Bradley was born Wilbur Schwitchenberg on July 12, 1912 in Newton, New Jers… Read Full Bio ↴Bradley was born Wilbur Schwitchenberg on July 12, 1912 in Newton, New Jersey and died on July 15, 1989.
Will Bradley will always be remembered most for his boogie-woogie orchestra of the early 1940s. Bradley himself, however, preferred to play ballads and had a long and successful career as a trombonist outside of his band. Bradley was a busy studio musician throughout the 1930s, working with such artists as Red Nichols, Eddie Cantor, Victor Young. Jacques Renard, Nat Shilkret, Andre Kostelanetz, Raymond Paige, Kate Smith, and Al Jolson. In 1935 Glenn Miller, who thought Bradley the best trombonist in the business, hired him to play in Ray Noble's American band, which Miller was organizing. He left Noble the following year, however, and returned to studio work. Bradley also played with Milt Shaw's orchestra in 1931, where he met drummer Ray McKinley.
Bradley's name was unknown to the general public when in 1939 William Morris talent agent Willard Alexander suggested he form a swing orchestra. Trombone-playing leaders, such as Miller and Tommy Dorsey, were currently popular, and Alexander felt Bradley would do well on his own. Drummers were also the rage, and Alexander teamed Bradley with old bandmate McKinley, who was then with Jimmy Dorsey. Backed by a powerful publicity campaign the duo's orchestra debuted in 1939 under Bradley's name and soon had its first big hit in ''Celery Stalks.''
The band initially featured pianist Freddie Slack and a young Peanuts Hucko on tenor sax. Trumpeters Lee Castle and Pete Candoli later played with the group. Arrangements were provided by Hugo Winterhalter, Leonard Whitney, and Al Datz. McKinley sang on the more swinging numbers. Other vocalists included Carlotta Dale, Phyllis Miles, Louise Tobin, Larry Southern, and Jimmy Valentine. The group's first recordings were on the Vocalion and Okeh labels. Subsequent releases were on Columbia.
In 1940 Bradley and McKinley began to feature the boogie woogie sound in their arrangements. Initial success with the song ''Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar'' sparked a slew of similar recordings, such as ''Bounce Me Brother, with a Solid Four'' and ''Scrub Me Mama, with a Boogie Beat.'' The new style proved popular with the public, and the band quickly developed a niche following. By early 1942, however, Bradley had tired of boogie-woogie and wanted to focus more on ballads. McKinley disagreed and left to form his own band.
Bradley set about reforming his orchestra but was forced to hang up his baton after only six months due to the war. He lost too many musicians in the draft and was unable to replace them. The new orchestra did not enter the studio. Vocalists were Terry Allen and Lynn Gardner
Bradley continued to record under his own name during the war, using studio musicians, on the Signature label. Ironically, considering the cause of his orchestra's break-up, in 1944 he released material on the Beacon/Celebrity label as Will Bradley and His Boogie Woogie Boys. In 1947 he also recorded with vocalist Anita O'Day on Signature, and in the 1950s he released three albums, which included one RCA collection of boogie woogie songs.
Bradley worked often as a studio musician after the war and spent many years in the Tonight Show orchestra in the Johnny Carson era. In 1953 he had a brief spell with the Sauter-Finegan Band and also composed several classical works in his later years.
Will Bradley will always be remembered most for his boogie-woogie orchestra of the early 1940s. Bradley himself, however, preferred to play ballads and had a long and successful career as a trombonist outside of his band. Bradley was a busy studio musician throughout the 1930s, working with such artists as Red Nichols, Eddie Cantor, Victor Young. Jacques Renard, Nat Shilkret, Andre Kostelanetz, Raymond Paige, Kate Smith, and Al Jolson. In 1935 Glenn Miller, who thought Bradley the best trombonist in the business, hired him to play in Ray Noble's American band, which Miller was organizing. He left Noble the following year, however, and returned to studio work. Bradley also played with Milt Shaw's orchestra in 1931, where he met drummer Ray McKinley.
Bradley's name was unknown to the general public when in 1939 William Morris talent agent Willard Alexander suggested he form a swing orchestra. Trombone-playing leaders, such as Miller and Tommy Dorsey, were currently popular, and Alexander felt Bradley would do well on his own. Drummers were also the rage, and Alexander teamed Bradley with old bandmate McKinley, who was then with Jimmy Dorsey. Backed by a powerful publicity campaign the duo's orchestra debuted in 1939 under Bradley's name and soon had its first big hit in ''Celery Stalks.''
The band initially featured pianist Freddie Slack and a young Peanuts Hucko on tenor sax. Trumpeters Lee Castle and Pete Candoli later played with the group. Arrangements were provided by Hugo Winterhalter, Leonard Whitney, and Al Datz. McKinley sang on the more swinging numbers. Other vocalists included Carlotta Dale, Phyllis Miles, Louise Tobin, Larry Southern, and Jimmy Valentine. The group's first recordings were on the Vocalion and Okeh labels. Subsequent releases were on Columbia.
In 1940 Bradley and McKinley began to feature the boogie woogie sound in their arrangements. Initial success with the song ''Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar'' sparked a slew of similar recordings, such as ''Bounce Me Brother, with a Solid Four'' and ''Scrub Me Mama, with a Boogie Beat.'' The new style proved popular with the public, and the band quickly developed a niche following. By early 1942, however, Bradley had tired of boogie-woogie and wanted to focus more on ballads. McKinley disagreed and left to form his own band.
Bradley set about reforming his orchestra but was forced to hang up his baton after only six months due to the war. He lost too many musicians in the draft and was unable to replace them. The new orchestra did not enter the studio. Vocalists were Terry Allen and Lynn Gardner
Bradley continued to record under his own name during the war, using studio musicians, on the Signature label. Ironically, considering the cause of his orchestra's break-up, in 1944 he released material on the Beacon/Celebrity label as Will Bradley and His Boogie Woogie Boys. In 1947 he also recorded with vocalist Anita O'Day on Signature, and in the 1950s he released three albums, which included one RCA collection of boogie woogie songs.
Bradley worked often as a studio musician after the war and spent many years in the Tonight Show orchestra in the Johnny Carson era. In 1953 he had a brief spell with the Sauter-Finegan Band and also composed several classical works in his later years.
Happy Days Are Here Again
Will Bradley Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Happy Days Are Here Again' by these artists:
Adriano Celentano Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again So…
Al Jolson & Isham Jones & His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Anika Larsen I'd like to say a thing or two About this song…
Annette Hanshaw Happy days are here again, The skies above are clear…
Barbra Streisand So long sad times Go long bad times We are rid of…
Barbra Streisand & Judy Garland Judy Forget your troubles Barbra Happy days Judy Co…
Ben Selvin Forget your troubles (Happy days) Come on get happy (are he…
Ben Selvin & His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Chris Colfer and Lea Michele Forget your troubles (Happy days) Come on get happy (are he…
George Shearing Forget your troubles (Happy days) Come on get happy (are he…
Glee Cast Kurt | (Rachel) | Both Forget your troubles…
Guy Lombardo Forget your troubles (Happy days) Come on get happy (are he…
Harry Reser and His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Jack Hylton So long sad times Go long bad times We are rid of…
Jack Hylton & His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Johnny Marvin So long sad times Go along bad times We are rid of…
Johnny Marvin and His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Judy Garland & Barbra Streisand Judy Forget your troubles Barbra Happy days Judy Co…
Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand Judy Forget your troubles Barbra Happy days Judy Come on g…
Kurt Edelhagen & His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Lea Michele and Chris Colfer Forget your troubles (Happy days) Come on get happy (are he…
Leo Reisman & His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Leslie Pintchik Forget your troubles (Happy days) Come on get happy (are he…
Lou Bonnevie Happy days are here again (2X) This is what I've been…
Lou Levin So long sad times Go long bad times We are rid of…
Marvin Gaye So long sad times, go along bad times We are rid…
Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Le…
Starflyer 59 Happy days are here again And you're not 'Cause when she smi…
The Broken Family Band Happy days are here again The good times are rolling down…
Tiny Tim So long, sad times, Go long, bad times, We are rid you…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Will Bradley:
Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar - written by…
Beat Me, Daddy, Eight to the Bar Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar- written by Don…
Down The Road A Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down The Road A-Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down the Road Apiece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down The Road To A Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Five O'clock Whistle The five o'clock whistle's on the blink The whistle won't b…
High On A Windy Hill High on a windy hill I feel my heart stand still All…
In A Little Spanish Town Evenings are crowded with memories Thrilling me again Like t…
Pinocchio: When You Wish Upon A Star When a star is born They possess a gift or two One…
The Johnson Rag Johnson Flood Mississippi Mud Black Bottom I got 'em Lindy …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@GaitherMusic
We are so excited to share this with you. Here is a link to Bradley's full playlist to share on your socials or just to watch and enjoy: http://capcmg.me/BW.BlessedPlaylist
If you're interesting in owning his dvd or album click here: http://capcmg.me/GM.Blessed
@skidoorulz4914
I just discovered this man and this band today. I never knew they existed. I am hooked!
@johnnyherald5165
This is SO BEAUTIFUL! It speaks into existence a FACT of FAITH!
@lalengmawii1490
Halleluia Praise the Lord Bradley God bless you have a beautiful voice
@louisparks8181
It is amazing what this man has done with his life. He is so blessed by God.
@elliecantrell6580
I really love listening to him sing. Awesome voice❤️
@jennyharris6650
Such a beautiful truthful song.I agree and love your singing Bradley.
@jspence601
Fabulous. Love listening to you ❤.
@arthurembry3047
I love he ALWAYS gives recognition to the other folks playing and singing along. Humble guy!
@TemitopeDorcas
What a very nice rendition!!! God bless you richly. Amen