Search Results
11 records found for Pat Kirby
1956-02-00, NBC, min.
- Steve Allen
- Andy Williams
- Skitch Henderson
- Gene Rayburn
- Elaine Stritch
- Pat Kirby
- Ted Lewis
- Steve Lawrence
- Eydie Gorme
- Turk Murphy
- Willie McLeish Smith
- Meg Miles
- Three Haircuts
- Roy Kral
- Jackie Cain
September 27,1954-January 25,1957 Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally. Eight different Steve Allen Tonight Show excerpts, compilations from telecasts of February, 1956. Elaine Stritch sings "Easy Street" and one other song. Pat Kirby sings "Everytime" Andy Williams sings "Stormy Weather" Top innovator of jazz music, Willie McLeish Smith plays "Zig-Zag" Piano "Finger Busting." Turk Murphy- jazz musician struts his stuff Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme duet "I Sing Flat" Meg Miles- sings "St. Louis Blues " "Sing On Baby" and "You Shed a Tear For Me." Steve Allen sings a 1936 Benny Goodman tune: "When a Lady Meets a Gentleman Down South " Ted Lewis sings: "Be Yourself" "Still Going Strong " With original clarinet plays 1917 Beginnings "The Good Old Tiger Rag" The Three Haircuts comic routine American jazz vocal team, Jackie Cain and Roy Kral (February 20th, 1956) sing "Cheerful and Yearful" "You Smell So Good" and " Mountain Greenery"
1956-03-06, NBC, 60 min.
- Steve Allen
- Skitch Henderson
- Andy Williams
- Steve Lawrence
- Doc Severinsen
- Eydie Gorme
- Joe Bushkin
- Meg Miles
- Pat Kirby
- Woody Herman and Orchestra
- Sam Taylor
- Will Bradley Jr
- Bill Harris Jr
- Victor Feldman
September 27th, 1954- January 25th, 1957 (NBC) Starring Steve Allen. The following are excerpts from Steve Allen Tonight Shows of March 6th, 7, 8, 9, 12, 1956 Highlights: Orchestra plays "Mambo The Most." Steve Lawrence and Doc Severinsen "Young Man With a Horn" Eydie Gorme sings "Too Close For Comfort" Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme sing "A Fine Romance" Joe Bushkin plays on piano "Hallelujah" from his album "Midnight Rhapsody" Bushkin also plays "September Song" "The Mouth Mansfield Blues" Skitch Henderson and Orchestra Pat Kirby sings "Young Love" Andy Williams sings "Caprice in May" Meg Miles sings "13 Men and Only One Gal in Town" and "Can't Help Loving Dat Man" on program of March 7th, 1956. Andy Williams sings "I'll Never Smile Again" Blues and jazz saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor plays "Harlem Nocturne" and "Cloud Burst" March 6th, 1956- Woody Herman and his Orchestra play "The Square Circle " Steve Allen and Woody Herman talk about drummer Will Bradley Jr. and Bill Harris, Jr. Victor Feldman playing vibes Woody Herman sings "Stars Fell On Alabama"
1956-03-06, NBC, 20 min.
September 27,1954-January 25,1957 Tonight! starring Steve Allen begins airing locally at 11:15pm, for 15 minutes, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer. From 11:30 to 1:00am the broadcast aired nationally. A segment Tribute to Hoagy Carmichael, who sings several of his songs and reminiscences with Steve Allen. Joining Steve are Pat Kirby and Andy Williams.
1956-03-27, WRCA, 15 min.
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957 Steve Allen pays tribute to composer, Burton Lane, who discusses with Steve his early life and career. Lane sings a melody of his most famous songs. Other highlights: Steve sings "It Means The Lady's In Love With You." Eydie Gorme sings "There's A Great Day Coming, Manaia." Eydie and Andy Williams sing "How About You." Andy sings "You're Breaking My Heart." The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show. After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu comedy. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra. Duplicate of 6967C.
1956-03-27, WRCA, 15 min.
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957 Steve Allen pays tribute to composer, Burton Lane, who discusses with Steve his early life and career. Lane sings a melody of his most famous songs. Other highlights: Steve sings "It Means The Lady's In Love With You." Eydie Gorme sings "There's A Great Day Coming, Manaia." Eydie and Andy Williams sing "How About You." Andy sings "You're Breaking My Heart." The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show. After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu comedy. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.
1956-04-06, WRCA, 25 min.
- Steve Allen
- Andy Williams
- Skitch Henderson
- Gene Rayburn
- Eydie Gorme
- Oscar Peterson
- Herb Ellis
- Pat Kirby
- Oscar Peterson Trio
- Ray Brown
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957 This broadcasts is joined in progress at 12:30am April 7, 1956. Highlights: Andy Williams and Pat Kirby sing "There Will Never Be Another You, " and "I Thought About You." Steve plays piano. Eydie Gorme sings, "And The Angels Sing." Steve Allen introduces Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. Two numbers by the Oscar Peterson Trio are performed, "Will You Still Be Mine?" and "How About You." Steve mentions new album by the trio, and that after winding up their act currently at Basin Street, they will be in Philadelphia performing at The Blue Note. Steve, who praises Oscar, briefly chats with him about current and future engagements by the Oscar Peterson Trio (9 minute segment). Gene Rayburn signs off with a station break. NOTE: One of the very first television appearances by Oscar Peterson, 30 years old at the time, and of the Oscar Peterson Trio performing together on network TV. The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen, began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show. After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu comedy. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra. Duplicate of 6967E.
1956-04-06, WRCA, 25 min.
- Steve Allen
- Andy Williams
- Skitch Henderson
- Gene Rayburn
- Eydie Gorme
- Oscar Peterson
- Herb Ellis
- Pat Kirby
- Oscar Peterson Trio
- Ray Brown
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957 This broadcasts is joined in progress at 12:30am April 7, 1956. Highlights: Andy Williams and Pat Kirby sing "There Will Never Be Another You, " and "I Thought About You." Steve plays piano. Eydie Gorme sings, "And The Angels Sing." Steve Allen introduces Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. Two numbers by the Oscar Peterson Trio are performed, "Will You Still Be Mine?" and "How About You." Steve mentions new album by the trio, and that after winding up their act currently at Basin Street, they will be in Philadelphia performing at The Blue Note. Steve, who praises Oscar, briefly chats with him about current and future engagements by the Oscar Peterson Trio (9 minute segment). Gene Rayburn signs off with a station break. NOTE: One of the very first television appearances by Oscar Peterson, 30 years old at the time, and of the Oscar Peterson Trio performing together on network TV. The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen, began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show. After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu comedy. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.
1957-01-23, WRCA, 8 min.
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957 The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show. After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu comedy. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra. Guest: Poet Randall Jarrell. This is the first of last three Tonight Shows hosted by Steve Allen.
1957-01-23, WRCA, 6 min.
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957 The first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW, which was then titled TONIGHT!, Steve Allen began his broadcast career as a disc jockey. On July 27, 1953 Steve Allen began hosting a local show over WRCA-TV which ran from 11:20 P.M. to Midnight , Mondays through Fridays, sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer, developed by station executive Ted Cott to lure a potential sponsor, Rupert Breweries, away from a late-night show on New York's Channel 7 (TALK OF THE TOWN), hosted by Louis Nye, who would later be featured on Steve Allen's Sunday Night Variety Show. After a successful fourteen-month local run, THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW became a network show. Beginning September 27, 1954, the show retitled TONIGHT!, and expanded to 105 minutes from 40 minutes. NOTE: Sound of this Television Audio Air Check is PRISTINE. A rare return to an early TONIGHT! STARRING STEVE ALLEN broadcast when Late Night Television was so informal and relaxed with open ended time dedicated to a person, topic, music, or just impromptu comedy. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.
1957-01-25, WRCA, 55 min.
- Steve Allen
- Hy Gardner
- Gene Krupa
- Audrey Meadows
- Milt Kamen
- Jack Lescoulie
- Lionel Hampton
- Buddy Hackett
- Bob Considine
- Jayne Meadows
- Peter Lawford
- Irwin Corey
- George Gobel
- Ray McKinley
- Doc Severinsen
- Earl Wilson
- Tina Louise
- Micki Marlo
- John Crosby
- Sammy Davis
- Sally Powers
- Maggie Pierce
- Dorothy Miller
- Joe Interleggi
- Vic Marcell
- Jim Moran
- Pat Marshall
- Mrs. Sterling
- Pat Kirby
- Andy Williams
- Edie Gorme
- Gene Raymond
- Miki Marlo
- Sol Yagid
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. This evenings telecast is the final TONIGHT! show starring Steve Allen. A farewell party is staged. All the regular singers are featured in musical numbers and Steve uses some of the 'gimmicks which found great popularity on show during the 2 1/2 years on air, including the big salami, and goo goo dolls. Steve speaks briefly to some of the men on the new "Tonight" show which starts next week. They include Jack Lescoulie, Earl Wilson, Hy Gardner, & Bob Considine. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra. Duplicate of #6967. Farewell Party. After two and one half years, Steve Allen hosts his final Tonight Show. Andy Williams sings a new song, "Butterfly." Tonight Show stage hands behind the scenes bid farewell to Steve.
1957-01-25, WRCA, 87 min.
- Steve Allen
- Hy Gardner
- Gene Krupa
- Audrey Meadows
- Milt Kamen
- Jack Lescoulie
- Lionel Hampton
- Buddy Hackett
- Bob Considine
- Jayne Meadows
- Peter Lawford
- Irwin Corey
- George Gobel
- Ray McKinley
- Doc Severinsen
- Earl Wilson
- Tina Louise
- Micki Marlo
- John Crosby
- Sammy Davis
- Sally Powers
- Maggie Pierce
- Dorothy Miller
- Joe Interleggi
- Vic Marcell
- Jim Moran
- Pat Marshall
- Mrs. Sterling
- Pat Kirby
- Edie Gorme
- Gene Raymond
- Miki Marlo
- Sol Yagid
September 27, 1954 - January 25, 1957. This evenings telecast is the final TONIGHT! show starring Steve Allen. A farewell party is staged. All the regular singers are featured in musical numbers and Steve uses some of the 'gimmicks which found great popularity on show during the 2 1/2 years on air, including the big salami, and goo goo dolls. Steve speaks briefly to some of the men on the new "Tonight" show which starts next week. They include Jack Lescoulie, Earl Wilson, Hy Gardner, & Bob Considine. The basic format of The Tonight! Show was established during Allen's tenure: an opening monologue, a segment involving the studio audience (through interviews or games such as "Stump the Band"), and a simple set (a desk and chair for the host, a couch for the guests), all trademarks of the Allen era. Allen inaugurated the out-of-town broadcast (the first one was done from Miami), the one guest show (Carl Sandburg was the first solo guest), and the one topic show (entire programs devoted to such subjects as narcotics, civil rights, and black music). Allen also established the practice of paying his guests only "scale," the minimum fee required by union-network contract (this practice led to a highly publicized feud between Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan and later between Jack Paar and Ed Sullivan, as Sullivan paid top dollar for his guests). Though Allen's Tonight! show closely resembled the shows of his successors, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, it was more a musical show; Allen himself was an accomplished musician and composer (he wrote his theme, "This Could Be The Start of Something Big"), and he employed a nucleus of musical regulars on his show. In addition to announcer – sidekick Gene Rayburn, the show featured singers Steve Lawrence (who was only seventeen when he began singing on Allen's local show), Eydie Gormé (who subsequently married Steve Lawrence), Andy Williams (who later hosted several series of his own), and Pat Marshall (who was succeeded by Pat Kirby). Skitch Henderson led the Orchestra.