Pete Wendling

Pete Wendling (June 6, 1888 – April 7, 1974) was an American composer and pianist, born in New York City to German immigrants.

He started his working life as a carpenter, but gained fame during the mid-1910s as a popular music composer, with his name appearing on the "Soup and Fish Rag" in 1913. He worked on such hits as "Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula" (recorded by Al Jolson), "Take Me To The Land Of Jazz", "Take Your Girlie To The Movies", "Felix The Cat", and "Oh What A Pal Is Mary".

Wendling was also one of the top pianists of his era, and set a long-standing record when he appeared at the London Hippodrome for eight consecutive weeks. He joined the Rhythmodik Music Roll Company in 1914, and started to record his performances on paper rolls for player pianos. In 1916 he recorded for American Piano Company (Ampico). In 1918, he joined the largest piano roll company, QRS, and rapidly became one of their most popular artists, his distinctive yet always fresh performances constantly topping their best-selling lists. They were still in production as of 2003.

He recorded two sides for Okeh Records in 1923, and in 1926, cut another four for Cameo. In 1927, QRS, who were tightening their belt due to declining sales, released Wendling, and he concentrated on his composing career until his retirement in the 1950s. In 1955, he co-wrote "I Wonder", which became a UK chart hit for both Jane Froman and Dickie Valentine. Wendling's last notable work was "Rich in Love" in 1956.

Married to Anna, he had no children. A resident of Manhattan, he died in New York City in April 1974, aged 85 after several strokes.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 6, 1888, Died April 7, 1974

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1915 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, songwriter, arranger, piano, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 251-275 of 283 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick C1792-C1793 10-in. 3/24/1928 We ain’t got nothin’ to lose Ruth Muse Female vocal solo, with piano, violin, and cello songwriter  
Brunswick C1960-C1961 10-in. 5/21/1928 Chilly pom-pom-pee Jimmy Joy ; St. Anthony Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal ensemble; without vocal (take G) arranger  
Brunswick C4462-C4463 10-in. 4/29/1930 Loose ankles Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick LAE474 10-in. 4/25/1929 That’s what I call sweet music Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal trio; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick LAE673 10-in. 12/11/1929 There's danger in your eyes, chérie! Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra ; Harry Richman Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick LAE696 10-in. 1/31/1930 There's danger in your eyes, chérie Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick LAE707 10-in. 1/31/1930 There's danger in your eyes, chérie Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick LAE844 10-in. 7/23/1930 Swingin’ in a hammock Earl Burtnett Biltmore Trio Male vocal trio, with strings composer  
Brunswick LAE877 10-in. 9/24/1930 Just a little dance, mam’selle Earl Burtnett ; Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio and vocal ensemble; without vocal (take G) songwriter  
Brunswick [Br (U.K.) cat 174-a] 10-in. approximately Apr.1928 How long has this been going on? Ord Hamilton ; Kel Keech Male vocal duet, with banjo-ukulele composer  
Brunswick R543-2 10-in. Apr. 1928 How long has this been going on? Fred Elizalde Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Edison 4548 10-in. 3/2/1916 Yaaka hula hickey dula Walter Van Brunt Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 6063 10-in. Mar. 1918 I miss that Mississippi miss that misses me Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Edison 6419 10-in. between 10/10/1918 and 10/23/1918 Oh! how I wish I could sleep until my daddy comes home Moonlight Trio Vocal trio (soprano, tenor, and bass), with orchestra composer  
Edison 6822 10-in. 6/4/1919 Take me to the land of jazz Bert Harvey Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 6903 10-in. 8/5/1919 Oh! What a pal was Mary Edward Allen Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 8170 10-in. 8/4/1921 My little sister Mary Lewis James Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 8315 10-in. 12/13/1921 Monastery bells waltz Henry Lange Piano solo composer  
Edison 8346 10-in. 1/24/1922 A sleepy little village (Where the Dixie cotton grows) Billy Jones Male vocal solo and male vocal ensemble, with orchestra composer  
Edison 8471 10-in. 5/31/1922 Whenever you're lonesome (Just telephone me) Green Brothers' Novelty Band Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 8638 10-in. 10/18/1922 He loves it Billy Jones Male vocal solo and male vocal chorus composer  
Edison 9761 10-in. 10/2/1924 Temper'mental papa Kansas City Five ; Josephine Miles Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance ensemble songwriter  
Edison 10984 10-in. 5/14/1926 Blue bonnet—you make me feel blue Palais D'Or Orchestra ; B. A. Rolfe Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 11015 10-in. 5/28/1926 Blue bonnet—you make me feel blue Frank Braidwood ; Irwin Dash Male vocal solo, with piano songwriter  
Edison 11208 10-in. 9/17/1926 Scatter your smiles Joe Candullo ; Everglades Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
(Results 251-275 of 283 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wendling, Pete," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106775.

Wendling, Pete. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106775.

"Wendling, Pete." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106775

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