Interview: Larry Greene (Part 1)

Back in the late 1950s, Larry and Toni Greene created a series of radio jingles for WNEW-AM in New York. Larry wrote the jingle's melody line and his wife Toni wrote the lyrics. At the time, 1130 was one of the country's oldest and most loved big-band and pop stations on the dial. The jingle the Greenes had created remained a part of the station until its shuttering in 1992. The theme's breezy longevity is directly related to its carefully crafted, addictive melody line and lilting words. As a kid growing up in the '70s, I listened to the station and couldn't wait to hear the different themes. [Photo: Larry Greene in the early 1970s]

The WNEW jingle was so popular that in the early 1960s Larry and Nat Pierce wrote arrangements of it in the specific styles of different bands, combos and solo artists. Think of these as musical impersonations. Today, I'm going to let you listen to a handful. Tomorrow, I'm going to let Larry explain how they were done.

First, here's how the WNEW jingle sounded straight, which will plant the romantic theme in your head:

 

Now let's have fun. Here's the theme in the style of Charlie Barnet...

 

Here's the WNEW theme in the style of Count Basie...

 

Here's the WNEW theme in the style of Stan Kenton...

 

Here's the WNEW theme in the style of Nelson Riddle...

 

Here's the WNEW theme in the style of Antonio Carlos Jobim...

 

Here's the WNEW theme in the style of the Dave Brubeck Quartet...

 

And because New York has been so warm this week, I couldn't resist sharing this one. (here's a cleaner audio version if you prefer)...

 

Hooked? If you want to hear about a dozen more, go here. I've already set them up for you at YouTube.

A JazzWax thanks to Joe Fay at WNEW.org.

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[John P. Cooper]

WNEW - the legendary home of Martin Block and the Make Believe Ballroom and of Stan Shaw the All Night Record Man.