Waring, Fred

(eric Malcolm), American conductor of popular music and inventor of sundry kitchen appliances; b. Tyrone, Pa., June 9, 1900; d. Danville, Pa., July 29, 1984. Waring learned music at his mother's knee. His father was a banker who gave speeches at spiritual revivals and temperance meetings.

Waring took up the BANJO at 16, and organized a quartet that he called the Banjazzatra. He studied engineering and architecture at Pennsylvania State University. He retained his love for gadgets throughout his musical career. In 1937 he patented the Waring blender, for whipping food or drinks to a foam. Another invention was a traveling iron.

Waring acquired fame with his own band, the Pennsylvanians, which played on national tours at concert halls, hotels, and college campuses. The group was particularly successful on radio programs sponsored by tobacco companies and the Ford Motor Company. His repertoire consisted of wholesome American songs, many his own. Among his soloists on special programs were BING CROSBY, HOAGY CARMICHAEL, IRVING BERLIN, and FRANK SINATRA.

Waring had a natural streak for publicity. He once bet that he could lead a bull into a Fifth Avenue china shop, and succeeded, without breaking a single piece of crockery. He was a friend of President Dwight Eisenhower. In 1983 President Ronald Reagan awarded him the Congressional Gold Medal. He continued to lead youth choral groups, giving a concert at Pennsylvania State University a day before he suffered a stroke, and two days before his death.