Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians at Crystal Gardens – May 1926

Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians! There's a name that my older readers will never forget. For decades, the sound of Guy Lombardo and his orchestra playing Auld Lang Syne was an essential part of celebrating the arrival of the New Year at midnight. I still get choked up when I hear a recording of it, as it conjures up a flood of memories.

But did you know that Guy Lombardo was born in London, Ontario? Thus he really was Canadian. And with Ontario so close to Ohio, it's not too surprising that when his orchestra first started touring in the States (in the early 1920s), they headed to Cleveland. They were so popular that they ended up with a steady gig and stayed there for several years, building up a strong, loyal following in the area.

By 1926, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians were already well-known recording stars and radio performers, in addition to being a touring musical group. So the appearance of the group in May 1926  at Crystal Gardens, the dance hall at Crystal Beach in Vermilion, was a big deal.

Here are the ads and article from the Lorain Journal leading up to the event on May 10, 1926.

May 5, 1926

May 6, 1926

May 7, 1926

May 7, 1926

May 8, 1926

May 10, 1926

Two-page spread from May 10, 1926

May 10 ,1926

May 10 1926

May 11, 1926

If you like Big Band music like me (remember, I played in one in the 1980s and 90s), then you might enjoy this YouTube video of a 1955 TV appearance of Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians. It's nice that the various members of the orchestra are all highlighted and get some camera time.