It is not "new" news that truly legendary (in a time when the term is overused) singer Perry Como (1912-2001) once performed in Shreveport. Many familiar with the city's history know that, though admittedly this writer only recently learned of the fact, oddly while listening to an interview of Henry Clements, one-time local children's television show host (Captain Talltower, Poppa John), on YouTube.
 |
| Perry Como (1939) |
On several occasions over the years, it has been reported that Como was living in Shreveport before becoming famous, and the city is where he got his start. However, he was already considered a rising star when he came to town as singer with Freddie Carlone and his Orchestra in October 1933. In fact, despite his having spent several months appearing with the band at the Washington-Youree Hotel, in his biography Perry Como - A Biography and Complete Career Record, neither that time, nor the city is ever mentioned.
The following is a chronicle of his tenure in the city. Unless noted otherwise, references were sourced from the Shreveport Times.
Como, a native of Canonsburg, PA; had joined the Cleveland-based Carlone and troupe sometime in March 1933. A high point for the group had been playing for President Franklin Roosevelt's inaugural ball that month. It's not clear though, and even his biography is vague about, whether Perry was a band member at the time.
Below Perry's hometown paper announced his signing a contract with Carlone.
The (Canonsburg, PA) Daily Note 06-Apr-1933, Page 3
In April, the troupe was scheduled to perform at a Knights Of Columbus function in Oil City....Oil City, Pennsylvania that is. This article placed Como at the inauguration ball (rightly or wrongly), and stated as a result of his performance he had reportedly received offers from both the Columbia (CBS) and National Broadcasting Systems (NBC).
The (Franklin, PA) News-Herald 03-Apr-1933, Page 11
An advertisement for an appearance in September billed Perry as "America's Latest Baritone Idol."
By October the band had arrived in Shreveport and was appearing in the Washington-Youree's Fountain Room. That was the undercard, so to speak, to the larger Crystal Ballroom where another orchestra, led by Herman Waldman, was performing at a dance after the LSU-Arkansas football game.
Shreveport Times 21-Oct-1933, Page 5
Both the orchestra and its singer were immediately well received. With regard to the Cleveland-based band, in the newspaper it was stated that it had "been quite some time since a dance orchestra has been so completely and enthusiastically adopted." Perry, who in addition to being vocalist, was master of ceremonies and received individual praise, with references to his being the "most talked of young man in Shreveport" and of his "name becoming a household word in town." He was described as a "show stopper, with a voice likened to that of Bing Crosby; and whose performances were always called for a third encore. (Times 25-Oct-1933, Page 2)
During their time in Shreveport, both Como as soloist and the orchestra had programs on local radio.
Times 27-Oct-1933, Page 15
Times 12-Nov-1933, Page 17
Cutting "Jinkys," the process of folding a piece of paper multiple times, making various cuts, then unfolding to reveal the pattern created; was a popular craze at the time, and below the group is shown getting into the act.
Times 18-Nov-1933, Page 2
Mention of another act, the Cisca Sisters, having their show extended also provides information about Perry, including his being the "city's most well-liked entertainer."
In mid December, the Washington-Youree announced a scheduled New Year's Eve show, featuring the Carlone Orchestra, with Como to be master of ceremonies. The response for tickets was so great, it was moved from the Fountain Room to the larger Crystal Ballroom.
In January 1934, the orchestra performed at the Centenary gridiron banquet, that was also a going-away for the school's famed football coach, Homer Norton.
Times 10-Jan-1934, Page 12
Finally, after three month, the group departed the city for a gig in Houston, Texas.
Times 21-Jan-1934, Page A-5
The band returned from Houston several weeks later. Their popularity during an original two-week stand at the Bayou City's Rice Hotel was such, it had been extended four additional weeks.
Times 18-Mar-1934, Page B-4
The orchestra shown below, with Como sixth from left.
Though their first pass through Shreveport had turned into a 14-week stay, their second engagement, scheduled for two weeks, was comparatively short-lived. By mid April, the troupe had returned to their home state of Ohio, where they played for a Notre Dame-Ohio State intercollegiate banquet.
A picture of Perry Como from later that year, when he was appearing in Pittsburgh, PA.
Como left Carlone's band in 1937, and was replaced by Frankie Laine. There are apparently no recordings of the Carlone Orchestra. To give a flavor of his vocals in a "big band" setting, from a few years later, here Perry sings "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now," by then with Ted Weems and Orchestra.
Weems brought his orchestra, including Como, to Bossier City's Club Coronado in September 1942.
Times 20-Sep-1942, Page 16
A then contemporary photo of Perry.
Davenport (IA) Daily Times 09-Jul-1942, Page 17
Below, Club Coronado as pictured for its grand opening.
Times 25-Nov-1941, Page 11
No record of Como ever returning to Shreveport has so far been found. Several articles appearing in the Times in the 1990s claim Perry performed at the "Florentine Room," a nightclub opened in 1952 in an old mansion near downtown. However, given that he was at the peak of his fame during that time, it is unlikely that he would have come to the city, sans great public fanfare, and performed at a small venue instead of, for example, the much larger Municipal Auditorium nearby.
In 1987, resident Lucille Cordaro conveyed the story to Margaret Martin of the Times of having then recently met him at an Italian-American Federation convention held in Washington, DC. Fifty-three years earlier, he had been a guest at a dinner in the home of her aunt and uncle, Sam and Lucille Marabella, where then 15 year-old Lucille was also in attendance.
Times 20-Sep-1942, Page 16
A then contemporary photo of Perry.
Davenport (IA) Daily Times 09-Jul-1942, Page 17
Below, Club Coronado as pictured for its grand opening.
Times 25-Nov-1941, Page 11
No record of Como ever returning to Shreveport has so far been found. Several articles appearing in the Times in the 1990s claim Perry performed at the "Florentine Room," a nightclub opened in 1952 in an old mansion near downtown. However, given that he was at the peak of his fame during that time, it is unlikely that he would have come to the city, sans great public fanfare, and performed at a small venue instead of, for example, the much larger Municipal Auditorium nearby.
In 1987, resident Lucille Cordaro conveyed the story to Margaret Martin of the Times of having then recently met him at an Italian-American Federation convention held in Washington, DC. Fifty-three years earlier, he had been a guest at a dinner in the home of her aunt and uncle, Sam and Lucille Marabella, where then 15 year-old Lucille was also in attendance.
No comments:
Post a Comment