 Kneale Kelley.
Kneale was a famous B.B.C. conductor. He started out as a solo violinist, and then went on
to conduct in music halls, concerts, revues and stage plays. He began his radio work in 1923, when the old 2LO
station was still based at the studio at Marconi House, on the Strand. For five years from this date, he was
leader of the Wireless Symphony Orchestra, which was the forerunner of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In a different
time, a Symphony Orchestra was more important to the BBC than we may realise today, and Kneale's job was
certainly a prize one. |
 Commander Stephen King-Hall.
Commander King-Hall was the grandson, son, and nephew of admirals, and was a seafarer himself,
having been involved in the fighting at Jutland. He was also the author of works on politics and economics. When
he came to the microphone in the early 1930s, he was responsible for the idea of interesting young listeners in
news of the day. His talks "Here and There" became a popular feature in Children's Hour. His parting phrase was
"Be good, but not so frightfully good". |
 Charlie Kunz.
Another of the Americans leading a British Dance Band, Charlie was born in Pennsylvania.
He tried many ways to make a living, but eventually found a way that suited him. He played piano at a local hotel
in the evenings and well into the night, and went on from there (still in evening clothes) to do a milk round.
He came to England in the late 1920s, and found fame as the leader of the Casani Club Orchestra. Later on,
he made many records of piano medlies of famous tunes, which must have been great sellers, as many of them
survive to this day.
Hear Charlie Kunz lead the Casani Club Orchestra:
March Winds and April Showers
Hear a Charlie Kunz Piano Medley:
Christmas Piano Medley No. 1
|
 Sydney Kyte.
Sydney Kyte was one of the best known band leaders and musical directors in the West End of
London. He was an associate of the Royal Academy of Music and Musical Director to the Duke of Westminster. What
he did not know about "diners out" was not worth knowing, and for many years he was associated with the
orchestras of the big hotels, including the Savoy, Berkeley, Piccadilly and Ciro's Club. He played the violin
himself, and first went on the air about 1925 when he was the deputy leader of the Savoy Orpheans broadcasting
from the Savoy Hotel. |
