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{{Short description|American songwriter (1902–1986)}}
⚫
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->

⚫
| name =Harry Owens
⚫
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
⚫
| image = HarryOwens1.jpg
| caption = Harry Owens with his daughter Leilani
| name = Harry Owens
⚫
| image = HarryOwens1.jpg
| caption = Harry Owens with his daughter Leilani
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Harry Robert Owens<ref name="Harry Robert Owens">{{cite web|title=Harry Robert Owens|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Harry+Owens?anv=Harry+Robert+Owens|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=15 June 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name = Harry Robert Owens<ref name="Harry Robert Owens">{{cite web|title=Harry Robert Owens|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Harry+Owens?anv=Harry+Robert+Owens|publisher=Discogs|access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref>
| Born = {{birth date|1902|4|18}}<br/>[[O'Neill, Nebraska]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1902|4|18}}
| birth_place = [[O'Neill, Nebraska]]
| Died = {{death date and age|1986|12|12|1902|4|18}}<br/>[[Eugene, Oregon]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1986|12|12|1902|4|18}}
| death_place = [[Eugene, Oregon]]
| instrument = [[Cornet]]
| instrument = [[Cornet]]
| genre = [[Hawaiian music]]
| genre = [[Hawaiian music]]
| occupation = [[Musician]], [[Composer]], [[Arrangement|arranger]]
| occupation = [[Musician]], [[Composer]], [[Arrangement|arranger]]
| years_active = 1926–?
| years_active = 1926–1985
| label = [[Decca Records|Decca]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Hamilton Records|Hamilton]]
| label = [[Decca Records|Decca]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Hamilton Records|Hamilton]]
⚫
| website =
| associated_acts = Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians <br>[[Bing Crosby]]<br> [[Hilo Hattie]]<br>Don McDiarmid
| website =
}}
}}
'''Harry Owens''' (18 April 1902 &ndash; 12 December 1986) was an [[United States|American]] [[composer]], [[bandleader]] and [[songwriter]] best known for his song "[[Sweet Leilani]]."
'''Harry Robert Owens''' (18 April 1902 &ndash; 12 December 1986) was an American [[composer]], [[bandleader]] and [[songwriter]] best known for his song "[[Sweet Leilani]]".


==Biography==
==Biography==


'''Harry Robert Owens''' was born April 18, 1902, in [[O'Neill, Nebraska|O'Neill]], [[Nebraska]]. He learned to play the cornet<ref name="Harry Owens">{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Mike|title=Harry Owens|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq3owens|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|date=2 July 2006}}</ref> in a small band on an Indian reservation in [[Montana]].
Harry Robert Owens was born April 18, 1902, in [[O'Neill, Nebraska|O'Neill]], [[Nebraska]]. He learned to play the [[cornet]]<ref name="honoluluAdv-2006-07-02">{{cite news
| title=Harry Owens
| url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq3owens
| first=Mike | last=Gordon | newspaper=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]] | date=2 July 2006
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610035227/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq3owens
| archive-date=2011-06-10 | url-status=dead
}}
</ref> in a small band on an Indian reservation in [[Montana]].


===Early years===
===Early years===
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===Hawaii===
===Hawaii===


The big turning point in his career came in 1934 with his arrival in [[Hawaii]] and his appointment as music director<ref name="Harry Owens"/> of [[Royal Hawaiian Hotel|The Royal Hawaiian Hotel]] in [[Waikiki]]. 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 into [[Hawaii]]an and [[haole]] instrumental sections. His band featured the [[Steel guitar|steel 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]].
The big turning point in his career came in 1934 with his arrival in [[Hawaii]] and his appointment as music director<ref name="honoluluAdv-2006-07-02"/> of [[Royal Hawaiian Hotel|The Royal Hawaiian Hotel]] in [[Waikiki]]. 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 into [[Hawaii]]an and [[haole]] instrumental sections. His band featured the [[steel 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 Sweet Leilani===
===Bing Crosby and Sweet Leilani===


[[Bing Crosby]] and Owens began their friendship when both played the Lafayette Cafe in Los Angeles in 1926.<ref name="The Big Band Almanac">{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Leo|title=The Big Band Almanac |year=1989|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=978-0306803451|pages=331}}</ref> In 1934, Owens wrote "[[Sweet Leilani]]"<ref name="Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century">{{cite book|last=Gudens|first=Richard|title=Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century |year=2002|publisher=Celebrity Profiles Publishing Co.|isbn=978-1575792484|pages=41–46}}</ref> to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and made it the signature song of his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. While vacationing in [[Honolulu]] with his wife Dixie Lee, Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movie [[Waikiki Wedding]]. Harry was hesitant, but Bing convinced him. Producer [[Arthur 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 1938 [[10th Academy Awards]], and became Crosby's first gold record.<ref name="Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century"/>
[[Bing Crosby]] and Owens began their friendship when both played the Lafayette Cafe in Los Angeles in 1926.<ref name="The Big Band Almanac">{{cite book|last=Walker|first=Leo|title=The Big Band Almanac|year=1989|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=978-0-306-80345-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bigbandalmanac00walke/page/331 331]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bigbandalmanac00walke/page/331}}</ref> In 1934, Owens wrote "[[Sweet Leilani]]"<ref name="Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century">{{cite book|last=Gudens|first=Richard|title=Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century |year=2002|publisher=Celebrity Profiles Publishing Co.|isbn=978-1-57579-248-4|pages=41–46}}</ref> to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and made it the signature song of his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. While vacationing in [[Honolulu]] with his wife Dixie Lee, Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movie ''[[Waikiki Wedding]]''. Harry was hesitant, but Bing convinced him. Producer [[Arthur 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 1938 [[10th Academy Awards]], and became Crosby's first gold record.<ref name="Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century"/>


===Movies and television===
===Movies and television===


Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians played "Sweet Leilani" in the 1938 [[Fred MacMurray]] film ''Cocoanut Grove''. The soundtrack also featured the Owens-penned songs '"Cocoanut Grove" and "Dreamy Hawaiian Moon." They also appeared in the 1942 [[Betty Grable]] film ''[[Song of the Islands]]''.
Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians played "Sweet Leilani" in the 1938 [[Fred MacMurray]] film ''Cocoanut Grove''. The soundtrack also featured the Owens-penned songs '"Cocoanut Grove" and "Dreamy Hawaiian Moon." They also appeared in the 1942 [[Betty Grable]] film ''[[Song of the Islands]]''.


In 1949, Owens started to appear regularly on television. He made regular appearances in [[California]], both in person and on television. He established the [[hapa]] [[haole]] style of Hawaii music (native music as interpreted by foreigners) which was developed by [[Sonny Cunha]] and [[Johnny 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.
In 1949, Owens started to appear regularly on television. He made regular appearances in [[California]], both in person and on television. He established the [[Hapa haole music|hapa haole]] style of Hawaii music (native music as interpreted by foreigners) which was developed by [[Sonny Cunha]] and [[Johnny 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.<ref name="Harry Owens"/> He founded a tourism company and music publishing business. He died in [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], [[Oregon]].
Owens was a great advocate of Hawaii and things Hawaiian.<ref name="honoluluAdv-2006-07-02"/> He founded a tourism company and music publishing business. He died in [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], [[Oregon]].


==Recognition==
==Recognition==


The [[Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts]] awarded Owens the 1987 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award<ref name="Na Hoku Hanohano Award">{{Cite web | title=Na Hoku Hanohano Award | publisher= Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts | url=http://www.nahokuhanohano.org/cms/index.php?page=Lifetime-awards | accessdate=15 June 2010}} Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts</ref> for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.
The [[Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts]] awarded Owens the 1987 [[Na Hoku Hanohano]] Lifetime Achievement Award<ref name="Na Hoku Hanohano Award">{{Cite web|title=Na Hoku Hanohano Award |publisher=Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts |url=http://www.nahokuhanohano.org/cms/index.php?page=Lifetime-awards |access-date=15 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227155255/http://www.nahokuhanohano.org/cms/index.php?page=Lifetime-awards |archive-date=27 February 2014 }} Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts</ref> for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.


==Discography==
==Discography==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0654374}}

*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654374/ '''Harry Owens''' at Internet Movie Database]
*[https://www.allmusic.com/album/aloha-r374667 Allmusic ''Aloha'' Harry Owens with music samples]
*[http://www.allmusic.com/album/aloha-r374667 Allmusic ''Aloha'' Harry Owens with music samples]
*[http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/harry_owens_and_his_royal_hawaiians Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians discography - Rate Your Music]
*[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Harry+Owens+%26+His+Royal+Hawaiian+Orchestra?anv=Harry+Owens+And+His+Royal+Hawaiians Discogs Harry Owens & His Royal Hawaiian Orchestra Discography]
*[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Harry+Owens+%26+His+Royal+Hawaiian+Orchestra?anv=Harry+Owens+And+His+Royal+Hawaiians Discogs Harry Owens & His Royal Hawaiian Orchestra Discography]


{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for Harry Owens
| list =
{{AcademyAwardBestOriginalSong 1934–1940}}
{{AcademyAwardBestOriginalSong 1934–1940}}
{{Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Owens, Harry
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =18 April 1902
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =12 December 1986
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Owens, Harry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Owens, Harry}}
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:Best Song Academy Award winning songwriters]]
[[Category:Best Original Song Academy Award–winning songwriters]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Nebraska]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Nebraska]]
[[Category:American composers]]
[[Category:American male composers]]
[[Category:Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners]]

[[Category:People from O'Neill, Nebraska]]
[[sv:Harry Owens]]
[[Category:20th-century American composers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century American songwriters]]

Latest revision as of 03:48, 5 November 2024

Harry Owens
Harry Owens with his daughter Leilani
Harry Owens with his daughter Leilani
Background information
Birth nameHarry Robert Owens[1]
Born(1902-04-18)April 18, 1902
O'Neill, Nebraska
DiedDecember 12, 1986(1986-12-12) (aged 84)
Eugene, Oregon
GenresHawaiian music
Occupation(s)Musician, Composer, arranger
InstrumentCornet
Years active1926–1985
LabelsDecca, Capitol, Columbia, Hamilton

Harry Robert Owens (18 April 1902 – 12 December 1986) was an American composer, bandleader and songwriter best known for his song "Sweet Leilani".

Biography

[edit]

Harry Robert Owens was born April 18, 1902, in O'Neill, Nebraska. He learned to play the cornet[2] in a small band on an Indian reservation in Montana.

Early years

[edit]

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 in Los Angeles and auditioned a young Bing Crosby.

Hawaii

[edit]

The big turning point in his career came in 1934 with his arrival in Hawaii and his appointment as music director[2] of The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. 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 into Hawaiian and haole instrumental sections. His band featured the steel 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 Sweet Leilani

[edit]

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 in Honolulu with his wife Dixie Lee, Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movie Waikiki Wedding. Harry was hesitant, but Bing convinced him. Producer Arthur 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 1938 10th Academy Awards, and became Crosby's first gold record.[4]

Movies and television

[edit]

Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians played "Sweet Leilani" in the 1938 Fred MacMurray film Cocoanut Grove. The soundtrack also featured the Owens-penned songs '"Cocoanut Grove" and "Dreamy Hawaiian Moon." They also appeared in the 1942 Betty Grable film Song of the Islands.

In 1949, Owens started to appear regularly on television. He made regular appearances in California, both in person and on television. He established the hapa haole style of Hawaii music (native music as interpreted by foreigners) which was developed by Sonny Cunha and Johnny 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 in Eugene, Oregon.

Recognition

[edit]

The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts awarded Owens the 1987 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award[5] for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Hawaii, 1945, Capitol A-4,[6] BD-4, H-166, H-238[7]
  • Songs of Hawaii, 1945, Capitol A-6,[6] BD-6, H-268[7]
  • Hawaiian Melodies, 1948, Columbia CL-6030[8]
  • Voice Of The Trade Winds, 1952, Capitol H-333[9]
  • Polynesian Holiday, 1957, Capitol T 804[10]
  • Great Songs of Hawaii, 1965, Hamilton HLP-141, HLP-12141[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Harry Robert Owens". Discogs. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Gordon, Mike (2 July 2006). "Harry Owens". The Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10.
  3. ^ Walker, Leo (1989). The Big Band Almanac. Da Capo Press. pp. 331. ISBN 978-0-306-80345-1.
  4. ^ a b Gudens, Richard (2002). Bing Crosby-Crooner of the Century. Celebrity Profiles Publishing Co. pp. 41–46. ISBN 978-1-57579-248-4.
  5. ^ "Na Hoku Hanohano Award". Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2010. Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts
  6. ^ a b Capitol Album Discography, Part 1: The 78-rpm Albums: 1 to 149 A-4, A-6
  7. ^ a b Capitol Album Discography, Part 2: The 10" Albums: 150 to 299 H-166, H-238, H-268
  8. ^ Columbia 10-inch Album Discography, Part 1: Main Series (CL 6001 to CL 6099) 1948-1950 CL-6030
  9. ^ Capitol Album Discography, Part 3: 10" Albums: 300 to 449 H-333
  10. ^ Capitol Records Discography, Continued T 804
  11. ^ Hamilton Album Discography HLP-141/HLP-12141

Further reading

[edit]

Owens, Harry. Sweet Leilani: The Story Behind the Song: An Autobiography. Hula House, 1970.

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Harry_Owens&oldid=1255475745"