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 276-283 of 283 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Edison 11654 10-in. 4/15/1927 There's something nice about everyone but there's everything nice about you Palais D'Or Orchestra ; J. Donald Parker ; B. A. Rolfe Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Edison 11744 10-in. 6/17/1927 Red lips, kiss my blues away Bachelors Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Edison 18318 10-in. 3/20/1928 In the sweet bye and bye Theo Alban ; Duke Yellman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Edison 18555 10-in. 5/31/1928 Cherie chilly-pom-pom-pee Radio Franks Male vocal duet, with orchestra arranger  
Edison 19199 10-in. 5/17/1929 Me and the clock (Tick-i-ty tock and you) Oreste Queensland Orchestra ; The Rollickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet composer  
Edison N-903 10-in. 5/17/1929 Me and the clock (Tick-i-ty tock and you) Oreste Queensland Orchestra ; The Rollickers [Edison] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1004 10-in. 4/10/1928 Humoreskimo Clément Doucet ; Jean Wiener Piano duet composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1267 10-in. 10/15/1928 Felix the Cat Fernand Gravey ; Georges van Parys Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
(Results 276-283 of 283 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wendling, Pete," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106775.

Wendling, Pete. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106775.

"Wendling, Pete." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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