Johnny Long

Johnny Long (September 12, 1914 (disputed) – October 31, 1972) was an American violinist and bandleader, known as "The Man Who's Long on Music".

Early life Johnny Long was born on September 12, 1914 (although this is disputed by many sources) in Newell, North Carolina to Curtis W. Long and Connie Gardner Long. At the age of six, while living on his parent's farm, he started practicing the violin, but injured two fingers on his left hand when he was bitten by one of their pigs. He then learned to use his right hand to play the violin, which became his distinctive playing style. During their second year, they were adopted as the official school band, playing at campus dances, athletic events, and student gatherings which laid the groundwork for Long's future career as a bandleader. In 1940, Long released the hit single, "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town", which was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. This song quickly became the band's signature tune. This song, and numerous other hits, made the band one of the most successful big bands in the country during the 1940s. Other popular covers included "My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time" and "Poor Butterfly".

As well as his career primarily as a conductor/bandleader, Long also starred in several motion pictures, mostly providing the orchestral accompaniment to songs such as Hit the Ice in 1943 and the 1941 short film Beauty and the Beach, where he performed five swing numbers such as "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" with vocals by Helen Young.

Personal life Long eventually settled in Bayside, a neighborhood in Queens, New York. In 1943, he married Patricia Power-Waters, a former Powers and Conover model. The couple had no children.

Death Long died from a heart attack on October 31, 1972 at the age of 58.