The Johnny Knorr Orchestra

Article published August 3, 2001

Knorr orchestra still swings to big band sound

By DAVID YONKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Johnny Knorr and his orchestra celebrate their 40th anniversary Saturday.

"Music You Like ... the Way You Like To Hear It."
That slogan has served the Johnny Knorr Orchestra well - and it still rings true as the band celebrates its 40th anniversary with a gala concert tomorrow night at Centennial Terrace.

Knorr, who turned 80 in May, still maintains an infectious enthusiasm for the big band sounds of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and the like.

"So many of our memories are linked to music. We’ve played some concerts and I’ve seen tears coming down the faces of people in the crowd, even the men’s faces, when we play certain songs," said Knorr, who plays saxophone,selects the tunes and the arrangements, and conducts the 13-piece orchestra.

"At the other extreme, we see some couples in their early 20s dancing the lindy and having a ball. I have to believe it when people say this music will last forever."

He figures the band has played more than 2,000 different songs over the decades, including a few Beatles and Billy Joel tunes. The newest addition is the country hit by George Strait, "I Just Want To Dance With You."

"We’ve got tons of ’60s and ’70s music that we played to stay active, but nobody requests them any more," he said. "But when you get into the Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Benny Goodman tunes, people are still asking for them and appreciating them."

The most requested song is Hoagy Carmichael’s "Stardust."

He said it was not a good time to start a big band in 1961 because rock and roll was dominating the charts. But he loved that music and was disillusioned with some of the jobs he was getting as a freelance musician.

"Some things were good but some were very, very disappointing," he said.

He decided to put a band together and booked his first gig at the El Rancho Ballroom on Woodville Road.

"It was very popular. A big place. Nothing too fancy," he said. "Oh, I was nervous. I’ve learned an awful lot since starting there. You never stop learning. There are always things you can improve on."

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra swam against the musical tide for the first few decades. "We made it through the ’60s and ’70s" is how Knorr puts it. "We didn’t break any records but we managed to keep busy.

"The last two or three years have been phenomenal. There are not many of us left anymore, not even in Detroit," he said.

He credits his wife, Jane, to whom he’ll be married 60 years this fall, with saving his music career when he was laid up with back problems in 1959 and again in 1973. She went back to school at the University of Toledo and earned a degree so that she could support the family by working as a teacher.

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra has released three CDs, the latest being "Oh Johnny! One More Time - 40th Anniversary Edition." The band leader was inducted into the Lake Erie West Hall of Fame in 1999, and the band won the "Best Instrumental Group" award in the 1997 Lake Erie West People’s Choice Awards.

Knorr’s son, Jerry, plays saxophone with the orchestra and helps write arrangements.

"He’s very dedicated. I listen to what he says before I make a lot of my decisions," Knorr said.

Tomorrow night’s anniversary bash will include Gay Hobbs on vocals and a number of special guests, including singer Mary Anne Russo. Don Edwards will serve as emcee.

Mrs. Knorr has been working "like a trouper" sorting and mounting photos for display at the concert.

"I never thought I’d ever be this old or doing what I’m doing this long," Knorr said. "But I’m making a lot of people happy."

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra’s 40th anniversary gala will be held tomorrow night at Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., free dance lessons start at 7:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 8. Admission is $8.