Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo
Lombardo in 1944
Born
Gaetano Alberto Lombardo

(1902-06-19)June 19, 1902
London, Ontario, Canada
DiedNovember 5, 1977(1977-11-05) (aged 75)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
SpouseLillibell Lombardo[1] (1899–1982)
RelativesSix siblings, including brothers Carmen, Lebert and Victor and sister Rose Marie
Musical career
GenresJazz, big band, traditional pop
Occupation(s)Bandleader, musician
InstrumentViolin
Years active1924–1977

Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1977)[2] was a Canadian and American bandleader, violinist, and hydroplane racer whose unique "sweet jazz" style remained popular with audiences for nearly five decades.

Lombardo formed the Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert and Victor, and other musicians from his hometown. They billed themselves as creating "the sweetest music this side of Heaven". The Lombardos are believed to have sold between 100 and 300 million records during their lifetimes,[3] many featuring the band's lead singer from 1940 onward, Kenny Gardner.[4][5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference rr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1509. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  3. ^ Koda, Cub. "Guy Lombardo". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  4. ^ Goldman, Ari L. (31 July 2002). "Kenny Gardner, 89, Guy Lombardo's Crooner". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Guy Lombardo - Canadian Music Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2024-01-04.