ARTIST
Richards, Dal
\"I grew up in a wonderful age of music -- as I say in my radio show, The Golden Years.\"INSTRUMENTS Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Radio Host, Voice, Clarinet
When it comes to big bands and swanky Saturday night dances in the 1940s, Dal Richards is a Vancouver legend. A forefather of dance music and entertainment in Western Canada, Dal\'s career spans over seventy years: 25 at the Panorama Roof, 68 at the Pacific National Exhibition, plus 73 New Year\'s Eve concerts in a row--and counting. Today, Dal is still one of B.C.\'s busiest musicians.
\"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?\"
A Vancouver native, Dal recalls forming his first little band in high school after hearing Benny Goodman on the radio. In the early 1930s, he played clarinet in the Kitsilano Boys Band (led by Arthur Delamont). After graduating from Magee Secondary, Dal went straight into the clubs as a working musician, including a part-time summer job in White Rock playing saxophone at the Blue Moon Room (1937). While working as a sideman for Sandy DeSantis at the Palomar Ballroom (est. 1938), he was asked to take over as bandleader: \"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?\" His response was, \"Sure,\" and the rest is history.
\"You sort of knew a musician from where he played because you\'d play the Palomar, you\'d play The Cave, you\'d play the Embassy Ballroom...\"
-Dal Richards
In 1941, the Dal Richards Orchestra auditioned for a six-week engagement at Vancouver\'s prestigious dance venue, the Panorama Roof on top of Hotel Vancouver. They ended up staying there for 25 years! Every Saturday night, a national CBC radio series called \"The Band At the Top of the Town\" broadcast live from the Roof. The band featured a number of female vocalists such as Lorraine McAllister, Beverly Foster, and a young Juliette who was only 15 years old. \"I\'ve always had a female singer,\" says Dal. \"Some bands don\'t do that. It has always been an integral part. I think it\'s because I sing and I love lyrics. I think they should be heard.\"
\"The music is a business. The easiest part is onstage — all the work\'s done.\"
-Dal Richards
By 1965, the big band music business had slowed down and many bandleaders were losing their jobs. Dal decided to change his career path and enroll in Hospitality Management at BCIT. But in the mid 1980s, a \"resurrection\" of big bands and jazz allowed him to return to work as a full-time musician. Today, Dal continues to host his weekly radio show \"Dal\'s Place\" on 600 AM. And much to his puzzlement, the Dal Richards Orchestra is playing more than it ever did before. Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday at a sold-out concert at Vancouver\'s treasured Orpheum Theatre, Dal says, \"I\'m just along for the ride.\"
\"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?\"
A Vancouver native, Dal recalls forming his first little band in high school after hearing Benny Goodman on the radio. In the early 1930s, he played clarinet in the Kitsilano Boys Band (led by Arthur Delamont). After graduating from Magee Secondary, Dal went straight into the clubs as a working musician, including a part-time summer job in White Rock playing saxophone at the Blue Moon Room (1937). While working as a sideman for Sandy DeSantis at the Palomar Ballroom (est. 1938), he was asked to take over as bandleader: \"Hey kid, do you think you could lead a band?\" His response was, \"Sure,\" and the rest is history.
\"You sort of knew a musician from where he played because you\'d play the Palomar, you\'d play The Cave, you\'d play the Embassy Ballroom...\"
-Dal Richards
In 1941, the Dal Richards Orchestra auditioned for a six-week engagement at Vancouver\'s prestigious dance venue, the Panorama Roof on top of Hotel Vancouver. They ended up staying there for 25 years! Every Saturday night, a national CBC radio series called \"The Band At the Top of the Town\" broadcast live from the Roof. The band featured a number of female vocalists such as Lorraine McAllister, Beverly Foster, and a young Juliette who was only 15 years old. \"I\'ve always had a female singer,\" says Dal. \"Some bands don\'t do that. It has always been an integral part. I think it\'s because I sing and I love lyrics. I think they should be heard.\"
\"The music is a business. The easiest part is onstage — all the work\'s done.\"
-Dal Richards
By 1965, the big band music business had slowed down and many bandleaders were losing their jobs. Dal decided to change his career path and enroll in Hospitality Management at BCIT. But in the mid 1980s, a \"resurrection\" of big bands and jazz allowed him to return to work as a full-time musician. Today, Dal continues to host his weekly radio show \"Dal\'s Place\" on 600 AM. And much to his puzzlement, the Dal Richards Orchestra is playing more than it ever did before. Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday at a sold-out concert at Vancouver\'s treasured Orpheum Theatre, Dal says, \"I\'m just along for the ride.\"
PHOTO GALLERY
Click on thumbnail for larger image
VIDEO
Dal Richards - "you knew a musician from where he played"
Dal Richards - silent footage of Dal Richards playing at Hotel Vancouver (1965)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
JazzStreet Vancouver Interview
Richards, Dal. Personal Interview with John Orysik. Vancouver, BC. 16 Nov. 2005.
