Eddie Baxter (November 23, 1922 – August 21, 1998) was an American organist who provided music for several TV programs and recorded several albums for various labels, most importantly for Dot.
Eddie Baxter | |
|---|---|
 Eddie Baxter, 1966 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 23, 1922 Colorado |
| Died | August 21, 1998 (aged 75) Mission Viejo, California |
| Genres | pop |
| Occupation(s) | organist, pianist |
| Years active | 1930s – 1960s |
| Labels |
|
Baxter was born in Colorado on November 23, 1922.[1] By the age of ten he was playing piano for dancing classes.[2] He moved to Los Angeles at age 13, and became a professional musician during his teenage years.[1][2] He intended music as a hobby, enrolling in the pre-med program at UCLA.[2] These plans were interrupted by World War II, which he spent in the Army Air Force.[2] Following his discharge, he did not return to his studies but instead joined Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra.[2] He then joined Frankie Masters where he added arranging duties to his pianist abilities.[2] He began playing the organ, which diversified his career opportunities. He was the organist for The Continental and made an album with Renzo Cesana for Capitol Records.[2] Through the early 1950s, he was the staff organist at NBC's KNBH which meant he played for award presentations, audience participation shows, game shows, variety shows, and even a space program.[2][3][4] At night, Baxter played in nightclubs in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas.[1] He became a spokesperson for Western Airlines and toured while promoting that air carrier.[2] He then became Lowery Organ Company's resident artist, then subsequently was their representative in the Southern California territory.[2] Later in life he resided in Sherman Oaks, California.[2] Baxter died August 21, 1998, in Mission Viejo, California.[1]
Baxter made a number of pipe-organ records. Some of his earlier efforts were not met with enthusiasm by the trade press, as Billboard called them "uninspiring" and gave them 2 stars.[5][6] 1961 saw Baxter begin a series of LP records with Dot and these albums received much improved reviews from Billboard, which gave his albums 4 stars while noting he "played with feeling," maximizing focus on the melody while utilizing minimal production.[7][8][9]
Partial discography
edit- Speak Low (Rendezvous 1301) – 1957[5]
- Temptation (Rendezvous 1302)[1]
- This Love of Mine (Rendezvous 1303)[1]
- Holiday for Pipes (Rendezvous 1305)[1]
- Electronic Pipes (Rendezvous 1306)[1]
- The Tasty Touch (Rendezvous 1303)[1]
- Wedding Bells (Imperial 9111) – 1960[6]
- Organ Festival (Dot 25277)[10]
- Organ Songs We Love (Dot 25435) – 1962[7]
- Great Organ Themes from Movies and TV (Dot 25436) – 1962[9]
- The Fantastic Sounds of Eddie Baxter at the Lowery Organ (Dot 25551)[11]
- More Fantastic Sounds! of Eddie Baxter (Dot 25607) – 1964[8]
- Organ Blues 'N' Boogie (Hamilton 12136) – 1964[12]
- Organ Sounds Indredible (Dot 25706) – 1966[13]
- Organ Melodies of Love (Dot 25708) – 1966[14]
- Super Organ (Concert E-130)[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Eddie Baxter". Space Age Pop. 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Landon, John W. (September 1985). "Biographical Dictionary of Theatre Organists". Theatre Organ. 27 (5): 39. ISSN 0040-5531.
- ^ "General News: Births". Billboard. November 3, 1951. p. 60.
- ^ "General News: Births". Billboard. May 15, 1954. p. 38.
- ^ a b "Reviews and Ratings of New Albums". Billboard. February 2, 1957. p. 32.
- ^ a b "Reviews and Ratings of New Albums". Billboard. April 4, 1960. p. 28.
- ^ a b "Reviews of New Albums". Billboard. July 14, 1962. p. 28.
- ^ a b "Album Reviews". Billboard. December 26, 1964. p. 22.
- ^ a b "Reviews of New Albums". Billboard. August 25, 1962. p. 36.
- ^ "The Biggest Profit Making Record Plan (advertisement)". Billboard. September 11, 1961. p. 38.
- ^ "Dot Records Proudly Presents The Hot Dots (advertisement)". Billboard. March 28, 1964. p. 13.
- ^ "Retailers' Fall Record Buying Guide". Billboard. October 11, 1964. p. 74.
- ^ "New Album Releases". Billboard. June 4, 1966. p. 36.
- ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. May 21, 1966. p. 31.