestra from 1962 to 1966 during Carson's early years.
Leading Orchestras
In 1983, Skitch Henderson started his own orchestra called The New York Pops. This orchestra performs at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. He was the music director and conductor of this orchestra until he passed away in 2005. Skitch also conducted many other symphony orchestras around the world.
His work on radio included:
- California Melodies (1940)
- Songs by Sinatra (1946)
- I Deal in Crime (1946)
- Philco Radio Time starring Bing Crosby (1946)
- Best of All (1954)
- United States Air Force Presents (1969)
- Skitch Henderson with the Music Makers
He also appeared on television programs like:
- Match Game (1962–1963)
- Password (1967)
- Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town (1951–1952)
- What's My Line? (1973)
Skitch Henderson also worked on a few films:
- Act One (1963)
- Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971)
He also wrote a song called Baby Made a Change in Me for the 1948 movie On Our Merry Way.
Awards and Special Honors
Skitch Henderson received many awards for his contributions to music. In 1997, the City of New York gave him the Handel Medallion. This award honored his important role in New York City's cultural life.
In 2005, he received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. This is the highest honor from the Smithsonian Institution. There was even a special exhibit about his career at the Smithsonian.
Skitch also received three honorary degrees from different universities. These included St. Thomas Aquinas College and the University of South Florida.
Fun Facts
Skitch Henderson was known for his unique laugh on The Tonight Show. Besides Ed McMahon's famous laugh, you could often hear Skitch's distinctive "Hoo-hoo-hoo!"
Personal Life
Skitch Henderson married actress Faye Emerson in 1950. They later divorced. In 1958, he married Ruth Einsiedel. They had two children, Hans and Heidi.
Skitch and Ruth Henderson owned a special place called The Silo. It was a store, an art gallery, and a cooking school. They ran it in New Milford, Connecticut from 1972 until Skitch's death.
In 2003, Ruth and Skitch Henderson started the Hunt Hill Farm Trust. This project aimed to protect their farm's land and buildings. It also celebrated American music, art, and literature by creating a living museum.
Skitch Henderson passed away on November 1, 2005, at the age of 87.
Images for kids
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Henderson in 1965
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Henderson on The Tonight Show, New Year's Eve, 1962
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Henderson in 2000
