Immigrant of the Day: Guy Lombardo (Canada)

Guy Lombardo (1902–77) was a bandleader and violinist famous throughout the world.  With his three brothers Carmen, Lebert, and Victor and other musicians from his hometown of London, Ontario, Lombardo formed the big band The Royal Canadians in 1924. The musical team played at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from 1929 to 1959, and their New Year’s Eve broadcasts (which continued with Lombardo until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria) were a major part of New Year’s celebrations across North America.

The Royal Canadians were noted for playing the traditional song “Auld Lang Syne” as part of the celebrations. Their recording of the song still plays as the first song of the new year in Times Square. The Lombardos are believed to have sold more than 300 million phonograph albums during their lifetimes.

In 1938, Lombardo became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

In his later years, Lombardo lived in Freeport, Long Island, New York, where he kept his boat, Tempo IV. He also invested in a nearby seafood restaurant (or clam shack) originally called “Liota’s East Point House.” It was soon “Guy Lombardo’s East Point House.” Lombardo later became an earlier promoter and musical director of Jones Beach Marine Theater, which is a still-popular concert venue south of Freeport.

KJ