Leon René (February 6, 1902 – May 30, 1982) was an American musiccomposer ofpop,R&B androck and roll songs and a record producer in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. He sometimes used the songwritingpseudonymJimmy Thomas orJimmie Thomas. He also established severalrecord labels.
Born inCovington, Louisiana, he is best known for his hit song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano". The song, written as a tribute to the annual springtime return of thecliff swallows toMission San Juan Capistrano inSouthern California, spent several weeks at the top ofYour Hit Parade charts during its initial release in 1940. The lyrics say:
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell," in Capistrano
'twas the day the swallows flew out to sea— excerpt from "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" by Leon René
The song has been recorded by such musicians asThe Ink Spots,Fred Waring,Guy Lombardo, andGlenn Miller. A glassed-off room in the mission has been designated in René's honor and displays the upright piano on which he composed the tune, the reception desk from his office and several copies of the song's sheet music and other pieces of furniture, all donated by René's family.
René's other works included "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" (withClarence Muse and brotherOtis René), "Gloria", and such Pop staples as "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", "Rockin' Robin", and "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus".
During the 1940s, with his brother and songwriting partner,Otis René, Leon René established and ran the independentrhythm and blues labelsExclusive Records andExcelsior Records. Otis was responsible for any publicly identified with Excelsior Records, while Leon was identified with Exclusive Records.[1] They had purchased their own record plant, but when the format changed from78 rpm to 45rpm, they could not press the new speed, and the labels went out of business. Otis René's Excelsior label existed from 1944 to 1951. Leon René's Exclusive Records existed from 1944 to 1950.[2] Artists on Exclusive Records included"Frantic" Fay Thomas,[3] theBuddy Baker Sextet,Joe Liggins andJohnny Moore's Three Blazers.
Leon René then set upClass Records in 1951, with his son,Rafael "Googie" René andPreston Love.[4] René then issued successful recordings by his son, plusOscar McLollie[5] andBobby Day. Day also recorded asBobby Byrd ofThe Hollywood Flames andBob & Earl. In 1958, he set upRendezvous Records, which produced hits byErnie Fields, andB. Bumble and the Stingers, until it folded in 1963.
René died inLos Angeles,California, at the age of 80. He was the grandfather of formerX Factor contestantChris Rene.
"Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" is a song written by René. The song was recorded withMabel Scott in late 1947 for Supreme Records and placed within the top 15 ofBillboard'sRace Records chart.[6]Patti Page covered the song in 1950 to little attention, but its B-side, "Tennessee Waltz", became a #1 hit in the United States and is one of her best-known works.Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra also released a version in 1950 withSonny Parker on vocals. It has since been recorded by many other artists, includingThe Brian Setzer Orchestra for their 2002 albumBoogie Woogie Christmas andColin James for 2007'sColin James & The Little Big Band: Christmas.
