Harry Owens

Harry Robert Owens (18 April 1902 – 12 December 1986) was an American composer, bandleader and songwriter best known for his song "Sweet Leilani".

Biography

Harry Robert Owens was born April 18, 1902, in O'Neill, Nebraska. He learned to play the cornet in a small band on an Indian reservation in Montana.

Early years

Owens was working the vaudeville circuit by age 14. He studied for a career in law, but then started a band in 1926, when he was booked into the Lafayette Cafe in Los Angeles and auditioned a young Bing Crosby.

Hawaii

The big turning point in his career came in 1934 with his arrival in Hawaii and his appointment as music director In 1934, Owens wrote "Sweet Leilani" to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and made it the signature song of his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. While vacationing in Honolulu with his wife Dixie Lee, Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movie Waikiki Wedding. Harry was hesitant, but Bing convinced him. Producer Arthur Hornblow, Jr. was a hard sell. Hornblow dug in his heels that the song would not be used in the movie. Crosby retreated to the golf course and refused to return until Hornblow agreed to include the song in the film. "Sweet Leilani" won Best Song category at the 1938 10th Academy Awards, and became Crosby's first gold record. for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.

Discography

Albums

Hawaii, 1945, Capitol A-4, BD-4, H-166, H-238 Songs of Hawaii, 1945, Capitol A-6, Voice Of The Trade Winds, 1952, Capitol H-333 Polynesian Holiday, 1957, Capitol T 804 Great Songs of Hawaii, 1965, Hamilton HLP-141, HLP-12141