OZZIE NELSON

Oswald George "Ozzie" Nelson (March 20, 1906 – June 3, 1975) was an American entertainer and band leader who originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet radio and television series with his wife and two sons. Ozzie started his entertainment career as a band leader. He formed and led the Ozzie Nelson Band, and had some initial limited success. He made his own "big break" in 1930. The New York Daily Mirror ran a poll of its readers to determine their favorite band. He knew that news vendors got credit from the newspaper for unsold copies by returning the front page and discarding the rest of the issue. Gathering hundreds of discarded newspapers, the band filled out ballots in their favor. They edged out Paul Whiteman and were pronounced the winners. From 1930 through the 1940s, Nelson's band recorded prolifically—first on Brunswick (1930–1933), then Vocalion (1933–1934), then back to Brunswick (1934–1936), Bluebird (1937–1941), Victor (1941) and finally back to Bluebird (1941-through the 1940s). Nelson's records were consistently popular and in 1934 Nelson enjoyed success with his hit song, "Over Somebody Else's Shoulder" which he introduced. Nelson was their primary vocalist and (from August 1932) featured in duets with his other star vocalist, Harriet Hilliard. Nelson's calm, easy vocal style was popular on records and radio and quite similar to son Rick's voice and Harriet's perky vocals added to the band's popularity.

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Orrin Tucker dies at 100 years of age

Orrin Tucker (February 17, 1911 - April 9, 2011) was an American former bandleader, born in St. Louis, Missouri, whose theme song was Drifting and Dreaming. Tucker's biggest hit was 1939's Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!, sung by vocalist "Wee" Bonnie Baker. Tucker and his orchestra remained active until the 1990s, when health problems forced him to retire. Tucker died at 100 in California. His orchestra had the 1939 hit "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!" and he later owned the Stardust Ballroom in Los Angeles. Daughter Nora Compere tells the Los Angeles Times that Tucker died on April 9 in the San Gabriel Valley. He formed a band in 1933 and recorded his version of the 1917 song with vocalist Evelyn Nelson. Tucker made more than 70 records in all, including several million-selling hits.

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SAMMY KAYE

Sammy Kaye (March 13, 1910–June 2, 1987), born Samuel Zarnocay, Jr., was an American bandleader and songwriter, whose tag line, "Swing and sway with Sammy Kaye", became one of the most famous of the Big Band Era.

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Helen Forrest

(April 12, 1917 – July 11, 1999) was one of the most popular female jazz vocalists during America's Big Band era. Helen Forrest was born Helen Fogel to a Jewish family in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 12, 1917. She first sang with her brother's band at the age of 10, and later began her career singing on CBS radio under the name Bonnie Blue.
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