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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 ZMORGAN, Russ(b 29 April '04, Scranton PA; d 8 Aug. '69, Las Vegas) Bandleader, trombonist, singer, songwriter, arranger. Coalminer, then cinema pianist, played in local groups; to NYC early '20s: arr. for Victor Herbert, John Philip Sousa; Jean Goldkette in Detroit '26, mus. dir. on Detroit radio; arr. for Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, Dorsey Bros, Boswell Sisters; conducted orchestra on Broadway, wrote for Cotton Club reviews, mus. dir. for Brunswick Records. Henderson recorded Morgan compositions for two labels '34, probably hoping for favour with Brunswick, but it didn't work. Morgan wrote 'Phantom Phantasie' (on Bluebird); discographies are undecided about whether Morgan or Will Hudson wrote 'Tidal Wave' (both Bluebird and Decca). Morgan played with Freddy Martin '34, formed own band from '36 with smooth pop style: good front man, pleasant singing, 'wah-wah' style trombone used sparingly, good radio exposure all made for success of 'Music In The Morgan Manner'. Co-wrote songs 'Somebody Else Is Taking My Place' '37, 'Sweet Eloise' '42, 'You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You' '44, 'So Tired' '48, etc. 14 top 25 hits '42--51 incl. several of the above; five in '49 alone incl. 'Forever And Ever' (introduced vocal quartet soon famous as the Ames Brothers), 'Sunflower', smash no. 1 'Cruising Down The River' (British song, won amateur song contest at Hammersmith Palais). His two brothers joined the band, also sons Jack and David; film Disc Jockey '51, TV show mid-'50s, straight acting role in The Great Man '56. Settled in Las Vegas for nine months a year from '65. Jack (also trombonist) was still booking a band '85. |