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Ted Weems
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wilfred Theodore (Ted) Weems (originally Wemyes) (26 September 1901 - 6 May 1963) was a United States bandleader and musician.
Born in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, Weems learned to play the violin and trombone. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he and his brother Art organized a small dance band. Going professional in 1923, Weems toured for the MCA Corporation, recorded for several years for Victor Records and moved to Chicago with his band around 1928. The Ted Weems Orchestra had their first big hit in 1929 with the novelty song "Piccolo Pete".
The band was nationally known in the 1930s, making regular radio broadcasts, including the national Canada Dry program with Jack Benny (early 1930s) and the Johnson Wax program with Fibber McGee & Molly (late 1930s). In 1936 the Ted Weems Orchestra was the first band Perry Como recorded with (on Decca Records), beginning his long and illustrious career. Among Weems' other discoveries were whistler-singer Elmo Tanner, sax player and singer Red Ingle, and arranger Joe Haymes, who created the band's unique jazz-novelty style.
During World War II Ted Weems enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine, directing the Merchant Marine Band. Reorganizing in 1947, he made records for Mercury and toured until 1953. At that time he accepted a disc jockey position in Memphis, Tennessee, later moving on to a management position with the Holiday Inn hotel chain.
Ted Weems died of emphysema in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1963. His son Ted Jr. led a revival band at times during the 1960s and 1970s.