When a dance band vocalist achieved a certain degree of popularity, he stood a good chance of being asked to make a gramophone record. Chick was no exception. In May 1937, the company for whom the Joe Loss outfit (and Chick) recorded, Regal-Zonophone, asked if Chick Henderson would make a record of two songs of the day. They asked for — “The greatest mistake of my life”, and Chick chose his particular favourite, “Broken-hearted clown”. The recording took place on 20th July, 1937, and Regal provided the rather frugal backing of one accordeon and a piano. “Broken-hearted clown”, especially with the accordeon, gives the impression that Chick is giving an impression of a “street” singer (of which there were many in the depressed days of the 1930’s — they sang, often literally, for their bread and jam — butter being a luxury!). Chick recites part of the lyric in an “over the top” dramatic, almost hysterical fashion, which must surely have embarrassed him in later years, if not immediately he heard the playback. The record sold out its initial pressing and was followed by a better offer four months later on 20th November, when Joe Loss and his Band took second billing to Chick as they ‘ac- companied’ him in a non-dance version of “Old Pal of Mine” and “After all these years” — arguably the best of all 1930’s crooner solo records because of the full backing, good arrangements, colla vocé, as well as tempo and fine singing quality. The record was with- drawn (deleted) within a year and the 1939 catalogue printed in May listed only “Broken-hearted Clown” as being by Chick Henderson. Could it be that Joe Loss objected to taking second bill- ing - so “Regal Zonophone” dropped it? Some people think so.
Insert Photo - 3 weeks after recording “Begin the Beguine” ,, . Chick took a holiday in Italy. He loved Italy. (August 1939)
On 5th July, 1939, in that delightful hot, sunny summer, Chick recorded another “solo” — “Begin the Beguine”. This time, Mr. Loss was not playing second billing. Despite the fact that, apart from a 2 bar rhythm only intro, the entire recording is by Chick Hender- son the record was catalogued as ‘Begin the Beguine — Joe Loss and his Band, MR 3098. The thousands of record buyers who asked for Chick Hender- son singing “Begin the Beguine” were told — “He hasn’t recorded it!” De- spite this lunatic decision, the recording went on to break all records, by being the only British record of the 1930’s to sell a million. Finding the recording in the “Regal-Zonophone” catalogue was difficult and gave the impression that EMI didn’t really care if it sold or not. No such recording as “Begin the Beguine” by Chick Henderson appeared in their general lists. However, under “Dance Records”, the miniscule section did have an entry.
A more lunatic event was to follow. In December 1957, the recording was issued in Australia as a 45 rpm disc 45EA 4320 coupled with “Starlight Sere- nade” (OEA 9426). In 1939 it appeared in Holland on “Gloria” GZ 3275, together with its English coupling “My Prayer” (CAR 5471-1). In December 1939, it was issued in India on “TWIN” (FT 8755) with the same coupling. The Holland edition was deleted in May 1942 (during the war!) In February 1955 the record was DELETED in the U.K., along with the rest of the ~Regal- Zonophone” catalogue — unbelievable but true! In 1963 it was re-issued in the U.K. on an Extended Play record, number 7EG 8875
IN OCTOBER 1964 ENGLISH EMI DESTROYED THE MASTER!!!
Insert Phot - Chick (left) on holiday in Italy 1939 Insert Photo - Italy August 1939