NBC Memories 1942 - 1964
by Bill Roddy

Chapter Nine of Twelve

In 1946 NBC sent me to Romaine Photographers at 220 Jones Street for a publicity photo. I was 24 years old and thought the world of myself. 

Other Bands, Other Hotels, 1946

The St. Francis Hotel
I would walk to the St. Francis on Union Square from NBC at Taylor and O'Farrell to announce the great dance bands. The Mural Room was the spot to dance and to be seen. It was beautiful.

The manager of the hotel was Dan London, always impeccably dressed, an elegant and friendly man. He later was an honorary consul for a nation I've forgotten. His daughter, Mimi, is a nationally known interior designer.
Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians was my favorite orchestra. Harry was a wonderful person.
He opened every broadcast with his theme song, "Sweet Leilani," which he wrote for his daughter.
Hilo Hattie was his star attraction and a great entertainer.

Do you remember reading about Nancy Reagan's astrologer, Joan Quigley?  She often came to the Mural Room. A beautiful girl, she was written about in all the society columns of the Examiner and Chronicle. I would stare at her from the bandstand, envying the men she was dancing with. 

Mark Hopkins
One of San Francisco's most noted hotels. I remember announcing for Ray Noble and his band. The opening line for all band shows was: "From the Mark Hopkins Hotel, high atop Nob Hill."

Bal Tabarin
Out on Columbus Avenue was the Bal Tabarin, San Francisco's most famous night club. The owner was Tom Gerun, a great guy. His real name was Tom Gerunovitch.

Ted Lewis and his Band played there and I announced his shows. Ted was a veteran from vaudeville and probably the oldest of the band leaders. He was 56 in 1946 and I once got put down by him.
He wanted to be introduced as the "High Hatted Tragedienne of Song." and I once said, The Old High Hatted Tragedienne of Song. He came back with "My boy, this is the NEW" etc. etc. I never made that mistake again.

When we finished every broadcast, Tom Gerun would take me, the engineer and the producer into the bar and tell the bartender, "Give these guys whatever they want."

After a few drinks we would head to the Fairmont Hotel and...

Chapter Ten: Our Favorite Hangout