About Old Time Radio Performer Phil Harris
A famous comedian and musician, Phil Harris featured on old-time radio in many shows like Fitch Bandwagon, which eventually became the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.
Born Wonga Phillip Harris in Linton, Indiana, Phil spent his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. Starting out in the 1920s as a drummer, he later went on to start his own band the following decade.
The film industry was another part of the entertainment world that Phil Harris dipped into. So This is Harris is a film that he made for RKO in 1933. The film garnered success after it won an Academy Award.
A few years later, in 1936, Harris became the musical director for the Jack Benny Show. As part of his role, he was lead singer and performer for the band. He was not just restricted to musical roles, as he had a speaking part as a funny character from the South. Eventually, he became well-known for his musical and comedy roles. At the same time he began recording swing tunes with unusual arrangements that made his music really stand out from the crowd.
His marriage to Alice Faye began from 1941, and he would remain married to her for over 50 years. While it was the 2nd marriage for the couple, they knew in each other that this time they found the right person. Fitch Bandwagon eventually invited the couple to perform.
On the show, they gained a greater success of their own, eventually meaning the show they joined became their own outright, known as the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show.
The show became a comedy and the show order meant that the couple would perform a song together for each episode. The show was incredibly popular and ran for six years. The last episode of the show aired in 1954. At this time old time radio shows were becoming obsolete and the television age was dawning.
As a musician, he kept with his musical career upbringing. He starred in many TV shows and provided the voices of popular Disney characters, such as Baloo the bear in the Jungle Book, and Little John in Robin Hood.
The places where Harris grew up and had his first big breaks were not forgotten by Harris, as he donated a lot to the students of his hometown Linton, and even Palm Springs, where he grew up as a young aspiring performer. Much of his memorabilia was donated to the Linton Public Library where it can be found displayed. In 1995 he passed away due to a heart attack. 3 years later his wife Alice Faye also passed on.
About the Author
Mary Johnson is a huge old time radio fan, black and white movies, and memorabilia from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. She has been a member of RUSC Old Time Radio (http://www.rusc.com ) for over ten years, and recommends it highly to anyone who values good old fashioned entertainment.
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