Victor Arden
American pianist (1893–1962)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Victor Arden was the stage name of American pianist Lewis John Fuiks (8 March 1893 – 31 July 1962)[1] who was best known as the piano duo partner of and co-orchestra leader with Phil Ohman from 1922 to 1932.[2] He was the pianist in the All-Star Trio, who made several hits for Victor Records between 1919 and 1921.[3]
March 8, 1893
Victor Arden | |
|---|---|
Victor Arden and Phil Ohman | |
| Born | Lewis John Fuiks March 8, 1893 Wenonah, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | July 31, 1962 (aged 69) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Pianist |
Early years
Arden was born March 8, 1893, in Wenona, Illinois.[1]
Radio
In 1935, Arden was described in a newspaper article as "well-known to music lovers and radio listeners."[4] At the time, Arden's orchestra was featured on Musical Moments, which was carried on over 300 stations weekly.[4] Arden and his orchestra also provided the music for Mr. Chameleon, a detective fiction radio drama that ran on CBS Radio from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. [5]
Recording
Before 1920, Arden was making piano rolls to be reproduced on player pianos manufactured by the American Piano Company.[6] He also cut numerous rolls for QRS.
Death
Arden died July 31, 1962, in New York City.[1]
Selected compositions
1909
- Safety Pin Catch
1918
- Just Blue, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth (1889–1929)
1919
- In My Dreams
- Lucille, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth (1889–1929)
- Marilynn, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth (1889–1929)
- Honeymoon Waltz, words by Ray Sherwood (born 1895), music by Victor Arden
1920
- Hy n' Dry
- Rose of the Orient, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth (1889–1929) & George Hamilton Green
- Dolly, I Love You, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth (1889–1929) & Dick Long
- Molly, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth (1889–1929) & Dick Long
- Who Wants a Baby?, also by George Hamilton Green
- Dottie Dimples, also by George Hamilton Green
- In Blossom Time, also by Louis Weslyn (pseudonym for Weslyn Jones) (1884–1937)
1921
- 'Round the Town
- Hand Painted Doll, also by George Hamilton Green
- Lonesome Land, also by George Hamilton Green
1922
- After A While (You're Goin' to Feel Blue), also by George Hamilton Green & Walter Hirsch (1891–1967)
- My Sweet Gal, also by George Hamilton Green
- I'm Happy: Fox Trot, also by George Hamilton Green
1930
- Dancing the Devil Away
1941
- Hearts in Harmony
- We'd Rather Die Upon Our Feet Than Live Upon Our Knees, words by Henry A. Murphy, melody by Joseph Russel Robinson (1892–1963) & Victor Arden
- Unity, words by Henry A. Murphy, melody by Joseph Russel Robinson (1892–1963) & Victor Arden
- Let's Incorporate, also by Lawrence M. Klee (died 1957)
Education
Arden was a graduate of the University of Chicago and studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.
Family
Arden was married twice. He first married Ilse Alma Spindler (born April 1894) – a 1916 graduate of the University of Chicago – in Chicago, on May 2, 1917.[7] The couple had two sons: Robert Spindler Fuiks (1921–2009)[8] and Lewis John Fuiks Jr. (1919–2004). Arden remarried in the 1950s to Frances Newsom, a classical soprano.
