Martin Block

Martin Block ( born February 3, 1903 in Los Angeles, † September 19, 1967 in New York) was an American radio host of the swing era and swing music.

Life

Block was a former salesman and radio announcer who became known in 1935 for his " Make Believe Ballroom " radio programs in the United States. They began when he hung up between plates in February 1935 while covering the Lindbergh process. He produced the listener the illusion that he would be in a ballroom during the live performance of the leading swing big bands and dance orchestras of the time. He referred to an idea of the California Disc Jockeys Al Jarvis. From 1940, the show was broadcast throughout the United States, where now also known big band leader appeared live. Block was so very popular, even a 1949 comedy film was then rotated Make Believe Ballroom with Frankie Laine. The show ran until 1954 when station WNEW in New York ( with a short detour from block 1946 to Los Angeles ). Then block had its own show on ABC radio. Block had radio broadcasts until his death ( most recently at WOR ). Radio broadcasts entitled " Make Believe Ballroom " but were continued in New York radio stations.

For some of his shows organized Martin Block and jam sessions, where he brought together again in 1938 Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Fats Waller ( as well as George Wettling, Bud Freeman, Pete Peterson, Bob Spergel ).

In 1938, he organized a large Swing Festival on Randalls Iceland, with the big bands of Count Basie, Woody Herman and Duke Ellington. Blacks and whites sat together in the counting by tens of thousands of audience.

Theme song of the show was initially "Sugar Blues" by Clyde McCoy, from 1936 " Make Believe Ballroom " recorded by Charlie Barnet ' big band and later in a recording by Glenn Miller ( Make Believe Ballroom Time, 1940).

1988 Martin Block was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

He is also co -author of the Glenn Miller hit from 1941, " I guess I'll have to dream the rest" and occurs as a disc jockey on not only in " Make Believe Ballroom " (1949 ), but also in the musical film "Disc Jockey " by Will Jason (1951 ), in which numerous jazz musicians.