Raymond Paige

Raymond Paige was a famous radio and studio conductor in the early days of Hollywood who was known for his lush orchestral pop sounds which later fueled the easy listening craze of the 1950's. Born in Wausau, Wisconsin 5/18/1900 (according to other sources Born May 18, 1894); died 8/6/1965 in Larchmont, New York. Paige began his career in his hometown of Wausau with a three and a half dollar fiddle that he bought from a peddler. He moved to California where he attended San Diego Junior College, later studied music at The American Conservatory in Chicago, Illinois. He went on to become director and orchestra leader at Grauman's Chinese Theater, The Hollywood Paramount Theater, The Los Angeles Symphony, The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Hollywood Bowl Symphony and the New York Radio City Music Hall. During his life, Paige was an avid yachtsman that competed in regattas on both the East and West Coasts. Paige made his radio debut in 1929 on KHJ-Los Angeles. The Raymond Paige Orchestra provided music for radio programs including Louella Parsons on CBS (1931); syndicated program, Chandu The Magician (1935); Hollywood Hotel on CBS (1934-1938); The Packard Hour on NBC (1937-1938); Ninety-Nine Men And A Girl on CBS (1939); Stage Door Canteen on CBS (1942-1945); The Edward Everett Horton Show on NBC (1945); Musicomedy on CBS (1948); The Silver Summer Revue on CBS (1948). Raymond Paige and His 100 Men of Melody provided music for Musical Americana on NBC-Radio (1940-1941). Conducted the National Youth Orchestra on Salute To Youth for NBC-Radio (1943- 1944). Music director for the Radio City Music Hall (1950-1965), where he worked with Will Irwin and producer Leon Leonidoff. Red-haired and of Welsh extraction, Mr. Paige was a showman on the podium, with a sense of humor and a taste for drink between shows. Known best for his work as a radio orchestra conductor, he did appear as himself in the 1938 movie musicals “Hollywood Hotel” and “Hawaii Calls.”