Arriving in Los Angeles, California in 1939, young John Roland Redd donned a turban and performed by the name Juan Rolando.
Marrying a stunning Disney Studios artist (Beryl June DeBeeson in 1944), the two enhanced his image, eventually replacing Juan Rolando with Korla Pandit, and composing a romantic history for him as a babe born to a Braham Priest and a French opera singer, who traveled from India via England, finally arriving in the United States.
In 1948 Korla was contracted as Music Director to create mood music for radio's latest revival of Chandu The Magician.
At an appearance that same year playing for a furrier's fashion show at Tom Brenaman's Restaurant in Hollywood, Korla and Beryl met television pioneer Klaus Landsberg. Klaus loved Korla's look and offered him his own 15-minute daily television show - which he named "Korla Pandit's Adventures In Music" - on the Los Angeles station, KTLA, with the stipulation that Korla would also provide musical accompaniment for another television show that starred hand puppets. That live show, "Time For Beany", was created by Bob Clampett and featured Stan Freberg and Daws Butler as the puppeteers and voices.
Landsberg insisted that Korla not speak on his own ''Adventures In Music'' show, but rather just gaze dreamily into the camera and play the Hammond organ and Steinway grand piano, often simultaneously. Korla followed Klaus's directorial and contractual stipulations, and became an overnight star and one of early television's pioneering musical artists.
In the 1970s, When his television popularity waned, Pandit supplemented his income with increased personal appearances at supperclubs, supermarket openings, car agencies, music and department stores, pizza restaurants, lectures, music seminars, private lessons, and the theater organ circuit.
He died in Petaluma, California of a myocardial infarction.
After Mr. Pandit's death several sources revealed he was actually of African-American and English descent, descended from Virginia & Missouri slaves and English Colonists:
* Two years following his death, it was sensationally revealed in an article by writer/associate editor R.J. Smith of L.A. Magazine that Korla Pandit was actually an African-American who had been born in the United States.
* Several years later Lawyer & Geneologist David de Clue traced Korla Pandit's family line and supplied a better timeline of his life from St. Louis, to Hollywood, and through much of his later life.
Korla Pandit's audio works number over two dozen albums recorded on 78 and 45 rpm records, LP Vinyl albums, and CD labels.
His visual works were recorded on early music video type presentations by film pioneer Louis D. Snader of Snader Telescriptions (who eventually replaced Pandit with Liberace, which jump-started the pianist's career).
Spanish Eyes
Korla Pandit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
Please, please don't cry
This is just adios and not goodbye
Soon I'll return
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si, si"
Blue Spanish eyes
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
True Spanish eyes
Please smile at me once more before I go
Soon I'll return
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
Please say "Si, si"
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The lyrics of Korla Pandit’s “Spanish Eyes” talk about a lover leaving behind a heartbroken partner with blue and teary Spanish eyes. The singer of the song pleads with the partner not to cry as he is going away just for a short while and is expected to return soon. The lyrics then take a romantic turn as the singer promises to return and bring back all the love the partner’s heart can hold. With this promise, the singer requests the partner to say “Si, si” and wait for his return. The lyrics mention the beauty of the blue Spanish eyes and the love that the partner holds in her heart. The song is a plea for patience and faithfulness until the singer returns to the loving embrace of his partner.
The song “Spanish Eyes” was originally known as “Moon Over Naples” and was composed by Bert Kaempfert. It is an instrumental tune, and it was the B-side of Kaempfert’s single “That Happy Feeling” in 1965. The song was later translated into English by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder, who penned the lyrics. In 1966, the song became a hit for Al Martino, who recorded it as “Spanish Eyes.” The song went on to be covered by a host of artists, including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Engelbert Humperdinck. Korla Pandit’s version was released in 1958 and features his signature Hammond organ sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue Spanish eyes
The singer is describing the color of the subject's eyes as a shade of blue and associating it with the Spanish culture.
Teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes
The subject is crying and the singer identifies that it stems from their Spanish heritage and likely the sadness of the impending departure.
Please, please don't cry
The singer is pleading with the subject to stop crying, possibly due to the emotional pain it causes both of them.
This is just adios and not goodbye
The artist is explaining that this is not the end of their relationship, but merely a temporary goodbye.
Soon I'll return
The artist is reassuring the subject that they will return soon.
Bringing you all the love your heart can hold
The singer promises to bring an abundance of love upon their return.
Please say 'Si, si'
The singer is asking the subject to confirm that they will wait for their return.
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The artist asks the subject to express their commitment to the relationship despite the distance, using their Spanish heritage to emphasize their connection.
Prettiest eyes in all of Mexico
The artist compliments the subject's physical appearance specifically in reference to their nationality.
True Spanish eyes
The artist reaffirms the presence of the subject's Spanish heritage in their eyes.
Please smile at me once more before I go
The singer requests a final gesture of affection from the subject before their departure.
Say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me
The artist repeats the request for the subject to promise to wait for their return, using their Spanish heritage as a symbol of their connection.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Carlos Villalobos, Garry Applebaum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Rife
Last year at an estate sale, I scored two of his albums ... when I got home I turned them over and found out they were signed!
Greg Ruland
Nice!
braija
Holy crap!
hebneh
This entire shtick is pretty cool - the cool, impassive, knowing stare that accompanies the evocative music, transporting 1950s housewives to exotic lands of fantasy.
Cracktaculus
@hebneh He couldn't publically that's for sure. All hell if they found out he was black, fooling all rhose millions of white ladies in the 50s?? He was VERY careful.
hebneh
@Cracktaculus He didn't give that to women, though.
Cracktaculus
" White women everywhere wanting his DEEK, Korla Pandit, Korla Pandit
50s teenage groupies they all wanted his deeek, Korla Pandit!"
cindy Boyd
I remember my mother took my sister and i to meet him when we were about 9 years old and he was inSanta Rosa performing live, and thats when i fell in love with him, and i got to sit on his lap and get my picture taken. I still feel the same when i see these video's of him. He is the most beautiful man i have ever seen in my life,and is truly hipnotic in sound and looks.
Gary S
I saw him perform at an American Motors car dealership in 1966. Unfortunatly the organ wasn't a very good one,but he made it sound great. Thanks for posting.
mightymartianca
His persona may have been fake, but he was an exceptionally talented organist.