Leader’s background was a lot more solid than that of Ralfini. He was a saxophone player, fresh on the recording scene, having made his first record- ings in May of 1933 for the ‘Decca’ group, with three reeds, two trumpets, one trombone, four rhythm, and session vocalist Sam Browne. His first B.B.C. broadcast was given him that year for the Overseas service of the B.B.C. The following year he was networked in the U.K. (It is claimed that his career ended in 1967, but in fact he made a comeback with a stereo LP in 1972 especially for dancing, for it included contemporary recordings of quicksteps, foxtrots, waltzes and sequence dances.
In November 1933, Harry Leader achieved his biggest break as the No. 1 named bandleader on Crystalate’s recently launched “Eclipse” label, especially for Woolworths. All in all he made 140 records for this label. Some were made under pseudonyms such as “Joe Taub and his Melodians”, the “Connecticut Collegians”, and “Lew Sylva” — (a pun on Lou Gold, the American leader). He made the fastest selling 78 rpm disc of the early 1930’s, a continuous run of 48,000 copies of “Little Man, you’ve had a busy day” — Matrix 1973-1 and 2 on “Eclipse” No. 729. The un-named vocalist was Dan Donovan! He used some of the best musi- cians and singers in the U.K., including Billy Farrell from Blaydon-on-Tyne on trumpet, Freddy Gardner on saxophone! clarinet, Charlie Smart on Wurlitzer organ, George Rowe - trombone, and Billy Amstell - clarinet/saxophone. Vocalists included — Sam Browne, Phyllis Robbins, Bill Airy-Smith, Les Allen, Brian Lawrence, Jack Lorrimer, Val Rosing, Dawn Davis, Dan Donovan, Alan Kane, and Clarence Wright.
After the war, though, he and his Band were “banned” by the B.B.C. because the B.B.C. claimed “it was not up to standard”. It was to be some time before he was allowed to broadcast again. Nevertheless, the pre-war outfit was a force to be reckoned with, and to his prize roster of some of Brit- ain’s best artistes in their field of popular music, the name of Chick Henderson was added for his very first gramophone record, on the 15th June, 1935. Matrix 2544-1 “Eclipse” catalogue No. 1011 — “Zing went the strings of my heart” was the title. However, it was the third title of the session, “Little Golden Locket”, Matrix No. 2546-1 “Eclipse” No. 1010, which was issued first. Two months afterwards, in August 1935, Bandleader Bobby Howell was given a broadcast by the B.B.C. It was he who gave Chick his first broadcast.