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Biography
Wilfred Theodore (Ted) Weems (originally Wemyes) (26 September 1901 - 6 May 1963) was an American bandleader and musician. Born in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, Weems attended the University of Pennsylvania where he organised a small dance band. Going professional in 1923, Weems toured for the MCA Corporation, recording for several years on Victor Records. "Somebody Stole My Gal" became the band's first #1 hit in early 1924. Weems moved to Chicago with his band around 1928. He had more chart success in 1929 with the novelty song "Piccolo Pete", and the #1 hit "The Man from the South".
The band gained popularity in the 1930s, making regular radio broadcasts on Jack Benny's Canada Dry and the Fibber McGee & Molly program. In 1936, the Ted Weems Orchestra gave singer Perry Como his first national exposure. Among Weems' other discoveries were whistler-singer Elmo Tanner, sax player and singer Red Ingle, Marilyn Maxwell, who left the band for an acting career, and arranger Joe Haymes, who created the band's unique jazz-novelty style.
