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 451-475 of 607 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E36071 10-in. 2/13/1931 I want you for myself Detroiters ; Milt Shaw Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36186 10-in. 2/26/1931 You said it The Travelers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36187 10-in. 2/26/1931 Sweet and hot The Travelers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36188 10-in. 2/26/1931 I’ve got a sweet somebody to love me The Travelers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36189 10-in. 2/26/1931 Dream a little dream of me Dorsey Brothers Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36627 10-in. 4/16/1931 Bubbling over with love Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36628 10-in. 4/16/1931 Now you’re in my arms Owen Fallon and his Californians [Fred Rich Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36631 10-in. 4/16/1931 Fiesta Sleepy Hall and his Collegians [Fred Rich Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36632 10-in. 4/16/1931 Have you forgotten? Owen Fallon and his Californians [Fred Rich Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36633 10-in. 4/16/1931 Dancing with the daffodils (Down at the Garden Ball) Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36634 10-in. 4/16/1931 Love is like that (What can you do?) Ralph Bennett and his Seven Aces (All Eleven of 'Em) [Fred Rich Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36868 10-in. 6/18/1931 I’m all dressed up with a broken heart Jacques Renard Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) vocalist  
Brunswick E36870 10-in. 6/18/1931 As long as you’re there Jacques Renard Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) vocalist  
Brunswick E36896 10-in. 6/30/1931 Dancing in the dark The Brunswick Orchestra [Victor Young Orchestra] ; Victor Young Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36914 10-in. 7/9/1931 Take it from me (I’m takin’ to you) Owen Fallon and his Californians [Art Kahn Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36917 10-in. 7/9/1931 Hikin’ down the highway Art Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E36918 10-in. 7/9/1931 Many happy returns of the day Art Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37206 10-in. 9/16/1931 Love letters in the sand Brunswick Orchestra [Brunswick Studio Orchestra] ; Scrappy Lambert ; Victor Young Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37207 10-in. 9/16/1931 It’s the darndest thing Art Kahn's Orchestra [Brunswick Studio Orchestra] ; Scrappy Lambert Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37211 10-in. 9/18/1931 Reflections of you Marimba Band [Brunswick Records] Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37212 10-in. 9/18/1931 Only a dream Marimba Band [Brunswick Records] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37254 10-in. 10/19/1931 Reflections of you Castlewood Marimba Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37255 10-in. 10/19/1931 Only a dream Castlewood Marimba Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37451 10-in. 12/8/1931 When we’re alone Tom Gerun and his Orchestra [Brunswick Studio Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick E37452 10-in. 12/8/1931 All of me Tom Gerun and his Orchestra [Brunswick Studio Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
(Results 451-475 of 607 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lambert, Scrappy," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632.

Lambert, Scrappy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632.

"Lambert, Scrappy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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