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The King's Men

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The King's Men quartet was comprised of Ken Darby, arranger & bass; Rad Robinson baritone; Jon Dodson, lead tenor; Bud Linn, top tenor. Formed in Hollywood in 1929, they took their name from a radio sponsor named King. Their first engagement was as a singing foursome in the Paramount film Sweetie (1929)." This led to other films and radio contracts. When the The Boswell Sisters left Los Angeles station KFWB in 1932, the The King's Men replaced them for two years. They achieved national prominence on radio and records as a feature of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. They sang with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra from 1934 until 1937. Whiteman also acted as their agent, and encouraged their musical activities outside his organization. They subsequently appeared on other broadcasts, including the Rudy Vallee program. They were heard, and sometimes seen, in many feature films, including Sweetie (1929), (My Sweeter than Sweet), Hollywood Party (1934) (Feelin' High), Let's Go Native (1930) (title song), Belle of the Nineties (1934) (Troubled Waters), Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938), Murder at the Vanities (1934), (Lovely One) and notably The Wizard of Oz (1939), in which they are the off screen voices for the Lollipop Guild. After leaving the Whiteman band in 1937, Ken Darby was hired by conductor/composer Herbert Stothart at MGM. Darby's first screen credit was as vocal arranger and supervisor for The Wizard of Oz (1939)" in which the The King's Men are the off screen voices for specific Munchkins. Darby was the voice of the Mayor of Munchkin Land, while Robinson's voice was heard as Coroner. Dodson and Linn represented the two boys in the Lollipop Guild. Darby's other MGM films included three MacDonald/Eddy pictures. On screen, The King's Men were best remembered as the singing cowboys in sixteen Hopalong Cassidy films. In the film Honolulu (1939), the The King's Men play the The Marx Brothers on ice skates. Darby was subsequently associated with the Music Department at Walt Disney Studios (Dumbo (1941), Song of the South (1946), Make Mine Music (1946), Pinocchio (1940), So Dear to My Heart (1948), Bambi (1942). For fifteen years The King's Men were regulars on the "Fibber McGee and Molly" broadcasts, and made records with Marian and 'Jim Jordan (I)' qv. The King's Men quartet was the basis for the Ken Darby Singers, featured on John Charles Thomas "Westinghouse Broadcasts" and on many Decca phonograph records, such as Bing Crosby's original recording of "White Christmas." Darby went on to win three Academy Awards (The King and I (1956), Porgy and Bess (1959), Camelot (1967)) as Associate Musical Supervisor with Alfred Newman and André Previn. The The King's Men and their families remained lifelong friends. - IMDb Mini Biography By: pmintun@mac.com

     
Members
PortraitKen Darby
voc 1909-1992 US
PortraitRad Robinson
voc US
Jon Dodson
voc *1907 US
Bud Linn
voc US
Popular Tracks   
Prayer of the Children on No Turning Back by The King's Men
Parting Friends on Talk About a Soul by The King's Men
Before the Throne of God Above on Before the Throne by The King's Men
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love on No Turning Back by The King's Men
Good Christian Men, Rejoice on Christmas by The King's Men
Down to the River to Pray on Talk About a Soul by The King's Men
How Firm a Foundation on Talk About a Soul by The King's Men
The Cat Walk on Loco Drive - In by Various Artists
Teenage Doll on Schoolday Blues by Various Artists
Give Me Jesus on Talk About a Soul by The King's Men

Track list and 30sec audio provided by


Discography



Title Artist Year Type
A Delightful Christmas with the King's Men from the Queen CityThe King's Men1972Album
Drinking SongsRudy Vallee with Ken Darby & The King's Men1954Album
Der Fuehrer's Face / McNamara's Band / What's The Good Word, Mr. BluebirdSpike Jones And His City Slickers / The King's Men / Bob Crosby And His Orchestra1943Album
Christmas CandleJudy Garland, Tony Martin, The King's Men1942Album
The Reluctant Dragon / Little Brown JugThe King's Men1941Album
The Star Of Bethlehem / The Holy ChildThe King's Men With Harriet Cruise1941Album
Did Your Mother Come From Ireland? / Where The River Shannon FlowsBing Crosby With The King's Men1941Album
Did Your Mother Come From Ireland? / Where The River Shannon FlowsBing Crosby With The King's Men1941Album
Dolores / De Camptown RacesBing Crosby With The Merry Macs And Bob Crosby And The Bob Cats With The King's Men And Victor Young And His Orchestra1941Album
Mistakes / At SundownThe King's MenAlbum
Mistakes / At SundownThe King's MenAlbum
Be My Life's Companion / Shepherd Of The HillsThe Johnston Brothers / The King's Men With Pearl CarrAlbum
Praising Him Vol. 2The King's MenAlbum
Polly Wolly DoodleBurl Ives With The Ray Charles Singers With Ken Darby And The King's MenSingle
Red River ValleyThe King's MenSingle
Who Else But God? / Pray For MeThe King's MenAlbum
Peace On EarthThe King's Heralds, Del Delker, The Hymnsingers, The King's MenAlbum
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Acknowledgements
To all the music fans that are contributing on Discogs, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia. Thanks to Franz Flückiger for providing Storygram used to visualize band membership.
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