Solid!

Born

• August 2, 1915
• Newell, NC

Died

• October 31, 1972
• Parkersburg, WV

Theme Song

• The White Star of Sigma Nu

Johnny Long

• BIOGRAPHY
• FILMOGRAPHY

Johnny Long led one of the most musical sweet orchestras of the dance band era. A polite and subdued man, Long was well-liked by all who knew him. Though he never became a major celebrity his orchestra was popular among the hotel ballroom crowd. He was almost always describe as ''knocking on the door of success,'' and many wander if Long's easy-going attitude was what held him back, preventing him from finally opening that door.

Raised in rural North Carolina, Long studied violin as a child. After an accident at age seven resulted in injury to two fingers on his right hand he was forced to play his instrument left-handed for the rest of his life. He attended college at Duke University, where he led the Duke Collegians, which succeeded Les Brown's band as the university's top outfit in the mid-1930s. The orchestra remained together under Long's name after graduation.

Long's band performed in some of the best hotels in the country. Their music always pleased the public, though they lacked any real style of their own until the 1940s when pianist Junie Mays began writing some interesting arrangements. The group's vocalists were Bob Houston, Gene Williams, Helen Young, and Patti Dugan, though often the whole band sang and credits were simply listed as the ''Glee Club.'' Paul Harmon sang novelty numbers. Long's biggest hits were perhaps ''In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town'' and ''No Love, No Nothin'.'' The group recorded for Decca.

Long continued leading an orchestra until the 1960s, when he retired due to poor health. Post-war vocalists included Janet Brace, Tommy Morgan, Francie Laine, and the vocal group the Beachcombers. Later recordings were on the Forum, King, and Signature labels. Johnny Long spent his last years as an English teacher. He passed away in 1972.