Harold Orlob

Harold Orlob (3 June 1883 – 25 June 1982) was a native of Logan, Utah who became a major composer and lyricist for Broadway theatre productions.

He composed his best-known song "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" in 1909, with lyrics by Will M. Hough and Frank R. Adams, selling the song to Joseph E. Howard. When the song unexpectedly became a hit, Howard presented it as his own work for several years.

Orlob became a prolific composer for Broadway. Among his works were the short run of Corianton: An Aztec Lovestory, a work pushed through by Orestes U. Bean's salesmanship and based on the novel Corianton by B. H. Roberts. His most successful show was Listen Lester, which ran for 272 performances between 1918 and 1919. It included the song "Waiting," recorded by several artists of that era.

In 1939 Orlob produced the film ...One Third of a Nation.... Returning to Broadway musicals, in 1943 he produced Hairpin Harmony which would become a legendary flop, closing after three performances. He continued to write songs as well as a symphonic work, Recreation.

In 1947 "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" was used as the title song of a movie about Joe Howard, leading to renewed popularity for the song. At this time Orlob brought suit to declare himself the composer, eventually reaching an out-of-court settlement with Howard for the two of them to receive joint credit. Orlob did not claim royalties.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 3, 1885 (Logan), Died June 25, 1982 (Salt Lake City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-8327 10-in. 10/28/1909 I wonder who's kissing her now Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-22625 10-in. 3/13/1919 Waiting Charles Harrison Male vocal solo, with violin and orchestra composer  
Victor B-22660 10-in. 3/28/1919 Waiting Lambert Murphy Male vocal solo, with celeste and orchestra composer  
Victor C-23002 12-in. 6/12/1919 Gems from Listen Lester Victor Light Opera Company Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-23205 10-in. 8/12/1919 Waiting Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-038319 10-in. 7/10/1939 I wonder who's kissing her now? Wayne King ; Wayne King Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor D7VB-0923 10-in. 5/29/1947 I wonder who's kissing her now Perry Como ; Lloyd Shaffer Orchestra ; Lloyd Shaffer Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Columbia 78369 10-in. 3/24/1919 Waiting Columbia Saxophone Sextette [i.e., Master Saxophone Sextet] ; Rudy Wiedoeft Saxophone sextet composer  
Columbia 78487 10-in. 6/14/1919 Waiting Charles Harrison Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 49964 12-in. 5/11/1921 By the waters of Killarney Prince's Dance Orchestra Orchestra composer  
OKeh 510 10-in. ca. Dec. 1918 Waiting Joseph A. Phillips Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
OKeh 511 10-in. approximately Dec. 1918 I'd love to Helen Clark ; Joseph A. Phillips Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Edison 8797 10-in. between November and December 1923 Teach me how Ernest L. Stevens Trio Instrumental trio composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Orlob, Harold," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/116886.

Orlob, Harold. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/116886.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/116886

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