Ted Weems facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ted Weems
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Ted Weems publicity photo
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wilfred Theodore Wemyes |
| Also known as | Ted Weems |
| Born | September 26, 1901 Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, 1963 (aged 61) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, big band |
| Occupation(s) | Bandleader |
| Instruments | Violin, trombone |
| Years active | 1923–1953 |
| Labels | RCA Victor, Bluebird, Mercury |
| Associated acts | Perry Como, Elmo Tanner, Red Ingle, Marilyn Maxwell, Joe Haymes |
Wilfred Theodore Wemyes (born September 26, 1901 – died May 6, 1963), known as Ted Weems, was an American bandleader and musician. He was famous for leading a popular big band orchestra. Ted Weems was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his musical work.
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Early Life and Music Career
Ted Weems was born in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania. He learned to play the violin and trombone. His music journey began when he entered a contest hoping to win a pony. Instead, he won a violin, and his parents arranged for music lessons.
He went to Lincoln School in Pittsburgh. While there, Ted started his own band. He even bought some instruments for the group. His teacher offered the band a penny each to play during fire drills. Ted collected the money and used it to buy better instruments for his band.
When his family moved to Philadelphia, Ted joined and later directed his high school band. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania. There, he and his brother Art formed a dance band called the "All American Band." They looked for the most talented college musicians to join their group.
The All American Band soon got offers to play in famous hotels across the United States. Ted had planned to become a civil engineer, but he found himself drawn to a music career. His band played at a Philadelphia restaurant for four months. They even performed at the first ball for President Warren G Harding in 1921.
Becoming a Professional Musician
Ted Weems became a professional musician in 1923. He toured with the MCA Corporation and started recording music. His band's first big hit was "Somebody Stole My Gal" in early 1924. This song sold over one million copies. It earned a gold disc from the RIAA. A gold disc means a song has sold a lot of copies.
Weems recorded for Victor and RCA Victor from 1923 to 1933. He also wrote several popular songs. These included "The Martins and the McCoys" and "Oh, Monah!". He wrote "Oh, Monah!" with his band member "Country" Washburn.
Around 1928, Ted Weems and his band moved to Chicago. The Ted Weems Orchestra had more chart success in 1929. Their songs "Piccolo Pete" and "The Man from the South" were very popular. "Piccolo Pete" earned him a second gold record.
The band became very popular in the 1930s. They often performed on radio shows. They were on Jack Benny's show and the Fibber McGee & Molly program.
Discovering New Talent
In 1936, the Ted Weems Orchestra helped young singer Perry Como become famous. Perry Como recorded with the band, starting his long and successful career. Ted Weems also discovered other talented people. These included whistler-singer Elmo Tanner and sax player Red Ingle.
Marilyn Maxwell was another discovery. She left the band to become an actress. Arranger Joe Haymes also joined the band. He helped create their unique jazz-novelty style. Ted Weems even signed 14-year-old ventriloquist Paul Winchell. This happened after he saw Paul perform.
"Heartaches" and Later Years
In November 1942, Ted Weems and his whole band joined the United States Merchant Marine. They became the Merchant Marine Band. After the war, he formed his big band again in 1945. They recorded hits like "Peg O' My Heart" and "Mickey."
However, Ted Weems's biggest hit was an old song. It was his 1938 recording of "Heartaches." This song became number one on the national charts for 13 weeks.
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Ted Weems first recorded "Heartaches" in 1933. He didn't like the song much at first. He decided to have Elmo Tanner whistle the tune instead of using a singer. They tried playing it faster than it was written. This fast version didn't get much attention.
In 1938, Weems recorded a new version of "Heartaches." This time, it was a "rhumba fox trot." Elmo Tanner's whistling was still featured. The song was played at a lively but not super-fast speed.
In 1947, a disc jockey named Kurt Webster found the 1938 version of "Heartaches." A disc jockey is someone who plays music on the radio. He played it on his radio show. The radio station's phones rang off the hook! People wanted to hear the song again and again. Record stores also wanted to order copies. Other radio stations started playing the song too.
This made Decca Records press new copies of the song. Since Weems had also recorded "Heartaches" for Victor, that company re-released their version too. Both versions became popular. "Heartaches" topped the music charts on April 19, 1947. This was nine years after it was first recorded!
The new popularity of "Heartaches" helped Weems. He was trying to get his band back together after the war. Many former members had other jobs or were no longer interested in performing. Two of his band members had died in World War II. Weems was able to find new band members. He started playing at the same places as before the war.
Ted Weems publicly thanked disc jockey Kurt Webster in 1947. He held a benefit concert with his band. All the money went to Webster, who was a war veteran. Decca Records also reissued another old song, "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now." This song featured vocals by Perry Como and became another big hit.
After 1947, Ted Weems's hits stopped coming. He continued touring with his band until 1953. After that, he became a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee. Later, he worked in management for the Holiday Inn hotel chain.
Ted Weems died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1963. He had been running a talent agency in Dallas with his son. His son, Ted Jr., led a revival band sometimes in the 1960s and 1970s.
