Customer Reviews

Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians (Music in American Life)

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This book is a facinating read about the famous choral conductor and his Pennsylvanians, during the early days of radio, television and film. Many amusing and interesting anectdotes punctuate the book throughout. Written by his wife, so it is a rather one-sided (positive) view of the man who many saw as a cold task master....but in whom no one could argue with the fine product he produced. This man truly "taught America how to sing".

Over the last 8 years, we have purchased numerous books about Fred Waring. Our favorite is Virginia's book, which offers many wonderful photographs and information about the village of Shawnee on Delaware, Pa. We own their home in Shawnee on Delaware and run it as a Bed and Breakfast. Each of the guest rooms at The Gatehouse Country Inn BnB hosts one of Virginia's books so our guests can read about the man, his life and his music. Fred Waring was a "star" and he turned this tiny village situated on The Delaware River into a mecca for movie stars, political figures, golf professionals, musicians and singers. This is your opportunity to read about it.

This account can't help but be a little one-sided, but on the other hand who more than Virginia Waring could give us the glimpses of Fred Waring "unplugged"? I studied under a former Pennsylvanian, and was fascinated to see his stories come alive, especially in reference to the Chesterfield Hour. If you buy a used version, be sure and ask if the CD comes with it--you'll enjoy hearing for yourself this group's unique sound and how they did their radio broadcasts. Also included, fascinating accounts of the "non-musical" Fred Waring--the Waring Blender, his involvement in the Boy Scouts, his interest in new inventions, his own tinkering with products and ideas.

This book was very interesting however, it hardly covered Fred Waring's long relationship with 1930s actress Dorothy Lee. Dorothy was a very talented and vivacious actress.

Dorothy Lee was engaged to Mr. Waring on and off over the years and they were a pretty hot item back then. She also toured all over America and Canada with him and the Pennsylvanians, and did many stage shows with them. She and Fred also remained very good friends for the remainder of his life.

They were very much in love in the 1930s and I feel it's a travesty that their relationship was not mentioned in more detail and she was definately a significant part of his wife to be mentioned more!