What was it like to be on the road in a big band in 1950? It's difficult to say, since we only have the recollections of musicians who were there. And who knows how accurate those memories are. In the case of Elliot Lawrence, two members of his band at the time—Bob Karch and Howie Mann—took color home movies. As you'll see in the following eight clips, the country was young then. The interstate highway system hadn't been built yet. TV hadn't yet penetrated most markets. Radio still dominated. And bands were still being booked to play dances and proms. I found that the following soundless clips at YouTube speak volumes. Each includes a description of what's going on in the segment. The music added for sound is from 1950 radio transcriptions of the Lawrence band. The optimism, excitement and horsing around isn't that much different from rock bands decades later.
I'm guessing this was the general personnel of the road band in 1950: Joe Techner, John Dee, Gerry LaFurn (tp) Bill Danzien (tp,fhr) Sy Berger, Ollie Wilson, Gene Hessler (tb) Herbie Steward (as) Phil Urso, Stan Weiss (ts) Vince Ferraro, Merle Bredwell (bar) Elliot Lawrence, Bob Karch (p) Mert Oliver (b) Howie Mann (d) Rosalind Patton (vcl). [Pictured above, Elliot Lawrence with models]
These are home movies, so be patient. If you watch carefully, you'll get a strong feel for what young ambitious band musicians were up to 69 years ago—goofing around, performing and just enjoying themselves and the American scenery during swings through the rural West in the summer and fall. Part 7 has a particularly great opening...
Part 1...
Part 2...
Part 3...
Part 4...
Part 5...
Part 6...
Part 7...
Part 8...
Bonus: To read my 2016 interview with Elliot Lawrence, go here.
