Dick Stabile

Biography

Extrovert saxophonist and bandleader, who started performing in theatre bands from the age of 15. Beginning in 1926, Stabile worked for a decade as a sideman with the orchestras of George Olsen and Ben Bernie, before forming his own dance band in New York, in April 1936. Introduced by his own composition, "Blue Nocturne", Stabile enjoyed a lengthy engagement at the Lincoln Hotel in New York, before going on an extended tour of ballrooms and hotels across the United States. At this time, he featured a predominant reed sextet and several good musicians, including composer/arranger Chauncey Gray, as well as vocalists Paula Kelly and Gracie Barrie. The latter wound up to become Mrs. Stabile and fronted the orchestra, when her husband was called up for military service in the Coast Guard in 1942. After World War II, Stabile based himself on the West Coast and led his band for eight years at Ciro's Le Disc in West Hollywood. He also worked for nine years as arranger and musical director on The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950), featuring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, occasionally appearing in the duo's films at Paramount. Stabile remained active as a bandleader well into the 1970's, with engagements in Las Vegas, at the Cocoanut Grove and (leading the orchestra-in-residence) at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. In addition to his theme song, Stabile composed several other popular tunes, such as "Cloudburst", "Raindrops on the River" and "That's How I Need You". During it's heyday, his band had lucrative recording contracts with Decca, Bluebird, Victor and Vocalion. At one time, Dick Stabile was also featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" for his ability to blow the highest note possible on the saxophone.