114499271
Salvatore Massaro, later known as Lang, trained for 11 years on the violin, but soon switched to guitar as his Bella Vista buddy, Joe Venuti, was just a tad better. They teamed up to form a jazz duo in high school and played local clubs and dance halls even though their instruments were not part of the jazz scene in the 1910s.
Lang, a native of Seventh and Clymer streets, became an accomplished accompanist on guitar and banjo, working alongside Louis Armstrong, The Dorsey Brothers and Bing Crosby. He reunited with Venuti, joining the Paul Whitehead Orchestra, whose bandleader was deemed the “King of Jazz. Lang, nicknamed the “Father of Jazz Guitar,” then became Bing Crosby’s guitar player for records, live performances, radio and films. He died in ’33 at the age of 30 due to complications from tonsillectomy surgery.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
The South Philadelphia Walk of Fame 2013 inductees
/ Marian Anderson / Paul Arizin / Frankie Avalon / Joey Bishop / John Chaney /
/ James Darren / Angelo Dundee / Fabian / Larry Fine / Eddie Fisher /
/ Kenny Gamble / Frank Gasparro / Joey Giardello / Stephen Girard / Sherman Hemsley /
/ Irvin Kershner / Jack Klugman / Eddie Lang / Mario Lanza / Rob McElhenney /
/ Joe Medeiros / Earl "The Pearl" Monroe / Nathan Morris / Michelle Nader / Gene Perret /
/ Frank Rizzo / Bobby Rydell / Lisa Scottoline / Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter / Anna Verna /
114498581
114499281
