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Roy Smeck (born Ray Smeck, 6 February 1900 – 5 April 1994) was an American musician. His skill on the banjo, guitar, steel guitar, and especially the ukulele earned him the nickname "Wizard of the Strings." more...

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Background

Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Smeck started on the vaudeville circuit. His style was influenced by Eddie Lang, Ikey Robinson, banjoist Harry Reser, and steel guitarist Sol Hoopii. Smeck could not sing well, so he developed novelty dances and trick playing to supplement his act.

Notable appearances

In 1926 he appeared in His Pastimes, one of the first sound films ever made by Warner Bros./Vitaphone. It made him an instant celebrity.

In 1932 he appeared in the film Club House Party with period singing star Russ Columbo.

In 1933 Paramount Pictures featured him in the first film incorporating multiple soundtracks. The screen was divided into four parts with Smeck playing steel guitar, tenor banjo, ukulele and six-string guitar simultaneously.

Smeck played at Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential inaugural ball in 1932; George VI's coronation review in 1939; and toured globally. He appeared on television on variety shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, and Jack Paar.

Inventor and instructor

Smeck also invented the Vita-Uke and other stringed instruments marketed by the Harmony Company.

He made over 500 recordings for various companies, including Edison Records, Victor Talking Machine Company, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Crown Records, RCA Records and others. He wrote instruction/method books and arrangements.

Later life and recognitions

A 1983 documentary by Alan Edelstein and Peter Friedman featured Smeck. Wizard of the Strings, about Smeck and his career, won a mention for Merit at the 1984 Student Academy Awards.

Smeck died in New York City at age 94. He was posthumously inducted into the National Four-string Banjo Hall of Fame in 2001. Smeck's work is also featured in the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum.

Read more at Wikipedia.org