Guy Lombardo

Biography

Guy Lombardo was a Canadian-American bandleader and violinist known for his orchestra, The Royal Canadians, which was billed as creating "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven". For nearly five decades, his band was a dominant force in popular music, selling an estimated 100 to 300 million records. Lombardo and his band became a North American institution through their annual New Year's Eve broadcasts, which began on radio in 1929 and later moved to television. These shows popularized the playing of "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight, making it a holiday tradition. He recorded for major labels like #Columbia#, #Brunswick#, #Decca#, and #Capitol#. Lombardo became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1937.