John Richard Long (1892-1952) was the leader of the "D. Long Orchestra" that used to perform at the Nankin Café, at the Curtis Hotel and on W.C.C.O. radio in Minneapolis, in the 20s, 30s and 40s. His obituary (retrieved on mncig org), dated November 3, 1952, stated the following: "[Richard] Long died in his sleep Sunday morning in St. Mary's hospital at the age of 60. To countless Minnesotans, the man with the violin willed musical remembrances that will not die - songs played for birthdays, for wedding parties and anniversaries, for graduations. He was an institution for 30 years at The Dayton Company's Tearoom and later the Sklyroom, and 25 years at Curtis hotel. Variety, the theatrical trade paper, said in annually reporting Mr. Long's contract renewal that his was the longest-run orchestra in one spot in the nation. John Richard (...) Long was born on the East Side. He went to De La Salle high school, first studied piano but changed to the violin when he was 12 (...). Three years later he was playing in dance bands, and at 17 he joined the Minneapolis Musicians association. He was a member of the association board of directors. He made some of the first phonograph records in the area, played seven years at the Nankin cafe, at the Strand, Shuert and Hennepin Orpheum theaters. He was a familiar sight in the orchesra pit of the Lyceum theater and during the past four years was musical director there. (...) His popularity was such that once, when a fire hit the Curtis and the dining room was closed for repairs, the management continued Mr. Long and his orchestra in a corner of the lobby. Mr. Long, who lived at 524 W Fifty-third street, went on extended vacation June 1. He became ill several days ago with a heart ailment and entered the hospital Saturday night after a slight stroke. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Automobile Club of Minneapolis. He is survived by his wife Aurelia; four sons, (...), all of Minneapolis, and (...), Ariz., three daughters, (...), Minneapolis; (...)." His best known venue was the Nankin Café, a fixture of Downtown Minneapolis dining for 80 years. The Chinese and American restaurant was founded by Walter James in 1919 at 14 S. 7th St. After it sold to the Golden and Chalfen families, it moved across the street to 15 S. 7th St. in the 1950s, then moved again in 1981 to City Center. The restaurant closed in 1999. This great performance was recorded in 1924. It should be noted that, due to a glitch in DM filter software, I had to abbreviate or to leave out the orchestra's name. Otherwise it was impossible to publish this song. It keeps stunning me that in many aspects the 20s of the 20th century were more open-minded than the 10s of the 21st.
