Harry Bidgood

Another Harry Bidgood 78 of which there are several in this old suitcase, all on the 8" Broadcast label. "Harry Bidgood was born in London in 1898, receiving early musical education from his father prior to attending the Royal College of Music. He commenced his professional career just after the First World War as pianist with De Groot at the Piccadilly Hotel, London. In 1926 he started directing recording sessions for Vocalion, which, in 1928, began to issue the famous 8-inch Broadcast records. Harry directed a 'house band' for these records, known as Harry Bidgood and his Broadcasters. Other studio bands under his direction included: The New York Nightbirds, Ciro's Club Band, The Manhattan Melody Makers, Al Benny's Broadway Boys, The Riverside Dance Band and Nat Lewis and his Dance Band. When accordion bands started to become popular in the early thirties, Harry Bidgood saw the potential and formed a band for Eclipse called Don Porto's Novelty Accordion Band. He also recorded (in 1935) as Rossini's Accordion Band for the Crown label, which sold in Woolworth's stores. It was under the alias of Primo Scala and his Accordion Band, however, that he was destined to become most famous. There are various theories as to the origin of the name Primo Scala. It has often been suggested that 'Primo' came from a heavyweight boxer named Primo Carnera and that 'Scala' came from Emilio Scala, winner of the Irish Sweepstake, although it is more likely to have to have derived from Scala Records, once part of Vocalion, for which Bidgood recorded. Primo Scala's success on record was such that he assumed this identity for the rest of his career; furthermore, the band began to take on public engagements and by the late thirties was regularly heard on the radio. By January 1941, Primo Scala and his Accordion Band was appearing on 'Music While You Work', soon becoming one of the most frequent and popular contributors, partly because accordions came over well in the factories." Harry Bidgood - Side By Side. Harry Bidgood - Dreamy Devon.