 Guido Deiro Benefit Concert Accordion Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Galla-Rini Click Here to see full-size image. |
Guido was in dire straits; he had had expert nursing care during his several weeks stay at the Loma Linda hospital resort, but he had no way of paying his hospital bills. Fortunately his friends and associates did not desert him: a "Guido Deiro Benefit Concert" was organized by the Accordion Teachers of Greater Los Angeles to raise funds for the ailing former vaudeville star.
A printed program was produced with advertisements by local and national accordion schools, music publishers, accordion manufacturers, restaurants, and individuals, such as Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts, Music Center Accordion Studios, Syl Prior Accordion Mart, Biviano School of Music, Pacific Music Supply Company, O. Pagani & Brother, Inc. (which published Guido's Lido Tango), Alfred Music Company, The Big 3 Music Corporation, G. Ricordi & Company Music Publishers, Accordion Music Publishing Company, Guerrini Company Accordion Factory (which built Guido's first American-made accordions), Bell Accordions, Excelsior Accordions of New York, the Dallape Piano Accordion Company, Pancordion, Inc., Italo-American Accordion Mfg. Company (whose accordions Guido endorsed in the 1930s), Acme Accordion Company (whose instruments Guido played in the 1940s), The American Accordionists' Assocation, Accordion Teachers Guild International, Lucca Restaurant, Bert Rovere's Paris Inn, Basso Baking Company, Galco Imported Grocery Company, Casa d'Amore Pizzeria, the Eslinore Naval and Military School (where Guido Jr. lived and studied), and many others.
The concert was held on Sunday, May 21st, 1950, at 2:30 P.M. in Thorne Hall at Occidental College. Performers included: The Minuettes under the direction of Ruth Denas, Jimmie Haskell, Tico Robbins and His Orchestra with Edward Banto, Johnnie Kiado, Ellison Orchestte, Dolly Bower (14-year-old protege of Guido Deiro), Tito Guidotti, Mort Herold, Francine Fay, Ernie Felice Foursome, Anthony Galla-Rini, Bill Borzage, and a Concert Accordion Ensemble directed by Galla-Rini.
The young man, James Haney, who served as Guido's assistant (and Guido Junior's hiking companion) at Lake Elsinore performed as a member of the accordion orchestra.
Fourteen-year-old Dolly Bower, a Guido Deiro protégé, played Guido's latest and what was to be his last composition: The Queen of the Air March, and received encore after encore. Years later Dolly took the stage name “Suzy Chandler” and had a successful career as an accordionist. She often played on cruise ships and eventurally retired to Sedona, Arizona.
 Cover from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert. Notice the autographs of the well wishers: Anthony Galla-Rini, Bill Borzage, Johnny Kiado, etc. This was the program which was delivered to Guido at Bert's Ranch, as he was too ill to attend the concert. |
 Page from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert |
 Page from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert |
 Page from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert |
 Page from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert |
 Page from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert |
 Page from Program for Guido Deiro Benefit Concert |