Has anyone ever heard of him? Im guessing probably the older crowd. The reason I ask is because I recently did some repairs on his hurricane shutters and the inside of his house looked like an episode of MTV Cribs. Actually, it was quite small in there, just a condo, on Longboat Key however, a very high end area of Sarasota. But it was what was inside that counted. He had tons of records of himself hanging on the wall, the ones that are in the plaques, posters, and all kinds of literature about his music career that was fascinating to look at. He must have been quite popular, as he has made quite a bit of coin. Im sure he is long since retired now, he is pretty up there in age. He wasnt very personable so I didnt ask him about his career, just wanted me to come in, do a good job, and get out. I just want to know how big he actually was. I cant imagine he made that much money being just a local guy. If anyone has ever heard of him, listened to his music, has any records, let me know. Im just curious.


-Joe

I've heard of him. Kinda big, though I tend to follow more of the Blues- lots of them old guys live here in Memphis and I love talking to them. They always have the best stories of when music was actually music. BTW, wiki is sometimes your friend, a few of his albums, I've got a few, not bad at all:

Les & Larry Elgart
Impressions of Outer Space, Brunswick Records (1953)
Prom Date, Columbia Records(1954)
Campus Hop, Columbia(1954)
More of Les, Columbia(1955)
Sophisticated Swing, Columbia(1953)
Just One More Dance, Columbia(1954)
The Band of the Year, Columbia(1954)
The Dancing Sound, Columbia1954)
For Dancers Only, Columbia(1955)
The Elgart Touch, Columbia(1955)
The Most Happy Fella, Columbia(1956)
For Dancers Also, Columbia(1956)
Les & Larry Elgart & Their Orchestra, Columbia(1958)
Sound Ideas, Columbia(1958)
Les Elgart On Tour, Columbia(1959)
The Great Sound of Les Elgart, Columbia(1959)
The Band With That Sound, Columbia(1960)
Designs For Dancing, Columbia(1960)
Half Satin Half Latin, Columbia(1960)
It's De-Lovely, Columbia(1961)
The Twist Goes To College, Columbia(1962)
Best Band On Campus, Columbia(1962)
Big Band Hootenany, Columbia(1963)
Command Performance, Columbia(1964)
The New Elgart Touch, Columbia(1965)
Elgart au Go-Go, Columbia(1965)
Sound of the Times, Columbia(1966)
Warm and Sensuous, Columbia(1966)
Girl Watchers, Columbia(1967)
Wonderful World of Today's Hits, Columbia(1967)
Larry Elgart
Band With Strings, Decca (1954)
Larry Elgart & His Orchestra, Decca (1954)
Barefoot Ballerina, Decca (1955)
Lary Elgart and His Orchestra, RCA Victor (1959)
New Sounds at The Roosevelt, RCA Victor (1959)
Saratoga, RCA Victor (1960)
Easy Goin' Swing, RCA (1960)
Sophisticarted Sixties, MGM Records (1960)
The Shape of Sounds To Come, MGM (1961)
Visions, MGM (1961)
The City, MGM (1961)
Music in Motion!, MGM (1962)
More Music in Motion, MGM (1962)
The Larry Elgart Dance Band, Project Records (1979) (reissue of New Sounds at the Roosevelt)
Flight of the Condor, RCA Victor (1981)
Hooked on Swing, RCA Victor (1982)
Hooked on Swing 2, RCA Victor (1983)
Larry Elgart and His Swing Orchestra, RCA Victor (1983)
Let My People Swing, K-Tel Records (1995) (also a reissue of New Sounds at the Roosevelt)
Sensational Swing, K-Tel (1995) (compilation)
Live at the Ambassador, Quicksilver Records (1998)
Latin Obsession, Sony International (2000)
Bandstand Boogie (2003)

[This message has been edited by topher_time (edited 09-20-2008).]

Holy crap! I guess he really was big. Glad to hear someone here has heard of him. Im sure if he was more interested in talking he would be a fascinating guy. I usually try to talk to my customers as though they were long time friends of mine, it makes them more comfortable having me in their house invading their space, This guy was not into it though. Anyone else? Have a particular song or album that is a favorite? If I have to go back I will see if there is any information about it hanging on the wall.

-Joe

Ever hear the theme music for "American Bandstand?" That was "Bandstand Boogie," written by Charles Albertine and performed by the Les and Larry Elgart orchestra.

Ah...... I opened for him at Cypress Gardens Florida several years back. It was fun sharing the stage. He was a prolific entertainer who traveled the show circuit, playing for dances and concerts. Pretty well known, usually hired top notch players for the band.

[This message has been edited by Joe 1320 (edited 07-10-2009).]