Vincent Lopez

Vincent Lopez (December 30, 1895 – September 20, 1975) was an American bandleader, actor, and pianist. and was leading his own dance band in New York City by 1916. He became one of North America's most popular bandleaders, and would retain that status through the 1940s. Vincent Lopez died at the Villa Maria nursing home in North Miami, Florida, on September 20, 1975.

Business interests Lopez saw jazz and bandleading as a big business opportunity. Like rival Paul Whiteman had done a few years earlier with his United Orchestras, Inc, in 1924 he created the company Vincent Lopez, Inc, with a stated goal of starting jazz orchestras and schools in major North American cities, and managing copyrights. By 1926 the endeavor became insolvent, and to avoid bankruptcy Lopez, Inc went into partnership with Eugene Geiger's Eldorado Finance Co.

In 1927, he partnered with other major bandleaders Paul Whiteman, Ben Bernie, George Olson, Roger Kahn, Fred Rich, B. A. Rolfe, and Ernie Golden to launch the trade union National Association of Orchestra Leaders. They hired Julian T. Abeles at an annual salary of $25,000; his stated goal was to stop competition among their orchestras for musicians, contracts, and bookings. In practice this was a labor cartel, and the NAOL's efforts and lawsuits on behalf of orchestra leaders and owners continued into the 21st century.

Big band / swing-era music Early In The Morning, recorded by Vincent Lopez on Columbia Records, lyrics and music by Gloria Parker Here Comes That Mood, recorded by Vincent Lopez, music and lyrics by Gloria Parker In Santiago by the Sea, recorded by Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra, music and lyrics by Gloria Parker I Learned To Rumba''', recorded by Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra, music and lyrics by Gloria Parker My Dream Christmas, recorded by Vincent Lopez, lyrics and music by Gloria Parker Shake The Maracas, name of a radio program on WABC hosted by Vincent Lopez and Gloria Parker, lyrics and music by Gloria Parker When Our Country Was Born, recorded by Vincent Lopez, lyrics and music by Gloria Parker Song of the Flame in March 1926, on OKeh record 40586. Blue Skies, Recorded by Vincent Lopez in 1927 Since I found you, Recorded by Vincent Lopez in 1927

See alsoThe Vincent Lopez Show (1949-1957 TV show)Dinner Date'' (1950 TV show broadcast from the Hotel Taft)