Russ Carlyle

He was born Phillip Gantose in Cleveland, Ohio, but once embarked on his professional career decided that a showier name was required and so changed it (albeit never legally) to 'Carlyle', after a well-known hotel in New York. At one time he was voted by Billboard Magazine the 4th top vocalist in America, while performing as lead singer with Blue Barron and his orchestra (1936-39). He formed his own dance band in 1940 in New York, using the tagline 'The Romantic Style of Russ Carlyle'. His career was interrupted by wartime service, but after the war Carlyle regrouped and adopted a more swinging Hal Kemp ensemble sound. He eventually reverted to the 'sweet' style of dance music performing at top ballrooms, hotels and country clubs, including prestigious venues such as Roseland Dance City in New York, the Roosevelt in New Orleans and the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. His band remained popular throughout the fifties and sixties and even garnered an award from the National Ballroom Operators Association. The Carlyle band was signed by ABC/Paramount in 1951 and recorded three albums. The band's long-standing female lead vocalist was Patty Clayton whom Russ married in 1970. In his later years, Carlyle and his band had long annual stints at the Dunes Hotel in Nevada. He retired in 1990.