Blue Barron

Blue Barron
MCA

Stars

Blue Barron
Music: East side of the 1700 block of Vine Street
Bandleader
Born Harry Freedlin on Nov. 19, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio
Died July 16, 2005 in Baltimore, Md.

Blue Barron led a big-band dance orchestra known for its signature sweet-sounding music, strictly devoid of jazz influences.

Fronting a band that played in the style of Guy Lombardo and Sammy Kaye, Barron once had a national audience for his nightly radio broadcasts. He popularized many songs, including the 1948 hit "Cruising Down the River."

Music colleagues said he was born Harry Freedlin in Cleveland and earned a degree from Ohio University, where he became interested in music management and played violin in a campus band.

He adopted the professional name Blue Barron and in 1934 founded the Blue Barron Orchestra, directed by Red Atkins.

When Atkins left, Barron began fronting the band. By 1937, Barron had signed an RCA Victor recording contract and had made numerous pressings for its Bluebird label.

His band's theme song was "Sometimes I'm Happy." He introduced selections with: "The music of yesterday and today the Blue Barron way."

— Jacques Kelly in the Los Angeles Times July 23, 2005

Related stars

Points of interest

Click for more information

    One thought about Blue Barron

    Share a thought about Blue Barron

    • Did you ever meet Blue Barron? Share your memory.
    • Which other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have connections to Blue Barron?
    • Are other places in the world important to Blue Barron?
    • Does Blue Barron deserve this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

      Required
      Optional