Big Bands Past

 

Lionel Thornton & The Casa Royal Orchestra

 The Casa Royal Orchestra was originally formed in Strathroy in the 1930s and it was in 1942 that Lionel Thornton joined them. At that time he was vocalist and playing bass with the Benny Palmer band in St Thomas, but when the band dissolved he moved over to the Casa Royal Orchestra and became leader in 1943.

During the remaining WW2 years they played as summer house band at the Goderich Pavilion, and in the post war years played in all the major ballrooms in the London area and SW Ontario including the Stork Club, Port Stanley, Stratford Casino, Woodstock's Southside Ballroom, Rondeau Park Pavilion, Grand Bend, Wonderland Gardens and Port Dover. For 26 years they played the London Hunt Club New years Eve Ball and had repeat engagements at Sunningdale and IODE Balls. They also became a regular at Wonderland Gardens.

But as the years rolled by it became clear that there was a declining interest in the big band sound and ballroom dancing. When Lionel eventually retired in 1982, the Casa Royal Orchestra members also retired or took up with other groups.

Audio Clips

Recorded 1942 - Benny Palmer Orchestra with Vocals by Lionel Thornton

          1  Lets Dream

Recorded 1951- Vocalist Neil Harrington

         1  Honest And Truly

         2  Medley ( Harbour Lights, Hawaiin Paradise, Dream A Little Dream.)

CFPL live broadcast from Wonderland Gardens, London. (approx 25 mins.)

Click loudspeaker icon to play

Recorded at CFPL Studios, London, 1975

1. Medley - If Ever, Climb Every Mountain, Sound Of Music.
2. Dear Heart
3. All I Do Is Think Of You
4. Red Roses
5. Third Man Theme
6. Boy From Ipanema
7. Cha Cha For Judy
8. Medley - Pretty Girl, Marie, Lovely Day
9. More
10. Taste Of Honey
11. Babe
12. All The Way
13. Little Things Mean A Lot
14. Mame
15. Medley - What A Day, Sugar Town
16. Yellow Bird
17. Shadow Of Your Smile
18. Bye Bye Blue
19. What Now My love

 

Photographs

Personnel: Jim Davey - Trombone
                      Bill Davies, Dave Bentley - Trumpets
                      Frank Serratore, George Walker, Russ Lansing, Phil Sparling - Saxes
                      Lionel Thornton - Bass, Bill Sutton - Drums, Roy Allison, Marilyn Thomas - Vocals

Slideshow

Click here to view slideshow of Lionel Thornton Orchestras