Fredrick Malcolm Waring (June 9,1900 - July 29,1984) was a popular musician, bandleader and radio-television personality.
Sometimes he was referred to as "America's Singing Master" and "The Man Who Taught America How to Sing." He was also a promoter, financial backer and namesake of the Waring Blendor, the first modern electric blender on the market.
During his teenage years, Fred Waring, his brother Tom, and their friend Poley McClintock founded the Waring-McClintock Snap Orchestra, which evolved into Fred Waring's Banjo Orchestra. The band often played at fraternity parties, proms, and dances, and achieved local success.
He attended Penn State University, where he studied architectural engineering. He also aspired to be in the Penn State Glee Club, but he was rejected with every audition due to "college politics" and tension between him and the glee club's director, Dr. Clarence Robinson.
His Banjo Orchestra eventually became so successful that he decided to abandon his education in order to tour with the band, which eventually became known as Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians.
From 1923 until late 1932, "Waring's Pennsylvanians" were among Victor Records best-selling bands.
In late 1932, he abruptly quit recording, although his band continued to perform on radio. In 1933, "You Gotta Be A Football Hero" was performed on radio to great acclaim.
Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians - Sleep (1932)
@vinylsingleman - A good way to cross-check your dates on many of these recordings of the 1920's is to refer to the redhotjazz website which has both the original 1923 monster hit, which is your posting, and it's 1928 electrically recorded remake. If you have RealPlayer, you can listen to the selections as well. Redhotjazz is a marvellous database and audio resource for this era. Waring's Pennsylvanians have an entry here too. You can also check out the Online Discographical Project website
JCJasion 9 months ago
@JCJasion OK, I stand corrected. I knew it was a hit in 1924 but it was probably recorded the year before.
vinylsingleman 9 months ago
@vinylsingleman - Ummm, the original 1923 recording.
JCJasion 9 months ago
Wasn't this the original 1924 recording?
vinylsingleman 1 year ago
His theme song.
dahsuerk 1 year ago
Great post.
Thanks for sharing.
Corrie121 1 year ago
Do you have also recordings of his banjo orchestra?
I would love to hear them. Greetings Hein
heinbanjo12 1 year ago