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George Edward Olsen Sr. (March 18, 1893 – March 18, 1971) [1] was an American musician and bandleader. Born in Portland, Oregon , [ 1 ] Olsen's orchestra's debut hotel engagement came at the Multnomah Hotel in Portland. [ 2 ]
The discographer Tom Lord lists a total of 76 recorded versions of "The Varsity Drag" (as of 2016). Most notable are the original recordings from George Olsen (with vocal by Fran Frey) and Ruth Etting, as well as later versions by Benny Goodman, Patti Page, Spike Jones and His City Slickers, Tito Puente, and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra.
George Olsen and His Orchestra scored a major hit with their 1925 recording of the song. Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with vocalist Jack Leonard had a hit with it in the late 1930s; their arrangement was patterned after Dorsey's 1937 recording of "Marie".
Gregory Walter Olsen (born March 11, 1985) is an American football sportscaster and former tight end who played for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft . [ 1 ]
The song was a hit for George Olsen and his Music in 1932. [3] By January 1933, more than 50,000 copies had been sold in the U.S.—ten times more than the usual hit song of the era. [ 4 ]
The song first enjoyed chart success in 1927 with the recordings by George Olsen and Frank Black. [3] Jo Stafford recorded the song on November 7, 1947, [4] bringing the song to a new genre. She enjoyed chart success with the song reaching the No. 21 spot in 1948.
George Olsen & his Orchestra (with vocal by Fran Frey, Bob Borger and Bob Rice) recorded on February 4, 1927, and released on Victor 20476. Artie Shaw and His Orchestra Live recording from the Old Gold radio show January 29, 1939. Jerry Gray arrangement. [3] Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, October 1, 1946, RCA Bluebird; Mildred Bailey (1947) [4]
Fran Frey (December 23, 1903 in Indiana - December 1, 1962 in California) was a singer [1] [2] and saxophonist best known for his work for George Olsen and His Music in the 1920s and early 1930s. [3] Among his better known songs are "The Varsity Drag" of 1927; [4] "Big City Blues" of 1929, and "A Garden in the Rain", also of 1929.