Scrappy Lambert

Harold "Scrappy" Lambert (May 12, 1901 – November 30, 1987, in New Brunswick, New Jersey) was an American dance-band vocalist who appeared on hundreds of recordings from the 1920s to the 1940s.

At Rutgers University, he was a cheerleader and played piano for a jazz group, the Rutgers Jazz Bandits. In February 1925, fellow student Billy Hillpot and he formed a musical duo impersonating the Smith Brothers. They were discovered in 1926 by Ben Bernie, who signed them to perform with his orchestra. Lambert and Hillpot appeared on many recordings with the orchestra and remained under Bernie's employ until 1928.

Other bandleaders who employed Lambert include Red Nichols, Frank Britton Wenzel, Fred Rich, and Sam Lanin.

In the 1920s and early 1930s, Lambert was one of the most prolific "band vocalists" (hired to sing the vocal chorus on recordings by both performing orchestras and studio groups). His voice is featured on hundreds of recordings and a series of vocal solo recordings for Brunswick.

In the 1930s, Lambert and Hillpot took their comedy routine to the National Broadcasting Company. In 1943, MCA offered Lambert a job overseeing their radio department in Beverly Hills, California. This marked the end of his singing career, and he worked for MCA until 1948. He was living in Palm Springs at the time of his death, in Riverside, California.

"Cheerio, Cherry Lips, Cheerio", a 1929 vocal that Lambert recorded under the name Gordon Wallace, has been the closing theme of Dr. Demento's weekly radio broadcast since the early 1970s.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 12, 1901 (New Brunswick), Died November 30, 1987 (Riverside)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926 - 1933

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, tenor vocal, composer

Notes: Also used pseudonym Burt Lorin.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 276-300 of 607 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
OKeh W404207 10-in. 6/6/1930 You're the sweetest girl this side of heaven Ray Seeley Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404208 10-in. 6/6/1930 You (I love but you) Ray Seeley Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404209 10-in. 6/6/1930 My love (I'll be waiting for you) Ray Seeley Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404211 10-in. 6/7/1930 I'm yours Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404212 10-in. 6/7/1930 It seems to be spring Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404213 10-in. 6/7/1930 Beware of love Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404214 10-in. 6/9/1930 Live and love today Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404215 10-in. 6/9/1930 Seems to me Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404216 10-in. 6/9/1930 Rollin' down the river Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404258 10-in. 7/8/1930 Why have you forgotten Waikiki? Phil Spitalny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404260 10-in. 7/8/1930 All through the night Phil Spitalny Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404262 10-in. 7/11/1930 I wonder how it feels (To be head over heels in love) Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404263 10-in. 7/11/1930 Little white lies Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404264 10-in. 7/11/1930 (Under the sun it's anyone) Under the moon it's you Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404282 10-in. 8/8/1930 Good evenin' Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404283 10-in. 8/8/1930 Tomorrow is another day Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404284 10-in. 8/8/1930 Why am I so romantic? Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404431 10-in. 9/6/1930 I am only human after all New Yorkers [Joe Venuti and His New Yorkers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404432 10-in. 9/6/1930 Out of breath (And scared to death of you) The Four New Yorkers ; Joe Venuti Jazz/ dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404508 10-in. 10/23/1930 Oh why? Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404509 10-in. 10/23/1930 My ideal Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404510 10-in. 10/23/1930 You're simply delish Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404511 10-in. 10/23/1930 If I knew you better Lanin’s Famous Players Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404543 10-in. 11/7/1930 Can this be love? Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
OKeh W404544 10-in. 11/7/1930 Fine and dandy Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
(Results 276-300 of 607 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lambert, Scrappy," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632.

Lambert, Scrappy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632.

"Lambert, Scrappy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632

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