ABSTRACT
American dance bandleader, alto saxophonist, and clarinetist, born in Savannah, Illinois. He played in various Chicago bands and directed the Tivoli Theater orchestra until 1927, when he was invited to form a new group to open the Aragon Ballroom. He was identified with that venue for much of his career, playing languid dance numbers and waltzes; he acquired the sobriquet “Waltz King” and wrote an effective theme song, “The Waltz You Saved for Me” (Victor 22575; 1930). He won the Radio Guide prize as the most popular radio orchestra for seven years. In 1946 he began the Ziv Radio Series, doing 52 shows, all transcribed, and 26 more shows in 1947. Vocalist Nancy Evans, who started with King at age 17, remained with the band throughout its existence. Franklyn MacCormack provided poetic introductions to many of the numbers on the radio. He made a record in 1941 of “Melody of Love” with the King orchestra that achieved enormous success.
