J. RUSSELL ROBINSON
	(Continued from Page 13)					inson helped the band in "reading"and also included some tunes of the minstrel variety. When the ODJB returned from England, they opened at the Follies Bergere, and Robinson again joined them.
the ODJB was playing, introduced himself, and was asked to sit in. A few days later, Henry Ragas was taken acutely ill, and Robinson was asked to take his place. Less than a fortnight later, Ragas passed away.
						Meantime, the publishing firm of Waterson, Berlin and Snyder had gobbled up "Singin' the Blues", while another of his compositions, "Lena from Palestina" was published by Shapiro, Bernstein and Company. Robinson now felt he was making headway as a song writer, and it further spurred him on. One month after the opening at the Follies Bergere, Robinson composed a tune, to which a singer, Benny Davis, added the words. They presented it for the first time at the Follies, and Davis was forced to sing it over and over again. Now, his greatest hit was on its way. "Margie" was the name of the tune!
The band was already booked to open in London at the Palladium, and a club known as "Martan's" on old Bond street. So, within 3 months after leaving Indiana, Robinson found himself signed to go to England. While in London, an ambition which young Robinson had long cherished got a real start. He composed "Pip-Pig, Toot-Toot. Goodbye" and "Picadilly Jim", which brought royalties for many years. Also, 3 of his songs were used in Andre Charlot's "Bran Pie Review" at the Prince of Wales Theatre. One of them, "Come Along Mary,' was given to an obscure chorus lady, and caused Beatrice Lilly to become an overnight sensation.
						Robinson attempted to get Victor to have Paul Whiteman record "Margie", but the judgment of Mr. Eddie King (recording manager for Victor) proved correct when he insisted the ODJB do the honors. A sale of some 2 million copies was evidence enough, and now after some 35 or 40 years, this same record can be heard over the air-lanes!
These successes only stimulated Robinson's desire to compose, so when the contract at "Martan's" expired, he exited from the band and hastened to America to pursue his ambitions. Billy Jones. young English intermission pianist, took his place.
A tune which Russell Robinson had written in Indiana before leaving for
						Along came prohibition. Almost nightly there were fights at-the "Follies Bergere"-and one night a shot
England made the -long trip over and
back, without his once showing it to the rest of the band. Here he was, sitting on what is probably his most celebrated hit - having composed both the words and music to "Singin' the Blues"!
						was fired. The hand-writing was on the wall. Next night, the ODJB got their 2 weeks notice, and "Follies Bergere" closed their doors, never to open again. Robinson was replaced when the band moved over to Brooklyn, and a few weeks later they disbanded.
Before leaving England, Robinson took part in all the recording sessions which the ODJB did for Columbia (English). Many of the tunes were repeats of the previously recorded tunes in America. but to these were added several "pops" selections, which Rob
						Robinson had never terminated his affiliation with Waterson, Berlin and Snyder, and continued to make piano rolls and to produce innumerable
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THE SECOND LINE, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1955											15