- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLester Raymond Brown
- Famed band leader, composer, author, arranger and conductor, educated at Ithaca College, the New York Military Academy, and Duke University (where he led the dance orchestra). He worked as a freelance arranger, and formed the Band of Renown in 1938, touring until 1947. He joined ASCAP in 1952, collaborating with Ben Homer and Bud Green. He made many records, and his popular music compositions include "Sentimental Journey"; "We Wish You the Merriest"; "Dance of the Blue Devils"; "Trylon Stomp"; "Duckfoot Waddle"; "Plumber's Revenge"; "My Number One Dream Come True"; "Bill's Well", and "Bill's Ill".
- IMDb mini biography by: Hup234!
- SpousesEvelyn Joyce Wells(February 14, 1998 - January 4, 2001) (his death)Georgia Claire De Wolfe(September 7, 1938 - June 17, 1996) (her death, 2 children)
- ChildrenDenis Elizabeth Brown (Jordan)
- ParentsHattie Mae NeyRaymond Winfield 'Ray' Brown
- RelativesJeff 'Swampy' Marsh(Grandchild)Django Marsh(Great Grandchild)
- Theme song: "Leap Frog"
- Band leader ("Les Brown And his Band of Renown").
- Les Brown was president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and helped make the Grammy awards a televised event. He persuaded Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra to participate in that first telecast.
- Inducted into the Big Band & Jazz Hall of Fame.
- Daughter: Denise Brown Marsh.
- Grandfather of animation producer/director/actor Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh.
- [on the resurgent popularity of big-band music] I hate to say it, but there's no relationship between what these guys are doing now and our music, or Benny Goodman's or Artie Shaw's.
- Choosing goals that are important to you is one of the most essential things you can do in order to live your dreams.
- Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
- [on Martin Melcher, the husband of Doris Day, who was at one time a singer in Brown's band] Marty Melcher was an awful man, pushy, grating on the nerves, crass, money-hungry. He lived off Patty Andrews, then when Doris came along and looked like a better ticket, he glommed onto her.
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