Famous musicians blessed Galesburg

Tracking History

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Back in the early days of the Galesburg Orpheum Theatre, vaudeville acts were the king of entertainment. The Orpheum pit orchestra was directed by DeWitt Depue. One of the prominent musical contributors who rattled out rhythms on the drums was Emmett Ronstrom.

When the emergence of the silver screen and cans containing celluloid webs came to town and virtually killed vaudeville, Ronstrom who was nicknamed "Slim" decided to take his talents to the Big Top Circus World. After eight years with the Pollock Shrine Circus, Slim, then known as Rex, hit the big time and caught on with the famed Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Emmett "Rex" Ronstrom was fortunate to be performing with the Ringling Bros. Circus during the filming of Cecil B. DeMille's Oscar winning movie "The Greatest Show On Earth." Rex retired from the circus life in 1954 and performed with the Oscar Babbitt Dixieland Band. Ronstrom's wife, Kitty, was instrumental in organizing Phi Beta, national music and drama sorority at Knox College.

'Satchmo' plays GHS

Famed jazz king Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong brought his six-piece band to the Galesburg High School auditorium during May 1961. The Ambassador of Jazz presented sounds of the '30s through the '60s in his famed swinging style to a full house of delighted fans. The concert was sponsored by the Galesburg Jaycees with proceeds given to Carver Center. Robert Kimble, Jaycees president (and future mayor of Galesburg) introduced the program and Mayor Robert Cabeen presented "keys to the city" to Satchmo.

Armstrong and his golden trumpet and gravel deep voice opened the concert with his signature song, "Sleepy Time Down South." Other favorites included "Old Man River," "Stompin at the Savoy," "Blueberry Hill," "Mack the Knife," "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" and "When the Saints Go Marching In."

It is interesting to note that Satchmo's fee to perform in Galesburg was $2,000.

Champagne music maker at roof garden

Lawrence Welk and His Novelty Band entertained at the Arcade Roof Garden on July 16 and Sept. 17, 1931. Galesburg's famed Roof Garden in the Weinberg Arcade was billed as "Where The Sky Begins" and offered 25 cents admission and free dancing to "America's Biggest Little Orchestra." On Sept. 18, 1931 the Arcade offered the "Big Battle of Music," featuring Lawrence Welk's Novelty Band and Vern Winter's Marigold Orchestra. It was billed as two outstanding orchestras and two floors of dancing.

As a sidelight, it has been reported that prior to one of Welk's appearances at the Roof Garden he sent a telegram to Harlan Little, who managed the Weinberg dance emporium and requested an advance. Welk told Little he needed money for gas and meals for his band. The request was granted and Welk became a consistent performer "where the sky begins"!

Tom Wilson is a local historian. Write to him at wilsont29@insightbb.com or at The Register-Mail, 140 S. Prairie St., Galesburg, IL 61401.