Rafael Leon "Googie" René was a pianist, orchestra leader, composer and songwriter. He was the son of famed American composer Leon René He started working with Class Records, started by Leon Rene, in 1951, and had some minor instrumental hits for Class with "Wham Bam", "Midnight", "Skumbo," and "Shine On Harvest Moon". Leon René was an African American music composer of pop, R&B and rock and roll songs and a record producer in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. He sometimes used the songwriting pseudonym Jimmy Thomas or Jimmie Thomas. He also established several record labels. He is best known for his hit song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano." [Wikipedia] Rafael Leon René (left) and his father, Leon René, looking at a sheet of music for "Wham Bam!"
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b21_f16_001a.tif ark:/21198/z1612hgb
Subject
African American composers African American musicians René, Leon, 1902-1982 Rene, Rafael Leon, 1927-2007
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