Entertainer

Singer

Music Historian

American Music 20's - 50's

 

Nonagenarian

 

Soon to be the World's Oldest Entertainer

(Even if it takes me forty years, I’m willing to wait!)

 

Mr. David was born May 11, 1928 at 38 Jefferson Street   New York City, New York

 

Alan’s father worked for the New York Press.  Well, not exactly.  Essentially, he was a presser in New York’s Garment Center.  But, when asked what his father did for a living, he always said he was with the New York Press.  Of course, his mother was a housewife, no self-respecting woman worked outside of the home in those days.  The family moved to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn in 1935.

 

v     Public School 177

v     Boody Jr. High School

v     Lafayette High School

v     Brooklyn College (Two Years)

v     Catskill Mountain Resorts Social Director, etc… (Four Years)

v     Kutchers Country Club - Master of Ceremony, (Singing)

v     Korean War Veteran

v     United States Army

v     Three Years entertaining the United Service Organization (USO)

v     Three Years entertaining in New York, City & Suburban Night Clubs

v     Joined the Dr. Scholl Company in 1954 and

      was the sole New York City rep for seven years

v     Recording Contract for Multi-Sounds Corporation

v     1950’s - Recorded “5 Years” and “The Legend of Terry Sills” resulting
in hundreds of television appearances.

v     Book Publishing – 1965 - 1983 

·        Emerson House

·        Ermine Publishing

·        Authored a best selling cookbook in 1976

 

Raised eight children,  mine, hers and ours; two marriages, the second to Lori lasted 40 years; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

 

On May 9, 2005, Alan’s wife of forty years, Lori, passed away.  For the next six months, he did nothing and was a basket case.  He finally emerged, deciding at the age of 78 to go back to show business.  Luckily, through his youngest daughter, he discovered a great vocal coach named Alyce Brodoff, and for 23 months worked diligently.

 

The future plan forecasts a national tour of American colleges and universities.  With his expertise on American music from the 20’s through the 50’s, Alan will not only sing many of these historic songs, but will also tell the many stories behind them.  He will also devote a portion of each engagement to discuss and tell stories of the four decades.  Whether it be a deaf singer who created a national storm with a song called ‘Cry’ or a discussion of Russ Columbo, who mysteriously died in 1933, at age 32.  Had Russ Columbo lived, Bing Crosby would not have been the great star that he became.

 

Alan Mark David worked with Rudy Vallee for two years and also attempted to produce ‘The Rudy Vallee Story’ for motion pictures, which till this day, has yet to happen.  Alan spent countless days and evenings at Rudy’s home, dining and listening to Rudy’s countless stories as well as being entertained by Rudy in his home. One special day, in a showroom named the Rue De Vallee , Rudy entertained Alan and his wife Lori, the only two people in the room, as he sang and told stories for over an hour.

 

Alan was invited by Rudy to be at his 80th birthday party in 1981, an amazing affair with appearances by famous personalities from the previous six decades. Rudy passed away July 3, 1986.

 

While in the book publishing business, Alan spoke before English classes at UCLA, discussing book publishing as well as writing.  Alan Mark David has befriended many celebrities in his lifetime, especially songwriters.  One of his dear friends was Frank Silver, who was over forty years older than Alan, who would listen to Frank’s stories.  For example, how he came to write, ‘Yes - We Have No Bananas’ in 1922, which has become an American classic.

 

There are countless other stories of American music circa 20’s–50’s by Alan Mark David, as well as singing those glorious songs - all part of this planned College Tour – A History of American Music 20’s – 50’s featuring Al Jolson, Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby, Russ Columbo, Frank Sinatra and a host of others, the great twentieth century recording artists.

 

 

Now available for public engagements, private parties and concerts.

 

 

For more information please call (310) 439-8169  

or send an email to: info@alanmarkdavid.com