Bob Astor formed his orchestra in 1940. Limited to Southern California, the group never recorded and never had a regular radio program. Astor is best remembered for his songwriting ability and as being one of the first West Coast bands to hire African-American musicians. Astor alumni include Shelley Mann, Les Elgart, Neal Hefti, Illinois Jacquet, Zoot Sims and Tommy Allison. In his later years he became a disc jockey.