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Bob Grabeau, ca.1950s
photo courtesy of Marge Grabot
THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE OF
BOB GRABEAU
an appreciation by Music Librarian Christopher Popa
originally written July 2008; expanded July 2014
He had one of the world's most beautiful singing voices, so it was no wonder that during his 50-year career a who's-who of music industry lyricists, composers, conductors, arrangers, and others used his talents, often behind-the-scenes.
For example, the demonstration records which he made, to introduce established singing stars to a songwriter's latest effort and provide a perfect example of how it should be sung, eventually numbered more than 5,000. (At one time, he did 30 demos in one day!)
Want to hear him sing? You may already have.
I can still remember my delight in finding his name listed in the Los Angeles yellow pages phone book, under, I think the heading was, "Music Instruction-Vocal." Could he be the same person whom I'd listened to over and over doing some great vocals on the Time-Life "Swing Era" series?
He was, and it made perfect sense that he'd be an ideal person to teach me about big band singing. While growing up, Bob's idols included such leading big band vocalists as Bob Eberly, Frank Sinatra, and Dick Haymes.
As part of a successful singing career, Bob had started teaching singing fundamentals to others, with his Vocal Workshop based for a short time at Fidelity Recording Studios, 6315 Yucca St. in Hollywood, then for many years in an office behind the Gold Star Recording Studios, 6252 Santa Monica Blvd., and eventually, from out of his home in Van Nuys.
Not surprisingly, the nearby TV studios had turned to Bob to coach their young stars, and his students included Scott Baio (“Cha-Chi” on "Happy Days"), Rick Scott (“Ben” on "The Waltons"), Philip McKeon (“Tommy” on "Alice"), and Kristy McNichol (“Buddy” on "Family").
Bob attributed much of his success to his own vocal studies as a youngster with Bill Stoker of San Francisco. At the time, Stoker was also instructing Johnny Mathis, Merv Griffin, and Guy Mitchell.
vital stats
given name Robert Frank Grabot
birth November 14, 1928, Pittsburg, CA
death June 8, 2008, Alzheimer's disease
heritage French
father Anthony Edward Grabot, b.January 22, 1894, d.November 1977
mother Jennie Grabot, b.Octrober 13, 1899, d.September 1967
wife Marjorie ("Marge") Lou Sims, b.June 25, 1928, Fresno, CA; m.April 16, 1950;
d.February 23, 2010
children Jennifer ("Jenny"), Robert ("Bobby"), and Kenneth ("Kenny")
grandchildren Anthony, Jennifer, Matthew, Alan, Mallory, and Daniel
education graduate, Pittsburg, CA High School, 1946
Even while only in his teens, people sought out Bob's voice.
He remembered getting up before homeroom assemblies at his high school, “doing what came naturally,” and quickly advanced to local stage show performances (like with the Eastwood Vaudeville Unit), then to sponsored radio programs originating in the San Francisco Bay area on KGO-AM (which was an NBC station for many years) and KFRC-AM (a Mutual affiliate). His guest appearances on radio included Helen Curtis' program, "Enchantment," and Joaquin Garay's "Dinner At Dinty's.
Bob's singing caught the ear of orchestra leader Don Kaye in Dallas, TX, and for nine months they toured the southwest performing at various hotels. When Bob returned to San Francisco, he sang on weekly remote broadcasts from the El Patio Ballroom with the John Wollohan Orchestra.
In November 1948, Billboard reported that Bob, age 19, had been signed by Capitol Records in Hollywood. "Grabeau is relatively unknown in these parts, coming from the San Francisco Bay area," it was stated. "Paul Weston is credited with his discovery. Lad worked the Northern California area where he appeared on local radio stations and served as vocalist with the Don Kaye band."
For Capitol, Bob began making commercial records and radio-only transcriptions.
After less than six months, he was hired in 1949 as featured male vocalist with Jan Garber and His Orchestra, and stayed with the band until February 1950. During that period, he had a couple of pop hits with Garber, namely You're Breaking My Heart and Jealous Heart. The former, based on the Italian song La Mattinata, went to #19 on the Billboard pop chart, while the latter reached #22 on the best-seller list. (I shuddered when a 1991 Reader's Digest CD set, "Big Band Memories: 1945-1969," mistakenly identified Jealous Heart as sung by "Don" Grabeau.)
The Garber band made its recordings in Hollywood, but also performed in-person across the country.
1950
orchestra conducted by Johnny Richards
Is It a Sin to Love You ( Al Sherman-George Howe ) with The Daydreamers SH-4-3 2:49
Vita Records 1001 [ 78 ]; Showcase 1001 [ 78 ]
I’ve Got a Date in Paris ( Al Sherman - George Howe ) SH-1-5
Vita Records 1001 [ 78 ]
Ev’rywhere Is You ( Richard Sherman ) SH-2-2
Showcase 1001 [ 78 ]
A record review in the February 3, 1951 issue of Billboard claimed that Bob was the vocalist on Jan Garber’s recordings of Velvet Lips / Tie Me to Your Apron Strings Again (Capitol 1375), but discographical information shows that Roy Cordell sang those two.
June 22, 1951
sustaining radio broadcast with Eddie Bergman and His Orchestra, announcer Edward King
from the Cocoanut Grove of the Hotel Ambassador, Hollywood
The Continental [ instrumental ]
NBC radio network
other songs not known
NBC radio network
ca.1951-1952
with Claude Gordon, His Trumpet and Orchestra
I Know Why (And So Do You) ( Mack Gordon-Harry Warren ) 2:24
Capitol Transcriptions B-487
It's Always You ( Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen ) 2:12
Capitol Transcriptions B-487
Autumn Serenade ( Sammy Gallop-Peter De Rose ) 2:04
Capitol Transcriptions B-487
This Love of Mine ( Frank Sinatra-Sol Parker-Henry Sanicola ) 1:56
Capitol Transcriptions B-487
In the Blue of Evening ( Tom Adair-Alfred A. D’Artega ) 1:57
Capitol Transcriptions B-487
Bright Lights and Blonde Haired Women 2:37
Capitol Transcriptions B-488
Could Be ( Johnny Mercer-Walter Donaldson ) 2:22
Capitol Transcriptions B-488
Love Is Gone 2:03
Capitol Transcriptions B-488
It Was Nice While It Lasted 1:55
Capitol Transcriptions B-488
Funny About a Dream 1:47
Capitol Transcriptions B-488
Willow Weep for Me ( Ann Ronell ) 2:32
Capitol Transcriptions B-493
Darn That Dream ( Eddie De Lange-Jimmy Van Heusen ) 2:29
Capitol Transcriptions B-493
You'll Never Know ( Mack Gordon-Harry Warren ) 2:14
Capitol Transcriptions B-493
Day Dreaming ( Gus Kahn-Jerome Kern ) 2:05
Capitol Transcriptions B-493
You and I 1:50
Capitol Transcriptions B-493
All Or Nothing At All ( Jack Lawrence-Arthur Altman ) 2:30
Capitol Transcriptions B-494
My Prayer ( Jimmy Kennedy-Georges Boulanger ) 2:15
Capitol Transcriptions B-494
Blue Rain ( Johnny Mercer-Jimmy Van Heusen ) 2:08
Capitol Transcriptions B-494
Maria Elena ( S.K. Russell-Lorenzo Barcelata ) 2:03
Capitol Transcriptions B-494
I'll String Along with You ( Al Dubin-Harry Warren ) 1:56
Capitol Transcriptions B-494
Always in My Heart ( Kim Gannon-Ernesto Lecuona )
Capitol Transcriptions B-503
Careless ( Lew Quadling-Eddy Howard-Dick Jurgens )
Capitol Transcriptions B-503
Guilty ( Gus Kahn-Harry Akst-Richard A. Whiting )
Capitol Transcriptions B-503
I'll Be Seeing You ( Irving Kahal-Sammy Fain )
Capitol Transcriptions B-503
My Last Goodbye ( Eddy Howard )
Capitol Transcriptions B-503
Almost Like Being in Love ( Alan Jay Lerner-Frederick Loewe )
Capitol Transcriptions B-504
I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire ( Eddie Seiler-Sol Marcus-Bennie Benjamin-Eddie Durham )
Capitol Transcriptions B-504
I'll Be Around ( Alec Wilder )
Capitol Transcriptions B-504
May I Never Love Again ( Sano Marco-Jack Erickson )
Capitol Transcriptions B-504
The More I See You ( Mack Gordon-Harry Warren )
Capitol Transcriptions B-504
1955
with Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra
My Own with group
“X” 0094; “X” 4X-0097; Sepia 1087 [ CD ]
Last Love ( Fisher-Jenkins ) chorus featuring Bob Grabeau
"X" 4X-0127
1956
with Joe Leahy Orchestra
There’s Never Been Anyone Else But You ( Paul Francis Webster-Dimitri Tiomkin )
2:43 master 109
Unique Records 355; Sparton (Canada) 4-355R
Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love) ( Paul Francis Webster-Dimitri Tiomkin ) 2:34
master 110
Unique Records 355; Sparton (Canada) 4-355R
with Joe Leahy’s Orchestra and Chorus
“Music James Dean Lived By”
Unique LP-109
“Jack & The Beanstalk: Music from NBC Producers’ Showcase Spectacular”
This Is the One ( Jerry Livingston-Helen Deutsch ) 2:55 with The Petticoats
Unique LP-111
Look-a-Me ( Jerry Livingston-Helen Deutsch ) 1:43 with The Petticoats
Unique LP-111; Unique 362
Sweet World ( Jerry Livingston-Helen Deutsch ) 3:45
Unique LP-111; Unique 362
Twelve Feet Tall ( Jerry Livingston-Helen Deutsch ) 2:03 with The Petticoats
Unique LP-111
September 12, 1957
Gold (Ralph Freed-Beasley Smith) master 103,271
from Universal-International picture "Slim Carter"
Coral 9-61895
Lu Le La (S.T. Roberts-C. Shane) master 103,272
Coral 9-61895
A 1957 article in Billboard reported that Bob would record “some ‘Badlands [ of
Montana ]’ material” for RKO-Unique, but I have not been able to identify what that was.
1958
with Johnny T. Williams
Exactly Like You ( Dorothy Fields-Jimmy McHugh )
Tops; Golden Tone
“San Francisco: My Enchanted City" (album)
conducted by David Rose
Seal Records LSS 1530
1959
This Earth Is Mine (Main Title)
Decca DL 8915 / 78915; Varese Sarabande VC-81076 [ LP ]; Varese Sarabande
VSD2-5403 [ CD ]
Olita ( Mitchell Tableporter ) Y CM 1044
Crest 1059
There’s Something About Your Kiss (Dale Fitzsimmons-Dorothea Hahn ) arranged by
Jack Fascinato Z CM 1045 1:58
Crest 1059
Back to School, Back to You ( Mitchell Tableporter ) with The Teenettes Y CM 1056
Crest 45-1064; Traditions Alive "School Days" [ CD ]
Don’t Ever Let Me Go ( Dale Fitzsimmons ) Z CM 1057
Crest 45-1064
with Horace Heidt and His Orchestra
Charge ( Bowne Ditmars-Horace Heidt ) 2:45
Magnolia Records 1-A
Angel Town ( Jerry Livingston-Ray Evans ) 2:25
Magnolia Records 1-B
1960
The Bells of St. Augustine
Festival
Horses and Hats ( Howard Jackson-Dan Franklin )
Festival
“The Music of Our American Heritage” [ album ]
My Aura Lee
Barbary Coast Records
Far Across the Wide Missouri
Barbara Coast Records
Repeat After Me
RKO RKO503 [ CD ]
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
RKO RKO503 [ CD ]
(I'm Gonna) Be By You 2:40
Carthay 110
Passing By
Carthay 110
1961
“The Wonderful Teens” Dick Powell album
arranged and conducted by Joe Leahy
(I’m in Heaven When I See You Smile) Diane ( Erno Rapee-Lew Pollack )
Record Producers Corp.
Music by Camarata; with choir
Miracle at Lourdes
Vista F-380 Z ; Spartan (Can) 41018R
For Now, For Always (Maggie's Theme) ( Richard M. Sherman-Robert B. Sherman )
Vista F-380 Y; Spartan (Can) 41018R
with Danny Gould and His Orchestra
Give Me Your Love for Christmas ( Dimitri Tiomkin )
“Babes in Toyland” album
Disney
1962
Bella Note
Disney DBR-35
with Terry York (vocal)
Go to Sleep
Disneyland 1224
Just a Whisper Away
Disneyland Records
orchestra directed by Joe Leahy
Buy Me Some Ice Cream ( Harry Harra ) with The Harry Harris Singers 1:54
Ardee Records H-303
The Milk Song with The Harry Harris Singers
Ardee Records H-303
1963
Music by Camarata
Theme From “The V.I.P.s” (The Willow) ( Miklos Roza – Mack David ) 2:27
Coliseum 45-2702
All the Way Home ( Stanley Styne-Jule Styne )
Coliseum 45-2702
1964
arranged and conducted by Don Ralke
Nearest and Dearest ( Edward Montagu ) 2:15 SK4M3314
Carney Records 1009
Stairway to the Stars ( M Parish-M Malneck-F Signorelli ) 2:32 SK4M3315
Carney Records 1009
1965
"Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" (film thriller directed by Russ Meyer)
Lorna
soundtrack; Q.D.K. Media (G) CD 008
1967
arranged and conducted by Joe Leahy
San Antonio (The City of So Many Charms)
Mirador Record & Music Publishers MR-507
Houston: The Gateway to Space
Mirador Record & Music Publishers
I Wish They'd Leave the Moon Alone ( Duval - Palmer ) 2:35
Film Town Records 122867-A
ca.1968-1969
with Pete King and His Orchestra
Cohan Medley: The Yankee Doodle Boy; Mary’s a Grand Old Name Bob Grabeau, vocal; Give My Regards to Broadway The Singing Waiters, vocal ( George M. Cohan )
Reader’s Digest RD4-71
The above is believed to be Grabeau's only contribution to the Reader's Digest album "Gaslight Varieties: The Happy Music of the Gay Nineties," unless he was part of the singing group The Gaslight Singers heard throughout it.
May 27, 1971
Time-Life’s “The Swing Era”
conducted by Billy May
I Guess I’ll Have to Dream the Rest ( Mickey Stoner-Martin Block-Harold Green )
with vocal group master 76845
Cap STA/STL347; Cap 4TL347; Cap 8TL347
Elmer’s Tune ( Elmer Albrecht-Sammy Gallop-Dick Jurgens ) with Sue Allen and vocal
group master 76847
Cap STA/STL353; Cap 4TL353; Cap 8TL353
September 23, 1971
Time-Life’s “The Swing Era”
conducted by Billy May
Indian Summer ( Al Dubin-Victor Herbert ) master 77431
Cap STA/STL351; Cap 4TL351; Cap 8TL351
It Happened in Sun Valley ( Mack Gordon-Harry Warren ) with Tex Beneke and vocal
group master 77432
Cap STA/STL351; Cap 4TL351; Cap 8TL351
Juke Box Saturday Night ( Al Stillman-Paul McGrane ) with Tex Beneke, Eileen Wilson,
and group master 77434
Cap STA/STL352; Cap 4TL352; Cap 8TL352; Cap CDP8 27816 2
October 28, 1971
Time-Life’s “The Swing Era”
conducted by Billy May
At Last ( Mack Gordon-Harry Warren ) master 77586
Cap STA/STL352; Cap 4TL352; Cap 8TL352; Cap CDP8 32566 2
Moonlight Cocktail ( Kim Gannon-Lucky Roberts ) with group master 77588
Cap STA/STL352; Cap 4TL352; Cap 8TL352
Serenade in Blue (Mack Gordon-Harry Warren ) with group master 77589
Cap STA/STL351; Cap 4TL351; Cap 8TL351
January 31, 1972
Time-Life’s “The Swing Era”
conducted by Billy May
Stairway to the Stars (Mitchell Parish-Matty Malneck-Frank Signorelli ) master 78045
Cap STA/STL353; Cap 4TL353; Cap 8TL353
from this period?
Diary of a Stewardess
Segue Records CR-D-101
1973
“Twenty-five years: To my Genie with love, Bob [ Friedman ]” album
How Do I Love Thee? ( Bob Friedman )
Temponic RGF 4006
Serenade to Genie ( Bob Friedman )
Temponic RGF 4006
Pretty Girl ( Bob Friedman )
Temponic RGF 4006
Little Bit o' Heaven ( Bob Friedman )
Temponic RGF 4006
The December 24, 1977 issue of Billboard mentioned that “Robert Miller producing Bob Grabeau for M&B Records at Noble Studios.”
1977
Arr. & Cond. by Danny Gould
The Fugitive Years - Side 1 (The Theme From "Lazarus") ( Robert Avard Miller-
George L. Briggs ) 3:31
M&B Records MB-100
The Fugitive Years - Side 2 (The Theme From "Lazarus") ( Robert Avard Miller-
George L. Briggs ) 3:45
M&B Records MB-100
Then, in its March 25, 1978 issue, Billboard reported that Bob was cutting his second single for M&B Records, this time at Gold Star Studios, with Robert Miller again producing and Danny Gould conducting.
1978
arranged and conducted by Danny Gould
Where Warmer Waters Flow
H&B Records 58-101
An Irish Blessing
H&B Records 58-101
Finally, Bob got a chance to include new versions of some of the songs for which he made the original demonstration records on his own commercial LP, a 1982 release titled "Bob Grabeau Sings Webster's Dictionary ... Paul Francis Webster, That Is." Billboard chose it as one of their "Top Album Picks," and commented, "Grabeau has a warm, easygoing way with a lyric that suits these evergreens perfectly."
1981-1982
“Bob Grabeau Sings Webster’s Dictionary” (album)
orchestra directed by Don Ralke
April Love ( Paul Francis Webster-Sammy Fain )
Rayvel MA 1747
Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love) ( Paul Francis Webster-Dimitri Tiomkin)
Rayvel MA 1747
The Green Leaves of Summer ( Paul Francis Webster-Dimitri Tiomkin )
Rayvel MA 1747
Invitation ( Paul Francis Webster-Bronislau Kaper )
Rayvel MA 1747
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing ( Paul Francis Webster-Sammy Fain )
Rayvel MA 1747
Raintree County ( Johnny Green-Paul Francis Webster )
45: Rayvel MR111428 label: Raintree Country [ sic ]
Secret Love ( Paul Francis Webster-Sammy Fain )
45: Rayvel MR 111428; 33: Rayvel MA 1747
Somewhere My Love (Paul Francis Webster-Maurice Jarre)
Rayvel MA 1747
A Time for Love ( Paul Francis Webster-Johnny Mandel )
Rayvel MA 1747
The Twelfth of Never ( Paul Francis Webster-Jerry Livingston )
Rayvel MA 1747
arranged and conducted by Don Ralke
To-Day ( Stalcup-Borzage ) 2:45
Magnum 127124
You're My Life ( Jo Stalcup ) 3:10
Magnum 127124
arranged and conducted by Lou Halmy
Mama San ( Lou Halmy-David Taxe ) [ English ]
Swingin’ 45-657
Ka-a-San (Mother Dear) [ Japanese ] 2:50
Swingin’ 45-567
with Bill Tole and His Orchestra
All I Need ( Sol Selegna )
45: Courtney 45-CB-101; Courtney Records CD
probably from this period
with Bob Noval and His Orchestra
All Or Nothing At All ( Jack Lawrence-Arthur Altman )
CD
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square ( Eric Maschwitz-Manning Sherwin )
CD
This Love of Mine ( Frank Sinatra-Sol Parker-Henry Sanicola )
CD
At Last ( Mack Gordon-Harry Warren )
CD
There Are Such Things ( Stanley Adams-Abel Baer-George W. Meyer )
CD
from undetermined period(s)
with Bill Snyder (piano), Andy Sanella (guitar)
It's Time to Say Good-Bye ( Breen-De Rose )
45: Purpletone 711
Fast Falls the Evening ( Breen-De Rose )
45: Purpletone 712
A Happy New Year
45?
arranged by Danny Gould
Irish As Irish Can Be ( Eileen Herbster-Joseph Krengel ) 1:55
Interlude Records 100-A
My Heart Is a Dream ( Joseph Kregal ) 2:21
Interlude Records 100-B
Mama Mine ( Fran Minter)
45: Red Rose Records 1001
Because They Left Me You
45: Red Rose Records 1001
conducted and arranged by Danny Gould
The Day That I Found You ( Richard M. Rausch ) 2:30
Interlude 325
Shadows On My Heart ( Adair-Norman ) 2:45
Interlude 325
Christmas Is Coming ( Jimmy DiNoble ) 3:18
45: Filmtown Records FT-132
I Just Want Your Love for Christmas ( Lee Sims-Herman Hammerman )
45: Filmtown Records FT-132
Where the River Suir Gently Flows
Filmtown Records 314
I Just Want Your Love Forever arranged by Danny Gould FT.314-2
Filmtown Records 314
orchestra conducted and arranged by Lou Halmy
Japanese Doll
49th State Hawaii Record Co. 380-A
orchestra conducted and arranged by Danny Gould
Hawaii ( William Wollens )
49th State Hawaii Record Co. 380-B
The Magic's Missing
Worcester Records
The Way It Was
Worcester Records
More Than Yesterday
Arrow 1008
Mine All Mine
Arrow 1008
If You Ever Find Someone to Love
Merit 1103
From Someone Above
Merit 1103
St. Peter's Square
The Big 3
Poco Loco in the Coco ( Al Hoffman-A. Schroeder-Al Trace) 2:12 master M-7006-A
Mishawaka Records BP-306 A
If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake ( Al Hoffman-Bob Merrill-Clem Watts )
Mishawaka Records BP-306 B
with the Al Trace Nostalgia Band
Lil Wally Story ( Al Trace-Laura Schwab Abrams ) 1:58
45: Nostalgia No. 8130
Bob also was chosen to do the demonstration records of many, many other title songs from movies, including Desiree (1954), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Written On the Wind (1956), Anastasia (1956),The Twelfth of Never (1957), The Long Hot Summer (1958), and The Green Leaves of Summer (1960). These songs were then given to others to, by following Bob's example on the demo, record their voice singing the songs.
Bob also did the demos for later songs including The Shadow of Your Smile (1965) and Somewhere, My Love (1966). In fact, a huge compliment was paid to Bob by Tony Bennett, after Bennett included The Shadow of Your Smile on one of his Columbia sessions and it became a minor hit. "I recorded it after listening to your demo every day for eight to 10 weeks," he said. "I hope I did it as well as you did it."
I believe that the first time that Bob's own voice was heard in a film was his 1957 demo of Man with the Gallant Gun for 20th Century-Fox’s “Badlands of Montana,” written by Hal Levy and Irving Gertz. The producers decided to use Bob's actual demo in the picture. His voice was also heard on the actual film soundtracks of “Copper Sky” and “Green-Eyed Blonde,” which also were released in 1957.
Two decades later, Bob's vocal gifts were still being utilized - in an anonymous fashion - in a number of TV productions. For example, he sang Just a Gigolo for the soundtrack of a 1977 TV mini-series, "Beggarman, Thief." That same year, with the made-for-TV-movie "Kill Me If You Can," he captured Nat "King" Cole's style so well on Nature Boy that the Cole Estate threatened a suit against Columbia Pictures, until they were convinced it was actually Bob doing a sound-alike vocal.
When Universal Pictures in 1979 made their "The Last Convertible" mini-series, set in World War II, they wisely hired Bob to sing no fewer than 5 songs (At Last, I Can't Get Started, Indian Summer, This Love of Mine, and Violets for Your Furs) for the underscore. I think that he especially enjoyed and was proud of that job.
Bob and a woman named Joyce Goodwin coached The Children of Saint Michaels Day School Choir, from Studio City, California, in order to perform Yule Tide Spirit, Jolly Holiday, and Wonderful Wintertime, on an ABC teleplay, "A Pink Christmas," which aired December 7, 1978.
In the 1980s, I remember Bob getting ready to do the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium, televised live on Dodger Cablevision - actually, I'm pretty sure that he did that more than once.
Songwriters and Film Composers
Who Sought Out Bob's Voice
select list ( in alphabetical order )
Elmer Bernstein
Marilyn and Alan Bergman
Sammy Cahn
Hoagy Carmichael
Gene de Paul
Sammy Fain
Buddy Feyne
Hugh Friedhofer
Irving Gordon
Michael Legrand
Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
Henry Mancini
Johnny Mandel
Johnny Mercer
Alfred Newman
Lionel Newman
Alex North
Don Raye
Johnny Richards
Nelson Riddle
David Rose
Harry Ruby
Bob Russell
Bob and Dick Sherman
Jule Styne
Dmitri Tiomkin
Harry Tobias
Harry Warren
In 1974 when Los Angeles was trying to pick an official city song, Bob appeared with pianist Joe Marino to perform each of the ten possibilities, which included Angeltown (by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans), City of Angels (Don Beckman), Los Angeles (Duane Valentry), and Los Angeles, the City I Love (Walter Jurman).
When I asked him about Bob, songwriter Sammy Fain told me, “He’s done all my songs, all wonderfully.” And on the official Dimitri Tiomkin website, his widow, Olivia Tiomkin Douglas, commented, “The Songwriters felt fortunate to have such a wonderful voice be the first to record their work . . . Dimitri thought that Bob was a lovely person with an exceptional voice and that he deserved more recognition for his musical talent.”
I always thought Bob should have sung the 1975 Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To), that his voice would have been an ideal match there, too. That didn't happen, but he did record commercially for Capitol, Coral, Decca, RCA "X", and Tops, as well on many songwriters' "vanity" labels.
Heading east and covering 28 cities in 14 days on a promotional tour for his Coral single, Gold, Bob appeared on ABC-TV’s "American Bandstand" in Philadelphia on October 31, 1957.
He also was the featured male singer on one of ABC-TV's weekly "Strictly Informal" programs and appeared on the Howard Duff-Ida Lupino “Mr. Adam and Eve” CBS primetime series in 1957. Also, Bob made a Scopitone jukebox film loop, Put Me in Your Pocket, with April Stevens, possibly from this period.
In Los Angeles in 1961, Larry Finley, host of the ABC-TV show “Music Is My Beat,” devoted his January 7th program to songs by Leonard Feather, sung by Doris Drew and Bob.
And at some point(s) Bob was heard (but not seen) in commercials for Dial Soap, Kleenex Casual Napkins, and the Crocker-Anglo Bank.
Other than the two previously-mentioned Jan Garber hits, perhaps his best-known recordings were made under the auspices of Disneyland Records and Time-Life Music. He worked for Disneyland Records on two projects, a "Babes in Toyland" album and a new version of "The Lady and the Tramp." Thanks to Disney's massive and non-stop marketing, it's entirely possible that you've heard Bob's voice on them without realizing it. The "Babes in Toyland" disc, made at Sunset Sound in Hollywood with members of the original cast re-creating their songs (plus Bob subbing for Tommy Sands), received a Grammy nomination in 1961 as "Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast from a Motion Picture or Television." And "The Lady and the Tramp" record, made in 1962, surely was a children's favorite for many years, including Bob's gorgeous vocal, Bella Notte, sung as the two dogs are having a spaghetti dinner.
In 1971, Bob was asked to do the Ray Eberle vocal parts (chosen even over Eberle himself!) for Time-Life's "Swing Era" re-creation series, with music transcribed from original big band recordings and conducted by Billy May.
"In the small California town of Pittsburg where I grew up," Bob said, "there were fan clubs for Glenn Miller and Ray Eberle. We used to get together and listen to everything they did. When I was first leaning how to sing, I'd rehearse to Ray's records and try to emulate him. To do [ this project ] was like the thrill of all time."
At different sessions, members of the band included John Best (trumpet), Wilbur Schwartz (clarinet/saxophone), Chuck Gentry (saxophone), and Rollie Bundock (bass), who were, variously, former members of the Glenn Miller civilian and Army Air Force orchestras. Billy May told me, “Bob did a fine job for the Time-Life ‘Swing Era’ series.”
Those sessions, including Bob's nine vocals, have sold over a million copies worldwide.
On March 30, 1978, Bob was heard on Fred Woodruf’s KLON-FM radio program, “Big Band Scene,” and on a “Live Music ‘79” broadcast over the same station on November 3, 1979 with bandleader Tommy King. There was even a "Bob Grabeau Big Band" for a brief time, around 1979, spurred on by announcer Woodruf's support.
December 15, 1979 marked the 35th anniversary of the disappearance of Glenn Miller, and Bob took part in a live, two-hour radio tribute with the so-called 1939 Orchestra directed by Bill Davies (which included Miller AAF band alumnus Chuck Gentry on baritone sax). Bob sang the seldom-heard arrangements of After All, The Sky Fell Down, and Last Night, as well as Indian Summer, At Last, and Serenade in Blue.
With bandleader King, Bob did several well-received Glenn Miller tribute concerts emceed by Fred Hall, including a sold-out show in March 1984; two days, July 21-22, 1984, at Oxnard Auditorium in Oxnard, CA; and on April 27, 1986 at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA. Bob and King did some tribute concerts to Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, as well, like on September 29, 1985 at the Ventura High School Auditorium.
A member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the American Federation of Radio & TV Artists (AFTRA), Bob also served 10 years as Home Savings of America's "Singing Spokesman," appearing with their Home Savings of America Orchestra conducted by Dick Emmons at concerts and other events throughout the West, rendering songs of the '30s and '40s. For example, one such show took place on August 27, 1983, billed as a Symphony On the Green, a driving range site near Rancho Bernardo Inn in Rancho Bernardo, CA. Besides the band with Bob, it also starred The Modernaires with Paula Kelly Jr. and ragtime piano player JoAnn Castle. Only a few weeks later, on September 11, 1983, the Home Savings of America Orchestra, with Bob and Margie Gibson as vocalists, played for an Orange County Pacific Symphony dinner-dance at the Villa del Sol in Fullerton, CA.
At a benefit dance for the Athletic Department of Pierce College, held on February 5, 1988 at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, CA, Bob sang with the 17-piece University of Southern California (USC) Swingin’ Dance Band and, as one of his vocal students, I was happy to tag along as his invited guest. During the four sets of music, Bob did I Only Have Eyes for You, You’ll Never Know, It’s Always You, Night and Day, All Or Nothing At All, This Love of Mine, When You’re Smiling, Marie, Maria Elena, I Should Care, More, and At Last.
I remember one time in his office behind Gold Star Studios, Bob let me listen to a cassette with him singing I Should Care. The arrangement was done in the Glenn Miller style (perhaps it was when he sang at the Hollywood Palladium on June 22, 1980) and I thought it was wonderful. I also remember another day that Bob and I played catch outside his office. He must have thought I need some sun and some food, because he treated me to a Bob's Big Boy hamburger afterwards. (Funny what sometimes stays in our memories.)
"The King of Sing," ca.1970s
Bob Grabeau Vocals – Recommended Listening
Bella Notte, Disneyland Records, 1962
Indian Summer, Time-Life, 1971 John Best, trumpet / Rollie Bundock, bass /
Billy May, cond.
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing, Rayvel, 1982
At Last, Time-Life, 1971 Willie Schwartz, clarinet
There’s Something About Your Kiss, Crest, 1959 arranged by Jack Fascinato
This Earth Is Mine, Decca, 1959 main title
Today, Magnum, 1982 Don Ralke, cond.
My Own, "X," 1955 with Gordon Jenkins
Exactly Like You, 1957 with Johnny T. ("John") Williams
All I Need, Magnum, 1982 with the Bill Tole Orchestra
Stairway to the Stars, Time-Life, 1972 Billy May, conductor
Invitation, Rayvel, 1982
While making recordings like the above in Hollywood, Bob also continued a schedule of public and private singing engagements, including half-a-dozen years during the 1960s at the Beverly Hills Hotel with pianist - bandleader Jack Fina.
Following the tremendous success of the Time-Life "Swing Era" series, Bob was featured at quite a number of public concerts and dances in the Los Angeles area starting in the 1970s, working with bands like Rob Morris’ 17-piece Summer of ’42 Orchestra. Bob also worked with Morris on the Queen Mary ship on March 2, 1975; I think that I once heard him sing It’s Always You from a radio broadcast from the Queen Mary, maybe from that date. The advertisement below shows a week-long job with Morris and former Les Brown vocalist Lucy Ann Polk.
one of Bob's 16" radio-only transcriptions
Bob Grabeau Discography - Select List
As "Bob Grabeau," "Bob Graybo," or "Bobby Grabeau," he recorded at least 95 songs for Capitol Transcriptions, 24 sides with Jan Garber and His Orchestra, and 95 other songs on a variety of labels - for a total of 214 known selections. I’m sure that this is incomplete, but I have gathered what I could. Dates listed are based on the best-available information; in many cases, they are approximations (and some may be incorrect).
1948-49
with orchestra conducted by Mario Ruiz Armengol
Hankerin'
Capitol Transcriptions A-83
In a Market Place of Old Monterey
Capitol Transcriptions A-83
So Dear to My Heart ( Irving Taylor-Ticker Freeman )
Capitol Transcriptions A-83
What Did I Do? ( Mack Gordon-Josef Myrow )
Capitol Transcriptions A-83
Ah, But It Happens ( “By” Dunham-Walter Kent )
Capitol Transcriptions A-84
Everybody Loves Somebody ( Irving Taylor-Ken Lane )
Capitol Transcriptions A-84
If I Steal a Kiss ( Edward Heyman-Nacio Herb Brown )
Capitol Transcriptions A-84
Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly) ( Larrey Morey-Eliot Daniel )
Capitol Transcriptions A-84
from this period
with orchestra
Tarra Ta-larra Ta-Lar 3:04
Capitol Transcriptions A-87
Dainty Brenda Lee 2:31
Capitol Transcriptions A-87
Once in Love with Amy ( Frank Loesser ) 2:09
Capitol Transcriptions A-87
Say It Isn't So ( Irving Berlin ) 1:56
Capitol Transcriptions A-87
Portrait of Jennie ( Gordon Burdge-J. Russel Robinson ) 2:30
Capitol Transcriptions A-88
The Melancholy Minstrel ( Kay Twomey-Fred Wise-Al Frisch ) 2:15
Capitol Transcriptions A-88
A Strawberry Moon (In a Blueberry Sky) 2:05
Capitol Transcriptions A-88
A Rosewood Spinet ( Charles Tobias-Nat Simon ) 2:24
Capitol Transcriptions A-88
Have You Change for a Dream
Capitol Transcriptions A-89
The Streets of Laredo
Capitol Transcriptions A-89
These Will Be the Best Years of Our Lives
Capitol Transcriptions A-89
Underneath the Linden Tree ( Dick Manning-Arthur Beul )
Capitol Transcriptions A-89
You Say the Wildest Things Baby
Capitol Transcriptions A-89
Dreamy Old New England Moon
Capitol Transcriptions A-90
I Get Lonely in the Rain
Capitol Transcriptions A-90
Once and for Always ( Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen )
Capitol Transcriptions A-90
When Is Summertime
Capitol Transcriptions A-90
While the Angelus Was Ringing
Capitol Transcriptions A-90
1949?
Send 2:25
Capitol Transcriptions B-367
It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry 2:28
Capitol Transcriptions B-367
Lights Out ( Billy Hill ) 2:08
Capitol Transcriptions B-367
Why Is It 1:51
Capitol Transcriptions B-367
Just for the Ride 1:47
Capitol Transcriptions B-367
I Apologize ( Al Hoffman-Ed. G. Nelson-Al Goodhart ) 2:29
Capitol Transcriptions B-368
Love Letters in the Sand ( Nick Kenny-Charles Kenny-J. Fred Coots ) 2:26
Capitol Transcriptions B-368
Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant for Me) ( Sam Coslow-Arthur Johnston ) 2:24
Capitol Transcriptions B-368
I Wonder What’s Become of Sally? ( Jack Yellen-Milton Ager ) 2:11
Capitol Transcriptions B-368
Just Like a Melody Out of the Sky ( Walter Donaldson ) 1:46
Capitol Transcriptions B-368
with orchestra conducted by Serge Dupre
Thank You for a Lovely Evening ( Dorothy Fields-Jimmy McHugh ) 2:22
Capitol Transcriptions B-401
Don't Take Your Love From Me ( Henry Nemo ) 2:21
Capitol Transcriptions B-401
My Mom ( Walter Donaldson ) 2:21
Capitol Transcriptions B-401
My Sin ( B.G. De Sylva-Lew Brown-Ray Henderson ) 2:06
Capitol Transcriptions B-401
When Did You Leave Heaven ( Walter Bullock-Richard A. Whiting ) 2:01
Capitol Transcriptions B-401
Try a Little Tenderness ( Harry Woods-Jimmy Campbell-Reg Connelly ) 2:58
Capitol Transcriptions B-402
Have a Little Faith in Me ( Sam M. Lewis-Joe Young-Harry Warren ) 2:53
Capitol Transcriptions B-402
Be Still, My Heart! ( Allan Flynn-Jack Egan ) 2:39
Capitol Transcriptions B-402
I'll Never Forget I Love You 2:29
Capitol Transcriptions B-402
Give a Broken Heart a Break ( Dave Franklin-Isham Jones ) 2:22
Capitol Transcriptions B-403
Throw Another Log On the Fire ( Charlie Tobias-Jack Scholl-Murray Mencher ) 2:20
Capitol Transcriptions B-403
Just Like a Butterfly (That's Caught in the Rain) 2:12
Capitol Transcriptions B-403
Farewell to Arms ( Allie Wrubel-Abner Silver ) 2:11
Capitol Transcriptions B-403
With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair ( Jack Lawrence-Clara Edwards ) 2:10
Capitol Transcriptions B-403
My Silent Love ( Edward Heyman-Dana Suesse ) 3:03
Capitol Transcriptions B-404
My Fate is in Your Hands ( Andy Razaf-Thomas “Fats” Waller ) 2:07
Capitol Transcriptions B-404
Isn't It Romantic? ( Lorenz Hart-Richard Rodgers ) 2:06
Capitol Transcriptions B-404
An Old Guitar and an Old Refrain 1:57
Capitol Transcriptions B-404
It's Been a Long, Long Time ( Sammy Cahn-Jule Styne ) 1:47
Capitol Transcriptions B-404
Down the Old Ox Road ( Sam Coslow-Arthur Johnston ) 2:33
Capitol Transcriptions B-405
Over Somebody Else's Shoulder (I Fell in Love with You) ( Al Lewis-Al Sherman ) 2:18
Capitol Transcriptions B-405
A Precious Little Thing Called Love ( Lou Davis-J. Fred Coots ) 2:13
Capitol Transcriptions B-405
Blue (and Broken Hearted) ( Grant Clarke-Edgar Leslie-Lou Handman ) 1:57
Capitol Transcriptions B-405
Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue?) ( George Brown-Peter De Rose ) 1:58
Capitol Transcriptions B-405
I Didn't Know What Time It Was ( Lorenz Hart-Richard Rodgers ) 2:06
Capitol Transcriptions B-406
Marie ( Irving Berlin ) 2:04
Capitol Transcriptions B-406
The Beat o’ My Heart ( Johnny Burke-Harold Spina ) 2:01
Capitol Transcriptions B-406
(I Only Know That I Love You) That's All That Matters to Me 1:58
Capitol Transcriptions B-406
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (If I Knew I'd Find You) ( Lew Brown-Sidney Clare) 1:47
Capitol Transcriptions B-406
May 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
The Farewell Waltz master 4243-D
Capitol 54/57-674; AFRS Basic Music Library P-1338
The Heart of Loch Lomond master 4245-2D2
Capitol 57-630
July 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
Winter Wonderland ( Richard B. Smith-Felix Bernard ) with quartet master 4620-1D1
Capitol 57-90013; Capitol CD "Happy Holidays: Warm & Wonderful Christmas Favorites"
Here Comes Santa Claus ( Gene Aurty-Oakley Haldeman ) master 4621D
Capitol 57-90012; Capitol CD "Christmas Cocktails Volume 4"
The Christmas Waltz master 4622-1D
Capitol 57-90011
Makin’ Love Ukelele Style ( Charlie Hayes-Paul Weirick ) with ensemble master 4624-1D
Capitol 57-712; AFRS Basic Music Library P-1384
Deck the Halls with ensemble master 4626-1D1
Capitol
In the photo above, Garber holds the baton at a job in Memphis, TN during 1949. Bob is next to Jan's daughter, Janis, the band's female vocalist. Also pictured are Frank McCauley, bass, and Ernie Mathias, trumpet.
By early 1950, Bob had toured 32 states with Garber. However, he decided to settle in the San Fernando Valley, just outside Hollywood, to start a family with his lovely bride, Marge, who he married on April 16th. She had been his high school sweetheart, a former "Miss Contra Costa County," and a runner-up in the 1949 “Miss California” contest.
Hollywood was a great area for him to be, thriving with music and other performing arts and tunesmiths quickly became aware of Bob's vocal powers to make demonstration records of their new songs. It was Bob who did the very first recordings of many all-time classics, such as Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), from the motion picture of the same name. I remember once, while I was at his house, Bob played me the original demo of Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, which had been written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. I think that Bob said it had been done with a 30-piece orchestra.
Bob Grabeau, ca.1990s
There were more concerts and dances for Bob into the last part of the 20th Century, including a couple of years with Columbia Artists Management's so-called "Big Band Alumni Orchestra." During their 1996 tour, titled "The Music That Won World War II," Bob did A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Tangerine, At Last, Green Eyes, Racing with the Moon, and Maria Elena. With the Big Band Alumni Orchestra's 1997 tour, "Battle of the Bands Round Two!," Bob traveled to 54 cities across the U.S.
However, after his third visit to Australia and New Zealand with a different outfit, the "Glenn Miller Reunion Band Tour," he had begun showing signs of Alzheimer's disease and was unable to continue performing. A planned film documentary, "The Street of Dreams," focusing on Bob as "the last of the big band singers," and with comments about him by various famous songwriters, was not completed.
Bob passed away June 8, 2008, and was laid to rest at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills.
Writing this appreciation was something that I had wanted to do for quite a while and I completed it in June of ‘08. Honestly, when I wrote it, I had no idea that he had died. And, just as ironically, I had been in the San Fernando Valley shortly beforehand and wanted to go see him, but I thought it better that I didn’t bother him. When I finished my writing, I made an Internet search in case I had forgotten some of his records, and it was then that I saw he had passed away. That was a very sad day for me!
A celebration of Bob’s life was held July 19, 2008 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Calabasas, CA, where he had spent his final years, and some 175 family members and friends were present. Danny Gould was the master of ceremonies and spoke knowingly of Bob as one of his best friends for over 50 years, and Gene Merlino brought a group of people who sang live.
In the September 2008 issue of Overture, George Arellano offered a warm remembrance of Bob and I thought that Mr. Arellano's friendship came through what he wrote as he reminded everyone of some of Bob's accomplishments.
Less than two years later, Bob’s beloved wife, Marge, died, on Feb. 23, 2010. Mortality also caught up with some of Bob’s musical associates: pianist - songwriter - conductor Danny Gould, who later spent 39 years at Warner Bros. Pictures and rose to the position of Vice President of Music, died at the age of 89 on Nov. 4, 2010, and Stan Ross, the founder - producer - engineer of Gold Star Recording Studios, succumbed at age 82 on Mar. 11, 2011.
But even if Bob’s illness and death wiped away his own memories of a wonderful life and career, perhaps this remembrance can play a part so that others won't forget. I know I hope never to.
sources
Bill Butler. E-mail to author, Oct 13, 2010.
Robert ("Bobby") Grabeau. E-mail to author, Sep 1, 2008.
Gretchen Fehrenbacher, "Swing and sway with the Big Band Alumni Orchestra," [ New
Bedford, MA ] New Standard, 1996?.
"Glenn Miller today, Sunday in Oxnard," Los Angeles Times, Jul 21, 1984, p.N12.
"Grabeau To Cap Warbler Flock," Billboard, Nov 20, 1948, p.41.
“Graybo Is Going Sound Track,” Billboard, Jun 5, 1957.
Steve Harvey, "Picking L.A.'s Song-Days Dwindle Down," Los Angeles Times, Sep 13,
1974, p.B1.
Tim Hollis and Greg Ehrbar. Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records
(Jackson, MI: University Press of Mississippi, 2006).
Jo Anne Klement, "In the mood to swing?," Bradenton [ FL ] Herald, 1996?.
“Pittsburg Entertainment & Arts Hall of Fame,” pittsburgentertainmentandarts.org.
Retrieved Jul 10, 2014.
Harvey Siders, "Bob Grabeau: The Unsung Singer," [ Los Angeles, CA ] Daily News,
Jan 8, 1982, p.28+.
"Top Album Picks: Survey For Week Ending 7/24/82," Billboard, Jul 24, 1982, p.60.
Jotel Whitburn, Joel Whitburn's Pop Hits 1940-1954 (Menomonee Falls, WI: Record
Research Inc., 1994), p.67.
return to Big Band Library homepage
August 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
You’re Breaking My Heart ( Pat Gernaro-Sunny Skylar ) master 4684-2D
Capitol 57-719; AFRS Basic Music Library P-1384; Reader's Digest; ASV Living Era (E) CD
(Where Are You) Now That I Need You ( Frank Loesser ) master 4685-2D8
Capitol 57-719; AFRS Basic Music Library P-1384
September 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
Jealous Heart ( Jenny Lou Carson ) master 4973-2D
Capitol 57-759; AFRS Basic Music Library P-1471; ASV Living Era (E) CD
Blossoms On the Bough ( Sammy Gallop-Carl Sigman ) master 4974-2D2
Capitol 57-771; AFRS Basic Music Library P-1471
October 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
details unknown
AFRS “One Night Stand” 2162
November 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
Dancing with Tears in My Eyes ( Al Dubin-Joe Burke ) master 5283-1D
Capitol 925
December 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
details unknown
AFRS “One Night Stand” 2179
December 10, 1949
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
Makin’ Love Ukelele Style ( Charlie Hayes-Paul Weirick ) master D 46168
Here’s to Veterans 165
from this period?
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
The Farewell Waltz 2:43
Capitol Transcriptions B-437
Roll Pony 2:53
Capitol Transcriptions B-438
I’d Love to Live in Loveland
Capitol Transcriptions B-439
There’s No Getting Away From You
Capitol Transcriptions B-439
Hold Me ( Little Jack Little-Dave Oppenheim-Ira Schuster )
Capitol Transcriptions B-440
Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey with Kitty Thomas
Capitol Transcriptions B-465
(There’s Something Nice About Everyone But) There’s Everything Nice About You
Capitol Transcriptions B-465
Here Lies Love ( Leo Robin-Ralph Rainger )
Capitol Transcriptions B-466
Bob may also have participated on Capitol Transcriptions X-63 / X-64, which may have Garber’s theme and vocals (or possibly voice introductions or greetings) by Bob, Ernie Felice, etc.
February 1950
with Jan Garber and His Orchestra
I Don’t Want to Be Kissed master 5550-1D
Capitol 870
Wilhemina ( Mack Gordon-Josef Myrow ) with ensemble master 5551-1D
Capitol 870
Deep Night ( Rudy Vallee-Charlie Henderson ) master 5552-2D1
Capitol 925; Capitol 1666
from this period?
with Orchestra
I Didn’t Know What Time It Was ( Lorenz Hart-Richard Rodgers )
Capitol 37-652 [ 78 ]; Capitol 34-652 [ 45 ]
Isn’t It Romantic? ( Lorenz Hart-Richard Rodgers ) master 45-4460
Capitol 37-652 [ 78 ]; Capitol 34-652 [ 45 ]
Is it possible that the above recording is actually a dub of Bob’s Capitol Transcriptions recording?
