vital stats:
given name: Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III
birth: Mar. 2, 1917, Santiago, Cuba
death: Dec. 2, 1986, lung cancer
father: a physician and Mayor of Santiago, elected
to the Congress of the Republic of Cuba in 1932
mother: Dolores de Acha, daughter of one of the
founders of the Bacardi Rum Company
wife: Lucille Ball, m.1940, div.1960
wife: Edith Mack Hirsch, m. Mar. 2, 1963, d.1985
daughter: Lucie Desiree Arnaz Luckinbill, b.
July 17, 1951
son: Desi Arnaz, Jr., b.Jan. 19, 1953
education: Colegic de Dolores, Jesuit Prep School,
Santiago
memberships:
residences: 19700 Devonshire Blvd., Chatsworth,
CA; Beverly Hills, CA; Del Mar, CA
DESI ARNAZ:
"A Discography"
by Christopher Popa
He was many things, best-remembered for being the "I" in "I Love Lucy," a classic TV comedy. As the handsome Latino husband of all-American redhead Lucille Ball (both on and off-screen), he could be considered a 1950s role model. Funny and talented in front of the camera, he was recognized as a creative genius behind it. Serving as the producer - director for "I Love Lucy," he conceived the 3-camera filming setup, used for years afterwards as the industry standard. When he joined Lucy on TV in 1951, his band literally became America's most-watched. Ironically, within a few years, his success as President of Desilu Productions led him out of the music business.
The "I Love Lucy" theme song was composed by Eliot Daniel, as a favor to his old Coast Guard buddy, Jess Oppenheimer.
DESI ARNAZ:
including Desi Arnaz, choir (vo), Paul Weston (cond) Hollywood, January 30, 1953
There's a Brand New Baby (At Our House) vDA&choir
78: Col 39937; 45: Col 4-39937; CD: Columbia
CK 48507
I Love Lucy vDA&choir as above
"I LOVE LUCY":
Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance, William Frawley (vo)
Hollywood, April 3, 1953
Pass That Peace Pipe BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.59, "The Indian Show")
By the Waters of the Minnetonka vDA&LB
BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.59, "The Indian Show"); CD:
Columbia CK 48507
Hollywood, April 10, 1953
I Love Lucy vDA BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.60, "Lucy's Last Birthday")
Friends of the Friendless as above
Happy Birthday to You as above
Hollywood, May 15, 1953
Babalu vDA BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.65, "Ricky's Life Story")
Lady of Spain as above
The Loveliest Night of the Year vDA as above
Hollywood, September 17, 1953
Friendship vLB&VV BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.69, "Lucy and Ethel Buy
the Same Dress")
Vaya con Dios vDA as above
When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob Bobbin' Along
as above
Hollywood, October 1, 1953
In Acapulco vDA BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.71, "Baby Pictures"); CD:
Columbia CK 48507
Hollywood, October 15, 1953
Apache BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.73, "The French Revue")
Frere Jacques as above
Louise as above
Valentine as above
Hollywood, October 22, 1953
Lily of the Valley BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.74, Redecorating the Mertzes'
Apartment")
Hollywood, November 5, 1953
Granada vDA BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.76, "Changing the Boys'
Wardrobe")
Hollywood, November 12, 1953
Stomping At the Savoy BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.77, "Lucy Has Her Eyes
Examined")
There's No Business Like Show Business as above
The Varsity Drag vVV&WF as above
Hollywood, January 7, 1954
Vesti la Giubba BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.83, "Fan Magazine Interview")
Hollywood, January 28, 1954
I'm An Old Cowhand vLB&VV BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.86, "Home Movies")
Vaya con Dios vDA as above
Hollywood, February 11, 1954
medley: Honey / Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee / I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket vDA
BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.88, "Ricky's Hawaiian Vacation")
Cielito Lindo as above
Hawaiian War Chant as above
How Deep Is the Ocean as above
I Get the Blues When It Rains as above
King Kamehameha as above
La Cucaracha as above
Hollywood, March 11, 1954
Twelfth Street Rag [Lucy] BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.91, "Lucy's Club Dance")
Tennessee Ernie Ford (vo) Hollywood, April 1, 1954
She'll Be Comin' ' Round the Mountain BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.94, "Tennessee Ernie Visits")
Turkey in the Straw as above
Wabash Cannonball as above
Tennessee Ernie Ford (vo) Hollywood, April 8, 1954
Wabash Cannonball BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.95, "Tennessee Ernie Hangs On")
Y'All Come vTEF as above
Hollywood, June 24, 1954
Sweet Sue - Just You BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.101, "Mr. & Mrs. TV Show")
Hollywood, July 1, 1954
By the Beautiful Sea BDCT: CBS-TV (ep.102, "Mertz and Kurtz")
On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City as above
I Found a Peach On the Beach as above
I Want a Girl as above
Oh By Jingo as above
They Would Go Over Me as above
Arnaz arrived in the U.S. in 1934, and, during the next few years, he held several jobs, including as a birdcage cleaner, train-yard checker, taxi driver, truck driver, and bookeeper. Eventually, he was hired for $75 a week as a guitarist - singer with a 7-piece band at Miami's Roney Plaza hotel.
He was part of Xavier Cugat's orchestra in
1936-37, and made several transcriptions with him.
XAVIER CUGAT AND HIS ORCHESTRA:
including Desi Arnaz (vo)
New York City, October 1937
MS 015586 Cachita vDA
TS: Thes 542A; CD:
Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106
El Marimbulero vDA
as above
Alegre Conga vDA
as above
Piensa en Mi vDA
as above
MS 015887 Tabu vDA
TS: Thes 467A; CD:
Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106
"The time I spent with Cugat was better than going to school to learn the big-band business," he later commented.
In 1938, Arnaz formed his own dance orchestra, but gained more attention as an actor in "Too Many Girls," produced in 1939 as a Broadway show and then made into a movie by RKO the following year.
DESI ARNAZ AND HIS LA CONGA ORCHESTRA:
incl. Desi Arnaz (vo)
New York City, July 21, 1939
B24918 La Conga en Nueva York vDA 78: Col 35216; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105
B24919 Ah! Viene La Conga (There Comes the Conga) vDA
78: Col 35400; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105, Cocktail Hour
B24920 Vereda Tropical vDA 78: Col 35400; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105, Cocktail Hour
B24921 South American Way vDA 78: Col 35216; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105
B24922 Union Triste vDA 78: Col 35401; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105, Cocktail Hour
New York City, December 22, 1939
co26361 Congo Conga (Asuncion) vDA 78: Col 35402; CD Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105
co26362 Echa un Pie (Step Out) vDA 78: Col 35403; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105, Cocktail Hour
co26363 Pero Ahora Comprendo (But Now I Know) vDA
78: Col 35403; CD: Sony A 33105, Cocktail Hour
co26364 Africa Canta vDA 78: Col 35402; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105
New York City, February 19, 1940
co26532 Vira y Vira (Keep On Kicking) vDA 78: Col 35401; CD: Harlequin(E) HQ CD 106, Sony
A 33105, Cocktail Hour
Arnaz was a Staff Sargeant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 3 years, then resumed his bandleading career.
DESI ARNAZ AND HIS ORCHESTRA:
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Rudie Carl Adams, Igancio Barranco (tp), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Jose Garza Gutierrez (tb), Alphonso O. Sanchez (fl), Cecil K. Meadors, Julian Frank Johns, George William Wiedler (as), Jack Holmes Baker, Jack Echols (reeds), S. John Santulis, Ivan Eppinoff, Jacques E. Marx, Walt Edelstein, Al Galente, Ted Rosen (vio), Alexander Nieman, David H. Sterkin (viola), Cy Bernard (cello), Armando P. Loredo (p), Nick Escalanto (b), Mario Santos, Jesus Castillon, Charles Navarro (g), Ivan C. Lopez (maracas), L. Jose Betancourt (bg), Isabelo Ernest Marrero (d), Amanda Lane (vo)
Hollywood, CA, February 15, 1946
D6-VB-2032-1 Without You (Tres Palabras) vAL&DA
78: RCA Vic 20-2624, RCA Intl 25-1058; CD:
Cocktail Hour
D6-VB-2033-1 I'll Dream Some More (Palabras de Mujer) vDA&AL
UNISSUED
D6-VB-2033-2 I'll Dream Some More (Palabras de Mujer) vDA&AL
78: test pressing
D6-VB-2034-1 Cuban Pete vDA&AL 78: RCA Vic 20-2282, RCA Intl 25-1058; LP:
RCA Vic LPM-3096; 45: RCA Vic EPB-3096
(547-0046); CD: RCA 66031, RCA 66865, RCA
69936, Cocktail Hour
D6-VB-2035-1 Guadalajara vDA&trio 78: RCA Victor 20-1865, RCA Intl 25-1062; CD:
RCA 69936, Cocktail Hour
"COMMAND PERFORMANCE":
June Haver (m.c.), Larry Storch, Red Skelton, Pat McGeehan, Verna Felton, Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra (guests), Ken Carpenter (announcer) Hollywood, possibly March 14, 1946
Cuban Pete vDA BDCT: Program #215
Babalu vDA as above
"CUBAN PETE":
musical Hollywood, possibly from this period
DVD
Ciro's Hollywood, possibly from this period
Tabu vDA BDCT: CBS; CD: LaserLight 15 767
Chiu Chiu vDA&band as above
Begin the Beguine as above
Easy Street vAL as above
Cachita vDA as above
Good Night vDA as above
from other broadcast(s)
Speak Low BDCT; CD: LaserLight 15 767
Rico Pulpa BDCT; CD: LaserLight 15 767
The new Arnaz band performed at Ciro's in Hollywood, then began a tour of several movie theaters.
"The deal was that the theater would provide all the facilities and employees, plus a film," he later explained in his autobiography, titled, logically, A Book. "The band leader would provide the stage show and split 50-50 with the theater owner. Because the theater had to pay for the film that would be shown during the engagement, it always booked the cheapest ones it could find---such gems as Monogram's "Who Killed Tilly in the Mountains and the Valley?." My nut was in the neighborhood of five thousand dollars a week or more. Therefore, if it was a lousy week, I could lose money."
At its first movie palace, the Chicago Theater in Chicago, the band had a $65,000 week, and successful engagements followed at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee and the Orpheum Theater in Omaha.
"We broke Tommy Dorsey's record in Milwaukee and tied it in Omaha," Arnaz recalled.
Their tour led them to the Copacabana nightclub in New York City.
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Rudie Carl Adams, Igancio Barranco (tp), Arthur E. Foster (tb), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Alberto S. Estacis (fl), Miguel Rivera, Jack Holmes Baker, Vincent C. Ferrini, Herman "Hymie" Schertzer (as), J. Arthur "Art" Ralston (ts), Julius M. Held, Louis Horvath, Alexander Gores, Ernest Walker, Enrico Maurino, Alfred J. Rickey (vio), Isador Zir, Elias I. Lifschey (viola), Maurice Brown (cello), Marco A. Rizo (p), Nick Escalanto (b), Herman Bogert (g), Louis Ortiz (maracas), Louis R. Barreto (g), Jose Betancourt (bg), Isabelo Ernest Marrero (d), Tana (vo)
Studio #2, New York, NY, June 10, 1946
D6-VB-2033-3 I'll Dream Some More (Palabras de Mujer) vDA&T
78: RCA Victor 20-1865; CD: Cocktail Hour
D6-VB-2331-1 After Tonight vDA UNISSUED
D6-VB-2332-1 El Cumbanchero vDA&band 78: RCA Vic 20-2550; LP: RCA Vic Intl (Spain)
3L 10040; CD: RCA 66031, RCA 66865, Cocktail
Hour
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Rudie Carl Adams, Igancio Barranco (tp), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Ben Pickering (tb), Sol Sherman Kane, Vincent C. Ferrini, Jack Holmes Baker, Robert D. Burns, Miguel Rivera (reeds), Ernest Walker, Enrico Maurino, Louis Horvath, Victor R. Pariante, Harry Urbont, Alfred J. Rickey (vio), Victor Stern, Isador Zir (viola), Frederick Camelia (cello), Marco A. Rizo (p), Nick Escalanto (b), Pipin Betancourt (maracas), Francisco V. Pozo (bg), Louis Ortis (cg), Isabelo Ernest Marrero (d)
Studio #2, New York, NY, July 26, 1946
D6-VB-2035-2 Guadalajara vDA 78: possibly RCA Intl 25-1062; CD: RCA 66865
D6-VB-2332-2 El Cumbanchero vDA UNISSUED
D6-VB-2539-2 Tia Juana 78: RCA Victor 20-2020; LP: RCA Vic Intl (Spain)
3L 10040; CD: RCA 66031, RCA 69936, Cocktail
Hour
add Lucille Ball, Elsa Miranda (vo)
Studio #2, New York, NY, August 2, 1946
D6-VB-2587 Carnival in Rio [samba] vDA&LB 78: RCA Intl 25-1071; CD: RCA 66031, RCA 66865,
RCA 69936, Cocktail Hour
D6-VB-2588 I'll Never Love Again (La Borrachita) [bolero] vEM
78: RCA Vic 20-2020; CD: Cocktail Hour
D6-VB-2589 Carinoso [bolero] vEM 78: RCA Intl 25-2071; CD: RCA 66865
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Anthony Terran, Al Reje Nunez (tp), Jose Gutierrez (tb), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Ralph Elmer Brady, Joseph Miller, Jack Holmes Baker, Albert Raskin, Jack Mitchell (reeds), Sidney Harris, Charles B. Harris, Louis Horvath, Archie Leon, Alfred Rickey, Victor R. Parianto (vio), Harold R. Coletta, Nathan Nathanson (viola), Joseph Benavente (cello), Armando Loredo (p), Charles Navarro (g), Nick Escalanto (b), Isabelo Ernest Marreo (trap drums), Jane Harvey (vo)
Studio #2, New York, NY, October 18, 1946
D6-VB-3088-1 Through a Thousand Dreams vJH 78: RCA Vic 20-2094; CD: RCA 66865
D6-VB-3089-1 Mi Vida vJH 78: RCA Vic 20-2052; CD: RCA 69936, Cocktail
Hour
add Eduardo Abreu (maracas)
Studio #2, New York, NY, October 19, 1946
D6-VB-3090-1 Another Night Like This vJH 78: RCA Vic 20-2052; CD: RCA 66865
D6-VB-3091-1 A Rainy Night in Rio vJH 78: RCA Vic 20-2094; CD: RCA 66031, RCA 69936
D6-VB-3092-1 Tabu vDA 78: RCA Vic 20-2279; LP: RCA Vic LPM-3096;
45: RCA Vic EPB-3096 (547-0045); CD: RCA
66865
D6-VB-3093-1 Babalu vDA 78: RCA Vic 20-2280, RCA Vic 44-1003; LP: RCA
Vic LPM-3096; 45: RCA Vic EPB-3096 (547-0045);
CD: RCA 66031, RCA 66865, Cocktail Hour
In 1991, TV Guide observed the continuing popularity of "I Love Lucy," and asked, tongue-in-cheek, "What's Next? Babaloo [sic] on CD?"
I sent them a letter, which they printed in the Mar. 2-8 issue:
Lucille Ball's better half?
While I love Lucy, I also enjoy Desi Arnaz's comedic and musical talents. How delightful it is to watch Desi singing at the Tropicana Club. For me, that is the highlight of each I Love Lucy episode. So, to respond to your Jan. 26 "TV News Update" headline . . . the song "Babaloo" by Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra already is on CD ("Nipper's Greatest Hits: The 40s, Vol.2," RCA 9864-2-R).
Chris Popa
Alliance, Ohio
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Anthony Terran, Al Reje Nunez (tp), Jose Gutierrez (tb), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Ralph ElmerBrady, Joseph Miller, Jack Holmes Baker, Albert Raksin, Jack Mitchell (reeds), Albert Saparoff, Henry F. Jaworski, Victor Arno, Charles Edward Harris, Archie Leon, Waldemar H. Roth, Harold Schneier (vio), George Sandell, David H. Sterkin (viola), Rene Touzet (p), Charles Navarro (g), Nick Escalanto (b), Isabelo Ernest Marrero, Jose Betacourt, Ralph Angel Felices, Ivan C. Lopes (d)
Hollywood, CA, January 6, 1947
D7-VB-417-1 Brazil (Aquarelo do Brasil) 78: RCA Vic 20-2280; LP: RCA Vic LPM-3096; 45:
RCA Vic EPB-3096 (547-0045); CD: RCA 66031,
RCA 69936
D7-VB-418-1 La Cumparsita 78: RCA Vic 20-2279; LP: RCA Vic LPM-3096, RCA
Vic Intl (Spain) 3L 10040; 45: RCA Vic EPB-3096
(547-0045); CD: Cocktail Hour
D7-VB-419-1 Tico Tico featuring Rene Touzet, piano 78: RCA Vic 20-2281; LP: RCA Vic LPM-3096; 45:
RCA Vic EPB-3096 (547-0046); CD: RCA 66865,
RCA 69936, Cocktail Hour
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Anthony Terran, Al Reje Nunez (tp), Jose Gutierrez (tb), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Ralph Elmer Brady, Joseph Miller, Jack Holmes Baker, Albert Raksin, Jack Mitchell (reeds), Daniel Lube, Henry F. Jaworski, Victor Arno, Charles Edward Harris, Archie Leon, Joseph Quadri, Nicholas Pisani, Erno Neufeld, Walter Edelstein (vio), C.R. Menhennick, Allan Harshman (viola), Irving Lipschultz, Fred F. Goerne (cello), Rene Touzet, Marco A. Rizo (p), Charles Navarro (g), Nick Escalante (b), Isabelo Ernest Marrero, Jose Betacourt (d)
Hollywood, CA, January 20, 1947
D7-VB-420-1 Siboney 78: RCA Vic 20-2282, RCA Vic 20-2624; LP: RCA
Vic Intl (Spain) 3L 10040; CD: RCA 66031, RCA
66865, Cocktail Hour
D7-VB-421-1 The Peanut Vendor CD: RCA 66031
D7-VB-422-1 Green Eyes (Aquellos Ojos Verdes) 78: RCA Vic 20-2282; LP: RCA Vic LPM-3096, RCA
Vic Intl (Spain) 3L 10040; 45: EPB-3096 (547-0046);
CD: Cocktail Hour
D7-VB-426-1 The Peanut Vendor [:25 edited from start]
78: RCA Vic 20-2281; LP: RCA Vic LPM-3096; 45:
EPB-3096 (547-0046); CD: RCA 69936, Cocktail
Hour
"THE PEPSODENT SHOW":
Bob Hope (star), Robert Montgomery, Ken Murray (guest stars), Beryl Davis, Barbara Jo Allen, Jerry Colonna, Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra (cast) Hollywood, February 11, 1947
BDCT: NBC program #170
DESI ARNAZ AND HIS ORCHESTRA:
Desi Arnaz (vo) directing: Robert H. Jones, Anthony Terran, Al Reje Nunez (tp), Jose Gutierrez (tb), John Frederick Pickering (tb/arr), Ralph Elmer Brady, Joseph Miller, Jack Holmes Baker, Jack Mitchell, Roger E. Haller (reeds), Daniel Lube, Gene Egisto Monari, Victor Arno, Charles Edward Harris, David Frisina, Joscha Seidel, Erno Neufeld, Mark Levant (vio), C.R. Menhennick, Louis Kievman (viola), Irving Lipschultz, Robert H. Sevely (cello), Rene Touzet, Marco A. Rizo (p), Charles Navarro (g), Jake Garcia (b), Isabelo Ernest Marrero, Jose Betacourt, Ralph Angel Felices (d), Carol Richards (vo)
Hollywood, CA, April 30, 1947
D7-VB-417-2 Brazil vDA UNISSUED
D7-VB-417-3 Brazil vDA UNISSUED
D7-VB-417-4 Brazil vDA UNISSUED
D7-VB-528-1 I Love to Dance vCR 78: RCA Vic 20-2499
D7-VB-529-1 Made for Each Other (Tu Felicidad) vDA
78: RCA Vic 20-2550; CD: RCA 66865, Cocktail
Hour
D7-VB-530-1 Un Poquito de Amor vDA 78: RCA Vic 20-2499
D7-VB-531-1 I'll Take the Rhumba vDA CD: RCA 66865
D7-VB-532-1 Good Night vDA CD: RCA 66865
D7-VB-533-1 I Come From New York (Yo Vengo da Nuevo York)
CD: RCA 66031, RCA 69936
The Arnaz band completed its final Bob Hope show on June 10, 1947. It then resumed touring, beginning with the Midwest Summer Music Festival in Omaha on June 12. Other stops on their itinerary included the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, and the Palace Hotel in San Francisco for 12 weeks. From the latter, the band was heard on frequent radio broadcasts.
"It was very important for an orchestra to have that in those days," Arnaz recalled. "It kept you in front of the public and it helped your record sales."
Carole Richards worked with the band as the "American" singer, while Dulcina sang the Latin songs.
"The orchestra was booked in every darn theater in the country, with split weeks or one-nighters in between," Arnaz reminisced. "We played Oakland after the Palace, then Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Omaha, Chicago again and the Paramount Theatre in New York."
After playing in Madison, Wisconsin, the band was to perform in Akron, Ohio. En route, on U.S. Highway 20, just outside Rolling Prairie, Indiana, the bus driver fell asleep and the vehicle collided with a truck. Ten members of the band were injured, and it looked like their Akron job would have to be canceled.
"I was just about to give up when I got a call from General Artists Corporation in New York, telling me that Tommy [Dorsey] had heard about the accident and was sending me two Dorsey trombone players, Duke Ellington was sending a couple of his saxophone players, and Cugat was sending a maracca player," he stated.
ENRIC MADRIGUERA AND HIS ORCHESTRA:
featuring Desi Arnaz (vo)
New York, NY, November 7, 1947
74136 Xochimilco UNISSUED
74137 Maria From Bahia UNISSUED
74138 El Cumbanchero 78: Decca 24878 (A-873); LP: Decca DL-5350; 45:
Decca 9-24878 (9-257)
74139 Jenguila, Jongoio UNISSUED
DESI ARNAZ AND HIS ORCHESTRA:
Rose Room, Palace Hotel, San Francisco, CA,
December 6, 1947
Un Poquito de Amor vDA BDCT: CBS