Irving Gillette

[rocky]

I asked a question on the other Board and I'm asking it here, too.

I recently got a copy of the 1924 Diamond Disc catalog and note that there is only ONE DD by Irving Gillette that's listed. I'm wondering if he possibly had an exclusive contract with Victor at that time. Even if that were the case, how could all those Gillette records be gone from the books?

Rocky

[maroongem]

Irving Gillette was aka Henry Burr (born Harry McKlaskey) and is believed to have recorded over 12,000 songs in his life. From the Columbia Quartet to the Peerless Quartet, plus his many solos and duets beat out the other guys (Murray & Dalhart.)
The only DD he recorded was 80132-R "Sing Me The Rosary" in 1914. He recorded for Columbia, Victor, Little Wonder, and probably every other label that was out there.
If they ever could do a definitive Edison 2m wax discography, I can only imagine how many would have been shown done by him.

Bill

[rocky]

Henry Burr's absence from DDs is very conspicuous when you consider how prolific he was.

I wonder if Edison avoided Burr once he became involved with the Eight Famous Victor Artists.

Bill, I understand that someone was working on a Burr bio and discography. It was due out some time ago. However, I don't know what the status of the project is at the moment.

Rocky

[maroongem]

That's a good point, as Edison in the early DD years was still releasing "snooze standards" until Charles took over the record dept. But hey, he had John McCormack in the early years and released him, as well as Rachmaninoff, Martinelli and others who went on to great success.
I wasn't aware of the Heny Burr bio. I wonder if that was Tim Grayck or Tim Brooks that was going to author it.

Bill

[rocky]

Bill, here's the piece on Henry Burr:

henryburr.com/