Ben Selvin

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Ben Selvin (March 5, 1898 - July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. A husky lad, he looked older than he was and as such was permitted into such establishments. A mere six years later, as leader of his own dance band, he had recorded what is universally regarded as the first popular recording ever to sell a million copies. That recording, Dardanella, eventually went on to sell more than 5 million copies and some 2 million pieces of sheet music.

In addition, according to The Guinness Book of World Records and many other sources, he is acknowledged as having recorded more musical sides (on 78-rpm discs), than any other person, living or dead. One reason for this prolific output is that he recorded for dozens of different labels during this high-growth time in the industry, using a different name (or slightly different name) on each label.

It's estimated that Mr. Selvin recorded in the neighborhood of 13,000 to near 20,000 song titles; more than Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Paul Whiteman and EVEN the other 1920's prolific bandleader Sam Lanin COMBINED !!

More information about Ben Selvin can be found at : http://www.redhotjazz.com/selvin.html

[edit] During his six-plus-decade career in the music industry he:

From 1927-1934 was A&R Director for Columbia Records, where among the huge amount of records made under his supervision included scores of exceptionally well performed pop songs of the day with hot jazz solos by musicians like Manny Klein, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, and Bunny Berigan, among others. Many of these specific recordings made during this period continue to be highly collected and prized.

Had an instrumental part in the development of Muzak in the mid-1930s.

Was Musical Director of Majestic Records beginning in 1947.

Was a Vice-President and A&R Director (artists and repertoire) at Columbia Records in charge of the recordings of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark in the late '40s and early '50s.

Was an A&R Director at RCA Victor in charge of the company's popular Camden Label.

Became, post-retirement, a consultant to 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company), helping them during the transition from vinyl recordings to recordings on tape.