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 151-175 of 607 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W150699 10-in. 8/12/1930 My blue bird was caught in the rain Ipana Troubadours Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W150700 10-in. 8/12/1930 I don't mind walkin' in the rain Ipana Troubadours Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151181 10-in. 12/27/1930 I'm so afraid of you Ipana Troubadours ; Sam Lanin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151182 10-in. 12/27/1930 The wind in the willows Ipana Troubadours ; Sam Lanin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151288 10-in. 2/7/1931 I'm happy when you're happy Radiolites Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151289 10-in. 2/7/1931 Were you sincere? Radiolites Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151604 10-in. 6/15/1931 At your command Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151605 10-in. 6/15/1931 The hour of parting Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151606 10-in. 6/15/1931 Pardon me pretty baby (Don't I look familiar to you) Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W151607 10-in. 6/15/1931 As long as you're there Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351019 10-in. 5/19/1931 My cradle sweetheart Frank Auburn and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] ; Tom Frawley [Scrappy Lambert] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351020 10-in. 5/19/1931 Faithfully yours Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351022 10-in. 5/19/1931 Under your window tonight (Yoo-hoo I'll call to you) Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351023 10-in. 5/19/1931 Treat me like a baby Phil Hughes and his High Hatters [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351033 10-in. 6/5/1931 You forgot your gloves Jack Whitney and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351034 10-in. 6/5/1931 Dancing in the dark Roy Carroll and his Sands Point Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351036 10-in. 6/5/1931 Falling in love Jack Whitney and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351057 10-in. 7/3/1931 With you on my mind, I find) I can't write the words Roy Carroll and his Sands Point Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351058 10-in. 7/3/1931 Why dance? Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351059 10-in. 7/3/1931 Hikin' down the highway Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351060 10-in. 7/3/1931 It's a long time between kisses Phil Hughes and his High Hatters [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351074 10-in. 7/21/1931 If you haven't got love Phil Hughes and his High Hatters [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351075 10-in. 7/21/1931 There's no depression in love Bobby Dix [Scrappy Lambert] ; Lloyd Keating and his Music [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351076 10-in. 7/21/1931 Give me your affection, honey Frank Auburn and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] ; Robert Wood [Scrappy Lambert] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W351077 10-in. 7/21/1931 I love Louisa Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
(Results 151-175 of 607 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Lambert, Scrappy," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632.

Lambert, Scrappy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109632.

"Lambert, Scrappy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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