Vincent Lopez was one of America's most popular bandleaders in the late 1920's, the 30's, and would remarkably retain that status through the 1940's. Born of Portuguese immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York, he was leading his own band in New York City by 1917. In late 1921, his band began broadcasting on the new medium of entertainment of the time, radio. This helped Lopez achieve huge success.
Lopez would go on to record countless songs, many of them hits. He also had some future Big Band Greats pass through his band including: Artie Shaw, Xavier Cugat, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. And speaking of Glenn Miller, long time Miller vocalist Marion Hutton along with her sister Betty Hutton were members of Lopez's band for a time.
Listen to Vincent Lopez and his huge hit "Nola"
Lopez's flamboyant style of piano playing influenced such later musicians as Eddy Duchin and Liberace. In 1941 Lopez's Orchestra began a residency at the Taft Hotel in Manhattan that would last 20 years. Very impressive!
You can hear the music of Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra right here on Swing City Radio.
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