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 51-75 of 283 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BAVE-66901 10-in. ca. Sept. 1932 Hamacándose Orquesta Adolfo Carabelli Instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor BVE-67550 10-in. 9/24/1931 Hangin' out with you Parker Gibbs ; Ted Weems Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BVE-67741 10-in. 12/29/1930 Crying myself to sleep! Gene Austin Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor PBS-68646 10-in. 11/20/1933 We were the best of friends Tom Coakley ; Palace Hotel Orchestra ; Fred Williams Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BRC-70117 10-in. 7/6/1931 Give me your affection honey Ted Black Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BVE-70643 10-in. 12/3/1931 By the sycamore tree Jack Fulton ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BRC-72214 10-in. 3/29/1932 Rock me in a cradle of Kalua The Four New Yorkers Male vocal quartet, with harp composer  
Victor BS-73856 10-in. 10/21/1932 I'm sure of everything but you Don Hall Trio Mixed vocal trio, with violin and piano songwriter  
Victor BS-73902 10-in. 11/1/1932 I'm sure of everything but you Neil Buckley ; Don Bestor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-73979 10-in. 11/22/1932 I'm sure of everything but you May Singhi Breen ; Peter De Rose ; Peter De Rose Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet songwriter  
Victor BS-74904 10-in. 1/12/1933 Sittin' by the fireside with you Glen Gray Orchestra ; Kenny Sargent Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-74935 10-in. 1/20/1933 Sittin' by the fire with you Walter Goodman ; Tommy Osborne and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-75926 10-in. 7/10/1933 Did my heart beat, did I fall in love! Virginia Hamilton ; Jan Garber Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-76576 10-in. 7/6/1933 Did my heart beat, did I fall in love? George Hall ; Hotel Taft Orchestra ; Loretta Lee ; Barry Wells Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet songwriter  
Victor BS-76652 10-in. 7/14/1933 Old Nebraska moon Don Hall Trio Mixed vocal trio, with violin and piano songwriter  
Victor BS-76653 10-in. 7/14/1933 Old Nebraska moon George Donaldson Trio Mixed vocal trio, with violin and piano songwriter  
Victor BS-76797 10-in. 9/5/1933 Three of us Pat Harrington ; Vincent Travers Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-77014 10-in. 9/22/1933 Three of us Lee Bennett ; Jan Garber Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor 79661 10-in. 8/21/1934 Que lindo dia vamos ter Francisco Alves Male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-80224 10-in. 2/5/1934 Looks like a beautiful day Lee Bennett ; Jan Garber Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-81065 10-in. 1/16/1934 It's an old fashioned world after all Jack Fulton ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-83620 10-in. 7/23/1934 Ooh! You miser you Tom Berwick Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-83637 10-in. 7/26/1934 Ooh! You miser you Don Bestor Orchestra ; Joy Lynne Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-84924 10-in. 11/7/1934 I'm growing fonder of you Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-87086 10-in. 1/5/1935 I believe in miracles Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
(Results 51-75 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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