Art Lund sings But Beautiful (Van Heusen-Burke)(From the Paramount Picture "Road To Rio")

Orchestra conducted by Johnny Thompson. M-G-M label record # 10126-A Released 1947

Art Lund (1915-1990) was an American baritone singer during the Big Band era and later a successful television and stage actor. He is best known for his number one hit song "Mam'selle" in 1947 and creating the role of Joey in the original Broadway musical production of The Most Happy Fella in 1956. 

Musical Career

Lund began his singing career with the bands of Jimmy Joy, Harry James, and most notably, Benny Goodman in the 1940s. During his time with Goodman, he had several hits, including "Blue Skies" and duets with Peggy Lee such as "Winter Weather". 

After going solo in 1946, he achieved his greatest commercial success with the chart-topping ballad "Mam'selle" in 1947, which earned a gold disc. Other hit records followed, including "Peg o' My Heart," "You Call Everybody Darling," and "On a Slow Boat to China". 

Acting Career

In the mid-1950s, Lund transitioned to the stage, where he found success on Broadway in musicals like The Most Happy Fella, Destry Rides Again, and Donnybrook!. A New York Times reviewer praised his "tremendously effective" portrayal of Lennie in a 1958 Off-Broadway musical adaptation of Of Mice and Men. 

He also became a prolific character actor in film and on television, with credits including: 

Films: The Molly Maguires (1970), Black Caesar (1973), and The Last American Hero (1973).

Television shows: Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, The Rockford Files, and the miniseries The Winds of War. 

Lund died of liver cancer in May 1990 in Utah at the age of 75. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to recording.