Lew Green
TIMELINE, DISCOGRAPHY, ESSENTIALS
1892-1940
Lew Green Timeline, Discography, Essentials 1892-1940, is a snapshot across four-plus decades of the youngest Green Brother as a student, musician, producer, manager, and family member. His first forty take us on a ride through the Jazz Age to the end of the 1930s as he rubs shoulders with Walt Disney, Andres Segovia, Kate Smith, Bix Beiderbecke, Ferde Grofe, Joseph Schillinger, and Eddie Lang.
1892
1892: Joseph (Joe) Peter Green b. Omaha, Nebraska (oldest brother). (3)
First son of George & Minnie Green
1893
May 23, 1893: George Hamilton Green Jr. b. Omaha, Nebraska (brother). (3)
Second son of George & Minnie Green
1909
October 25, 1909: Lewis Goodrich John (Lew) Green b. Omaha, Nebraska. (3)
Third son of George & Minnie Green
1915-1923
Attends Grammar School, Kenosha, Wisconsin. (3)
1916
Lew Green, age 7, Kenosha, Wisconsin. (3)
Lew Green, Kenosha, Wisconsin, 1916 (3).
1923
September 1923: Age 14, Lew Green attends Kenosha High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin-Freshman. (3)
1924
September 1924: Age 15, Lew Green attends Kenosha High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin-Sophomore. (3)
1925
September 1925: Age 16, Lew Green attends Kenosha High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin-Junior. (3)
Kenosha High School Football Team, 1925 - Lew Green, middle row, wearing an S sweatshirt. (3)
1926
September 1926: Age 17, Lew Green attends Kenosha High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin-Senior. (3)
Meets future wife Elizabeth (Elsie) Rademacker @ Kenosha High School. (3)
1927
c. August 1927: At 18, Lew Green moves to NYC after graduating high school. (3)
Plays football with the Providence Steam Rollers, paid by the game, with no contract. (3)
September 1927: Lew Green attends City College Of New York, NYC. (3)
Attends for one semester, then joins the Green Brothers’ Orchestra.
October 20, 1927: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Frank Black and His Orchestra
DAWNING-Brunswick 3697
BABY YOUR MOTHER (LIKE SHE BABIED YOU)-Brunswick 3697
January 8-February 15: Andres Segovia 1928, NYC Concerts. (16)
Lew Green takes Dick McDonough and (violinist) Enric Madriguera to a Segovia Concert. (14) (15)
LEW GREEN SR.: (Enric Madriguera) acted as a translator as Segovia couldn’t speak English. (14)
Poster promoting Segovia’s January 29 & February 4, 1928, NYC concerts.
January 8, 1928 (Sunday Afternoon): Town Hall, NYC.
January 22, 1928 (Sunday Evening): Guild Theatre, NYC.
January 29, 1928 (Sunday Afternoon): Gallo Theatre, NYC.
February 4, 1928 (Saturday Afternoon): Town Hall, NYC.
February 15, 1928 (Wednesday Afternoon): Town Hall, NYC.
c. March: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Frank Black and His Orchestra
BESIDE A LAZY STREAM-Brunswick 3892
HEARTACHES AND DREAM-Brunswick 3892
Steamboat Willie, 1928. (37)
c. September 1928: Disney Soundtrack RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (12)
STEAMBOAT WILLIE
Green Brothers’ Novelty Band
Released: November 18, 1928 (sound version), USA.
Music: Wilfred Jackson, Bert Lewis.
Music Department: Green Brothers’ Novelty Band, Carl Edouarde: conductor.
The soundtrack was recorded at Pat Powers' Cinephone studio in New York in September 1928.
Joe and Lew Green from the band also assisted in timing the music to the film. (9)
(Lew Green) was part of the original sound music crew for Walt Disney’s first three cartoons. (13)
Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released, and the first cartoon with synchronized sound., directed by Walt Disney.
After unsuccessfully trying to make a deal to record through RCA or Western Electric, Disney contracted with the bootleg Powers Cinephone process and, after an initial disastrous recording session, finally recorded the soundtrack with a 15-piece band and his own squeaks for Mickey. (37)
The soundtrack for Steamboat Willie is below. For the cartoon with the soundtrack, see Lew Green MAN & MUSIC.
September 21, 1928: Edison RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Band
I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE-Edison 52410
I WANNA BE LOVED BY YOU-Edison 52410
A year after joining the Green Brothers’ orchestra, Lew Green, playing banjo, is featured on this dance band record, taking what may be his first solo on disc. His 24-bar solo (16 & 8) on I WANNA BE LOVED BY YOU uses the frame of the catchy melody, which he colors with chord and single-string embellishments. There are traces of six-string guitar study here.
October 23, 1928: Edison RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (30)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Marimba Band
FOUR LITTLE BLACKBERRIES-Edison 52438
A BUNCH OF ROSES (SPANISH MARCH)-Edison 52438
1929
The Opry House, 1929. (44) (45)
c. February 1929: Disney Soundtrack RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (12)
THE OPRY HOUSE
Green Brothers’ Novelty Band
Released March 28, 1929
The soundtrack was recorded at Pat Powers' Cinephone studio in New York in February 1929 by Walt Disney and Carl Stalling, along with that of the Mickey Mouse short The Skeleton Dance. (44) (45)
The soundtrack for The Opry House is below. For the cartoon with the soundtrack, see Lew Green MAN & MUSIC.
The Skeleton Dance, 1929. (46) (47)
c. February 1929: Disney Soundtrack RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (12)
THE SKELETON DANCE
Green Brothers’ Novelty Band
Released August 22, 1929
The soundtrack was recorded at Pat Powers' Cinephone studio in New York in February 1929 along with that of the Mickey Mouse short The Opry House. (46) (47)
The soundtrack for The Skeleton Dance is below. For the cartoon with the soundtrack, see Lew Green MAN & MUSIC.
c. 1929: Temple Radios RADIO BROADCAST, CBS Studios, NYC. (3)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Orchestra
George Hamilton Green (fifth from the left, front row), Joe Green (sixth from left), Lew Green (next to Joe, directly behind the microphone), William Dorn-former Edison soloist (far left), Joe Raymond-violin (next to Dorn), then Murray Kellner-violin, Edison artist. Back row: Frank Banta-piano, Fred Hager-band manager (far right, front row, next to chimes).
Green Brothers’ Novelty Band, CBS Studio, Steinway Building, 111 West 57th Street, NYC. c. 1929. (3)
c. 1929: Lew Green joins the Fleischer Studios animation department in NYC and works on Ko-Ko the Clown and Mike Sketches cartoons. (3)
Mike Sketches cartoon was in syndication until 1935. (28)
c. 1929, Lew Green enlists Ko-Ko the Clown to make his marriage proposal to his girlfriend Elsie. (3)
March 13, 1929: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Marimba Band
SWEET HAWAIIAN DREAM GIRL-Columbia 1935-D
UNDERNEATH THE BLUE HAWAIIAN SKIES-Columbia 1935-D
1930
January 15, 1930: Victor RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Marimba Orchestra
A BUNCH OF ROSES (SPANISH MARCH-Victor 22315
WEDDING OF THE WINDS-Victor 22315
c. Summer 1930: Lew Green is a member of Plunkett’s All-Star Baseball Team, NYC. (3)
Plunkett’s: 205 1/5, West 53rd Street, four doors west of Broadway, next to the Elks Club, listed in the telephone directory as the Trombone Club. (10) (11)
Plunkett’s All-Star Baseball team roster. (26)
Lew Green-pitcher.
Tommy Dorsey-catcher.
“Slim” Orrel-1st base.
Neirouter (?): 2nd base. (16)
Larry Binyon: 3rd base.
Jimmy Dorsey: shortstop.
Bix Beiderbecke: outfield.
Red Nichols: outfield.
Unknown: outfield.
Carl Kress: bench (Lew Green replaced him on the Camel (Pleasure Hour) show. (16)
Vic Engle: bench.
Note: a picture of the team existed at one time. (3)
June 4, 1930-TBD: The Camel Pleasure Hour NBC BLUE NETWORK RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (26)
The orchestra includes Bix Beiderbecke, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Ross Gorman, George Green, Joe Green, Carl Kress (later replaced by Lew Green), Lennie Hayton, and Arthur Schutt.
Broadcasts Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 P.M. over station WJZ (NBC Blue Network). (26)
Camel Cigarettes ad promoting The Camel Pleasure Hour, c. 1930.
June 6, 1930: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (26)
Irving Mills and His Hotsy-Totsy Gang
Bix Beiderbecke-cornet, Ray Lodwig-trumpet, Jack Teagarden-trombone, Benny Goodman-clarinet, alto saxophone, Larry Binyon-tenor saxophone, Joe Venuti-violin, Nat Brusiloff-violin, Frank Signorelli-piano, Lew Green-guitar, Min Leibrook-bass saxophone, Gene Krupa-drums.
LOVED ONE-Melotone 12051-A & B
DEEP HARLEM-Brunswick 4893-A
STRUT MISS LIZZIE-Brunswick 4893-B
June 23, 1930: Victor RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Marimba Orchestra
SOMEWHERE IN OLD WYOMING-Victor rejected.
LO-LO-Victor 22480
July 3, 1930: Victor RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Green Brothers’ Novelty Marimba Orchestra
SOMEWHERE IN OLD WYOMING-Victor 22480
ADMIRATION (HAWAIIAN IDYLL)-Victor 22785
MAORI (SAMOAN DANCE)-Victor 22785
c. 1930: Lew Green developed the “Henry Peck” cartoon series as a cartoonist. (3)
Unable to sell the idea, he discards the project.
Henry Peck by Lew Green. c. 1930. (3)
1931
c. 1931: Kate Smith CBS RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (40)
Kate Smith and Her Swanee Music, sponsored by La Palina Cigars.
Kate Smith’s first CBS radio network program. (8)
January 9, 1931: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (38)
Joe Green Novelty Orchestra
799 Seventh Avenue, Room no. 2, AM session.
Orchestra: 10 men.
Instrumentation: 2 violins, 2 saxophones, bass saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, xylophone.
TWO HEARTS IN WALTZ TIME-Melotone M12063
WAITING BY THE SILV’RY RIO GRANDE-Melotone M12092
DREAMY ROCKY MOUNTAIN MOON-Melotone M12092
January 10, 1931: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (38)
Joe Green Novelty Orchestra
799 Seventh Avenue, Room no. 2, AM session.
Orchestra: 10 men
Instrumentation: 2 violins, 2 saxophones, bass saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bells.
CHIMES OF SPRING (SPRING, BEAUTIFUL, SPRING)-Brunswick
January 29, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
OVERNIGHT-Harmony 1280-H
REACHING FOR THE MOON-Harmony 1280-H
GRIEVIN’-Clarion 5228-C
YOU DON’T WANT ME ANYMORE-Clarion 5227-C
February 17, 1931: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (38)
Joe Green Novelty Orchestra
799 Seventh Avenue, Room no. 2, PM session.
Orchestra: 10 men.
Instrumentation: 2 violins, 2 saxophones, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, string bass, xylophone.
GAZING AT THE STARS-Melotone M-12101
WABASH MOON-Melotone M-12101
THE SAME AS WE USED TO DO-Melotone M-12192
ON THE WINDING SANTE FE-Melotone M12192
Kate Smith, c.1931.
March 13, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO TELL ME (I KNEW IT ALL THE TIME)-Rejected
WABASH MOON-Harmony 1303-H
NOW’S THE TIME-Harmony 1303-H
AT DUSK-Rejected
March 20, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
DINAH LEE FROM TENNESSEE-Clarion 5278-C
YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO TELL ME (I KNEW IT ALL THE TIME)-Harmony 1303-H
July 7, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith The Songbird Of The South with Her Swanee Music
MAKIN’ FACES AT THE MAN IN THE MOON-Harmony 1347-H
WHEN THE MOON COMES OVER THE MOUNTAIN-Harmony 1347-H
NOTE: includes Jimmy Dorsey-clarinet
August 17, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
IF I HAVE TO GO ON WITHOUT YOU-Columbia 2516-D
WHEN THE MOON COMES OVER THE MOUNTAIN-Columbia 2516-D
September 15, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
YOU CALL IT MADNESS, BUT I CALL IT LOVE-Columbia 2539-D
I DON’T KNOW WHY (I JUST DO)-Columbia 2539-D
Kate Smith The Songbird Of The South with Her Swanee Music
SHINE ON, HARVEST MOON-Harmony 1371-H
I APOLOGIZE-Harmony 1371-H
October 8, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
THAT’S WHY DARKIES WERE BORN-Columbia 2563-D
TELL ME WITH A LOVE SONG-Columbia 2563-D
YOU TRY SOMEBODY ELSE-Velvet Tone 2465-V
GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART-Velvet Tone 2465-V
December 10, 1931: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith The Songbird Of The South with Her Swanee Music
RIVER, STAY ‘WAY FROM MY DOOR-Velvet Tone 2483-V
ALL OF ME-Velvet Tone 2483-V
1932
c. 1932: Kate Smith CBS RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (40)
Kate Smith and Her Swanee Music, sponsored by La Palina Cigars.
Kate Smith’s first CBS radio network program. (8)
January 28, 1932: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith The Songbird Of The South with Her Swanee Music
This session features prominent guitar accompaniment by Lew Green; the influence of Eddie Lang is very evident.
IN THE BAGGAGE COACH AHEAD-Columbia 2605-D
JUST FRIENDS-Velvet Tone 2512-V
BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA/BLUES IN MY HEART-Velvet Tone 2512-V
January 29, 1932: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
TWENTY-ONE YEARS-Columbia 2605-D
March 1, 1932: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
MY MOM-Rejected
SNUGGLED ON YOUR SHOULDER (CUDDLED IN YOUR ARMS)-Columbia 2624-D
LOVE, YOU FUNNY THING!-Columbia 2624-D
March 4, 1932: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
(IN THE GLOAMING) BY THE FIRESIDE-Columbia 2627-D
c. July-August 1932, Kate Smith, accompanied by Lew Green, The Big Broadcast, Paramount Studios, Astoria, Queens, NY. (5)
c. July-August 1932: The Big Broadcast, Paramount Pictures, FILM, Queens, NY. (4)
Kate Smith
IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL
This segment was filmed @ Paramount Studios, Astoria, Queens, NYC. (5)
September 1932, Kate Smith and Her Swanee Music Revue, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Lew Green, middle row, far right. (3)
1933
c. 1933: Lew Green marries Elizabeth (Elsie) Rademacker. (3)
c. 1933: Kate Smith CBS RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (40)
Kate Smith and Her Swanee Music, sponsored by La Palina Cigars.
Kate Smith’s first CBS radio network program. (8)
February 9, 1933: Brunswick RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith
PICKANINNIES’ HEAVEN-Brunswick 6497
TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE-Brunswick 6496
MY QUEEN OF LULLABY LAND-Brunswick 6496
MOON SONG-Brunswick 6497
LEW GREEN SR. & CARMEN MASTREN REMEMBER EDDIE LANG. (14)
LEW GREEN SR.: When Eddie Lang died (March 26, 1933), I took his place with Al Goodman.
CARMEN MASTREN: In those days you didn’t have to read, Eddie (Lang) couldn’t read, Carl (Kress) couldn’t read.
LEW GREEN SR.: Dick (McDonough) could.
CARMEN MASTREN: Tommy Dorsey used to tell me a lot about Eddie (Lang), he said he’d get in (to the session) and as soon as the orchestra would run through it (the music), Eddie wouldn’t play, (he’d) just listen.
MIKE PETERS: Joe Venuti told me Eddie would always be tuning or say he broke a string. Joe would lean into him and say, listen this is the tricky part.
CARMEN MASTREN: Yeah, but he had some ears.
LEW GREEN SR.: Eddie told me one time, I don’t have to read, I look at the music and see the way the notes go, either they go up of they go down.
MIKE PETERS: Did you know Eddie well?
LEW GREEN SR.: We had our guitars in the same locker up there in NBC (711 Fifth Avenue).
711 Fifth Avenue, East 55th Street, NYC.
NBC Studios, 711 Fifth Avenue, East 55th Street, NYC.
December 2 (Friday)-December 8 (Thursday): Bing Crosby tops the bill in a cine-variety show at the Capitol Theater, New York, with Bob Hope (of Ballyhoo) in support. Sings and ad-libs with Hope. (23)
LEW GREEN SR. & CARMEN MASTREN REMEMBER EDDIE LANG. (14)
CARMEN MASTREN: I saw Eddie at the Capitol Theatre (NYC, December 2-8, 1932).
March 10 (Friday)-March 16 (Thursday): Bing Crosby tops the bill at the Capitol, New York, with Milton Berle and the Eddy Duchin Central Park Casino Orchestra. (23)
LEW GREEN SR.: With Bing? Doing Echo In The Valley, Venuti gave him the(rasp)berry, the Bronx Bird. When Bing sings “Just an Echo … ooh-ooh …. In The Valley … ooh-ooh …” Milton Berle stuck his head out of the wing and says, “I don’t hear no echo” and Venuti (gives him the Bronx Bird) and it broke Bing up, and Eddie couldn’t play anymore, and the manager wanted to leave it in the act.
CARMEN MASTREN: I know I stayed for three shows just to hear Lang, I heard Crosby enough. Remember he introduced him (Eddie) and he came out with the little stool and sat right next to him.
MIKE PETERS: Did Bing sing before Eddie came out?
CARMEN MASTREN: Yeah., he’d do a tune, then introduce Eddie, the orchestra was in the pit, Lang was never in the pit.
MIKE PETERS: Could you hear Eddie well?
CARMEN MASTREN: Oh yeah.
LEW GREEN SR.: He played a chorus on every song.
LEW GREEN SR.: When Eddie went in for the operation (March 26, 1933), I remember we were still at 711 Fifth Avenue (NBC Studios).
CARMEN MASTREN: That’s the old NBC studio.
LEW GREEN SR.: We were all waiting downstairs in the drugstore, we were there between shows, I remember I was sitting with (guitarist) Tony Colucci, and it was always crowded with musicians and the news came out that Eddie had just died.
MIKE PETERS: Was Eddie very business minded?
CARMEN MASTREN: No, these were a couple of guys from Philadelphia, they came up from South Philly, ya know, that was a rough neighborhood they came from.
LEW GREEN SR.: Joe (Venuti) was a very tough cat.
Bing Crosby Capitol Theatre, NYC ad, December 2-8, 1932.
c. 1933: Lew Green joins Ferde Grofe Orchestra as guitarist, banjoist, broadcast producer, and Grofe’s manager! (3)
September 12, 1933: Victor RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (30) (39)
Ferde Grofe and His Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 violins, 3 saxophones, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba, guitar, piano, traps.
SHORT ‘NIN’ BREAD
MY MOONLIGHT MADONNA
THE LAST ROUND-UP
MOTHER O‘MINE
November 21, 1933: Columbia RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (30) (39)
Ferde Grofe and His Orchestra
INKA DINKA DOO
CINDERELLA’S FELLA
TEMPTATION
COUNT OUR BLESSINGS
Ferde Grofe Radio Shows c. 1933-37.
Ferde Grofe’s Symphony Orchestra, WEAF (50)
Fred Allen (14)
American Bankers Association (as Bankers Association of America) (13)
Phillip Morris (14)
Sealtest-1936 (49)
The Saturday Night Party-1937 (Unk.)
LEW GREEN SR.: (Ferde) Grofe trumpet section was (Charlie) Margulis, (Mannie) Klein, and Del Staigers for the concert repertoire. The trombone section was Tommy Dorsey, Lloyd Turner, and Jerry Colonna. (14)
c. 1933, Ferde Grofe Orchestra, Riverside Drive, NYC, General Grant National Memorial is in the background. (3)
1934
1934-1935: Kate Smith Show CBS RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (8)
1934-1935: The Kate Smith Matinee.
1934-1935: The Kate Smith New Star Revue.
August 10, 1934: Joseph Peter Green b. Brooklyn, NY. (3)
First son of Lew & Elsie Green
September 19, 1934: ARC RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Larry Funk and His Band of a Thousand Melodies
RAIN-Banner 33219
I’M LONESOME FOR YOU, CAROLINE-Banner 33219
TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR WORDS-Banner 33237
WHEN YOU’RE IN LOVE-Banner 33237
October 31, 1934 ?: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith and The Ambassadors’ Trio Accompanied by Her Swanee Music
THE CONTINENTAL-Decca 288
November 1, 1934: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (21)
Kate Smith and The Ambassadors’ Trio Accompanied by Her Swanee Music
COLLEGE RHYTHM-Brunswick 01937-B
LET’S GIVE THREE CHEERS TO LOVE-Decca 277
Kate Smith Accompanied by Her Swanee Music
STAY AS SWEET AS YOU ARE-Decca 276
WHEN MY SHIP COMES IN-Decca 288
I’M GROWING FONDER OF YOU-Decca 276
January 1934: The Metronome, Epiphone ad. (holding a sunburst Epiphone Emperor guitar).
1935
1935-1936: Kate Smith Show CBS RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (8)
1935-1936: Kate Smith's Coffee Time, sponsored by A&P.
LEW GREEN SR.: The year that George Van Eps and I took our first trip around with these crude instruments was early 1935. We went from New York to Boston to Baltimore to Philadelphia and Washington playing to auditoriums and rooms full of just guitar players. None of them had ever heard such a sound! (13)
NOTE: George Van Eps’s memories of that period are at odds with Green’s tale. (13)
November 1935: Epiphone unveils several new products; the first was the “Electar” line of electronic musical instruments, including one Spanish and one Hawaiian guitar as well as the requisite amplification for either AC or DC current. (13)
c. 1935, Lew Green playing the Electar Hawaiian with combination case (amplifier). (3)
As early as 1929, Green was looking for ways to enhance the sound of his acoustic Hawaiian instruments and noted the developments of the National resonator guitar and experiments with internal baffling systems and sound hole placements. (13)
c. 1933-1938: RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (13)
Ferde Grofe Orchestra
American Bankers Association radio show (as Bankers Association of America). (13)
His performance of the song WHEN DAY IS DONE with the Grofe Orchestra on the Bankers Association of America’s radio show with Fred Allen in the 1930s is thought to be the first coast-to-coast transmission of the sounds of the electric Hawaiian guitar. (13)
NOTE: Audio or listing of this program is not available.
Ferde Grofe & Lew Green with the Electar Hawaiian with combination case (amplifier), c. 1937. (3)
1936
c. 1936: Test for Irving Mills. (3)
Lew Green
Lew Green-Epiphone Electar, producer, arranger, Unk: piano, harp, bass, drums, and vocal group.
NOTE: This a test recording made for Irving Mills, one of the era’s influential music publishers, producer, and manager. Nothing came of this with Mills, but the concept emerged on broadcasts for the Steine Bottle Boys Swing Club radio show, which Lew Green produced later in the year.
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE
c. 1936: RADIO BROADCAST, Radio Transcriptions Inc. Studio, NYC. (32)
The Novelty Marimba Band under the direction of Joe Green
Joe Green-xylophone, marimba, poss. Lew Green-steel guitar, John Hart-vocal.
A BUNCH OF ROSES
THE SWEETHEART OF SIGMA CHI
CIGARETTE
AY MAMA INES
MOONLIGHT AND ROSES
c. 1936: Produces the Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club, NBC Blue Network RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (3)
1936-1937: Kate Smith Show CBS RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (8)
1936-1937: The Kate Smith A&P Bandwagon.
c. 1936-1938: Nick Lucas NBC SUSTAINING RADIO SHOW, NYC. (14)
LEW GREEN SR. & CARMEN MASTREN REMEMBER. (14)
LEW GREEN SR.: Nick Lucas had two guitars, one tuned straight and he had one tuned a half-tone higher so he could always play in the first position because he had to play those open strings.
NOTE: Al Pearce and His Gang (NBC, 1936-38) (19) TBD if this is the show mentioned above.
LEW GREEN SR.: Nick Lucas came over to a benefit concert in Madison Square Garden, and I’m substituting for Carl Kress with some big band, and Nick came over to me out of breadth and says, “loan me your guitar, I’m on”. It was tuned Carl Kress tuning, and he says, “what the hell is this?
CARMEN MASTREN: That’s one thing with Carl (Kress). When he’d come in (to a club), he’d say I don’t have to sit in, I can’t play your guitar, Dick (McDonough) would play.
LEW GREEN SR.: I’d play on either (guitar).
c. October-November 1936: Lew Green with Ferde Grofe Orchestra playing “SEALTEST” Program on Saturday nights, NBC Coast to Coast Network. (49)
Metronome, November 1936.
1937
January 19, 1937, Ferde Grofe Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, NYC. (3)
"Orchestra at Carnegie Hall meets enthusiastic crowd," New York Times, January 10, 1937.
Picture autographed … “To my pal, Lew Green, my other right-hand brother. I’m grateful for all you have done. Ferde Grofe, January 5, 1938” (3)
c. 1937: Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club, NBC Blue Network RADIO BROADCAST (AIRCHECK), NYC. (3)
LEW GREEN SR. & CARMEN MASTREN REMEMBER. (14)
LEW GREEN SR.: We broadcast three times weekly. I paid (the musicians) $125 bucks for the three shows, paid $125 for a weekly guest star to appear (Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Bunny Berigan, Eva Taylor).
LEW GREEN SR: (The band included) Jimmy Lytell-clarinet, Johnny Gart-trumpet, Charles Magnante-accordion, Charlie Barber-trombone, Lew Green-Epiphone Electar, musical director, producer, Dick McDonough-guitar (1936-37), Tony Mottola-guitar (1937-38), Chauncey Morehouse-drums.
NOTE: Lew Green initially hired Carmen Mastren to fill the guitar chair for this radio show.
CARMEN MASTREN: You gave me the Steinie Bottle Boys show, remember, then I went with Tommy (Dorsey) (June 1936), he wouldn’t let me off fifteen minutes early (to do the show), I called Dick (McDonough).
LEW GREEN SR.: Dick did it. I had to let Dick go, Dick was impossible (he was drinking too much), greatest guy in the world. I canned Dick, that’s when I found Tony Mottola.
LEW GREEN SR.: I sponsored Tony Mottola allowing him to broadcast on The Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club radio show.
IT DON’T MEAN A THING, IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING - Unk. vocal trio.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ - Fats Waller-piano.
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE/I’M GLAD FOR YOUR SAKE (BUT I’M SORRY FOR MINE)/ HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Fats Waller-piano, vocal, Dick McDonough-guitar solo.
PUT ON YOUR OLD GREY BONNET - Tony Mottola-guitar solo.
SAN - Lew Green Sr.-Electar solo, Tony Mottola-guitar solo.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ - Tony Mottola-guitar solo, Lew Green Sr.-Electar solo.
HALLELUJAH - Tony Mottola-guitar solo, Lew Green Sr.-Electar solo.
DON’T GIVE ME THAT - Tony Mottola-guitar solo, Unk. vocal trio.
DING. DONG DADDY FROM DUMAS - Unk. vocal trio.
“To Lew Green, My First “Sponsor.” Gratefully, Tony Mottola” (3)
Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club ad, KDKA (radio), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
March 12, 1937: Victor RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
JOHNNY ONE NOTE-Victor 25546
SWEET LEILANI-Victor 25543
WHERE OR WHEN-Victor 25546
SWING HIGH, SWING LOW-Victor 25543
NOTE: Lew Green replaces Dick McDonough w/Ruby Newman and His Orchestra. (1)
1937-1940: RECORDING SESSIONS, NYC
LEW GREEN SR.: I got all the (Carl) Kress overflow business because I learned the Kress tuning and could play everything that he could play. You read a lot these day (in Brian Rust discography) about Kress playing choruses. I did all the Andrews Sisters recordings because they wanted the same (guitar) tuning (as Carl Kress). (14)
Note: Lew Green Sr.’s participation in the Andrews Sisters recordings TBD. On several of these recording sessions, The Andrews Sisters are accompanied by the orchestras of Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and Bob Crosby’s Bobcats. (21)
DATE TBD
Ferde Grofe conducts Mardi Gras Suite, FILM, NYC. (48)
DATE TBD
Ferde Grofe conducts Mississippi Suite, FILM, NYC. (48)
Rehearsal for The Saturday Night Party (radio show).
Grofe is seen conducting a performance of his composition, "Mississippi Suite."
1938
1938: Produces the Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club, NBC Blue Network RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (3)
February 15, 1938: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
YOU COULDN’T BE CUTER-Decca 1709
JUST LET ME LOOK AT YOU-Decca 1709
THE MOON OF MANAKOORA-Decca 1692
TI-PI-TIN-Decca 1692
March 25, 1938: Ferde Grofe Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, NYC. (3)
On March 25, 1938, Ferde Grofe and his Symphony Orchestra played a concert at Carnegie Hall for the benefit of "Free Milk Fund for Babies, Inc.", Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, President, and Founder. The concert included a number of premieres, with George Gershwin's "Three Preludes" for orchestra (scored by Ferde Grofé) featured. (42) (43)
March 31, 1938: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
WHO ARE WE TO SAY?-Decca 1714
SHADOWS ON THE MOON-Decca 1714
GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST-Decca 1715
BEWILDERED-Decca 1715
May 3, 1938: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
WHEN THEY PLAYED THE POLKA-Decca 1811
MOONLIGHT IN WAIKIKI-Decca 1838
LOVELIGHT IN THE STARLIGHT-Decca 1810
THE MOON LOOKS DOWN AND LAUGHS-Decca 1838
THE GIRL IN THE BONNET OF BLUE-Decca 1811
KISS ME GOODNIGHT-Decca 1810
May 17, 1938: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
SPRING IS HERE-Decca 1836
I MARRIED AN ANGEL-Decca 1835
HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE-Decca 1836
I’LL TELL THE MAN IN THE STREET-Decca 1835
MUSIC, MAESTRO, PLEASE!-Decca 1848
RAINBOW IN THE NIGHT-Decca 1848
May 25, 1938: LEW GREEN SR.: Dick McDonough died (while) sitting on a stool during the Joe Cook (radio) show. (14)
June 9, 1938: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
MY WALKING STICK-Decca 1893
NOW IT CAN BE TOLD-Decca 1893
MY MARGARITA (EL CHARRO)-Decca 1877
THE CHARMING SPELL OF YOUR EMBRACE-Decca 1878
MY FIRST LOVE-Decca 1877
IN A LITTLE DUTCH KINDERGARTEN (DOWN BY THE ZUIDER ZEE)-Decca 1878
September 22, 1938: Lewis Goodrich John (Lew) Green (Jr.) was born in Manhattan, NY. (27)
Medical Arts Center, 57 West 57th Street, Manhattan, NY.
Second son of Lew & Elsie Green.
Current Family Residence: 83-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY. (3)
November 18, 1938: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR-Decca 2211
THIS CAN’T BE LOVE-Decca 2211
FROM NOW ON-Decca 2192
GET OUT OF TOWN-Decca 2192
SAY IT WITH A KISS-Decca 2191
PLEASE COME OUT OF YOUR DREAM-Decca 2191
c. late 1930s: Lew Green creates musician profiles/cartoons for The Melody News. (3)
Benny Goodman - The Melody News, by Lew Green. c. late 1930’s. (3)
Fred Rich - The Melody News, by Lew Green. c. late 1930’s. (3)
Lud Gluskin - The Melody News, by Lew Green. c. late 1930’s (3).
1939
c. 1939: Joseph Peter (Joe) Green dies of complications following an operation for an appendectomy. (3)
January 21, 1939: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU-Decca 23617
I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN-Decca 23620
LOVE FOR SALE-Decca 23619
THE DARKTOWN STRUTTERS BALL-Decca 23621
I’M JUST WILD ABOUT HARRY-Decca 23621
JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS-Decca 23618
WHO?-Decca 23620
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES-Decca 23617
NIGHT AND DAY-Decca 23618
BY MYSELF-Decca 23619
April 18, 1939: Bluebird RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Vincent Lopez and His Suave Swing Orchestra
THE DAUGHTER OF SWEET GEORGIA BROWN-Bluebird B-10223
WHISTLING IN THE WILDWOOD-Bluebird B-10223
BLUE MOON-Bluebird B-10268
HOW AM I TO KNOW? -Bluebird B-10268
June 27, 1939: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CAN SUFFER-Decca 2594
IT SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES-Decca 2593
WHITE SAILS (BENEATH A YELLOW MOON)-Decca 2593
YOURS FOR A SONG-Decca 2594
c. July 6, 1939-January 6, 1940: Majestic Theatre, BROADWAY, NYC. (20)
YOKEL BOY
LEW GREEN SR.: When John Cali was in alimony jail, I filled in for him in the Broadway pit (orchestra) … Phil Silvers, Judy Canova, Buddy Ebsen. He never paid me. (14)
Panama Hattie: 46th Street Theatre, October 30, 1940-January 3, 1942. (20)
December 6, 1939-December 12, 1940: 46th Street Theatre/Royale Theatre, BROADWAY, NYC. (20)
DUBARRY WAS A LADY
LEW GREEN SR.: I then got a (Broadway) show with (Gene) Salzer. (14)
DuBarry Was A Lady: 46th Street Theatre/Royale Theatre, December 6, 1939-December 12, 1940. (20)
November 7, 1939: Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1)
Ruby Newman and His Orchestra
THE WIND AT MY WINDOW-Decca 2905
I WAS AFRAID OF THAT-Decca 2905
I’VE GONE OFF THE DEEP END-Decca 2916
WHERE WAS I?-Decca 2916
TONIGHT (PERFIDIA)-Decca 2846
ONE-TWO-THREE-KICK-Decca 2846
CITATIONS
1. The American Dance Band Discography, 1917-1942, Brian Rust, Arlington House, New Rochelle, NY, 1975.
2. Jazz Records, 1897-1942, 4th Revised and Enlarged Edition, Arlington House, New Rochelle, NY, 1978.
3. Lew Green Jr. archive.
4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Broadcast
5. www.imdb.com/title/tt0022675/locations?ref_=ttfc_sa_4
6. http://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/
7. www.readingeagle.com/2017/03/14/ku-to-honor-xylophone-legends-the-green-brothers-novelty-orchestra/
8. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Smith
9. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamboat_Willie
10. Tommy Dorsey, Livin’ In A Great Big Way, Peter J. Levinson, Da Capo Press, 2005.
11. Plunkett’s, Josh Billings, Esquire Jazz Book, 1947.
12. www.imdb.com/title/tt0019422/fullcredits/?ref_=ttrel_ql_1
13. Epiphone, The House Of Stathopoulo, Jim Fisch, L.B. Fred, Amsco Publications, NY, 1996.
14. Sunday, November 25, 1979, @ the home of Lew Green Jr., Darien CT w/Lew Green Sr. & Carmen Mastren.
15. Madriguera’s sister was pianist Paquita Madriguera, the second wife of Andres Segovia.
16. Bix, Man & Legend, Richard M. Sudhalter & Philip R. Evans with William Dean-Myatt.
17. www.tapatalk.com/groups/bixography/the-first-newspaper-announcements-of-the-camel-ple-t6481.html?
18. www.otrcat.com/old-time-radio-show-ratings-by-year
19. nicklucas.com
20. ibdb.com
21. The Complete Entertainment Discography from the mid-1890’s to 1942, Brian Rust with Allen G. Debus, Arlington House, New Rochelle, NY.
22. banjofraternity.org
23. bingmagazine.co.uk
24. Lewis G. Green, Songwriter, Cinematographer for Bears, Chicago Tribune, June 21, 1992.
25. The Green Family Collection @ Kutztown University, www.kucmpr.org/our-collections
26. Bix, The Leon Bix Beiderbecke Story, Philip R. and Linda K. Evans, Prelike Press, 1998.
27. Lewis Goodrich John Green (Jr.), Certificate of Birth 24670.
28. Five Stringer, newsletter of the American Banjo Fraternity.
29. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schillinger_System#References
30. Discography of American Historical Recordings,
31. Masters of the Xylophones-George Hamilton Green and Joe Green, Xylophonia Music Co. XMC 001, 1993.
32. The Green Brothers’ MASTERS OF THE XYLOPHONE Collection, Xylophonia Co. & Green’s Music XMC 007, 2010.
33. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Brothers_Novelty_Band
34. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hamilton_Green
35. IGA Biography
36. pinterest.com
37. d23.com
38. Brunswick Records: A discography of recordings, 1916-1931, Ross Laird, Greenwood Press, 2001.
39. Rigler-Deutsch Index; Victor blue history card; trade catalog; Victor ledgers.
40. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Palina
41. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleischer_Studios
42. New York Times, Ferde Grofe to Lead Symphony Orchestra on Friday, March 25, 1938.
43. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferde_Grofé
44. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Opry_House
45. d23.com/a-to-z/opry-house-the-film/
46. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skeleton_Dance
47. d23.com/a-to-z/skeleton-dance-the-film/
48. unknown source.
49. Metronome, November 1936.
50. The Metronome, June 1933.