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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 ZLEWIS, Jerry(b Joseph Levitch, 16 March '26, Irvington NJ) Comedian, TV host, film director; also singer. Partnership with Dean Martin until '56 for very popular comedy films; they had novelty hit "That Certain Party' '48 on Capitol; making a radio advert for a film in the mid-'50s, they made a shambles of the session by swearing at each other and the tape, with studio technicians laughing helplessly in the background, disappeared and was bootlegged. Lewis has a deep affection for popular music (used Count Basie in Cinderfella soundtrack '60); had hits on Decca: "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody' reached the top 10 '56 in a latter-day Al Jolson style; "It All Depends On You' '57 did less well. |