Russ Morgan (April 29, 1904 in Scranton, Pennsylvania – August 7, 1969 in L… Read Full Bio ↴Russ Morgan (April 29, 1904 in Scranton, Pennsylvania – August 7, 1969 in Las Vegas, Nevada) was a Big Band orchestra leader.
Born into a Welsh family, Russ Morgan was encouraged to express himself musically from the tender age of seven. His ability had come naturally since his father, a coal-mine foreman, was a former musician who played drums in the local band in his spare time with his mother, before her marriage, had been a pianist in a vaudeville act. Almost at the same age that he began to study piano, he began to work in the mines in order to earn money to help support his family and pay for his lessons.
At the age of fourteen, he earned extra money as a pianist performing in a theater in his hometown. With his extra money, he purchased another instrument: a trombone. In 1921, he used the trombone while working with a local band called the Scranton Sirens. This band became one of the hottest in the Pennsylvania area during the 1920s. In fact some of its alumni, such as Jimmy Dorsey on sax and clarinet, Billy Lustig on violin and Tommy Dorsey on trombone (who took Russ's place when he left the organization) went on to become famous.
[edit] Early career
At eighteen, he decided to try and further his career by going to New York. By 1925, at the age of twenty-one, he arranged for both John Philip Sousa and Victor Herbert. He then continued to gain experience by joining Paul Specht's orchestra and toured throughout Europe with the orchestra. Contemporaries of Morgan's in this orchestra were among greats – names like Arthur Schutt, Don Lindley, Chauncey Morehouse, Orville Knapp, Paul Whiteman, Charlie Spivak and Artie Shaw also played in this orchestra during the 1920s.
Upon returning from the European tour, Jean Goldkette invited him to Detroit to organize, lead and arrange for his new band. Some members of the now immortal all-star Goldkette orchestra were his old associates from former days. The band included Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Chauncey Morehouse, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke and Fuzzy Farrar.
For a short time, in 1934, he arranged for Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. In 1935, he then played trombone with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band when they recorded four sides for Vocalion. On September 12, 1935, Russ playing piano and Joe Venuti on violin cut two sides for Brunswick, “Red Velvet” and “Black Satin.” Most of the songs were written by Russ and Joe.
[edit] Radio work
His biggest success in the music world came when he was offered the post of Musical Director for Detroit Radio Station WXYZ. His show, "Music in the Morgan Manner", became one of the most popular radio shows. At one time, during his radio run, he was directing nine commercial programs. While in Detroit, he arranged for the Detroit 102 piece Symphony Orchestra thus demonstrating once again his varied musical experience and ability.
In the early 1930s, Russ was in an automobile accident that almost ended his career. After several months in the hospital he decided to start again in New York City. He became arranger for bands like the George White Scandals, The Cotton Club Revue and the Capitol Theatre. When not arranging for the various Broadway shows, he worked with leading orchestras in New York, such as Phil Spitalny, Eddie Gilligan, Ted Fio Rito and Freddy Martin, as pianist and/or trombonist.
He then joined the Freddy Martin Orchestra in 1934 as a piano player. He worked chiefly as trombonist and arranger with the band. While working with Martin's orchestra, he also worked as a musical director at Brunswick Records back in New York. It was here that he met the future Mrs. Morgan, Shirley Gray, whom he married in 1939.
[edit] Career
While at Brunswick, he met Rudy Vallee, who was impressed with Morgan's musical ability. He insisted he form an orchestra of his own. He then invited Russ to appear as a guest on his popular Fleishman Yeast radio show. Vallee was also instrumental in getting Morgan in his first engagement in New York City, along with his own orchestra at the Biltmore Hotel. This first engagement was indicative of the audiences' reaction to Morgan's appearances. He started with a four-week contract. But the contract extended and Morgan remained at the hotel for two years. In the next few years, he was able to add musical directorship to the Rinso-Lifebuoy Show on NBC for thirty-nine weeks and the Philip Morris radio series on NBC and CBS for two years to his growing list of achievements.
Some of his other triumphs were his record-breaking runs in famed hotels, ballrooms and theatres across the country. A few of these engagements were at the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Claremont Hotel, California; Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago; Aragon and Trianon, Chicago; Strand, Chicago; the Statler Hotel, New York; Orpheum, Los Angeles; Palladium, Hollywood; to name a few.
[edit] Chart success
In 1949, four songs he recorded made it big on the charts. They were "So Tired", "Cruising Down the River", "Sunflower" and "Forever and Ever." On the latter he used a vocal quartet that was just starting out and would later become famous as the Ames Brothers. 1949 was his big year.
Alan Herbert, the Morning Man on the American Forces Network Radio Station in Bremen, Germany played Morgan's "So Tired," liked the tune and played it almost daily, to the delight of his American and British audience in 1947-48. It was easily the most requested song played on the station. Herbert takes some credit for putting it on the charts, as service men and women requested it from their local stations when they got back home.
[edit] Later career / death
During the 1950s, his orchestra continued to be a popular one for dancing and listening music. He continued to set house records with his appearances in California and New York as well as his many tours across the entire nation. During this decade, it was mostly the long-established veteran "sweet bands" that were supplying the music for dancers, and Russ Morgan was one of them. The veterans included Jan Garber, Sammy Kaye, Wayne King, Guy Lombardo, Freddy Martin and Lawrence Welk.
In 1958, Morgan's nineteen-piece band had been reduced to eleven men, with his sons Jack Morgan on trombone and David Morgan on guitar. In 1965, he was then booked for an eight-week engagement at the Top O' The Strip at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. However, it ended up lasting until 1977, a total of twelve years.
He died in 1969 at the age of sixty-five. Morgan’s son, Jack, took over the leadership. He has led the band ever since.
For his contributions for recording, he has a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Born into a Welsh family, Russ Morgan was encouraged to express himself musically from the tender age of seven. His ability had come naturally since his father, a coal-mine foreman, was a former musician who played drums in the local band in his spare time with his mother, before her marriage, had been a pianist in a vaudeville act. Almost at the same age that he began to study piano, he began to work in the mines in order to earn money to help support his family and pay for his lessons.
At the age of fourteen, he earned extra money as a pianist performing in a theater in his hometown. With his extra money, he purchased another instrument: a trombone. In 1921, he used the trombone while working with a local band called the Scranton Sirens. This band became one of the hottest in the Pennsylvania area during the 1920s. In fact some of its alumni, such as Jimmy Dorsey on sax and clarinet, Billy Lustig on violin and Tommy Dorsey on trombone (who took Russ's place when he left the organization) went on to become famous.
[edit] Early career
At eighteen, he decided to try and further his career by going to New York. By 1925, at the age of twenty-one, he arranged for both John Philip Sousa and Victor Herbert. He then continued to gain experience by joining Paul Specht's orchestra and toured throughout Europe with the orchestra. Contemporaries of Morgan's in this orchestra were among greats – names like Arthur Schutt, Don Lindley, Chauncey Morehouse, Orville Knapp, Paul Whiteman, Charlie Spivak and Artie Shaw also played in this orchestra during the 1920s.
Upon returning from the European tour, Jean Goldkette invited him to Detroit to organize, lead and arrange for his new band. Some members of the now immortal all-star Goldkette orchestra were his old associates from former days. The band included Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Chauncey Morehouse, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke and Fuzzy Farrar.
For a short time, in 1934, he arranged for Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. In 1935, he then played trombone with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band when they recorded four sides for Vocalion. On September 12, 1935, Russ playing piano and Joe Venuti on violin cut two sides for Brunswick, “Red Velvet” and “Black Satin.” Most of the songs were written by Russ and Joe.
[edit] Radio work
His biggest success in the music world came when he was offered the post of Musical Director for Detroit Radio Station WXYZ. His show, "Music in the Morgan Manner", became one of the most popular radio shows. At one time, during his radio run, he was directing nine commercial programs. While in Detroit, he arranged for the Detroit 102 piece Symphony Orchestra thus demonstrating once again his varied musical experience and ability.
In the early 1930s, Russ was in an automobile accident that almost ended his career. After several months in the hospital he decided to start again in New York City. He became arranger for bands like the George White Scandals, The Cotton Club Revue and the Capitol Theatre. When not arranging for the various Broadway shows, he worked with leading orchestras in New York, such as Phil Spitalny, Eddie Gilligan, Ted Fio Rito and Freddy Martin, as pianist and/or trombonist.
He then joined the Freddy Martin Orchestra in 1934 as a piano player. He worked chiefly as trombonist and arranger with the band. While working with Martin's orchestra, he also worked as a musical director at Brunswick Records back in New York. It was here that he met the future Mrs. Morgan, Shirley Gray, whom he married in 1939.
[edit] Career
While at Brunswick, he met Rudy Vallee, who was impressed with Morgan's musical ability. He insisted he form an orchestra of his own. He then invited Russ to appear as a guest on his popular Fleishman Yeast radio show. Vallee was also instrumental in getting Morgan in his first engagement in New York City, along with his own orchestra at the Biltmore Hotel. This first engagement was indicative of the audiences' reaction to Morgan's appearances. He started with a four-week contract. But the contract extended and Morgan remained at the hotel for two years. In the next few years, he was able to add musical directorship to the Rinso-Lifebuoy Show on NBC for thirty-nine weeks and the Philip Morris radio series on NBC and CBS for two years to his growing list of achievements.
Some of his other triumphs were his record-breaking runs in famed hotels, ballrooms and theatres across the country. A few of these engagements were at the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles; Claremont Hotel, California; Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago; Aragon and Trianon, Chicago; Strand, Chicago; the Statler Hotel, New York; Orpheum, Los Angeles; Palladium, Hollywood; to name a few.
[edit] Chart success
In 1949, four songs he recorded made it big on the charts. They were "So Tired", "Cruising Down the River", "Sunflower" and "Forever and Ever." On the latter he used a vocal quartet that was just starting out and would later become famous as the Ames Brothers. 1949 was his big year.
Alan Herbert, the Morning Man on the American Forces Network Radio Station in Bremen, Germany played Morgan's "So Tired," liked the tune and played it almost daily, to the delight of his American and British audience in 1947-48. It was easily the most requested song played on the station. Herbert takes some credit for putting it on the charts, as service men and women requested it from their local stations when they got back home.
[edit] Later career / death
During the 1950s, his orchestra continued to be a popular one for dancing and listening music. He continued to set house records with his appearances in California and New York as well as his many tours across the entire nation. During this decade, it was mostly the long-established veteran "sweet bands" that were supplying the music for dancers, and Russ Morgan was one of them. The veterans included Jan Garber, Sammy Kaye, Wayne King, Guy Lombardo, Freddy Martin and Lawrence Welk.
In 1958, Morgan's nineteen-piece band had been reduced to eleven men, with his sons Jack Morgan on trombone and David Morgan on guitar. In 1965, he was then booked for an eight-week engagement at the Top O' The Strip at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. However, it ended up lasting until 1977, a total of twelve years.
He died in 1969 at the age of sixty-five. Morgan’s son, Jack, took over the leadership. He has led the band ever since.
For his contributions for recording, he has a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Dolores
Russ Morgan Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Dolores' by these artists:
Achille Lauro Baby che è successo Sto scopando il successo Balenciaga ross…
Agnes Nunes Uh uh uh Uh uh uh Uh uh uh Eu tenho guardado Palavras pra…
AJ Davila Hey dolores que ha pasado son tus días me a…
Amira Elfeky You ruined my life But I like you still I guess it's…
Andy Sannella and his Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Angel Viloria How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Ballpoint Jag har bytt fil, bytt bana Jag tror jag kommit närmare…
Barrabas September on my mind Sun grace on the sea Bringing memorie…
Becky G Dolores Dime ¿por qué lloras esta vez? Nunca puedes ver las …
Braid Some great Anti-action Keeps me Moving faster Eyes like …
Charles Aznavour Sans doute je ne serais pas qui je suis Je ne…
Chick Bullock How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Chick Bullock and his Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Choclock ¿Por qué lo hace' así? Te fuiste y me dejaste a…
CICCO SANCHEZ Metto in discussione tutto Finchè perdo la ragione Sembra ch…
Claudio H. los dolores del corazón son los peores vienen de la nada van…
Curanderos se va a casar Dolores con el hijo del Dr.…
Cœur Dolor Dolores Dolor, dolor, dolor,dolores Mi amor tu m'aima…
Dick Haymes How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Enjambre Suelo imaginar Que sigues aquí Te oigo carcajear Y no esta…
Farco700 Oxycodone puoi farti male Chiama un dottore Do-do Dolores L…
Featuring Bing Crosby How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Frank Sinatra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Frank Sinatra The Pied Pipers & Tommy Dorsey How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Frank Sinatra The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Frank Sinatra Tommy Dorsey The Pied Pipers How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Frank Sinatra with the Pied Pipers featuring Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Frank Sinatra withThe Pied Pipers and Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not M…
Frank Sinatra/The Pied Pipers/Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Frank Sinatra;Tommy Dorsey How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Freedy Johnston Dolores was her middle name She read the book and everything…
Funny van Dannen Als ich aufwachte stand ein Gerippe im Raum und ich…
George Melachrino & His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Gino Graus Dolores houdt van Spanje Met al z′n Spaanse franje Torero, t…
Harry James & His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Harry James and His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not M…
Herbie Hancock; V.S.O.P. The Quintet Adesso che non ci sei cosa rimane tra noi? Solo parole…
Hilario Camacho Cuando se acostaba el sol Saliste al campo, Dolores Ay ay ay…
Ike Quebec How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
James Mantis Wake up at the park got laid off from my job emotionally…
K.O.I. Adesso che non ci sei cosa rimane tra noi? Solo parole…
Kay Thompson How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Lamatumbá Ai dolores, ai dolores Con qué te lavas la cara Ai dolores,…
Lawrence Welk How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
Marconi Impara Dígame qué le pasa, señora, ¿por qué tan sola? Me mira…
Mocasinos Dolores. causa de los mal amores Te besaría esta noche Pero …
MxPx My girl hates the I.R.A. It's true she just a fantasy Don't…
Nodes Of Ranvier Please spare me. How long do we have to hear you…
Olmeca 1º Verso En la savia de la fruta dura la historia. El…
paulo rojas En Dolores provincia del norte Lugar de batallas y sangrient…
Pedro Infante Es tu nombre Dolores Que haya escrito un destino El destino …
Pied Pipers How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Plumbus Wake Build your world Choose your faith Face your role What …
Reincidentes Las diez menos cuarto en el reloj La noche abre su…
Robert Charlebois Dolorès o toi ma douloureuse Perdu dans le Colorado Tout n…
Robert Charlebois & Louise Forestier Dolorès ô toi ma douloureuse Perdu dans le Colorado Tout nu …
RuPaul Oh yeah Hey Yo no sé Yo no sé Yo no sé The moon is…
Rusowsky Se me hace difícil expresar Mis sentimientos Se me hace difí…
Salta la Banca Dolores salta la banca…
Seth Ford-Young I'm holding on your rope Got me ten feet off the…
Simon Norrsveden Ja, det var vдl ganska bra Vi kunde stilla hungern fцr…
Sir Hope Cada vez que pienso en Dolores se me hace una sonrisa…
Spanish Love Songs Radio's droning. Dulled out by the intercom on fire. Guiding…
The Mavericks Delores from the Silver Screen a bigger star than Charlie…
The Melachrino Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not M…
The Merry Macs How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
The Pied Pipers How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Tommy Dorsey How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra;Frank Sinatra;The Pied Pipers How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
TOMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCH How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Tommy Dorsey feat. Frank Sinatra How I love the kisses of Dolores Oh, I love her,…
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Frank Sinatra How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye aye aye Dolores Not…
Tony Martin How I love the kisses of Dolores Aye-aye-aye Dolores Not Mar…
V. S. O. P. Adesso che non ci sei cosa rimane tra noi? Solo parole…
Vanguart I know my words are sick Well, so do i But come…
Xamã Agnes Nunes Uh uh uh Uh uh uh Uh uh uh Eu tenho guardado Palavras pra…
Zahara Querida amiga, no puedo quedarme callada Que te conozco desd…
Zahara Rodrigo Cuevas Agrupación Musical Ubetense Querida amiga No puedo quedarme callada Que te conozco desde…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Russ Morgan:
Among My Souvenirs There's nothing left for me of days that used to…
Bye Bye Blackbird No one here can love or understand me Oh, what hard…
Bye Bye Blues No one here can love or understand me Oh, what hard…
Charley Me Boy Charley is an ordinary fellow To most everyone but Flo,…
Cruising Down a River Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon With one you…
Dance With a Dolly As I was walkin′ down the street Down the street, down…
Does Your Heart Beat for Me Is the moonlight tonight enchanted, It fills me with longing…
Fine and Dandy Please forgive this platitude But I like your attitude You a…
Forever & Ever Forever and ever, my heart will be true Sweetheart, for eve…
Forever and Ever Forever and ever, my heart will be true Sweetheart, for ever…
Have You Heard? You must have been a beautiful baby, You must have…
How High the Moon Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there…
I Want You For Christmas Do your Christmas shopping right away And you'll avoid the r…
I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams Happiness comes with success And that I guess is true But …
Isle of Capri 't was on the Isle of Capri that I found…
Johnson Rag Johnson Flood Mississippi Mud Black Bottom I got 'em Lind…
Josephine There never was a gal I could love, like I…
Lambeth Walk Any time you're Lambeth way Any evening, any day, You'll fin…
Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow Oh the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so…
So Tired So tired of waiting for you So tired of longing for…
The Johnson Rag Johnson Flood Mississippi Mud Black Bottom I got 'em Lindy …
The Merry Go Round Broke Down The merry-go-round broke down As we went 'round and 'round E…
The Sheik Of Araby "I'm the Sheik of Araby, Your love belongs to me. At…
The Woodpecker Song He's up each morning bright and early To wake up…
There Goes That Song Again There goes that song again, we use to call our…
Woodpecker Song He's up each morning bright and early To wake up…
You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby You must have been a beautiful baby, You must have…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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