Lani McIntire (sometimes spelled Lani McIntyre, 15 December 1904 – 17 June 1951) was a Hawaiian guitar and steel guitar player who helped to popularize the instrument, which eventually became a mainstay in American country and western music.[1] He played frequently with his brothers — steel guitar legend Dick McIntire and bassist Al McIntire.

Lani McIntyre and his Aloha Islanders

McIntire achieved fame playing with Sol Hoʻopiʻi in his "Novelty Trio" before heading his own acts, "Lani McIntyre and his Aloha Islanders" and later, "Lani McIntyre and his Hawai'ians." His work with Jimmie Rodgers pioneered the Hawaiian guitar sound that laid the foundation for the steel guitar as a standard country instrument, influencing the likes of Hank Williams and Elvis Presley.[2] As leader, McIntyre released dozens of records between 1935 and 1950, for the American Record Corporation (1935), Decca (1937-1942), Sonora Records (1944 - 1945), MGM Records (1950), and Columbia Records (1950).[3]

Death

On June 17, 1951, McIntire died of a heart attack during his sleep in his apartment in the Elmwood Hotel, 110 West Forty-Ninth Street, New York, New York. His wife, Helen, was with him.[4]

Academy Award

McIntire and his Hawai'ians also worked with Bing Crosby on the original version of "Blue Hawaii" as well as "Sweet Leilani," which was popularized in the 1937 film Waikiki Wedding and won an Academy Award for Best Song in the 10th Academy Awards (over George and Ira Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me").[5][6]

The band had a recording contract with Decca Records at that time.[7][8]

McIntire appeared in the films You're the One Rose (1943), Maui Chant (1943), Paradise Isle (1943) and Dreams of Old Hawaii (1944).[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Loud and clear," Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Erie art museum. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  2. ^ "Beyond the Reef: The Elvis - Hawaii Connection," Elvis Australia. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  3. ^ Rockwell, T. Malcolm (2007). Hawaiian & Hawaiian Guitar Records 1891 - 1960. Kula, Hawaii: Mahina Piha Press. pp. 785–790.
  4. ^ "Obituary 3 -- No Title". The New York Times. June 18, 1951. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "That's Jazz"[permanent dead link], H&B Recordings. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  6. ^ "Those were the Days," Archived 2007-04-01 at the Wayback Machine 440 International. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  7. ^ Decca 1000 - 1500 Numerical Listing 1175, etc. Retrieved 12 January 2012
  8. ^ Decca 25000 series Numerical Listing 25011, etc. Retrieved 13 January 2012
  9. ^ "Lani McIntyre," IMDB. Retrieved 1 April 2007.


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