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 151-175 of 283 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia [W]150122 10-in. 3/25/1930 There's danger in your eyes, cherie Lloyd Keating and his Music [Lou Gold Orchestra] ; Robert Wood Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150463 10-in. 4/15/1930 Dream Avenue Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet composer  
Columbia W150570 10-in. 6/5/1930 Swingin' in a hammock Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W150571 10-in. 6/5/1930 Seems to me Blue Grass Boys ; Lee Morse Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W150605 10-in. 6/24/1930 Swingin' in a hammock Carmen Lombardo ; Guy Lombardo ; Royal Canadians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150622 10-in. 7/7/1930 It's easy to fall in love Ben Selvin and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia [W]150633 10-in. 7/8/1930 Swingin' in a hammock The Harmonians [Selvin's Orchestra] ; Kate Smith Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W150744 10-in. 8/28/1930 I'll be blue, just thinking of you Ruth Etting Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W150752 10-in. 9/3/1930 If I'd only listened to you Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150757 10-in. 9/3/1930 Just a little dance mam'selle Carmen Lombardo ; Guy Lombardo ; Royal Canadians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150785 10-in. 9/11/1930 I'll be blue, just thinking of you (From now on) Bert Lown Hotel Biltmore Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia [W]150907 10-in. 10/29/1930 I'll be blue, just thinking of you (From now on) Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150923 10-in. 10/31/1930 I'm tickled pink with a blue eyed baby Roy Evans Male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150953 10-in. 11/14/1930 Crying myself to sleep! The Knickerbockers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150954 10-in. 11/14/1930 Who's calling you sweetheart tonight? Ben Selvin and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal ensemble composer  
Columbia [W]150968 10-in. 11/19/1930 I'm tickled pink with a blue eyed baby Milt Coleman Male vocal solo, with ukulele and piano composer  
Columbia [W]151598 10-in. 6/12/1931 Rock me in a cradle of Kalua Frank Ferera's Hawaiian Trio Instrumental trio, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W151714 10-in. 8/10/1931 Give me your affection, honey Paul Tremaine Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152034 10-in. 12/9/1931 By the sycamore tree Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W152322 10-in. 11/28/1932 I'm sure of everything but you Ted Lewis and his Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152545 10-in. 10/30/1933 We were the best of friends George Olsen and his Music ; Joe Morrison Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152696 10-in. 1/24/1934 It's an old-fashioned world after all Bob Bunch ; Enric Madriguera Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia 75291 12-in. approximately 1916 Yacka hula hickey dula Ciro's Club Coon Orchestra Instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Columbia 76789 12-in. approximately February 1920 Oh, what a pal was Mary London Dance Orchestra ; Corelli Windeatt Orchestra composer  
Columbia W351076 10-in. 7/21/1931 Give me your affection, honey Frank Auburn and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] ; Robert Wood [Scrappy Lambert] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
(Results 151-175 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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