King, Charles Edward - the Father of Hawaiian Composers, this giant who perfected Hawaiian music was born on the estate of his godmother, Queen Emma and adopted by his maternal grandfather, Louis King. Queen Lili`uokalani, his first music teacher, influenced his style and he eventually surpassed his mentor. He was the Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster,1932-34, and served again 1939-40. His opera, the only one by a Hawaiian composer, The Prince of Hawaii, opened in 1925, with great success. He believed and taught that a true Hawaiian song must have inspiration in a place, a personality, a historical event, a flower, or in nature. His collection of songs, King's Book of Hawaiian Melodies was first published in 1920.
BORN: Honolulu, Oahu - Jan.29, 1874
DIED: Elmhurst, NY - Feb. 27, 11950
MOTHER: Mary Ann King & Walter Brash
EDUCATION: Kamehameha Schools - 1891, Oswego State Normal School, Pratt Institute - 1900
MARRIED: Regina P. Hughes
DAUGHTER: Joan

 

Kinney, Ray - one of the most beautiful tenors, had a great impact popularizing Hawaiian music on the Mainland. His sensational engagement, 1938-42, at the Hawaiian Room, Lexington Hotel, New York, established him as a major force in the entertainment world, out-drawing Rudy Vallee and Guy Lombardo.

BORN: Hilo, Hawaii - Sept. 26, 1900
DIED: Honolulu, Oahu - Feb. 1, 1972
PARENTS: Pilialoha & William Kinney
MARRIED: Dawn Holt
CHILDREN: (sons) Rayner, Rankin, (daughters) Meymo, Raylani, Leimana

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