Petrushka ~ B.F. Goodrich Silvertown Cord Orchestra

[bart1927]

Here's a recording by one of my favourite orchestra's. According to Brian Rust American Dance Band Discography there are only 20 issued recordings by this orchestra. The orchestra was lead by Joseph Knecht, and I guess they were sponsored by the B.F. Goodrich tire company. Vocal refrain by the Silver Masked Tenor, whose real name was Joseph M. White.

I present to you the B.F. Goodrich Silvertown Cord Orchestra with "Petrushka", recorded September 14, 1926 and issued on Victor 20204-A.

Enjoy!

[Lenoirstreetguy]

The Silver Masked tenor gimmick is a hoot! It originated in their very popular radio broadcasts. The idea was that the tenor was a famous concert artist who was in effect moonlighting with a dance band. Joe White imitates John McCormack but I don't think anyone was fooled. The only other tenor I can think of who might have sung with a dance band yet wanted to be secret about it would have been Frank Munn. He sang under the name of Paul Oliver on the Palmolive Hour with Olive Palmer...who was really Virginia Rea.
Jim

[Henry]

In case anybody was wondering: this "Petrushka" has absolutely no musical relationship whatsoever with the ballet music composed by Igor Stravinsky.

What a hoot!

[MordEth]

I guess they were sponsored by the B.F. Goodrich tire company.

Bart,

I’d always figured that this was the case—why else have ‘B.F. Goodrich’ in the name?

Thanks for sharing this recording.

— MordEth

[NashTwin8]

I guess they were sponsored by the B.F. Goodrich tire company.

Bart,

I’d always figured that this was the case—why else have ‘B.F. Goodrich’ in the name?

Thanks for sharing this recording.

— MordEth

Of course you guys are correct in your assumptions about this band's sponsorship. "Silvertown Cord", "Safety Silvertown" and similar variations on the "Silvertown" theme were widely-used and well-known B.F. Goodrich trade names for several decades, perhaps even into the early 1960s. Probably millions of "BF Goodrich Silvertown" tires traveled the highways of America (and beyond) over the years.

Thanks for the great music!

Take care,

Jerry K

[Valecnik]

Thanks for posting the great tune Bart. Your interests seem to lie in the mid-late 20s as far as popular music. I have many musical interests but the dance music from ~1920-29 is my favorite!

[bart1927]

Thanks for posting the great tune Bart. Your interests seem to lie in the mid-late 20s as far as popular music. I have many musical interests but the dance music from ~1920-29 is my favorite!

Mine too!