Bob Bachelder

Robert E. "Bob" Bachelder (May 15, 1925 – May 5, 2015) was an American orchestra leader and educator. He learned to play several instruments, primarily drums then piano, and started a band as a serviceman during World War II. In 1953 while in college his band had a national hit with "TV Rhumba". His band became the house band of the Totem Pole Ballroom, Boston's premier dancing location, in 1955, and remained there until the venue closed in 1964. While leading the band, Bob pursued studies in education and held several teaching and educational administrative positions, including as Assistant Superintendent of Melrose Public Schools. He re-formed his big band in 1989 and continued on a part-time basis for several years, including events televised in the Boston area.

Early life and education Robert E. Bachelder was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on May 15, 1925. His father, Frank Bachelder, was a United States Secret Service agent who had played drums previously. He attended Malden Catholic High School, but left at age 17 to join the Army Air Force as a pilot during World War II.

Career Upon returning home from military service Bachelder became a professional musician, switching his primary instrument from drums to piano. He studied elementary education and music education at Lowell State College, graduating in 1954, and then commenced his educational career as a music teacher at Newton Public Schools. This band played at public concerts, private events, and provided live background music at WGBH-TV's fundraising broadcast. Although retired from administration, he continued his educational activities, teaching at Salem State College. The record was produced by Norm Prescott as a favor to Bachelder, who was experiencing financial challenges while in college. Billboard gave favorable reviews to the side, which consisted of television show themes and commercial jingles. It was also assumed that some stations would not promote the record because it contained themes from shows in competition to their own programming.

Shows and advertisements included in the medley: In addition to this record, Bachelder made several pseudonymous recordings on various budget albums, with titles such as "A Tribute to Glenn Miller".

Personal life Bob Bachelder was married twice. His first wife was Geraldine Reid of Medford Massachusetts. He met his second wife, Elaine Pray, a kindergarten teacher, while an administrator of the school district. He had two daughters and one son.

He suffered a heart attack and developed pneumonia, the complications from which led to his death on May 5, 2015, at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center.