Orchestra Leader. The band was a tightly knit group created around the brothers, Guy, Carmen and Lebert and later joined by younger brother Victor. Their family numbered seven in all and their father was a musically-minded tailor who encouraged them in learning to play a musical instrument. By their early teens, both Guy and younger brother Carmen were performing at church and various socials around their hometown of London, Ontario. The family members were joined by other talented London natives and a band was created. Violin playing Guy became the boss, its leader and band director.While playing the El Club in Cleveland, their agent suggested a name change and the group became "Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians." In its twenty year life span, the band in association with Decca Records sold over 300 million records while creating many hit songs: 'Boo Hoo, Little Coquette, Sweethearts On Parade and Seems Like Old Times (all written by Carmen) Heartaches, Little White Lies, Little Girl, Annie Doesn't Live Here Any more, Everywhere You Go' are but a few more. The home base of the band was at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City except for a brief layoff and then appeared at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles where numerous movie stars came to dance. This led to the making of three movies. New Year's Eve revelers were greeted with annual broadcasts from the Waldorf Astoria featuring their signature rendition "Auld Lang Syne" which became the nationally accepted anthem of the holiday. Guy became involved in other activities beside the band. Hydroplane racing was a passion. he won both the Gold Cup and the Ford Memorial competition in the forties. The band played everywhere in America, Presidential Inaugural Balls, in small towns, colleges and at big city venues. A favorite place was at the 8,000 seat Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island when Guy would delight fans by arriving at showtime in his speed boat from his nearby home in Freeport. His long-running Jones Beach Marine Theater productions featured Louis Armstrong and his band. Lombardo had two successful restaurants: The East Point House on Long Island and the Port O' Call in Tampa Bay, Florida. He began to experience health problems necessitating heart surgery in Houston where he passed away at age 74. His remains were returned to his adopted home town of Freeport. Mass was celebrated at Our Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.. He was interred next to his brother Carmen Lombardo, a mainstay of the Lombardos who played saxophone, sang and authored many songs. Guy and the band have been given many honors: A museum is located in their hometown of London, Ontario near the site of Wonderland Gardens a venue long since torn-down, from where they launched their famous band and its sounds known as, "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven." The Guy Lombardo Bridge which spans the Thames River in the city bears his name as well as the Guy Lombardo Music Center. The former Lombardo house was demolished by Labatt's Brewing but they have installed an elaborate plaque to mark the spot. Freeport, New York honored its adopted native son by changing South Grove Street to Guy Lombardo Avenue and the marina where he kept his boat has been renamed in his honor.