Orchestra leader, trumpeter, songwriter. Nicknamed 'The Pied-Piper of Canada.' Born in the small town of Cabri, Saskatchewan, Gimby first got into music at the age of six when he ordered a trumpet from the Eaton's catalogue. As a young adult he played in several orchestra's around the country, finally winding up in Toronto where he formed his own in the mid-1940s. In 1949 he starred in his own radio program, The Bobby Gimby Show, on CBC, and in the 50s he was a frequent guest on The Happy Gang, and music director for television's Juliette. In the early 1960s, while working in London for Pall Mall, composing jingles, he wrote the song, Malaysia Forever, which later became that country's national anthem. In 1967 he composed 'CANADA,' the most popular song of Canada's centennial celebrations. In recognition of his work for the centennial, Gimby was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was named Broadcaster of the Year. He toured the country leading groups of school children in performances of this and other songs. In 1975 he hosted CTV's musical-variety show 'Sing a Song.' In 1987, he established Bobby Gimby Productions in partnership with the Sensation Jazz Band. Gimby's compositions include centennial songs for Manitoba ('Manitoba Hundred') and British Columbia ('Go British Col-umbia'), and commercial jingles for, among others, the Tea Council of Canada and Chrysler-Plymouth. With the comedian Johnny Wayne he wrote several songs, of which the most popular was 'The Cricket Song' (1956), recorded by Ray Bolger and others.
Orchestra leader, trumpeter, songwriter. Nicknamed 'The Pied-Piper of Canada.' Born in the small town of Cabri, Saskatchewan, Gimby first got into music at the age of six when he ordered a trumpet from the Eaton's catalogue. As a young adult he played in several orchestra's around the country, finally winding up in Toronto where he formed his own in the mid-1940s. In 1949 he starred in his own radio program, The Bobby Gimby Show, on CBC, and in the 50s he was a frequent guest on The Happy Gang, and music director for television's Juliette. In the early 1960s, while working in London for Pall Mall, composing jingles, he wrote the song, Malaysia Forever, which later became that country's national anthem. In 1967 he composed 'CANADA,' the most popular song of Canada's centennial celebrations. In recognition of his work for the centennial, Gimby was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was named Broadcaster of the Year. He toured the country leading groups of school children in performances of this and other songs. In 1975 he hosted CTV's musical-variety show 'Sing a Song.' In 1987, he established Bobby Gimby Productions in partnership with the Sensation Jazz Band. Gimby's compositions include centennial songs for Manitoba ('Manitoba Hundred') and British Columbia ('Go British Col-umbia'), and commercial jingles for, among others, the Tea Council of Canada and Chrysler-Plymouth. With the comedian Johnny Wayne he wrote several songs, of which the most popular was 'The Cricket Song' (1956), recorded by Ray Bolger and others.
Bio by: Patrick R
Family Members
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