Kenny Gardner

Kenneth A. Gardner (March 20, 1913 – July 26, 2002)[1] was an American singer for Guy Lombardo's band the Royal Canadians.

Kenny Gardner
Born
Kenneth A. Gardner

(1913-03-20)March 20, 1913[1]
Lake View, Iowa, U.S.
DiedJuly 26, 2002(2002-07-26) (aged 89)
Manhasset, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Known forSinger in Guy Lombardo's band

Early years

Kenneth A. Gardner was born on March 20, 1913, in Lake View, Iowa, the eldest son of Norman and May Chambers Gardner. He had two younger brothers, Robert and Edward. During his teens, Kenny went to Neligh, Nebraska, to live with an aunt and uncle. He attended Creighton University and had part-time jobs at a movie theater and a mortuary. He later moved to California and attended San Diego State College, where he studied engineering.[2]

Career

Gardner was singing on radio as early as 1936, when he was among those appearing on an episode of California Hour.[3] In 1946–47, he was the male singer on Easy Does It, a quarter-hour daily daytime variety program on the Mutual Broadcasting System.[4] In 1941, he voiced the role of "Dick" in the animated comedy film, Mr. Bug Goes to Town. He also sang "Where Do We Go From Here" in the film, which was written by Percy Wenrich.

Gardner joined the Royal Canadians in 1940 and would sing such signature Lombardo tunes as "Frankie and Johnny" and "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later than You Think)" in the smooth but lively and cheerful manner that Lombardo required. According to Gardner, Lombardo once stopped him from taking music lessons because it was "changing the style of the band".[1] He took time out from the band to serve in World War II, where he was wounded and earned two Purple Hearts.[2] After retiring in 1978, a year after Guy Lombardo died, Gardner became more involved in local activities in the Plandome, New York, area.

Personal life

Gardner married Elaine Lombardo, Guy's sister, in 1942.[2][5] Gardner died from a heart attack on July 26, 2002, at his residence in Manhasset, New York, following an appendectomy.[1][6]

See also

References
  1. Goldman, Ari L. (2002-07-31). "Kenny Gardner, 89, Guy Lombardo's Crooner". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  2. "Kenny Gardner". Des Moines Register News Datacentral. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  3. "Matzenauer Is Heard Tonight in Blues Songs". California, Oakland. Oakland Tribune. April 20, 1936. p. 24. Retrieved February 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4, pg. 106.
  5. Roberts, Joe (December 28, 1977). "Lombardo: old acquaintance not forgotten". California, Van Nuys. Valley News. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Oliver, Myrna (2002-08-02). "Kenneth Gardner, 89; Sang With Guy Lombardo's Band". LA Times. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
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