|
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, Ted(b Theodore Leopold Friedman, 6 June 1892, Circleville OH; d 25 Aug. '71, NYC) Clarinettist, singer, bandleader, songwriter, showman. After years in vaudeville, had more than 100 hit records '20--33, all on Columbia; also accompanied Ruth Etting, Sophie Tucker. His own playing was deliberately corny, but he used sidemen Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Jack Teagarden; Muggsy Spanier was featured on almost half the hits, but the music got sweeter after '33. He wrote his theme 'When My Baby Smiles At Me' (big hit '20; remade on Decca '38 hit again); his trademark phrase (in battered top hat) was 'Is everybody happy?', accent and languid movements somewhat reminiscent of W. C. Fields. He appeared in many revues; films incl. early talkie Is Everybody Happy? '29, biopic of same title '43. Among biggest hits: 'All By Myself' '21, 'O! Katherina' '25, 'Just A Gigolo' '31, 'In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town' '32, 'Lazybones' '33. |