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Steve Allen

Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-creator and first host of The Tonight Show, which was the first late-night television talk show.

Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his extensive network television career. He gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. After he hosted The Tonight Show, he went on to host numerous game and variety shows, including his own The Steve Allen Show, I've Got a Secret, and The New Steve Allen Show. He was a regular panel member on CBS's What's My Line? and, from 1977 until 1981, he wrote, produced, and hosted the award-winning public broadcasting show Meeting of Minds, a series of historical dramas presented in a talk format.

Allen was a pianist and a prolific composer. By his own estimate, he wrote more than 8,500 songs, some of which were recorded by numerous leading singers. Allen won the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition for "Gravy Waltz," for which he wrote the lyrics. He also wrote more than 50 books, including novels, children's books, and books of opinions, including his final book, Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio (2001).

In 1996, Allen was presented with the Martin Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSICOP). He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Hollywood theater named in his honor.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 26, 1921 (New York City), Died October 30, 2000 (Encino)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1950 - 1958

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, vocalist, electric organ, songwriter

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor E0VB-4633 10-in. 5/18/1950 Cotton candy and a toy balloon Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band and sound effects songwriter  
Decca 83718 12/12/1952 Frenesi Steve Allen ; Eydie Gorme vocalist  
Decca 83719 12/12/1952 Love me not just a little Steve Allen ; Eydie Gorme vocalist  
Decca 83720 12/12/1952 All night long Steve Allen ; Eydie Gorme vocalist  
Decca 83721 12/12/1952 I danced with my darling Steve Allen ; Eydie Gorme vocalist  
Decca 84944 8/3/1953 Cinderella (Bebop's fable) Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 84945 8/3/1953 Goldilocks and the Three Bears Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 85107 8/25/1953 Hey, officer! Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85129 8/28/1953 But officer Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85130 8/28/1953 But baby Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85131 8/28/1953 Jack and the beanstalk Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 85132 8/28/1953 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87246 1/4/1955 Stay just a little while Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87247 1/4/1955 Tonight Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87248 1/4/1955 The man with a horn Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87249 1/4/1955 Imagination Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87250 1/5/1955 Long ago (and far away) Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87251 1/5/1955 Isn't it romantic? Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87252 1/5/1955 For the very first time Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87253 1/5/1955 I fall in love too easily Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87258 1/6/1955 Where are you? Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 87259 1/6/1955 Candlelight Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 87260 1/6/1955 It can't be wrong Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 87261 1/6/1955 I'm glad there is you Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 87408 2/1/1955 Very square dance Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87409 2/1/1955 The ballad of Davy Crockett Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87856 4/15/1955 Fine and dandy Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87857 4/15/1955 Limehouse blues Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87858 4/15/1955 S'posin' Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87859 4/15/1955 Chicken wire blues Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87860 4/15/1955 Lover man-1 Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87861 4/15/1955 Tea for two Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87862 4/15/1955 I thought about you Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87863 4/15/1955 Strike up the band Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87864 4/15/1955 Poor butterfly Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87865 4/15/1955 Body and soul-2 Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87975 5/8/1954 Big town boogie-5 Billy Butterfield Jazz Band ; Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87991 5/18/1955 The goo-goo doll song Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 87992 5/18/1955 Old Betsy Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88076 6/1/1955 You better go now Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88077 6/1/1955 Young love Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88078 6/1/1955 Love is young Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88079 6/1/1955 Tomboy Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88080 6/2/1955 Let's fall in love Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88081 6/2/1955 You are too beautiful Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88082 6/2/1955 Too young Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88083 6/2/1955 Last night when we were young Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88084 6/3/1955 The boy next door Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88085 6/3/1955 Junior Prom Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88086 6/3/1955 Please be kind Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88087 6/3/1955 While we're young Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88316 6/22/1955 But beautiful Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88317 6/22/1955 Pennies from heaven Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88318 6/22/1955 Street of dreams Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88319 6/22/1955 Spring will be a little late Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88320 6/22/1955 An old piano plays the blues Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88321 6/22/1955 My funny Valentine Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88322 6/22/1955 Just one of those things Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88323 6/22/1955 Sugar Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88324 6/22/1955 There'll never be another you Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88325 6/22/1955 When you're a long, long way from home Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88326 6/22/1955 You're mine, you! Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88479 12/28/1955 I never harmed an onion Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88480 12/28/1955 What is a freem? Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 88686 11/4/1955 Goodbye Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88709 11/22/1955 What is a husband? Steve Allen ; Jayne Meadows vocalist  
Decca 88752 10/11/1955 Don't be that way Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88753 10/11/1955 Stompin' at the Savoy Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88754 10/11/1955 One o'clock jump Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88755 10/11/1955 And the angels sing Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88764 10/12/1955 Sometimes I'm happy Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88765 10/12/1955 Sing sing sing (with a swing) Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88766 10/13/1955 Let's dance Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88767 10/13/1955 Memories of you Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88768 10/13/1955 Moonglow Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88769 10/13/1955 King Porter stomp Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88786 10/20/1955 Don't tell me not to love you Pat Kirby instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88787 10/20/1955 Happiness is a thing called Joe Pat Kirby instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88864 11/4/1955 Memories of you Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 88865 11/4/1955 What is a wife? Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89498 3/12/1956 My Nita (Juanita) Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89499 3/12/1956 Theme from Picnic Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89641 3/29/1956 Fools Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89642 3/29/1956 Magic star Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89643 3/29/1956 I never should have told you Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89644 3/29/1956 What is a freem? Steve Allen ; Jayne Meadows instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89645 3/29/1956 Can I wait up for Santa Claus? Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89646 3/29/1956 What is a woman? Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89647 3/29/1956 Love is young Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89648 3/29/1956 The girl in the grey flannel Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89649 3/29/1956 That I don't love you Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89650 3/29/1956 Do you remember me? Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89651 3/29/1956 With you Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 89652 3/29/1956 All life through Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 100230 7/2/1956 Lola's theme Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 100231 7/2/1956 The golden wedding waltz Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 100232 7/2/1956 Conversation (on the telephone) Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 100233 7/2/1956 Tango moon Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 100234 7/2/1956 Star dust Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 101635 2/13/1957 I can dream, can't I? Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101636 2/13/1957 A little kiss each morning Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101637 2/13/1957 Do you ever think of me? Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101638 2/13/1957 I can't escape from you Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101639 2/14/1957 Don't worry 'bout me Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101640 2/14/1957 Just friends Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101641 2/14/1957 La Rosita Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101642 2/14/1957 Did I remember Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101643 2/20/1957 My reverie Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101644 2/20/1957 Picnic Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101645 2/20/1957 The night is young and you're so beautiful Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 101646 2/20/1957 I love you Steve Allen Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 103051 8/7/1957 Gotta have something in the bank Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103052 8/7/1957 The disc jockey's theme song Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103053 8/8/1957 It had to be you Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103054 8/8/1957 Playing the field Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103055 8/8/1957 Tea for two Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103056 8/8/1957 Give me the simple life Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103057 8/8/1957 Even Stephen Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103058 8/8/1957 Rose room Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103059 8/8/1957 Sweet Lorraine Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103060 8/8/1957 Steverino swings Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103061 8/8/1957 Electronic boogie Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103062 8/8/1957 Memories of you Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103063 8/8/1957 Careless Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103064 8/8/1957 On the Alamo Steve Allen instrumentalist, electric organ  
Decca 103804 12/3/1957 Li'l darlin' Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103805 12/3/1957 Cherry point Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103806 12/3/1957 The kid from Red Bank Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103807 12/3/1957 Oh! What a night for love Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103808 12/4/1957 Banana split Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103809 12/4/1957 Lollypop Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103810 12/4/1957 The wayno Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103811 12/4/1957 Chug-a-lug Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103812 12/5/1957 Sure thing Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103813 12/5/1957 Coral reef Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103814 12/5/1957 Why not? Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103815 12/5/1957 Plymouth rock Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104714 4/4/1958 You're so influential Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104715 4/4/1958 Blue moon Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104716 4/4/1958 I've got a crush on you Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104717 4/4/1958 Dancing on the ceiling Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104718 4/7/1958 On the sunny side of the street Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104719 4/7/1958 I'll tell the world Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104720 4/7/1958 Imagination Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104721 4/7/1958 When you're smiling Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104722 4/8/1958 But beautiful Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104723 4/8/1958 I could write a book Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104724 4/8/1958 Telling the others Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104725 4/8/1958 Day by day Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca 104919 5/1/1958 Opening blues Steve Allen Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 7407 10/14/1953 How can Santa come to Puerto Rico Ricky Vera instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 7408 10/14/1953 Can I wait up for Santa Claus Ricky Vera instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 8614 8/3/1955 Autumn leaves-1 (Les feuilles mortes) Steve Allen ; George Cates Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 9448 8/7/1956 There's never been anyone else but you Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca L 9449 8/7/1956 Theme from Rebel without a cause Steve Allen vocalist  
Decca L 9468 8/17/1956 We'll never forget you, part 1 Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 9469 8/17/1956 We'll never forget you, part 2 Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 9470 8/17/1956 James Dean Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 9471 8/17/1956 Jimmy, Jimmy Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 9472 8/17/1956 Giant Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  
Decca L 9473 8/17/1956 His name was Dean Steve Allen instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Allen, Steve," accessed November 10, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/200144.

Allen, Steve. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/200144.

"Allen, Steve." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 10 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/200144

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