When people hear the name Jackie Gleason, it is likely the words “To the moon, Alice,” or “How sweet it is!” jump to mind. It is true that John Herbert (Jackie) Gleason was a brilliant comedic actor. His resume of television and movie credits is, indeed, impressive. Forgotten, though, by many is an equally impressive discography of wonderful music produced by the icon.
Gleason began his entertainment career in 1935 following the death of his mother. His story is not unlike many others. He began working in small clubs in and around New York City. It was while working as a comedian in New York’s Club 18 that Jackie Gleason earned his first film contract. Jack Warner saw Gleason’s performance at the club and signed him to a film contract with Warner Brothers Studios. Initially, Gleason did not make a strong impression in Hollywood, so at the same time he developed a night club act of comedy and music. It was during this period, as well, that Gleason developed a reputation for hosting loud, all-night parties in his hotel room. (In fact, out of consideration for its other guests, the hotel sound-proofed Gleason’s room.) “Anyone who knew Jackie Gleason in the 1940s,” wrote CBS historian Robert Metz, “would tell you the Fat Man would never make it. His pals at Lindy’s watched him spend money as fast as he soaked up the booze.”
It was in 1949 that Jackie Gleason received his “big break” into television earning the role of Chester A. Riley in “The Life of Riley,” the first television version of hit radio show. Because William Bendix who originated the role on radio became available to portray the character in the second season, Gleason left the program after just one season. This gave him an opportunity to polish his night club act. Soon, the night club act was gaining attention from New York’s inner circle, and it wasn’t long thereafter that he was hired to host the DuMont Television Network’s “Cavalcade of Stars” in 1950.
Wooed by CBS to bring his variety show talents to their network, “The Jackie Gleason Show” was born in 1952. It was in 1952, also, that Gleason released his first music LP, “Music for Lovers Only,” on the Capitol Records label. The LP enjoyed great success topping Billboard’s Top Ten Charts for 153 weeks. His musical success continued as each of his first ten albums sold over one million copies. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Gleason would balance his comedy and acting careers with his music career.
Though he had no musical training, could not read or write music, and played no instruments (except for the percussion xylophone-like instrument, the vibraphone), Gleason built a brilliant musical career. While analyzing Clark Gable love scenes, he noted that the scenes’ background music “magnified a thousand percent” the romance of the moment. Gleason has been quoted as saying, “If Gable needs music, a guy from Brooklyn must be desparate!”
Because he could not read or compose music in the conventional sense, it is said that Gleason worked with a group of assistants who could translate the melodies and arrangements he conceived in his head and put them to paper with Gleason’s verbal descriptions. The well-known themes to both television series, “The Jackie Gleason Show” (Melancholy Serenade) and “The Honeymooners” (You’re My Greatest Love), were composed by Gleason in this way. Gleason endeavored to “make musical wallpaper that should never be intrusive, but conducive.”
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| “Merry Christmas” Jackie Gleason. Capitol Records 1956 Catalog #W758 (Mono), DW758 (Re-channeled Stereo) |
In 1956, Gleason released his first Christmas record. Capitol Records describes Gleason’s “Merry Christmas” as “a rich, rewarding album in the gentlest spirit of the season for all who treasure the memories and the sentiments and the romance of Christmas time.” Capitol goes on to say:
“The arrangements in this album are unique ones, for Jackie Gleason has augmented his large orchestra with an electric celeste, whose fragile sound adds a new dimension to songs well-loved. Playing it is Hercules, an outstanding master of the instrument. Complementing these orchestral arrangements are the Keith Textor Singers, with vocalise performances that indeed express the mood of a merry, merry, Christmas.”
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| ‘Tis the Season Jackie Gleason Capitol Records. 1967 Catalog #T2791 (Mono) Catalog #ST2791 (Stereo) |
“Among the many delights of Christmas, one of the most satisfying moments of all comes when, shopping done, the last guest waved goodbye, you relax in front of a glowing fire, a glass of something warming in your hand, a favorite record revolving on the turntable, somebody special held close, and wait for old Santa to appear in some appropriate manifestation.
For that kind of moment, Jackie Gleason provides some of the most melodic of the popular Christmas songs, in his most familiar mood: twin string orchestras, sparked here with the gently intriguing accents of oboe, accordion, English horn, French horn, and bells. Each of the songs, even the usually upbeat “Let It Snow” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” are perfromed by Jackie at a dreamily reflective tempo conducive to Yuletide reverie.
And, of course, there’s that magical extra Gleason touch, typical for Jackie. Each holiday song features the sparkling solo contribution of one of these star instrumentalists: Charlie Ventura on tenor sax, Buddy Morrow on trombone, or Pee Wee Erwin on trumpet.
With that kind of inducement, better have an extra hassock on hand. Old Santa’s apt to settle down and listen a while.”
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| “All I Want For Christmas” Jackie Gleason Capitol Records 1969. Catalog #STBB346 |
White Christmas
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| “White Christmas” Jackie Gleason Pickwick International Catalog #SPC1008
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“Jackie Gleason is a name the musical world knows for sweeping, romantic mood music that speaks of the magic of love — yet here’s a Christmas surprise package!The strings are still here, the chorus is here, but there’s a big difference in this collection of the Great One.Every arrangement has the nip of the wintry night, the glitter of the tree, the warmth of the fireside with it’s gay red stockings dangling from the mantlepiece in anticipation of Santa’s visit.Christmas is the most joyous time of the year, and the festive favorites never sounded better than here giftwrapped by jolly old Jackie Gleason and The Christmas Strings. It’s a time of reverence, of voices that sing the joyous praise of our Lord, the lilting words of our favorite carols soft upon the stars of the night as it once was in Bethlehem.Yet also today we celebrate the birth of Christ in more human terms, the gifts to our loved ones, the tree sparkling and a-glitter with bells, baubles, and beads.The Christmas cards, wassail bowl, gift trim, plum pudding, gift wraps, snow carols, fir trees, sleigh rides, log fires, turkey, candles — all that is Christmas, bright and joyous is in the winter wonderland of this record.”
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