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Croydon - High Street Prior to 1903

            The Postcard

An R. & C. Series postcard that was posted in Croydon on Friday the 16th. October 1903 to:

Miss J. Lovering,
8, Albany Road,
Southsea.

The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:

"We had Uncle Ernest
over to see us yesterday
evening.
He had heard from
Grandma that you were
away.
So come over to see
how we are getting on.
He left by the 10.1.
I have had another long
letter from Ron.
Let us know when you
are coming home.
With lots of love for
you both,
Edgar.
Cecil sends heaps of
love to you both".

The Jazz Pianist Jack "Bones" O'Brien

So what else happened on the day that Edgar posted the card?

Well, the 16th. October 1903 marked the birth in Lehighton, Pennsylvania of John Roger "Jack Bones" O'Brien.

Jack "Bones" O'Brien was an American jazz pianist and songwriter. Notably, O'Brien was pianist, composer, and arranger with the Ted Weems orchestra from 1925 until 1941.

Jack "Bones" O'Brien - The Early Years

In 1921, O'Brien graduated from Bethlehem Preparatory School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He went on to Muhlenberg College, where he was in a fraternity, and then to Columbia University, where he studied organ with David McKinley Williams (1887–1978).

Jack "Bones" O'Brien's Music Career

Jack got an early start with Art Mickley (1900–1978) and his orchestra, when he was dubbed "Bones." He then was pianist with the Mason-Dixon Orchestra before starting his own orchestra.

From 1925 to 1941, O'Brien was pianist and arranger with Ted Weems. He began song writing, exclusively, in 1941.  Jack then played piano with Ted Weems for about 15 years.

"Thumbs Up!"

In 1941, O'Brien co-composed "Thumbs Up!", which became the official theme song of the British War Relief Society. The song went on to become the theme and movie title for the 1943 film, Thumbs Up.

The ASCAP Boycott

"My Greatest Mistake" was a hit in 1940, and was one of some 1,250,000 songs under an ASCAP license. 

In 1940, ASCAP attempted to double its fees to broadcasters for the airing of licensed songs. In consequence, for ten months – from the 1st. January 1941, until the 29th. October 1941, – radio broadcasters, namely NBC and CBS, banned all music licensed by ASCAP. 

Given the timing of the launch of "My Greatest Mistake," the ASCAP boycott, according to O'Brien, stunted the momentum of the song's popularity.

The Death of Jack "Bones" O'Brien

Jack died in Allentown, Pennsylvania at the age of 78 on the 12th. October 1982.
   

Taken on: March 14, 2021

Tags:

postcard

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Croydon

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16/10/1903

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Lovering

Albany

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Ernest

Ron

Edgar

Cecil

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Jack

Bones

O'Brien

John

Roger

Ted

Weems

1925

1941

Thumbs

UpASCAP

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Sets appears in: • Croydon and Environs • Vintage Cars and Other Motor Vehicles

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