The building itself is an integral piece of Valley history, and what’s inside is the collected history of an extraordinary man.
The Horace Heidt Big Band Museum is a chronicle of Heidt’s years as a bandleader, mentor, and television star. Indeed, he has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for radio and one for television.
Heidt started his career as a football player, but an injury derailed that career. He could still play piano, so he started a band. He incorporated a dog named Lobo into his act, and went on the road.
He broke all records in New York, playing at the Palace Theatre during the era known as Tin Pan Alley in the early part of the century. His secret to the big band’s success was playing music “you can dance to!”
The music was only one aspect of his career. He was also host of the successful radio show Pot o’ Gold, the first major giveaway money program. He also founded the television show the Original Youth Opportunity Program, traveling the U.S. to discover new talent. Then came the Swift Show Wagon, where he toured America and showcased each state’s famous stars. He also went to Korea in 1953 to entertain the troops. Everywhere he went hosts, mayors, celebrities, and even the military gave him souvenirs.
Eventually his travels led him back to Hollywood with his 60-piece band – and he had nowhere to house them. He purchased what was then a horse ranch and dedicated one large room to house the memorabilia he’d collected. That ranch is now the Horace Heidt Magnolia Estates Apartments in Sherman Oaks.
On one wall of the museum there is a collection of photos of those he helped mentor and get started – from Gordon McRae and Alvino Rey to Art Carney and The King Sisters. Mary Martin sang with him. John Williams arranged for him, and even Johnny Carson was on one of his talent shows – and lost!
All this and more is memorialized in the museum, along with the sheet music of all his hits, including his first in 1941, “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire,” and his recording of “Hi Ho” from Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Each frame has a QR code so you can listen to the song.
There’s the first Hammond organ, music-themed chess sets, the Wheel of Fortune from Pot o’ Gold, a baseball bat from one city, a gold trumpet from another. Display after display offers a treasure trove of trophies, citations, plaques and unusual items.
Heidt’s “American Way” philosophy included, ‘Tis Better to Build Boys Than to Mend Men, and to help others regardless of race, creed or color.
Today, his son Horace Heidt Jr. continues to maintain and constantly improve the museum, and continue the legacy of an amazing Valley man and musician.
The museum is free and open to the public by appointment. Visit bigbandsfoundation.org.
