Ken Griffin
Encyclopedia
Kenneth W. "Ken" Griffin (December 28, 1909 – March 11, 1956) was an American organist
.
. His biggest hit was "You Can't Be True, Dear
" (1948), which was first released as an instrumental
, and later that year re-released with a vocal
by Jerry Wayne dubbed in. Both versions became popular, selling over 3.5 million copies. He also starred in a 1954-55 syndicated television series
, 67 Melody Lane. He recorded on a variety of record label
s including Columbia
and Rondo.
It was in the 1940s in Aurora
, Illinois
that Griffin broke into the nightclub
circuit, playing at the Rivoli Cafe nightly. The sessions at the Rivoli cafe were broadcast on the radio station
, WMRO
, and the program became popular. Griffin died on March 11, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 46, of a heart attack
and was buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora. Columbia
had many hours of Griffin's unreleased recordings on tape, and continued to release "new" recordings of Griffin's music for a number of years after his death.
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
.
Biography
Griffin was born in Columbia, MissouriColumbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
. His biggest hit was "You Can't Be True, Dear
You Can't Be True, Dear
"You Can't Be True, Dear" is a popular song.It was originally written as a German language song, "Du Kannst Nicht Treu Sein," by composer Hans Otten and lyricist Gerhard Ebeler...
" (1948), which was first released as an instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
, and later that year re-released with a vocal
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
by Jerry Wayne dubbed in. Both versions became popular, selling over 3.5 million copies. He also starred in a 1954-55 syndicated television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, 67 Melody Lane. He recorded on a variety of record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
s including Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
and Rondo.
It was in the 1940s in Aurora
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
that Griffin broke into the nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
circuit, playing at the Rivoli Cafe nightly. The sessions at the Rivoli cafe were broadcast on the radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
, WMRO
WMRO
WMRO is a radio station licensed to and serving Gallatin, Tennessee. The station is locally owned by Scott and Leslie Bailey of Classic Broadcasting, Inc...
, and the program became popular. Griffin died on March 11, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 46, of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
and was buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora. Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
had many hours of Griffin's unreleased recordings on tape, and continued to release "new" recordings of Griffin's music for a number of years after his death.
Partial discography
- Anniversary Songs Columbia 12" Lp CL-586/CS-8781*
- Skating Time Columbia 12" Lp CL-610 (Also available on 10" Lp)
- Lost In A Cloud Columbia 12" Lp CL-662
- The Music of Irving Berlin Columbia 10" Lp CL-6120
- Christmas Carols Columbia 10" Lp CL-6130
- Hawaiian Serenade Columbia 10" Lp CL-6206
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Columbia 10" Lp CL-6245
- Latin Americana Columbia 10" Lp CL-6263
- Cruising Down The River Columbia 12" Lp CL-761/CS-9042*
- Hymns Of America Columbia 10" Lp CL-6298
- You Can't Be True, Dear Columbia 12" Lp CL-907/CS-8790*
- Moonlight And Roses Columbia 12" Lp CL-1207/CS-8848*
- 67 Melody Lane Columbia 12" Lp CL-724
- Greatest Hits Columbia 12" Lp CL-2717/CS-9517*
- Sentimental Serenade Harmony (Columbia) 12" Lp HL-7384/HS-11184*
- Ken Griffin at the Wurlitzer Organ Philips 10" Lp B 07755 R*
- Great Organ Favorites Harmony/Columbia 12" LP H 31028
- At The Great Organ Rondo-lette 12" LP A30
- The Sparkling Touch Columbia 12" Lp CL 1709
- To Each His Own Columbia 12" Lp CL 1599
- On The Happy Side Columbia 12" Lp CL 1518
- Hawaiian Magic Columbia 12" Lp CL 1062
- Plays Romantic Waltzes Columbia 12" Lp CL 1365
- Love Letters In The Sand Columbia 12" Lp CL 1039
- Let's Have a Party (And Everybody Sing) Columbia 12" Lp CL 1127
- Ebb Tide Columbia 12" HS-11226
- The Fabulous Ken Griffin Harmony Columbia 12" HS 11184