Les Brown & His Band of Renown

Biography

Lester Raymond Brown (March 14, 1912 – January 4, 2001), born in Reinerton, Pennsylvania (also noted as Tower City), began playing saxophone at an early age and made his professional debut in a band while young. By age 14, he won a musical scholarship to the New York Military Academy, where he led the dance band and glee club, graduating in 1932. He attended Duke University from 1932 to 1936, leading the Duke Blue Devils dance band, which recorded for Decca and toured extensively along the East Coast in 1936. After the tour, Brown relocated to New York and formed his own band in 1938, which evolved into Les Brown and His Band of Renown, a big band specializing in swing music that endured for nearly seven decades.[1][2][3][4][6]

The band's breakthrough came in 1945 with the hit 'Sentimental Journey,' co-composed by Brown and featuring vocalist Doris Day, which became an unofficial homecoming anthem for WWII veterans. They achieved nine number-one hits, including 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.' From 1947, the band served as Bob Hope's regular accompaniment for nearly 50 years across radio, stage, TV, and 18 USO tours worldwide, entertaining over three million troops. They also acted as house band for shows like The Steve Allen Show and The Dean Martin Show (1961–1969), adapting through the decline of big bands in the 1960s.[1][2][4][5]

Brown's legacy includes composing, arranging, and leading one of the longest-running big bands, influencing the swing era's persistence. His son, Les Brown Jr., took over full-time leadership in 2001, continuing performances globally, including in Branson, Missouri. Brown was involved in founding the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), serving as president of its L.A. chapter and enabling the first televised Grammy Awards.[1][4][5]

Fun Facts

• The band's 1945 hit 'Sentimental Journey' with Doris Day coincided with WWII's end in Europe, serving as an unofficial homecoming theme for veterans.[1][2]
• Longtime trombonist Stumpy Brown, hired on his father's advice in 1943, performed with the band for over 60 years and co-developed the 'Dance of Renown' act with Butch Stone.[2]
• Les Brown enabled the first televised Grammy Awards through his role as NARAS L.A. chapter president.[5]
• Tony Bennett made his first public performance with the band, introduced by Bob Hope.[1][4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Patrick Conway - Teacher at Conway Military Band School (Studied band leadership and music) [1926-1929]

Key Collaborators

• Doris Day - Vocalist on major hits ('Sentimental Journey') [1945]
• Bob Hope - Regular performer on radio, TV, stage, and USO tours (Bob Hope specials, 18 USO tours) [1947-1990s]
• Stumpy Brown - Longtime trombonist and performer in Dance of Renown act with Butch Stone (Band performances from first recording) [1943-2000s]
• Butch Stone - Baritone saxophonist partnering in Dance of Renown (Band features until 1990s) [1943-1990s]
• Tony Bennett - First public performance with the band via Bob Hope (Early career debut) [1940s]

Artists Influenced

• Les Brown Jr. - Son who became full-time band leader and continued legacy (Band of Renown performances, national radio show) [2001-present]

External Links

• Spotify