More than a half century ago, David B. Salmon brought the first of many nationally known musical performers to Central New York.
On April 12, 1946, Woody Herman and his jazz orchestra performed in a sold-out Lincoln Auditorium at Central High School. Ticket prices ranged from $1.25 to $3.60 for the show in the large, drafty auditorium - the city's only concert hall during that era - that doubled as the school's gymnasium.
Over the years, Mr. Salmon was instrumental in bringing in big names that included Paul Whiteman, Hazel Scott, Tommy Dorsey, Phil Spitalny, Spike Jones, Nat King Cole and Liberace.
Mr. Salmon was 84 when he died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. He lived on Clifton Place in Syracuse and spent summers at The Colony at Skaneateles Lake.
A life resident of Syracuse, he was a graduate of Syracuse University and a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity. He was a representative for the Inter-Fraternity Council at the university and a trustee of the fraternity until 1992.
While at SU, he had his own band, which he named "Dave Salmon's Imperials." The 12-member group played at SU parties, private parties and local clubs, specializing in the swing music of the big band era.
In later years, he did public relations for the Skaneateles Lyric Circus, which featured musicals in the round. He also worked with the Fayetteville Country Theater, a summer theater that brought a top name in each week for a production. Among the stars he booked were the Gabor Sisters, Carol Channing, Pat O'Brien and Olivia deHavilland.
In 1946, Mr. Salmon formed his own company - Dave Salmon, Inc. - and brought scores of top-ranked artists to the city. The first concerts he booked were in the Jefferson Street Armory and then the Lincoln Auditorium. In the early 1950s, concerts were in the Onondaga County War Memorial. The acoustics there created problems, so concerts returned to Lincoln Auditorium.
After retiring from the entertainment business in 1958, Mr. Salmon became a real estate agent, a job he held for many years with the Roney Realty Co. in Syracuse. He also composed music and had some of his work published.
Nine years ago, Mr. Salmon shared some of his memories during an interview with the Syracuse Herald American.
On Duke Ellington: "He invited me to join him for supper while he waited for a train. First, he ordered a large dish of chocolate ice cream smothered with peaches. Then he devoured a large steak. He said he always ate dessert first."
On composer Sigmund Romberg: "From him I learned what spaghetti in the nude was. You just leave off the sauce."
"Those days were filled with perks and laughs and ulcers," Mr. Salmon said during the interview.
A life member of First Presbyterian Church United, Mr. Salmon served on many of its boards. He was a member of numerous music organizations.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a sister, Winifred B. Metcalf of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; a brother, Edward B. of Heber City, Utah; 11 nieces and nephews; and 14 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church United, 620 W. Genesee St., the Rev. Robert B. Radak officiating. Burial is in Oakwood-Morningside Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to the music fund of First Presbyterian Church United.
Fairchild & Meech Syracuse Chapel is handling arrangements.
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - March 17, 1997
On April 12, 1946, Woody Herman and his jazz orchestra performed in a sold-out Lincoln Auditorium at Central High School. Ticket prices ranged from $1.25 to $3.60 for the show in the large, drafty auditorium - the city's only concert hall during that era - that doubled as the school's gymnasium.
Over the years, Mr. Salmon was instrumental in bringing in big names that included Paul Whiteman, Hazel Scott, Tommy Dorsey, Phil Spitalny, Spike Jones, Nat King Cole and Liberace.
Mr. Salmon was 84 when he died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. He lived on Clifton Place in Syracuse and spent summers at The Colony at Skaneateles Lake.
A life resident of Syracuse, he was a graduate of Syracuse University and a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity. He was a representative for the Inter-Fraternity Council at the university and a trustee of the fraternity until 1992.
While at SU, he had his own band, which he named "Dave Salmon's Imperials." The 12-member group played at SU parties, private parties and local clubs, specializing in the swing music of the big band era.
In later years, he did public relations for the Skaneateles Lyric Circus, which featured musicals in the round. He also worked with the Fayetteville Country Theater, a summer theater that brought a top name in each week for a production. Among the stars he booked were the Gabor Sisters, Carol Channing, Pat O'Brien and Olivia deHavilland.
In 1946, Mr. Salmon formed his own company - Dave Salmon, Inc. - and brought scores of top-ranked artists to the city. The first concerts he booked were in the Jefferson Street Armory and then the Lincoln Auditorium. In the early 1950s, concerts were in the Onondaga County War Memorial. The acoustics there created problems, so concerts returned to Lincoln Auditorium.
After retiring from the entertainment business in 1958, Mr. Salmon became a real estate agent, a job he held for many years with the Roney Realty Co. in Syracuse. He also composed music and had some of his work published.
Nine years ago, Mr. Salmon shared some of his memories during an interview with the Syracuse Herald American.
On Duke Ellington: "He invited me to join him for supper while he waited for a train. First, he ordered a large dish of chocolate ice cream smothered with peaches. Then he devoured a large steak. He said he always ate dessert first."
On composer Sigmund Romberg: "From him I learned what spaghetti in the nude was. You just leave off the sauce."
"Those days were filled with perks and laughs and ulcers," Mr. Salmon said during the interview.
A life member of First Presbyterian Church United, Mr. Salmon served on many of its boards. He was a member of numerous music organizations.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a sister, Winifred B. Metcalf of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; a brother, Edward B. of Heber City, Utah; 11 nieces and nephews; and 14 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church United, 620 W. Genesee St., the Rev. Robert B. Radak officiating. Burial is in Oakwood-Morningside Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to the music fund of First Presbyterian Church United.
Fairchild & Meech Syracuse Chapel is handling arrangements.
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - March 17, 1997
More than a half century ago, David B. Salmon brought the first of many nationally known musical performers to Central New York.
On April 12, 1946, Woody Herman and his jazz orchestra performed in a sold-out Lincoln Auditorium at Central High School. Ticket prices ranged from $1.25 to $3.60 for the show in the large, drafty auditorium - the city's only concert hall during that era - that doubled as the school's gymnasium.
Over the years, Mr. Salmon was instrumental in bringing in big names that included Paul Whiteman, Hazel Scott, Tommy Dorsey, Phil Spitalny, Spike Jones, Nat King Cole and Liberace.
Mr. Salmon was 84 when he died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. He lived on Clifton Place in Syracuse and spent summers at The Colony at Skaneateles Lake.
A life resident of Syracuse, he was a graduate of Syracuse University and a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity. He was a representative for the Inter-Fraternity Council at the university and a trustee of the fraternity until 1992.
While at SU, he had his own band, which he named "Dave Salmon's Imperials." The 12-member group played at SU parties, private parties and local clubs, specializing in the swing music of the big band era.
In later years, he did public relations for the Skaneateles Lyric Circus, which featured musicals in the round. He also worked with the Fayetteville Country Theater, a summer theater that brought a top name in each week for a production. Among the stars he booked were the Gabor Sisters, Carol Channing, Pat O'Brien and Olivia deHavilland.
In 1946, Mr. Salmon formed his own company - Dave Salmon, Inc. - and brought scores of top-ranked artists to the city. The first concerts he booked were in the Jefferson Street Armory and then the Lincoln Auditorium. In the early 1950s, concerts were in the Onondaga County War Memorial. The acoustics there created problems, so concerts returned to Lincoln Auditorium.
After retiring from the entertainment business in 1958, Mr. Salmon became a real estate agent, a job he held for many years with the Roney Realty Co. in Syracuse. He also composed music and had some of his work published.
Nine years ago, Mr. Salmon shared some of his memories during an interview with the Syracuse Herald American.
On Duke Ellington: "He invited me to join him for supper while he waited for a train. First, he ordered a large dish of chocolate ice cream smothered with peaches. Then he devoured a large steak. He said he always ate dessert first."
On composer Sigmund Romberg: "From him I learned what spaghetti in the nude was. You just leave off the sauce."
"Those days were filled with perks and laughs and ulcers," Mr. Salmon said during the interview.
A life member of First Presbyterian Church United, Mr. Salmon served on many of its boards. He was a member of numerous music organizations.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a sister, Winifred B. Metcalf of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; a brother, Edward B. of Heber City, Utah; 11 nieces and nephews; and 14 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church United, 620 W. Genesee St., the Rev. Robert B. Radak officiating. Burial is in Oakwood-Morningside Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to the music fund of First Presbyterian Church United.
Fairchild & Meech Syracuse Chapel is handling arrangements.
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - March 17, 1997
On April 12, 1946, Woody Herman and his jazz orchestra performed in a sold-out Lincoln Auditorium at Central High School. Ticket prices ranged from $1.25 to $3.60 for the show in the large, drafty auditorium - the city's only concert hall during that era - that doubled as the school's gymnasium.
Over the years, Mr. Salmon was instrumental in bringing in big names that included Paul Whiteman, Hazel Scott, Tommy Dorsey, Phil Spitalny, Spike Jones, Nat King Cole and Liberace.
Mr. Salmon was 84 when he died Saturday at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center. He lived on Clifton Place in Syracuse and spent summers at The Colony at Skaneateles Lake.
A life resident of Syracuse, he was a graduate of Syracuse University and a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity. He was a representative for the Inter-Fraternity Council at the university and a trustee of the fraternity until 1992.
While at SU, he had his own band, which he named "Dave Salmon's Imperials." The 12-member group played at SU parties, private parties and local clubs, specializing in the swing music of the big band era.
In later years, he did public relations for the Skaneateles Lyric Circus, which featured musicals in the round. He also worked with the Fayetteville Country Theater, a summer theater that brought a top name in each week for a production. Among the stars he booked were the Gabor Sisters, Carol Channing, Pat O'Brien and Olivia deHavilland.
In 1946, Mr. Salmon formed his own company - Dave Salmon, Inc. - and brought scores of top-ranked artists to the city. The first concerts he booked were in the Jefferson Street Armory and then the Lincoln Auditorium. In the early 1950s, concerts were in the Onondaga County War Memorial. The acoustics there created problems, so concerts returned to Lincoln Auditorium.
After retiring from the entertainment business in 1958, Mr. Salmon became a real estate agent, a job he held for many years with the Roney Realty Co. in Syracuse. He also composed music and had some of his work published.
Nine years ago, Mr. Salmon shared some of his memories during an interview with the Syracuse Herald American.
On Duke Ellington: "He invited me to join him for supper while he waited for a train. First, he ordered a large dish of chocolate ice cream smothered with peaches. Then he devoured a large steak. He said he always ate dessert first."
On composer Sigmund Romberg: "From him I learned what spaghetti in the nude was. You just leave off the sauce."
"Those days were filled with perks and laughs and ulcers," Mr. Salmon said during the interview.
A life member of First Presbyterian Church United, Mr. Salmon served on many of its boards. He was a member of numerous music organizations.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a sister, Winifred B. Metcalf of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; a brother, Edward B. of Heber City, Utah; 11 nieces and nephews; and 14 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in First Presbyterian Church United, 620 W. Genesee St., the Rev. Robert B. Radak officiating. Burial is in Oakwood-Morningside Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to the music fund of First Presbyterian Church United.
Fairchild & Meech Syracuse Chapel is handling arrangements.
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - March 17, 1997
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