Person Biography:
Born with a passion for music, Dick Stabile began his illustrious career at the tender age of 15, performing in theatre bands that would lay the foundation for his future success. Over the next decade, Stabile honed his skills as a sideman, working alongside renowned orchestras led by George Olsen and Ben Bernie, respectively.
In 1936, Stabile took the leap and formed his own dance band in New York, which would become a staple of the city's nightlife. His own composition, "Blue Nocturne," served as the perfect introduction to his unique sound, captivating audiences and securing a lengthy engagement at the esteemed Lincoln Hotel.
As his fame grew, Stabile embarked on an extended tour of ballrooms and hotels across the United States, featuring a talented reed sextet and an array of skilled musicians, including composer/arranger Chauncey Gray and vocalists Paula Kelly and Gracie Barrie. It was during this time that Barrie would eventually become Stabile's wife, fronting the orchestra when he was called to serve in the Coast Guard during World War II.
Following the war, Stabile relocated to the West Coast and led his band for eight years at Ciro's Le Disc in West Hollywood. He also worked as an arranger and musical director on The Colgate Comedy Hour, featuring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, occasionally appearing in their films at Paramount.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Stabile remained a prominent figure in the music industry, leading his band to engagements in Las Vegas, the Cocoanut Grove, and the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. His compositions, including "Cloudburst," "Raindrops on the River," and "That's How I Need You," became fan favorites, and his band enjoyed lucrative recording contracts with Decca, Bluebird, Victor, and Vocalion.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Stabile was also featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" for his remarkable ability to blow the highest note possible on the saxophone. Dick Stabile's enduring legacy as a talented bandleader and composer continues to inspire new generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
