Memories of a Set Lighting Tech

In 1948,Vaughn was voted "Best Singer" by the class of Pawtucket West Sr. High school...beating out Frank & Bing by wide margins. In '47 or '48, ( I'm not positive about the dates), he appeared at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI with his band, and a bunch of us teens went to see him. He was 2 hours or so late...Ziggy Talent led the band...also singing, "The Rich Maharaja from Magadore."

In 1962 or '63, I was working in the Motion Picture Industry...on "Bonanza"....and much to my surprise, Vaughn was the feature star of that episode. He was seated on the couch in the set of the living room of the Cartwright's, on Paramount's stage 5, when I approached him, and exclaimed, "Vaughn, I've got a bone to pick with you." He looked puzzled, and I related how he had kept us waiting for his appearance many years ago. Of course, my scolding was done with "tongue in cheek". He replied, "Those were the good old days of the Big Band Era." We exchanged a few more pleasantries and we resumed our work. I was a Set Lighting 'Tech'.

The last time my wife and I saw him perform was in Lake Tahoe in 1965. I have his LP's and a CD...."Racing with the Moon" is one of my favorites.

Submitted by: Ed Thompson