Dick Stabile

b. 29 May 1909, Newark, New Jersey, USA, d. 18 September 1980, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Stabile studied saxophone while still at school and was a professional musician in his early teens. In 1926 he moved to New York to join the orchestra of George Olsen, moving then into Ben Bernie’s popular band where he remained until 1936. That year he formed his own outfit which became popular at New York hotels and ballrooms. His band remained in business while he served in the armed forces during World War II, his wife, singer Gracie Barrie, leading it in his absence. After the war Stabile continued to appeal to dancers and adjusted his repertoire to accommodate the growing number of radio listeners as the dance halls declined. After moving to the west coast he became musical director for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, appearing regularly with them on television and in some of their films. Stabile subsequently led bands in west coast and Las Vegas clubs and hotels before resettling in New Orleans where he fronted the house band at the Roosevelt Hotel until his death from a heart attack in 1980.