Stanley, Frank (originally, Grinsted, William Stanley)
Stanley, Frank (originally, Grinsted, William Stanley)
Stanley, Frank (originally, Grinsted, William Stanley), popular American bass singer of the early recording era; b. c. 1869; d. Dec. 12, 1910. Stanley began his career as a banjo player and made his first recordings as accompanist to Arthur Collins, but he was making his own recordings as a singer as early as 1899. He frequently recorded in duets with such partners as Byron Harlan, Corrine Morgan, Henry Burr, and Elise Stevenson. His biggest hits included “Blue Bell” (1904), “Good Evening, Caroline” (with Stevenson; 1909), and “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!” (from Victor Herbert’s Naughty Marietta; 1910). In 1906 he replaced Tom Daniels in The Peerless Quartet, taking over as lead singer and even managing the group. His most successful records with the quartet were “Honey Boy” (1907), “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” (1910), and “Silver Bell” (1910). He died of pneumonia at the age of 41.
—William Ruhlmann