The first accordion superstar?

[JerryPH]

I found these two videos of Guido Diero, the man that was so famous a musician on the accordion in his day that he married the then teenage Mae West. Ive never seen any videos of him before, it was a pleasant surprise to find these on YouTube.





Apparently, he was a bit of a horn-dog, as Mae West 4 years later cited adultery as the reason for the divorice. That dirty old man... lol

 

[Happy girl]

Thank you for posting this jerry PH. Fascinating stuff; it took me into another dimension!

The bellow control is so beautiful to observe. I loved the way Guido Diero had the of knack stopping the bellow-flow mid stream, resembling a theatrical statement.

 

[Soulsaver]

Interesting stuff here, too.. from2013 http://www.accordionists.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=196&hilit=Diero

 

[Deleted member 48]

Mae West dating an accordionist ?
I'm all ears

Read something in Google Books, pages 43 and 44 in the Jill Watts book about the affair with Deiro
"Mae West: An Icon in Black and White"

 

[artelagro]

The first recording accordionists I believe but the word superstar hadn't been invented then.
From Blantyre, near Glasgow, Scotland, Peter and Daniel Wyper - See YouTube for a selection.
Ca canny
Garth

 

[JIM D.]

No, Guido Deiro was not in fact the first accordion superstar but, when he performed with the new introduced piano type accordion in the 1920's music scene he became a (PA) accordion superstar in the US. His introduction and his talent on the accordion with a piano keyboard sparked what was called the "The Golden Age Of The Accordion In The US". Circa 1920 - 1970.

 

[BrandyD]

Loved the videos! Thank you for sharing!

 

[EMan]

Jerry, Great videos ! How was Pietro Diero related to him, if at all......son, father ?

BTW, loved the spats and the, I guess you call it a knee towel ?

My Dad played an accordion just like that ! Still have it. It's a Paolo Soprani!

Thanks again, really enjoyed the videos !

 

[JIM D.]

Brother {}

 

[Anyanka]

No, Guido Deiro was not in fact the first accordion superstar [...]

Who were the squeezing superstars before him? Just curious.

 

[Deleted member 48]

In France, one of the first personalities playing the accordion in recitals and concerts was a lady in Paris, named Louise Reisner.

Louise Reisner : Théme varié très brillant (1836) by Juan Matías

Images of both women and men were put on the covers of methods and tutorials, to aim at a greater sales public. And to advert the accordions portability and ease of playing.
The Paris music salons were one of the suitable places to promote accordions and concertinas.

 

[Anyanka]

In France, one of the first personalities playing the accordion in recitals and concerts was a lady [...]

Thank you for the info, that makes me quite happy!

 

[EMan]

Stephen, I watched and listened to that you tube with Reisner playing her tune. Wow, what great history our instrument has. Looking at the initial existence of accordions was quite interesting. Thanks so much for finding and sharing that.

 

[artelagro]

Stephen, Can I suggest that you edit your article re Louise Reisner. It, combined with the YouTube film can be read to suggest that she recorded the piece some years before recording equipment had been invented. I believe she either wrote or arranged the piece.
Garth

 

[Deleted member 48]

Louise Reisner wrote the piece in the 1830s.
So Mozart and Paganini were no stars, because there was no tv, radio or internet??

 

[Anyanka]

Stephen, Can I suggest that you edit your article re Louise Reisner. It, combined with the YouTube film can be read to suggest that she recorded the piece some years before recording equipment had been invented. I believe she either wrote or arranged the piece.
Garth

I think its quite clear from Stephens post and especially from the video that the composition is by Reisner, but played by Juan Matias.