HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Russ Columbo

Born Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolpho Colombo on 14 January 1908 in Camden, New Jersey, actor and vocalist, Russ Columbo, had for a brief time been a crooning baritone rival to Bing Crosby. Playing violin professionally at age thirteen (age 9 per All Music), Columbo quit high school at age seventeen to tour with bands and perform in nightclubs. Sometime in 1927 he replaced an ill vocalist for a CNS radio broadcast from the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood, that leading to joining Gus Arnheim's orchestra as both a violinist and vocalist in 1928. Going by copyrights and revues in 'The First Hollywood Sound Shorts 1926-1931' by Edwin Bradley, Columbo appeared with both Arnheim's Cocoanut Grove Orchestra (CGO) and Arnheim's Ambassadors in the Vitaphone shorts 2484 (© Jan '28) and 2485 (© July '28) in time for summer reviews. Bradley has Vitaphone 2136 with Arnheim's Ambassador Hotel Orchestra copyrighted in February of 1929. As both IMDb and Picking appear to have that released in 1927, and data gets murky, it's needful to leave Columbo's three Vitaphones with Arnheim at that, before I electrocute myself.

Columbo moved on to film as an uncredited performer in 'Street Girl' and 'Dynamite' in 1929. His first recordings, though, had been in 1928 with backing by Arnheim's CGO. DAHR traces sessions to as early as 12 April in Los Angeles for 'I Can't Do Without You' (OKeh 41057) and 'If I Can't Have You' (OKeh 41037). The latter was issued opposite to 'Back in Your Own Backyard' recorded two days later. Parlophone handled releases in the UK.

'‎Back in Your Own Back Yard' Russ Columbo

Backed by Gus Arnheim's Cocoanut Grove Orchestra

Recorded 14 April 1928 in Los Angeles Matrix W400584 OKeh 41037

Composition: Billy Rose / Dave Dreyer / Al Jolson

January 10 of 1929 saw 'Everytime You Smile' (OKeh 41207) go down with 'Avalon Town' (OKeh 41174) followed the next day by 'My Inspiration Is You' (OKeh 41207) and 'The Song I Love' (OKeh 41203). Come 'Glad Rag Doll' (OKeh 41208) on the 17th tailed on the 24th by 'A Love Tale of Alsace Lorraine' (OKeh 41203) and 'I'll Get By' (OKeh 41174). Arnheim backed Columbo once more, this time toward Victor 22546 on 29 May 1930 per 'A Peach of a Pair'.

'‎Love Take My Heart' Russ Columbo

For dubbing by Gary Cooper in the film 'Wolf Song' released 30 March 1939

Guitar / vocal: Lupe Vélez

Composition: Arthur J. Lamb / A. Teres

About the time that Columbo and Arnheim parted, the former opened a place complete with a band called the Club Pyramid in Hollywood. That was a brief venture before crossing to the other coast to work for NBC radio in New York City where he began his solo career with Victor. DAHR traces sessions to as early as 3 September 1931 toward 'I Don't Know Why' / 'Guilty' (Victor 22801) and 'You Call It Madness' released on Victor 22802 with 'Sweet and Lovely' recorded on the 9th.

Music VF places Columbo at the #5 tier of popularity charts for 'You Call It Madness' in 1931 along with 'Good Night, Sweetheart' at #3. 'As You Desire Me' in 1932 was among Columbo's numerous high-selling issues. Columbo's major concern in 1933 would appear to have been his relationship with actress, Carole Lombard.

'‎You Call It Madness' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Nathaniel Shilkret

3 Sep 1931 in NYC Matrix BRC-70212 Victor 22802 / Bluebird B-6503

Composition: Russ Columbo / Con Conrad / Gladys du Bois / Paul Gregory

'‎Goodnight Sweetheart' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Nathaniel Shilkret

9 Oct 1931 in NYC Matrix BRC-70282 Victor 22826

Composition: Jimmy Campbell / Ray Noble / Reg Connelly

'‎Prisoner of Love' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Nathaniel Shilkret

9 Oct 1931 in NYC Matrix BRC-70283 Victor 22826

Music: Russ Columbo / Clarence Gaskill Lyrics: Leo Robin

'‎Save the Last Dance for Me' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Nathaniel Shilkret

29 Dec 1931 in NYC Matrix BRC-71207 Victor 22903

Music: Frank Magine Lyrics: Walter Hirsch

'‎All of Me' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Nathaniel Shilkret

29 Dec 1931 in NYC Matrix BRC-71208 Victor 22903 / Bluebird B-10859

Composition: Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons

'‎Just Friends' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Nathaniel Shilkret

12 Jan 1932 in NYC Matrix BRC-71218 Victor 22909

Composition: John Klemmer / San Lewis

'‎Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear' Russ Columbo w orchestra led by Leonard W. Joy

6 April 1932 in NYC Matrix BRC-72243 Victor 22976 / 27637

Composition: Milton Ager / Al Goodhart / Al Hoffman / Eric Nelson

'‎As You Desire Me' Russ Columbo and His Orchestra

3 Aug 1932 in NYC Matrix BSHQ-73149 Victor 24076 / Gramophone B-6265

Composition: Allie Wrubel

'‎My Love' Russ Columbo Film

From the film 'That Goes Double' released 29 July 1933

See also Victor 24077 recorded 3 Aug 1932 by Russ Columbo and His Orchestra

Composition: Russ Columbo

Russ Columbo w Carol Lombard

Russ Columbo w early film actress Carol Lombard 1933/34

Source: WGCU

Columbo's place in the national spotlight was brief. It was only 31 August of 1934 when he made his last recordings in the film, 'Wake Up and Dream': 'Let's Pretend There's a Moon' / 'When You're in Love' (Brunswick 6972), 'Too Beautiful for Words' (Brunswick 7311) and "I See Two Lovers'. He didn't live to hear their releases, nor see the film in October, as two days after recording them he died on September 2nd, being accidentally shot in the head in Los Angeles by a friend, portrait photographer, Lansing Brown, who was fiddling with a loaded antique pistol that Brown used as a desk ornament.