Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2025.43.2 |
Object Name |
Image, Digital |
Description |
Image, digital, cover and one page from 1942 WLS Family Album, Cover- blue, accented with gold stars & letters, illustration of two adults, one child , title -"WLS Family Album, 1942 , The Prairie Farmer Station, Chicago, Page 41- four black and white images, bottom left image is Jimmy James, "gets a case of musical hysterics with a banjo..." Do you remember Bartlett’s own radio star Jimmy James? Vincent J. Gamelli (1912-2004), stage name "Jimmy James, The Wacky Wizard of the Banjo" moved to Chicago in 1939 and joined WLS-AM’s "National Barn Dance" radio program performing with two others as the "Virginia Hams." A comedian and composer of more than 200 songs, James played the banjo, trombone and guitar. After marrying singer Patti Kelly (1926-1963), the couple moved to Bartlett in 1953 building a home on Devon Avenue with enough acreage for a landing strip for his private plane. They performed together throughout the Midwest and in 1958 toured briefly with Elvis Presley. In 1963, Gamelli, now a widower, started the Jimmy James School of Music in Bartlett adjacent to his home. At its peak, mid-1960s through early 1970s, the school employed four teachers and had 60 students. Gamelli remarried and in 1977, closed his music school, and retired to Florida. |
Date |
1942 |
Event |
WLS Radio Prairie Farmer |
Number of images |
2 |
Search Terms |
1942 Devon Avenue National Barn Dance Prairie Farmer WLS WLS Family Album |
Subjects |
Banjos Comedians Guitars Music lessons Music schools Musical comedies Musical instruments Musicians Performing artists Radio broadcasting Radio broadcasting stations Radio stations Radios |
People |
Gamelli, Vincent J. James, Jimmy |
Accession number |
2025.43 |