Lanny Ross

Lanny Ross was an American singer, pianist and songwriter.

Lancelot Patrick Ross was born in Seattle, Washington and educated at the Juillard School of Music. His career began in radio in 1928 and included a five year run with Annette Hanshaw on the Maxwell House Show Boat ? program. His recording career began in 1929. Ross went on to success in vaudeville, night clubs and films. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II, achieving the rank of Major. During the war, he was called upon to sing the Oscar-nominated ballad, “We Musn’t Say Goodbye,” for the 1943 motion picture, “Stage Door Canteen.” The film also received an Oscar nomination for best musical score that year.

Ross introduced the standard popular song “Stay as Sweet as You Are” in the 1934 film College Rhythm. He recorded the song with Nat W. Finston and the Paramount Recording Orchestra in Los Angeles on October 21, 1934. It was released on Brunswick 7318 and became Ross’ most successful record.

He co-wrote the song “Listen to My Heart” with Al J. Neiburg and Abner Silver. It was performed in the 1939 short film Tempo of Tomorrow by Patricia Gilmore singing with the Richard Himber Orchestra.