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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZKING, Wayne(b 16 Feb. '01, Savannah IL; d 16 July '85) Midwestern bandleader known as 'The Waltz King'. Worked as mechanic and for an insurance company in Chicago, also in a theatre pit band (alto sax), with bandleader Del Lampe at Trianon Ballroom: Lampe opened the Aragon '27, hired King to lead a band there and it became his home base, playing four- square dance music; he wrote his own theme 'The Waltz You Saved For Me'. He was hired '31--8 by a fledgling cosmetics company for a weekly radio spot; old people used more cosmetics than the young in those days and King's music became more and more embalmed (though the musicianship always high). The Lady Esther Serenade became a top-rated show, the company prospered and King earned $15,000 a week on the radio alone. His own smooth sax was featured, along with poetry readings by Phil Stewart, then Franklyn McCormack (who remained a soothing late-night voice on Chicago radio for decades). Best-known vocalist in early years was Ernie Burchill. King had other radio shows, with vocalist Buddy Clark '40--41; military service in Chicago area WWII; new band mid-'45; more radio, then TV '49--52; continued with special engagements, played the Aragon on its last night in '64. He invested wisely and became very rich. About 35 hit records '30--41 incl. 'Goofus' (own composition), 'Wabash Moon', 'Dream A Little Dream Of Me', 'Good Night, Sweetheart', 'I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)', all '31, all on Brunswick; 'Josephine' '37, 'Maria Elena' '41 on Victor. Some tunes featured a vocal trio; he sang himself in a thin mournful voice on 'Adorable' '33. |