Larry Clinton, affectionately known as "The Old Dipsy Doodler", was a multi-talented musician who excelled as a trumpeter, trombonist, clarinetist, arranger, and composer. Born on August 17, 1909, in Brooklyn, New York, he went on to have a remarkable career, charting nearly 40 hit recordings, including the #1 hits "Cry, Baby, Cry" (1938),"My Reverie Heart and Soul" (1938),and "Deep Purple" (1939).
Clinton was responsible for some of the most enduring hits in the dance band repertoire. He led his own dance band from 1937 to 1941, recording 214 sides for RCA Victor and Bluebird. His compositions included "The Dipsy-Doodle", "Satan Takes A Holiday", "Study In Brown", and "Midnight In a Madhouse". Among his greatest hits were "Heart and Soul" and "My Reverie", which he borrowed from Claude Debussy's "Reverie".
Before forming his own band, Clinton was a top arranger, writing for the Dorsey Brothers, Jimmy Dorsey, the Casa Loma Orchestra, and Tommy Dorsey. He arranged for Bunny Berigan, Louis Armstrong, and Tommy Dorsey, with the latter scoring huge hits with Clinton's "Satan Takes a Holiday" and "The Dipsy Doodle".
Clinton's band, Larry Clinton and His Orchestra, was a popular attraction, featuring singer Bea Wain, considered one of the best vocalists of the era. The band's repertoire was well-performed, but lacked variety, relying heavily on Clinton's compositions, which were always lively and danceable.
Clinton was known for adapting melodies from the classical repertoire to create popular songs. He borrowed melodies from Debussy, Tchaikovsky, and other classical composers, which sometimes drew criticism for "desecrating" great music. Clinton responded that if his music encouraged people to dance, it was worth it.
After the war, Clinton continued to work in the music industry, recording for Cosmo Records and briefly touring. He eventually retired from the music business in 1961, living comfortably in Florida and later in Green Valley, Arizona. In his later years, he became a science fiction and humor writer.
Larry Clinton died on May 2, 1985, in Tucson, Arizona, leaving behind a legacy as a talented musician, composer, and arranger. He is a member of the National Academy of Music's Songwriter Hall of Fame.
