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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 ZWEEMS, Ted(b Wilfred Theodore Weymes, 26 Sep. '01, Pitcairn PA; d 6 May '63, Tulsa OK) Bandleader. Led popular dance band with occasional semi-hot style and novelties. Played trombone in band at U. of Pa.; formed first band c'22, resident in Philadelphia cafe for a year; early hit was "Somebody Stole My Gal' c'23. Toured, mostly midwest from '29; radio exposure and novelty hit "Piccolo Pete'; vocalists incl. Elmo Tanner (b 8 Aug. '04 Nashville; d 20 Dec. '90, St Petersburg FL), more famous for whistling on band's theme "Out Of The Night', hit "Heartaches' '33. Other hits incl. "Oh, Monah', "The Martins and the Coys', "The One Man Band' (Weems wrote or co-wrote the last two). On radio '32-3 with Jack Benny, later with Fibber McGee & Molly; young baritone Perry Como joined '36; Beat The Band radio show '40-1 with MC Garry Moore. Merchant marine WWII, formed new band '45; top 10 hits in Billboard charts '47: "Heartaches' no. 1 with reissues on Victor ("Piccolo Pete' on flip) and Decca ("Oh, Monah'); "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now' on Victor with Como, "Mickey' on Mercury. Disc jockey in Memphis mid-'50s. |