Solid!

Born

• July 31, 1894
• Newaygo, MI

Died

• January 16, 1974
• Vista, CA

Real Name

• Roy Frederick Bargy

Roy Bargy

• BIOGRAPHY
• FILMOGRAPHY

Born in Newaygo, Michigan, Roy Bargy grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and began studying piano at age five. He had hopes of becoming a concert pianist but couldn't afford to study in Europe, which was required in his era in order to be taken seriously by the classical music establishment. Instead, he began to hang around the local jazz scene and soon found jobs playing piano and organ in movie houses. He also organized his own orchestra, which played for school dances.

In 1919 Bargy moved to Chicago and was hired by the Imperial Player Rolls company, where he recorded novelties and arranged popular songs. Imperial manager Charley Straight introduced Bargy to booking agent, Edgar Benson, who had just formed a dance orchestra which was slated to record for Victor. Benson was impressed by Bargy's talent and hired him as pianist and musical director. The Benson Orchestra proved to be rather progressive for its era, with Bargy due much of the credit.

After a falling out with Benson, Bargy left to form his own orchestra, taking many members of the group with him. It disbanded after only a few years, and he joined Isham Jones. In 1928 he went to work for Paul Whiteman's orchestra, where he remained for twelve years and become Whiteman's assistant. Bargy's piano was the featured attraction in Whiteman's famous debut of Gershwin's ''Rhapsody in Blue.''

After leaving Whiteman, Bargy led studio orchestras for Lanny Ross, Xavier Cugat, and Gerry Moore before being hired as musical director on Jimmy Durante's radio program in 1943. Bargy remained with Durante for twenty years, both men retiring from show business in 1963. Roy Bargy passed away in 1974.