Tony Terran was born in 1926 in Buffalo, New York. He is the last surviving member of the Desi Arnaz Orchestra from the I Love Lucy television show, which he joined in 1945 when Desi Arnaz was the musical director for Bob Hope's Orchestra. He played on the 'Lucy' show until the final episode.
Tony Terran had an impact on the music scene for more than four decades, and was a sought after session player as a specialist of many musical styles. In 1974 he received the Most Valuable Player Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. (GRAMMY). He has played with 'everyone' from Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley to Madonna and Micheal Jackson. He was also part of famed Los Angeles based studio musican group referred to as the "Wrecking Crew" during the 1960's. Read full bio at his Wikipedia Page.
Over the Rainbow from Tony Terran's solo album Songs been Sung.
With Benny Goodman's Orchestra. Watch Tony's solo, starts at 2min and 40sec.
Bob Hope's Orchestra, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Elvis Presley, Benny Goodman, Nancy Wilson, Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Wrecking Crew (member), Chet Baker, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Tina Turner, Linda Ronstadt, ... Plus numerous Film and Television credits such as his solo on "Salsation" from the Saturday Night Fever movie, and the 1966 movie El Dorado. IMDB
"In 1944 at 18 years old and never traveled, I took the train to the neighboring town to audition for Horace Heidt's orchestra. I got the gig and the very next day I was off on a national tour!! The tour ended in Los Angeles, I had no money so went to the musician's union to look for a gig that payed so I could get back home to Buffalo. They hooked me up with Bob Hope, where I met Desi Arnaz! I played in Desi band and on the 'I Love Lucy' show for over two decades."
Tony Terran
In 2008 Tony Terran was interviewed by Felix Contreraz at NPR about his years
with Desi Arnaz and his orchestra, and the years with the 'I Love Lucy' show.
"Terran is the last surviving member of the Ricky Ricardo Orchestra, the band that backed Ricky in that I Love Lucy nightclub. Terran says that, while Ricky may have been fictional, his band was very real.
The Ricky Ricardo Orchestra was made up mostly of the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, which had been playing in ballrooms
and theaters around the country when not performing on
Bob Hope's radio show."
Read Full Interview
