Of all the famous big band leaders, I knew Les Brown best. I first met him in person at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium in July 1981. Of course, I had corresponded with Les for years before that, and I had played his marvellous Band of Renown recordings on my radio programmes since I began broadcasting in 1974.
But that balmy July evening in San Francisco was a watershed for me. The Brown band played (and dear JoAnn Greer sang) beautifully for the first half of the evening, and then the Band of Renown backed Helen Forrest during the second half. Great stuff!!!
After the concert I chatted with Les, Helen, JoAnn and a number of the musicians (I remember Jack Sperling and Rolly Bundock in particular). Les was most gracious, and invited me to his apartment for an interview the next morning. We spent about two hours together, chatting about....everything.
Les Brown and Henry Holloway
Les invited me to play golf with him the following week (when I was due in Los Angeles) at the Bel Air Country Club, which was a most enjoyable experience for me (especially as Les picked up the tab!!!). During drinks after the game, a gentleman walked in, and Les said: "Henry, I want to introduce you to my card-playing partner, Paul Weston." I was thrilled to shake the hand of another giant of the Golden Age!!! Why oh why did I not have our picture taken ????? (Especially as Les and I posed for the cameraman in front of the Bel Air crest shortly before Paul arrived).
Les and I kept our corresondence going, and during my 1982 visit to Southern California, JoAnn took me to the lovely home of Les and Claire in Pacific Palisades for tea and another long chat, PLUS photographs!!!
That same year brought a BIG highlight, courtesy of Les. Frank Sinatra was singing at an outdoor concert (only the stage was covered) in Orange County and Les invited me along. JoAnn was my cheauffer!!!
During the second half (the Band of Renown played the first half and accompanied Frank during the second half), it started raining softly, and Frank stopped proceedings, and called his wife, Barbara, backstage. After the concert I went backstage (Les had told me beforehand to do so) and I was awestruck when Les introduced me to Mr Sinatra!!! He shook my hand briefly and then turned away. BUT that was enough for me!!!
I saw more of Les during my 1983 and 1984 visits, but one of the musical highlights of my life took place on September 28, 1999 when I was invited by the National Acadamy of Recording Arts and Sciences to attend a tribute to Les at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel's ballroom for attaining 60 years of leading his Band of Renown -- and thus entering the Guinness Book of World Records.
Steve Allen, who was the Master of Ceremonies at the Les Brown tribute function, had invited me for lunch on that same day, and he told me that I would be seated at his table that evening. There were two VIP tables, one for Les and his family (Les, Jr. conducted the Band of Renown onstage) and the MC's table. I was delighted to be seated between Jack Jones and Larry Gelbart (of "Mash" television fame). Next to Larry was his wife, Pat, and then Steve Allen.
At precisely 8 p.m. Steve got up, and waddled to the podium ( I say this most lovingly ). He had told me that day that he was 77 years old, and sadly I was never to see him alive again. Steve cracked two jokes to warm the thousand-strong audience, then he said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, firstly I'd like to welcome a man who's come ten thousand miles from South Africa to be here. He has broadcast the music of Les Brown and our other peers on his radio programs for the past 25 years, internationally. Mr Henry Holloway".
Well, the place erupted!!! The floodlights and TV cameras swung to me as I bowed, waved, smiled, bowed again, and thanked those American music VIP's for applauding this fellow from far away so warmly!!! It went on and on. I really could not believe it!!!!!
During the evening Jack Jones, Melissa Manchester, Pat Boone, Bobby Caldwell, and The Manhatten Transfer sang, accompanied by the Band of Renown. Dinner was sumptuous, and at the end of a memorable evening, many pictures were taken, and the one of Les and yours truly in tuxedos can be seen with this article.
When Les Brown died on Januart 4, 2001, I decided to do a 60-part series on him to equal his Guinness record. SIXTY ONE-HOUR programs!!! I suggested to Guinness that that was also a world record, and I was supported by many knowledgeable experts, but Guinness was not interested!!! Les, Jr. sent me a recording in which he stated: "Henry, this is surely the longest radio series on any one musician in the history of this planet". I of course used it in my Les Brown series.
I stayed in touch with Les, Jr. while he was in Southern California, and with JoAnn Greer until her sad death. I'm still in regular touch with Stumpy Brown, and I was delighted to be photographed with Butch Stone on March 2, 2003 when I received my "Golden Bandstand Award" from the Big Band Academy of America for promoting the American big bands on my radio programs during the previous 30 years (at that time). Just as an aside, there are up to the present about 60 music legends who have been honoured with this award. Only two people in history on this list are non-Americans...a Briton and moi. I am humbly very proud (is that an oxymoron???)
No matter what anyone may say, I will always rate Les Brown's Band of Renown in my Top Ten.
Henry Holloway
Caledon, Cape Province, South Africe
Henry's Websites:
1. Henry Holloway
2. Basildon
Email Henry: Drop Henry a Line!
Les Brown Playlist 2
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