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The following text is from an unknown source. It has peculiar grammar as if someone is doing a memory dump - I reproduce it as presented. The source document makes me feel H.L. typed this himself for AMICA. I don't know who originally received the following document - Ed. W O A I San Antonio, Texas and W F A A Dallas, Texas and 15 years as Musical Director of W H I C Dayton, OH. Five years in the Baker Hotels in the Southwest with his own Orchestra. He acquired a musical desire after he hears the first Symphony concert conducted by the famous Arthur Kortheur of the Toledo Orchestra. Kortheur took hold and proceeded to teach the young Lange Harmony, Counterpoint, Theory, Composition and the Piano, because Kortheur and Lange's Father were good old friends. When Kortheur died Henry was cent to Max Ecker to continua his studies. From 1920 to 1924 he was with Paul Whiteman in New York in the Palais Royale, the Ziegfelf Follies and with Whiteman on a European tour. In London hc was often a guest artist in the hones of the Mountbattene and and other notables including the former Prince of Wales. Later he had a fling at the movies and sessions as a recording artist for Ampico, Duo-Art, Melodee and Brunswick. He had a job as a personal composer for Rudolph Valantino, and command performance for royalty in London. Resumes studies in Piano and composition under Harman Wasserman, pupil of Godowosky. George Gershwin Ferdie Grofe and Lange were the trio of Pianists to perform in the initial performance of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra in 1924 in Now York. Lang's song successes as a composer included "Hot-Lips", "I Adore You", Regret", "Yes Sir that's Lazybones", "Page Mr. Pianist", "Sweet Chopiano", "Classicanna", "Symphanola", "Maid of the Moon", and others. After, the Gershwin Premier of 'Rhapsody in Blue' Paul Whiteman concert in 1924, he had various periods of ill health and was advised to give up activities for a while and rest. He returned to his homo in Ohio, Lange says: I spent most of my time out in the open, fishing, horseback riding, swimming and lots of fresh air and sunshine but found this life very monotonous, but made the most of it. Hardly two months passed when I had an offer to take over a band already organized under a young college man by the name of Marion McKay having quite a following. He had an offer of a summer contract for the next year 1925 to open a new big million dollar Ballroom at an inland Lake Resort called Indian Lake at Russell's Point, OH. McKay was sent over by the manager to make mo an offer to 'Front' the Band and arrange, also rehearse them. The offer included also my name , thus the Lang - McKay combo. In spite of my refusal McKay made such a flattering offer I couldn't turn it down. In the months following we did a lot of 'grinding' but it paid off. Opening day in May 1925 was beyond any expectation, crowds came from miles around, seven nights and on Sunday afternoon the people brought millions of 5-cent tickets. Money poured in like beans from a barrel. Our music was the talk of the entertainment world. Believe me we had our instructions "Keep it short and sweet"! That band was a big draw. "Toots" Marshall, manager of the new Castle Farms in Cincinnati, OH wanted us for an opening of his new place after we finished in the end of summer on Labor Day. I continued on for another three months. In January 1926 I signed to go into the Hotel Sinton for three months. When summer came I was again signed for the season at Indian Lake for each summer including 1931. I was now the Henry Land Orchestra. We were also rotating Fall and Winters in the Baker Hotels in Texas. The Skirvin Hotel in Telusa Oklahoma and the Lamar Hotel in Houston. Also the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio. In 1932 I was forced to disband - the depression was in full force - no one could afford the big bands. I sdid a "single" as the Monarch of the Ivories in Keith Vaudeville for the next few years. In 1937 became Music Director and consultant at W.H.I.O. in Daytona Ohio. I held that until 1953. During those years I was in Dayton Hotels and Nite Spots, entertainer at the piano and organ. Am now a retired former Happy but Healthy - has-been - with WONDERFUL MEMORIES ********************** Yours Truly
---------- The rest of this page is from the AMICA, August 1985
Henry Lange Henry Lange passed away on Monday, June 10, 1985 after spending thirteen days in Good Samaritan Hospital. I spoke with Henry for the last time on Thursday, May 23rd. He finally had a phone installed in February 1985 but apparently didn't tell anyone but me. We talked briefly and said he was feeling weak. I told him I would be out to see him the following week. Apparently he fell in his apartment on the 24th or 25th. On May 28th I was advised that Henry had not been seen for several days. After going to the apartment, I requested the Fire Department to go up to the second floor of the building in order to gain entry through a window. The emergency squad removed him to the hospital. He maintained the life-style he wished, an independent and self supporting existence. He did not take proper care of his health or his diet. Upon hospitalization he was found to be suffering from cataracts and cancer in addition to malnutrition and dehydration. He weighed practically nothing. He was mentally alert to the end and drove his car on May 23rd for the last time. His nephew had his body cremated and the remains sent to Forest Lawn Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio. There were no services, just these brief notices given to the newspaper. Thought you would like to know the circumstances of the death of a once famous person. ================== June 13, 1985 - The JOURNAL HERALD, Dayton, Ohio 'Monarch of Ivories,' 89, dies Henry W. Lange, former concert pianist, composer and orchestra leader, died Monday at the age of 89. Mr. Lange, of 2259 Emerson Ave., began his musical career as a pianist In 1920 with the Paul Whiteman orchee• tra, where he was Whiteman's personal composer. Known as the "Monarch of the Ivories," he played at the Palais Itoyale In New York and in London at a command performance for England's Prince of Wales. In 1935, Mr. Lange formed his own orchestra, which played at the Russell's Point Dance Pavilion and other ballrooms. In later years, he played In the Miami and Van Cleve hotels In Dayton. The Toledo native became musical director of WHIO radio In 1939, a position he held until 1934. His compositions Lazybones; Symphanola; and Chopioano.. Mr. Lange Is survived by a nephew, Arthur H. Lang, of Naples, Fla. Private funeral arrangements are being made by Bradford, Connelly and Glickler, 1849 Salem Ave. ============ Henry Lange, pianist, diesHenry W. Lange, a former concert pianist, composer and orchestra leader, died Monday at the age of 89. Mr. Lange, of 2259 Emerson Ave., began his musical career as a pianist in 1920 with the Paul Whiteman orchestra, where he was Whlteman's personal composer. Known as the "Monarch of the Ivories," he played at the Palaie Royale in New York and in London at a command performance for England': Prince of Wales. In 1935, Mr. Lange formed his own orchestra, which played at the Russell's Point Dance Pavilion and other ballrooms. In later years, he played in the Miami and Van Cleve hotels in Dayton. The Toledo, Ohio, native became musical director of WHIO radio in 1939, a position he held until 1954. His compositions included Hot Lips, Yes Sir, That's Lazybones; Symphanola; and Chopiano. He was honored by the Big Band Boosters and was a 50-year member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Mr. Lange is survived by a nephew, Arthur Ii. Lang, of Naples, Fla. Private funeral arrangements are being made by Bradford, Connelly and Gllckler, 1849 Salem Ave. ============== LANGE, Henry W., age 89, formerly of 2259 Emerson Ave., died Monday at Good Samaritan Hospdtal. He was a noted Composer and Pianist with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra as well as his own orchestra. Survived by a nephew, Arthur H. Lang of Naples, Fla. There will be no services. Bradford Connelly & Glickler Funeral Home In charge of arrangements.
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