Larry Markes

Lawrence Wolcott Markes (September 24, 1921 – May 19, 1999) was an American comedian, singer and screenwriter.

Markes was born in Brooklyn, New York, and decided at an early age to become a writer. Soon after graduating from the University of Miami, he started setting lyrics to the melody of another young songwriter, Dick Charles. Their first hit was "Mad About Him, Sad About Him, How Can I Be Glad Without Him Blues" (1942), which Dinah Shore recorded successfully for Columbia Records.

During World War II, Markes was in the US Army Air Forces. He left the service in 1945, returning to New York and his songwriting collaboration with Charles. They wrote "Along the Navajo Trail", with Eddie De Lange, which was recorded by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, Dinah Shore and the Gene Krupa Band. Other songs included "I Tipped My Hat (and Slowly Rode Away)," "It Takes a Long, Long Train with a Red Caboose to Carry My Blues Away," and "May You Always." But his biggest hit was "I.O.U.," co-written (and sung) by Jimmy Dean, which sold more than a million copies. "I.O.U." is a son's acknowledgment of the debts he owes his mother and is frequently played by radio stations on Mother's Day.

Markes also began writing continuity for radio programmes.

After moving to Los Angeles, California in the 1960s, he turned to screenwriting, including the films For Love or Money (1963), and Wild and Wonderful (1965), which starred Tony Curtis. He also wrote for television series Bonanza, Love American Style, McHale's Navy, The Flintstones, Room for One More, My Three Sons, The Jonathan Winters Show and I Dream of Jeannie.

During Ronald Reagan's two terms as Governor of California (1966–1974), Markes added humor into his political speeches.

Markes died in Los Angeles in May 1999, at the age of 77.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 24, 1921, Died May 19, 1999

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1942 - 1948

Roles Represented in DAHR: songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor PBS-072423 10-in. 6/12/1942 Mad about him, sad about him, how can I be glad without him blues Gordon Jenkins ; Dinah Shore Female vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor BS-073417 10-in. 3/10/1942 Mad about him, sad without him, how can i be glad without him blues Ken Curtis ; New Music [Shep Fields] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal ensemble songwriter  
Victor D5VB-1041 10-in. 3/23/1945 Along the Navajo Trail Albert Sack ; Dinah Shore Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Victor D5AB-1113 10-in. 8/10/1945 Along the Navajo trail Perry Botkin ; Roy Rogers Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
Victor D6VB-2927 10-in. 9/25/1946 I tipped my hat (and slowly rode away) Bluebonnet Serenaders ; Buddy Sager Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Victor D7VB-0037 10-in. 1/7/1947 I ain't a-gonna leave my love no more Pecos River Rogues ; Billy Williams [1913-2001] Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Victor D7VB-0270 10-in. 4/18/1947 I want a good man bad Lil Green ; Lil Green Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-0485 10-in. 3/3/1947 Saddle serenade Roy Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-0915 10-in. 5/23/1947 It takes a long long train with a red caboose (to carry my blues away) Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-0918 10-in. 5/23/1947 Pal in Palo Alto Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2586 10-in. 12/4/1947 Lillian Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D8VB-4057 10-in. 12/14/1948 Joe Henri René ; Fran Warren Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble songwriter  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Markes, Larry," accessed November 5, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111908.

Markes, Larry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111908.

"Markes, Larry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 5 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111908

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