Ben Selvin

Ben Selvin (1898-1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. A husky lad, he looked older than he was and as such was permitted into such establishments. A mere six years later, as leader of his own dance band, he had recorded what is universally regarded as the first popular recording ever to sell a million copies. That recording, Dardanella, eventually went on to sell more than 5 million copies and some 2 million pieces of sheet music. In addition, according to The Guinness Book of World Records and many other sources, he is acknowledged as having recorded more musical sides (on 78-rpm discs), than any other person, living or dead. One reason for this prolific output is that he recorded for dozens of different labels during this high-growth time in the industry, using a different name (or slightly different name) on each label.

During his six-plus-decade career in the music industry he:

  • Had an instrumental part in the development of Muzak in the mid-1930s.
  • Was an A&R Director at RCA Victor in charge of the company's popular Camden Label.
  • He became known in his industry as The Dean of Recorded Music.
Selvin, Ben Selvin, Ben

 

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