RICHARD GRUDENS-INTERVIEWS OVER THE YEARS

115 COUNT AS OF 4/23/12 

GUY MITCHELL FRAN WARREN BEA WAIN

RED NORVO LARRY ELGART HERB JEFFRIES

BENNY GOODMAN W.B. WILLIAMS CLINT EASTWOOD

WOODY HERMAN CONNIE HAINES BILLY GRAHAM

COUNT BASIE JANE RUSSELL SHIRLEY JONES

ANN JILLIAN RHONDA FLEMING PAT BOONE

BOB HOPE KATHRYN CROSBY FRANCES LANGFORD

LIONEL  HAMPTON JOHNNY MINCE LARRY GELBART

TEDDY WILSON JOHNNY MATHIS ED MCMAHON

HARRY JAMES ARTIE SHAW SID CAESAR

BILL CHALLIS LES BROWN BUDDY HACKETT

JOE FRANKLIN JOE WILLIAMS DIZZY GILLESPIE

MARGARET WHITING TONY B. BABINO SARAH VAUGHAN

HELEN O’CONNELL DORIS DAY KITTY KALLEN

FRANKIE LAINE KAY STARR HELEN FORREST

LENNON SISTERS ROSEMARY CLOONEY TERESA BREWER

BRIAN SISTERS BILLY ECKSTINE LYNN ROBERTS

WARREN COVINGTON BUDDY MORROW EDDY ARNOLD

CHARLES DURNING MITCH MILLER PHILIP CROSBY

LOIS HUNT PATRICE MUNSEL DICK CLARK

EARL WRIGHTSON BEVERLY ROBERTS JANET CANTOR

JO STAFFORD AL MARTINO DIANA KRALL

PATTY ANDREWS TONY BENNETT AL COLLINS (JAZZB)

MILLS BROTHERS JIMMY ROSELLI DOLLY DAWN

LARRY O’BRIEN JULIUS LA ROSA ANITA O’DAY

RAY ANTHONY CARMEL QUINN GLORIA JEAN

JERRY VALE VIC DAMONE LES PAUL

DON CORNELL DOM DE LUISE JOHN MILLER

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CHARLTON HESTON WILLARD ALEXANDER

SKITCH HENDERSON TOM POSTILIO BUDDY RICH

PHYLLIS DILLER SALLY BENNETT DARYL SHERMAN

RICHARD SUDHALTER PEGGY LEE CY COLEMAN

TEX BENEKE JAY LEONHART JULIA RICH

ERVIN DRAKE JACK LAWRENCE BILLY MAY

VAN ALEXANDER LEE HALE DON RICKLES

TONY MARTIN BUDDY GRECO MEL TORME

SYBIL JASON JACK JONES HUGH HEFNER

CRISTINA FONTANELLI GIA PRIMA DIANA ROSS

The O'Shaughnessy Touch

Well another honor has crossed my desk, and since life is really short, honors are always appreciated, especially coming from William O'Shaughnessy, recent author of Vox Populi. Bill has dubbed me "America's great historian of all the great music-makers of our time..." He should talk. He is the greatest of all that and more being one of the best known broadcasters in America. He has written 5 books about all the people he has interviewed and they are the greats in politics, media, the arts and people in the popular culture. Even author David McCullough says that he always looks forward to reading Bill's newest book. Boy,that is an honor. In Vox Populi he talks about departed friends Tim Russert, Robert Merrill, and Ossie Davis, among many others who are still with us.  You'd love his books. They are vast and interesting.

Dick Clark is gone. Unhappy new year.

I knew Dick Clark, as he appeared in several of my books for one reason or another. He was always among the first to order my newest book, usually three of them. He always called his order in, unlike most who mailed in solicitations sent to my regulars on the mailing list. Once he sent back a signed and addressed photo that I cherish. I first was introduced to him when we talked by phone about bandleader Larry Elgart who wrote the American Bandstand theme. Dick was always a nice guy in every sense of the word. I wish I would have known him better which is hard to do when you are 3000 miles apart and both busy with different projects.Dick Clark will appear in my next book in a full chapter. The book will be about those people who were always behind the scenes promoting and building careers of singers and musicians, people like Dick, Ed Sullivan, Major Bowes, Ted Mack Martin Block, MItch Miller, John Hammond, Arthur Godfrey, Steve Allen, William B. Williams, Willard Alexander, Alan Freed, Jan Murray and others who advanced the performers. It will be caled THE MUSIC MAKERS. See you then. And may God bless Dick Clark.

The Wonderful Brian Sisters

Recently, we discovered three singing sisters who sang mostly in the movies, in fact they sang in 15 movies and their voices were extraordinary. From the earliest time the girls had God-given talents and were able to sing in Perfect Harmony. They appear in my new book Perfect Harmony along with over 50 other groups that are profiled. The girls are Doris, Betty and Gwen. The girls began singing at the of 4, 6 and 8 being guided and tutored by their young mother, Meda, who drove them to Hollywood in their 1929 Model T Ford. She brought them to radio and film studios and landed work for them. Lately I have talking with Doris, now in her late 70s. she has contributed information and photos for the book and I urge you not to miss this book. Everybody is in it. Patty Andrews wrote the foreword, and she is 94. You will meet the Lennon Sisters, The Boswell Sisters, The Four Freshmen, the Pied Pipers, the Beatles, the Temptations, the Beach Boys, and so much more. See you in Perfect Harmony.

In our quest for current talent with respect to singing groups, we ran across three wonderful girls from England. They call themselved THE THREE BELLES. They are ike the reincarnation of the great Andrews Sisters. They make no bones about it. They are the new Andrews Sisters. I spoke to Anneka Wass, the group leader on the phone while they were traveling by car to a singing gig and learned of their sincere singing tributes to the Andrews girls. The Three Belles  even sing the very tunes that made the Andrews girls world-famous and still the biggest record selling singers of all time. Some of their tunes were "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," " The Boogie, Woogie, Bugle Boy of Company 'B'." and many other great Andrews Sisters songs.

The Three Belles are very young, Anneka (Betty) is 22, Gail (Sally) who is 21 and Dorothy ( Isabelle), "Who is also 21 and sings aout love and scolds the others when we get carried away," she says.

The girls got started in college as part of their project for their Creative and Performing Arts Course.

They are booked into 2012 and will attend and perform at the commemoration of "D" Day Landings in Normandy this Summer.

The girls are a feature alongside the Andrews Sisters story in my new book "Perfect Harmony," due out by April 2012 and celebrates the singing groups from the 1920' to the present. If you like  singing groups you'll love this book.

Patty Andrews has written the foreword for this book and is excited about the entry of The Three Belles, who will coninue the Andrews Sisters legacy. Patty Andrews and I have been friends since 1982 when I wrote press releases for her when she was performing solo in California with the Tex Beneke Orchestra and other musical venues.

Patty will be 94 in February. Hope she likes the bouquet if flowers me and my wife Madeline will send her.

Welcome to America Three Belles. We'll be listening!!!

Goodbye Beryl

I received word from Melinda Moore that her mom, known to the world of entertainment and song,  passed away today. peacefully and without pain. Beryl Davis sang with her father's band in England, and later with Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band before his fatal trip to France in 1944.  Beryl came to America and hooked up with Frank Sinatra,  singing with him shoulder to shoulder on the radio show Your Hit Parade. Later, Beryl, my friend Connie Haines, Jane Russell ( who helped me with Bob Hope's book), Rhonda Fleming formed a quartet and sang Bible songs ( Included "Do, Lord") from coast to coast on every important radio show of the time. ( Andy Russell's wife Della, also sang with this group when they first started). They sang on Ed Sullivan's show, Abbott & Costello's show, Bob Hope's show, Red Skelton's, Milton Berle's and even Arthur Murray's show. Beryl Davis appeared many times in my books and deservedly so. I lost track of her after her husband passed away, and her friend Connie Haines passed, but we reunited together a few years ago.

Comments on my books

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About Richard Grudens' Background

Richard Grudens worked his way up from a studio page at NBC’s studio in New York to writing for the news shows of H.V. Kaltenborn, John Cameron Swayze, News of the World, and the “Today” show. Feature writing for Long Island P.M. Magazine led him to his first book “The Best Damn Trumpet Player - Memories of the Big Band Era. He has written countless magazine articles on such diverse subjects as industrialist Henry Ford, VE Day, Motorcycle Helmet Safety, DNA history and many other interesting subjects. Some of his credits include: - Wild West Magazine: Interview with legendary cowboy star Gene Autry (1995); - California Highway Patrol Magazine, a treatise on The Beach Boys; - World War II Magazine: Cover Story about Bob Hope’s famous USO tours; - Many articles on Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and much more. Richard and wife Madeline enjoy life on Long Island and look forward to bringing you many more books on the Big Band era and beyond.

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The Voice Of The People

Hudson Daily Sun Columnist: Rosemary Rimkus    Thanks to all...Vic and I are really enjoying the book (it is from our era, of course)Rosemary Rimkus From Hudson, Massachusetts Alan Brown on Richard Grudens    Isn't it strange that although you have never met someone you know that they are a decent person. I soon realized this when i discovered Richard Grudens book "STARDUST" a book which has to be a bible for everyone who likes good music. As soon as i asked a favour of the man he responded straight away.Richard Grudens a man who's books are at the top of their class, a man who's books will always be around to inform people what good music and artists are about.Richard Grudens says it,  Frankie Dee plays it What a team,  Alan Brown From England ... 6/9/10 Mario Lanza Author Bob Dolfi Praises Richard Grudens   Being somewhat of an author although not in Richard Gruden;s class, I do know what to look for in a book.  Sometimes it's not what you say as much as how you say it and Richard portrays this teaching very well in his books.   It is so refreshing to read about a personality without having to sort through all the lies, innuendoes and smut before getting to the man himself. I commend Richard for being true to his subject as well as himself and it shows.  Well done Richard.  Bob Dolfi / Damon Lanza Lanza Legend Newsletter PO Box 6742 San Pedro, Ca. 90732 lanzalegend.com mariolanza.com "An exceptionally gifted author"We have read several of Richard  Grudens' books,  and have enjoyed every one. Richard is not only a true Gentleman, but an exceptionally gifted author.  Perhaps what makes Richards books so different to so many other authors is that his aim and purpose is to share his knowledge of an artist's talent only, and not of their failings or weaknesses.   They are simply an enjoyable read  and we have learned a great  deal from Richards books, and are really looking forward to reading  "Sinatra Singing"                                                   Lena & Harry  Smith From England ... 6/9/10 "Our Favorite Author"  It's funny how our taste in music and authors melt into one...Great music to  hear and a wonderful author to read...W e have had the pleasure of reading Richard's earlier books and always use them for a reference...We are fortunate to turn on a stereo and hear our favorate singers...Now all we have to do is open a cabinet and refer to a book by our favorite author....Dick & Shirley Finnell/Gmmy Radio Hosts; Penn. ... 6/9/10 Grudens is  one of the best possible tutorsEver since reading Richard Grudens’ “Stardust,” I realized what an amazingly talented writer he is. He finds a way to put you directly into the story and life of each of the myriad of performers he highlighted in the book. For people like me, who believe they were born too late to have seen some of these performers in their heyday, and who nevertheless are true fans of music and performers from the “Golden Age Of Music,” Grudens is  one of the best possible tutors about those wonderful days. A wordsmith with a propensity for painting the most musically gifted pictures with his words. And the prolific Richard continues with yet another soon to be classic: “Sinatra Singing.” You can rest assured, this will more than likely turn out to be THE definitive tome on the artist ever written, since Grudens heavily, and accurately, researches his work, and interviews so many of the people who either were there, or were an integral part of Sinatra’s career in one way or another. Here’s to a man who has done, and will continue to do much to celebrate, as many true fans do, the finest stars and music from the Great American Songbook.Best regards, as always, Frank Sinclair/Gmmy Radio Host; Arizona ... 6/9/10 Your The BestI have had the pleasure to have read Richard Grudens’ book “STARDUST”. What incredible knowledge of musicians and their contributions. Your the best.Richard Grudens, I thank you for your genius of presentation Ruth Garnier ... Irvine, Ca. ... 6/10/10 New Englands Radio Host/Ron Della ChiesaThose of us who enjoy "Music Not Noise" can be thankful for a writer like Richard Grudens. His many books on Jazz, Popular Singers, and the Big Band Era are essential to the library of anyone interested in our countries great musical heritage.  I greatly admire the time and research he puts into all his publications and the love of his subject matter.I'm sure Richard feels the same way about what he does as I do about my life in radio...."Nice Work If You Can Get It." Continued success to a true gentleman and dear friend.Thanks Frankie...It's a pleasure to be a part of your radio team. "The Best is Yet to Come.!"" Ron Della Chiesa  Boston, Ma. ... 6/12/10 Author Richard Grudens Come Once In A Life TimeIn visiting Richard Grudens' "Celebrity Profiles" website, it was indeed a pleasure to know there are superb authors such as Mr. Grudens.  If I may quote you Frankie in your promotions;  "Richard Grudens;  goes all out to keep the entertainers of good music alive in his books."   Not too many Authors today stay the coarse of writing about the biographies of entertainers, without adding garbage.  The Mr. Grudens authors such as he come once in a life time.  And again thanks for the heads-up to "Celebrity Profiles" web site.Joe Leonardo Newport Beach, Ca. ... 6/12/10 Grudens' Sincere DedicationActually one should not judge an author when - like me- not being familiar with his work. But I read the things that my "previous speakers" did say here about Richard Grudens and that's very meaningful. I noticed that they are unanimously full of praise for him since he stands out due his integrity, the love of truth, his accuracy in ressearching and absolute honesty. That speaks for itself and shows Grudens's sincere dedication to and his respect for the artist he portrays in his biographies. How great to see that there's an author who is able to go without any sensationalism, "know it better" and superficiality, and instead does enthral and entertain his readers by completely focusing on a musician's artistic talent and life's work. For sure a truly gifted author. The very best always to Richard Grudens and thanks to Frank E. Dee for always keeping us informed on the LanzaLegend forum about all the "good people" and the good music.Stefanie Walzinger from Germany,  poster on the lanzalegend.com forum ... 6/12/10 Cristina Fontanelli Salutes Author Richard GrudensIt's difficult for me to put into words as eloquently as Richard Grudens does, how much I enjoy being interviewed by this wonderful author.  He is full of integrity which his books clearly reflect.  But, more than that, being an artist myself, I truly appreciate the wealth of knowledge of music and the great singers that this man possesses.  I think his "angle" on Sinatra is much more valuable than any simple biography could ever be.  When I was searching seriously for my vocal technique and wanted an understanding of the life of an artist, I wish I had had a Richard Grudens book to guide me along my path.  I strongly suggest that any singer/musician who is serious about their art should read his books.Popular Soprano Cristina Fontanelli