Harry Owens (1902-1986) was born in Nebraska, but got his musical start as a boy in Montana, where he learned to play the cornet in a small band on an Indian reservation. At 14, he was playing vaudeville acts and studying law in Los Angeles. During a break from his studies one night, he wrote a song that sold a million copies of sheet music in six months, and his career as a budding lawyer was finished.
In 1934, Owens was invited to move to Hawai'i and reorganize the orchestra at the posh Royal Hawaiian. Owens researched numerous old Hawaiian songs that had never been written but had instead been passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. Using modern arrangements, he gave the world a genre of hapa-haole music. By focusing on the steel guitar, with its sweet, rhythmic sound, Owens created songs with an alluring, tropical feel.
In 1936, Crosby arrived in Hawai'i for an upcoming role in the Paramount Studios musical "Waikiki Wedding." While dancing at the Royal Hawaiian one evening, he heard Owens and his band perform "Sweet Leilani." Crosby liked it so much that he told Paramount executives they had to include it in the film.
"Sweet Leilani" won an Oscar in 1937 for best song. Owens didn't remain in the Islands after 1941, when he ended a three-year Mainland tour. Owens was the host of a popular Mainland television show during the 1950s and its theme was "Sweet Leilani."
- adapted from Sunday, July 2, 2006 Honolulu Advertiser article [http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq3owens]
Songs
- Princess Poo-Poo-Ly Has Plenty Papaya, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- A New Hawaiian Love Song, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- It Happened On The Island Of Hawaii, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra
- Ukelele Lady, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra
- Hawaii is the 50th Star (In the Flag of the U.S.A.), Harry Owens and his 50th State Hawaiians
- Kaneohe, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra
- Tomi Tomi, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra
- Pagan Love Song, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Huapala (Sweetheart), Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Down On Ami Ami Oni Oni Isle (From 20th Century's "Song of The Islands"), Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Farewell Malihini, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Sweet Leilani (From the Paramount Picture "Waikiki Wedding"), Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Little Butch, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- To You, Sweetheart, Aloha, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- The Hula - Rhumba, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- My Tane (My Man), Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- The Laughing Song, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Hano Hano Hawaii, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- My Isle Of Golden Dreams, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Poi, My Boy (Will Make A Man Of You), Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Kuuipo I Ka Hee Pue One, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Hua Pala (Sweetheart), Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Twilight Waltz, Harry Owens Orchestra
- Tomi Tomi, Harry Owens
- Nani Wale Lihue, Harry Owens
- Heeia, Harry Owens
- Anapau, Harry Owens
- Kawika, Harry Owens
- Leahi and Kuu Home, Harry Owens
- Kolopa Medley, Harry Owens
- Hano Hano Hawaii, Harry Owens
- Huapala, Harry Owens
- Haole Hula, Harry Owens
- Song Of The Islands, Harry Owens
- Kahala, Harry Owens
- To You Sweetheart Aloha, Harry Owens
- Kolopa and Meleana E, Harry Owens
- Kuu Ipo Pua One, Harry Owens
- My Isle Of Golden Dreams, Harry Owens
- Kuu Lei, Harry Owens
- Nancy Swing Around Your Blouse, Harry Owens
- Liliu E, Harry Owens
- Motu Tia Tahi, Harry Owens
- Sweet Lei Lehua, Harry Owens
- Hawaiian Strings, Harry Owens
- Sweet Leilani, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Down On Ami Ami Oni Isle, Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians
- Here's To Veterans, Harry Owens & The Royal Hawaiians
- Here's To Veterans, Harry Owens
- Leahi, Harry Owens And His Hawaiians
- Song Of The Sea, Harry Owens And His Hawaiians
- Tomo Pono Tula Oe, Harry Owens And His Hawaiians
- Princess Poopooly Has Plenty Papaya, Harry Owens And His Hawaiians
- Kuwili, Harry Owens And His Hawaiians
- Sweet Lei Lehua, Harry Owens And His Hawaiians