American Singer, Songwriter and Syndicated Radio Personality. Born James Ellsworth Lowe, he will best be remembered for his 1956 number-one hit song, 'Green Door'. After interruption for U.S. Army service in World War II, he graduated from the University of Missouri in 1948. He began his radio career at Mizzou, with short radio stints afterward in Springfield, Indianapolis and Chicago before moving to New York City in 1956. At WCBS he was the featured host of 'Jazz is my Beat' and 'Upbeat Saturday Night', and teamed up there with Florence Henderson to showcase the television audience participation series 'Sing Along' in 1958. As a sideline to his radio career, he also composed songs, sang and played piano, made club appearances and made numerous recordings. In 1956, his record 'Green Door', sold two and a half million records, and for a brief time knocked Elvis Presley out of Billboard’s top spot. In 1959, he moved to WNBC where he had a daily show, also was heard on NBC Radio’s “Monitor,” and did several stints on 'Today' on NBC-TV. His friends included Frank Sinatra, who routinely called him on his radio show to sing Happy Birthday to him. In 1964, Lowe began his decades-long tenure at WNEW began in 1964, and was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of American popular music from the ‘30s, ‘40s and early ‘50s, its composers, lyricists, and singers. His daily show was a staple of radio stations throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. When he retired from broadcasting in the 1990s, he turned his attention to charitable causes and was a founding board member of The Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Lowe, who was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the music industry, died after a lengthy illness.
American Singer, Songwriter and Syndicated Radio Personality. Born James Ellsworth Lowe, he will best be remembered for his 1956 number-one hit song, 'Green Door'. After interruption for U.S. Army service in World War II, he graduated from the University of Missouri in 1948. He began his radio career at Mizzou, with short radio stints afterward in Springfield, Indianapolis and Chicago before moving to New York City in 1956. At WCBS he was the featured host of 'Jazz is my Beat' and 'Upbeat Saturday Night', and teamed up there with Florence Henderson to showcase the television audience participation series 'Sing Along' in 1958. As a sideline to his radio career, he also composed songs, sang and played piano, made club appearances and made numerous recordings. In 1956, his record 'Green Door', sold two and a half million records, and for a brief time knocked Elvis Presley out of Billboard’s top spot. In 1959, he moved to WNBC where he had a daily show, also was heard on NBC Radio’s “Monitor,” and did several stints on 'Today' on NBC-TV. His friends included Frank Sinatra, who routinely called him on his radio show to sing Happy Birthday to him. In 1964, Lowe began his decades-long tenure at WNEW began in 1964, and was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of American popular music from the ‘30s, ‘40s and early ‘50s, its composers, lyricists, and singers. His daily show was a staple of radio stations throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. When he retired from broadcasting in the 1990s, he turned his attention to charitable causes and was a founding board member of The Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Lowe, who was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the music industry, died after a lengthy illness.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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