Ken Griffin

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For the hedge fund manager, see Kenneth C. Griffin.

Ken Griffin (December 28, 1909 – March 11, 1956) was an American organist.

Griffin was born in Columbia, Missouri. His biggest hit was You Can't Be True, Dear, which he recorded in 1948, which was first released as an instrumental, and later that year re-released with a vocal by Jerry Wayne dubbed in. Both versions became extremely popular, selling over 3.5 million copies. He also starred in a television series, "67 Melody Lane" filmed in color in Chicago. He recorded on a variety of labels including Columbia Records and Rondo Records.

From the rear cover of Anniversary Songs;

His experience with music is varied. Originally a violinist, he taught himself to play the organ within one year. So thorough was his teaching that for four years he played in movie theatres in the Rocky Mountain area, until sound films disrupted the arrangements.

With the development of the portable organ, he began playing in hotels and Lounges in the midwest with notable success.

During the war, he kept in practice by playing on Chapel organs after the army working day was over, and upon his return began playing in the east. Returning to Chicago, he recorded “You Can't Be True, Dear”, that became one of the fastest and widest selling records of the decade. With this single disc he became an established star, and began turning out the long list of tuneful, charming records that decorate so many record collections and juke boxes. In addition, there was an enormous demand for his music at theatres – this time as a featured artist – and clubs, and his radio broadcasts have spread his delightful style even farther.

on CBS 12” Lp ALD 6104.

Griffin had a phenomenal memory, and reportedly could play from among several hundred different songs on a moments notice. When reserving studio time, he would play nonstop throughout the entire time allotment, rarely needing retakes thanks to his technique. Thus, he had many tracks "in the can" (recorded but not yet released) at the time of his passing, allowing his record company to release new albums of his playing for some years after his death in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 46.

[edit] Partial Discography

• Anniversary Songs Columbia 12" Lp CL-586/CS-8781*
• Skating Time Columbia 12" Lp CL-610 (Also available on 10" Lp)
• Lost In A Cloud Columbia 12" Lp CL-662
• The Music of Irving Berlin Columbia 10" Lp CL-6120
• Christmas Carols Columbia 10" Lp CL-6130
• Hawaiian Serenade Columbia 10" Lp CL-6206
• When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Columbia 10" Lp CL-6245
• Latin Americana Columbia 10" Lp CL-6263
• Cruising Down The River Columbia 12" Lp CL-761/CS-9042*
• Hymns Of America Columbia 10" Lp CL-6298
• You Can't Be True, Dear Columbia 12" Lp CL-907/CS-8790*
• Moonlight And Roses Columbia 12" Lp CL-1207/CS-8848*
• 67 Melody Lane Columbia 12" Lp CL-724
• Greatest Hits Columbia 12" Lp CL-2717/CS-9517*
• Sentimental Serenade Harmony (Columbia) 12" Lp HL-7384/HS-11184*
• Ken Griffin at the Wurlitzer Organ Philips 10" Lp B 07755 R*
• Great Organ Favorites Harmony/Columbia 12" LP H 31028