Rudy Vallee

Going back before the Frank Sinatra era there were other famous singers that millions of people idolized. They were the "Pop" stars of the day.

Bing Crosby was a very popular singer (crooner) but before him there was a very famous "star" by the name of Rudy Vallee.  When you think of that era, (World War l and later) you think of dance marathons, megaphones, jitney dancing, flappers, prohibition, straw hats (boaters) and my favourite men's attire (on shoes) "spats."

Early pictures of Rudy Vallee have him singing through a megaphone.  This image is from an era a long time ago. The silent movies were winding down and electronics hadn't progressed far enough to bring us (or performers) microphones.

Back in the 50's (1950's) Rudy Vallee was booked at the Iroquois Hotel here in London.  Sam Assaf was the owner and booker for that Hotel and he had a keen understanding of what he thought would sell to the London audiences. 

Apparently he figured there would still be lot of people that would come to the club to see someone "famous" from that historical period. As it turned out his gamble on "nostalgia” turned out to be correct. Vallee was booked for 10 days and not the usual 7 days (one week) period.

Rudy Vallee had a reputation for being somewhat demanding. Perhaps a lot of entertainers from that period came across as being overly "picky". It certainly was the impression Vallee portrayed. I had my share of these "old-timers" and they could be difficult to work with.  Sophie Tucker comes to mind.  However, from that period there were some entertainers that were quite affable. Nelson Eddy was a real gentleman.

You might draw conclusions that some of these "artists" may have started believing their own press releases. A lot of them were really ego driven.  Some historians think Rudy Vallee was bigger (more popular) than Elvis Presley.  Somehow I rather doubt that. However, admittedly he was "big" in those days considering there was mostly radio and scratchy recordings..

Rudy Valle was a perfectionist for no other reason but to sustain his singing career as he thought the public should or would remember him.

He sent John Noubarian (band leader for the Iroquois Hotel) the music ahead of time. As I recall John's band members mentioned later, the music wasn't all that difficult from what you would expect. However, the singing style and phrasing of Vallee's was a bit unconventional. The word "awkward" comes to mind when it came to rubatos. It was tricky show only that you would never in your life have to follow a singer with this phrasing "style" ever again.  

Bob Rawling, drummer for Noubarian, told me that his music had all kinds of "BOLD" notations to further direct what should be played and more importantly how it should be played.  

For example. Bob says one chart had (in bold print), “YOU HAVE NEVER PLAYED THIS FAST IN YOUR LIFE."   The music turned out to be in "two" at break-neck speed. Yep, it was very fast.   Well, apparently these "overstated notations" did get the attention of the drummers and the other band members.. 

All manner of expletives were also used to describe the "dynamic" markings. Example : "HIT THAT %$#X CYMBAL" which meant FFFF.

The rehearsal turned out to be arduous to say the least.  However, you have to hand it to Sam Assaf the owner of the club. The place was packed for the entire ten day run. The largest attendance the Iroquois ever enjoyed for any performer. (A profitable booking indeed.)

Apparently Vallee had trouble (at least in his own mind) with musicians in how they played his music (which would explain his unusual markings in his charts) and he must have had trouble with club managers and owners as well. It seems he didn't trust anyone, or you might say, he didn't take things for granted.  Who knows?

As the crowd was leaving each night, here was Vallee tallying up the "gross" receipts in the cash register (which was near the exit door).  A strange sight indeed.

A percentage of the gross receipts (along with his performance fees) were stipulated in his contract. As far as Sam Assaf was concerned he was happy to have packed audiences every night regardless of these mannerisms of Vallee's. 

Looking back at that week, Rudy Vallee and his presentation were from a bygone era and nothing like it would ever return again.

By the way, Rudy Vallee's theme song was "My Time is Your Time" and it pretty well sums up his career and his attitude towards his public in general.  Or in his words, "#$@&# .. Don't waste my time."

You have to admit, he did get your attention.

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