Harry Robert Owens (18 April 1902 – 12 December 1986) was an American
composer,
bandleader and
songwriter
A songwriter is a musician who professionally composes musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a composer, although this term tends to be used mainly in the classical music ...
best known for his song "
Sweet Leilani "Sweet Leilani" is a song featured in the 1937 film, ''Waikiki Wedding''. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Bing Crosby's record became one of the biggest hits of 1937.
Harry Owens wrote the song on October 20, 1934 for his daugh ...
."
Biography
Harry Robert Owens was born April 18, 1902, in
O'Neill,
Nebraska
Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the sout ...
. He learned to play the
cornet[
] in a small band on an Indian reservation in
Montana
Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columb ...
.
Early years
Owens was working the vaudeville circuit by age 14. He studied for a career in law, but then started a band in 1926, when he was booked into the Lafayette Cafe in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
and auditioned a young Bing Crosby.
Hawaii
The big turning point in his career came in 1934 with his arrival in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...
and his appointment as music director
of
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in
Waikiki
Waikiki (; haw, Waikīkī; ; also known as Waikiki Beach) is a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of the island of Oahu in the U.S. state of Hawaii.
Waikiki is most famous for Waikiki Beach, which is one of six beaches in the district ...
. He tried to learn all he could about the local culture by mixing and working with native Hawaiians. He learned many traditional and more modern Hawaiian songs and tunes which he wrote down and orchestrated using Western notation for the first time. Many had never been written down before, much less orchestrated. He reorganized the Royal Hawaiians by splitting the band into
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...
an and
haole
''Haole'' (; Hawaiian ) is a Hawaiian term for individuals who are not Native Hawaiian, and is applied to people primarily of European ancestry. Background
The origins of the word predate the 1778 arrival of Captain James Cook, as recorded in s ...
instrumental sections. His band featured the
steel guitar, which had a trademark sound, producing tuneful and rhythmic dance music with a strong Hawaiian flavour.
Hilo Hattie
Hilo Hattie (born Clarissa Haili, October 28, 1901 – December 12, 1979) was a Hawaiian singer, hula dancer, actress and comedian of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
Early life and career
Hattie was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She loved to dance the hu ...
was a featured performer with The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. Beginning in 1935, Owens and his orchestra were featured on the popular Saturday night radio show, ''
Hawaii Calls
''Hawaii Calls'' was a radio program broadcast live from Waikiki Beach from 1935 through 1975 that reached 750 stations world-wide at the height of its popularity. It featured live Hawaiian music by an 11-piece dance orchestra conducted by Harry ...
''.
Bing Crosby and Sweet Leilani
Bing Crosby and Owens began their friendship when both played the Lafayette Cafe in Los Angeles in 1926.
In 1934, Owens wrote "
Sweet Leilani "Sweet Leilani" is a song featured in the 1937 film, ''Waikiki Wedding''. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Bing Crosby's record became one of the biggest hits of 1937.
Harry Owens wrote the song on October 20, 1934 for his daugh ...
"
to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and made it the signature song of his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra. While vacationing in
Honolulu
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island ...
with his wife Dixie Lee, Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movie ''
Waikiki Wedding
''Waikiki Wedding'' is a 1937 American musical film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Bing Crosby,
Bob Burns, Martha Raye, and Shirley Ross. Crosby plays the part of Tony Marvin, a PR man charged with extolling the virtues of the Territory ...
''. Harry was hesitant, but Bing convinced him. Producer
Arthur Hornblow, Jr. was a hard sell. Hornblow dug in his heels that the song would not be used in the movie. Crosby retreated to the golf course and refused to return until Hornblow agreed to include the song in the film. "Sweet Leilani" won Best Song category at the 1938
10th Academy Awards
The 10th Academy Awards were held on March 10, 1938 to honor films released in 1937, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California and hosted by Bob Burns. Originally scheduled for March 3, 1938, the ceremony was postponed due to the Los A ...
, and became Crosby's first gold record.
Movies and television
Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians played "Sweet Leilani" in the 1938
Fred MacMurray film ''Cocoanut Grove''. The soundtrack also featured the Owens-penned songs '"Cocoanut Grove" and "Dreamy Hawaiian Moon." They also appeared in the 1942
Betty Grable
Elizabeth Ruth Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, and singer.
Her 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s grossed more than $100 million; for 10 consecutive years (1942–1951) she reign ...
film ''
Song of the Islands
''Song of the Islands'' is a 1942 musical comedy film starring Betty Grable and Victor Mature. It was directed by Walter Lang and released through 20th Century Fox.
Plot
Jeff Harper sails to the tropical paradise Ahmi-Oni with his sidekick Rusty ...
''.
In 1949, Owens started to appear regularly on television. He made regular appearances in
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
, both in person and on television. He established the
hapa
Hapa is a Hawaiian word for someone of multiracial ancestry. In Hawaii, the word refers to any person of mixed ethnic heritage, regardless of the specific mixture.: "Thus, for locals in Hawai’i, both hapa or hapa haole are used to depict p ...
haole
''Haole'' (; Hawaiian ) is a Hawaiian term for individuals who are not Native Hawaiian, and is applied to people primarily of European ancestry. Background
The origins of the word predate the 1778 arrival of Captain James Cook, as recorded in s ...
style of Hawaii music (native music as interpreted by foreigners) which was developed by
Sonny Cunha and
Johnny Noble, and he enjoyed significant commercial success with this style of music-making. Owens is credited with about 300 hapa haole songs, many of which remain popular with musicians playing in this style.
Owens was a great advocate of Hawaii and things Hawaiian.
He founded a tourism company and music publishing business. He died in
Eugene,
Oregon
Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
.
Recognition
The
Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
awarded Owens the 1987
Na Hoku Hanohano
The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, occasionally called the Nā Hōkū Awards or Hoku Awards, are the premier music awards in Hawaii.Berger, John"A night of Na Hoku Hanohano" ''Honolulu Star-Advertiser''. May 22, 2011.Haug, Kawehi"Hoku awardees shine ...
Lifetime Achievement Award
[ Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts] for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.
Discography
Albums
* ''Hawaii'', 1945, Capitol A-4,
[Capitol Album Discography, Part 1: The 78-rpm Albums: 1 to 149]
A-4, A-6 BD-4, H-166, H-238
H-166, H-238, H-268
* ''Songs of Hawaii'', 1945, Capitol A-6,
BD-6, H-268
* ''Hawaiian Melodies'', 1948, Columbia CL-6030
* ''Voice Of The Trade Winds'', 1952, Capitol H-333
* ''Polynesian Holiday'', 1957, Capitol T 804
* ''Great Songs of Hawaii'', 1965, Hamilton HLP-141, HLP-12141
HLP-141/HLP-12141
References
Further reading
Owens, Harry. ''Sweet Leilani: The Story Behind the Song: An Autobiography''. Hula House, 1970.
External links
*
Allmusic ''Aloha'' Harry Owens with music samples
Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians discography - Rate Your Music
Discogs Harry Owens & His Royal Hawaiian Orchestra Discography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Owens, Harry
1902 births
1986 deaths
Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songwriters
Songwriters from Nebraska
American male composers
Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners
People from O'Neill, Nebraska
20th-century American composers
20th-century American male musicians
American male songwriters