Harry Owens | |
|---|---|
 Harry Owens with his daughter Leilani | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Harry Robert Owens[1] (1902-04-18)April 18, 1902 |
| Died | December 12, 1986(1986-12-12) (aged 84) |
| Genres | Hawaiian music |
| Occupations | Musician,Composer,arranger |
| Instrument | Cornet |
| Years active | 1926–1985 |
| Labels | Decca,Capitol,Columbia,Hamilton |
Harry Robert Owens (18 April 1902 – 12 December 1986) was an Americancomposer,bandleader andsongwriter best known for his song "Sweet Leilani".
Harry Robert Owens was born April 18, 1902, inO'Neill,Nebraska. He learned to play thecornet[2] in a small band on an Indian reservation inMontana.
Owens was working the vaudeville circuit by age 14. He studied for a career in law, but then started a band in 1926, when he was booked into the Lafayette Cafe inLos Angeles and auditioned a young Bing Crosby.
The big turning point in his career came in 1934 with his arrival inHawaii and his appointment as music director[2] ofThe Royal Hawaiian Hotel inWaikiki. He tried to learn all he could about the local culture by mixing and working with native Hawaiians. He learned many traditional and more modern Hawaiian songs and tunes which he wrote down and orchestrated using Western notation for the first time. Many had never been written down before, much less orchestrated. He reorganized the Royal Hawaiians by splitting the band intoHawaiian andhaole instrumental sections. His band featured thesteel guitar, which had a trademark sound, producing tuneful and rhythmic dance music with a strong Hawaiian flavour.Hilo Hattie was a featured performer with The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. Beginning in 1935, Owens and his orchestra were featured on the popular Saturday night radio show,Hawaii Calls.
Bing Crosby and Owens began their friendship when both played the Lafayette Cafe in Los Angeles in 1926.[3] In 1934, Owens wrote "Sweet Leilani"[4] to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and made it the signature song of his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. While vacationing inHonolulu with his wife Dixie Lee, Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movieWaikiki Wedding. Harry was hesitant, but Bing convinced him. ProducerArthur Hornblow, Jr. was a hard sell. Hornblow dug in his heels that the song would not be used in the movie. Crosby retreated to the golf course and refused to return until Hornblow agreed to include the song in the film. "Sweet Leilani" won Best Song category at the 193810th Academy Awards, and became Crosby's first gold record.[4]
Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians played "Sweet Leilani" in the 1938Fred MacMurray filmCocoanut Grove. The soundtrack also featured the Owens-penned songs '"Cocoanut Grove" and "Dreamy Hawaiian Moon." They also appeared in the 1942Betty Grable filmSong of the Islands.
In 1949, Owens started to appear regularly on television. He made regular appearances inCalifornia, both in person and on television. He established thehapa haole style of Hawaii music (native music as interpreted by foreigners) which was developed bySonny Cunha andJohnny Noble, and he enjoyed significant commercial success with this style of music-making. Owens is credited with about 300 hapa haole songs, many of which remain popular with musicians playing in this style.
Owens was a great advocate of Hawaii and things Hawaiian.[2] He founded a tourism company and music publishing business. He died inEugene,Oregon.
TheHawai'i Academy of Recording Arts awarded Owens the 1987Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award[5] for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.
Owens, Harry.Sweet Leilani: The Story Behind the Song: An Autobiography. Hula House, 1970.
