Goodman, Benny (Benjamin David), 1909-1986 Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1936-1973
Scope and Contents:
Commodore/Decca (1931-1974) reflects Gabler's simultaneous work as owner/recording producer with Commodore and staff-producer and later vice-president in charge of artists and repertoire for Decca Records. Because the material (business correspondence, financial, and legal records) overlaps and is interwoven, it was arranged together within its own subgroup. The material here pertains mainly to joint Commodore/Decca recording projects. Correspondents were mainly business associates in the recording industry and include Jack Crystal, Stanley Dance, Leonard Feather, and Ralph Gleason--most of these correspondents may also be found in topical files on various recording projects include Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Burl Ives, Al Jolson, the Mills Brothers, and Ella Fitzgerald. The bulk of Commodore material not integrally used at Decca is arranged in Series 11.
this series consists of letters to and from Gabler and various recording companies, recording artists, and music publishing corporations. Also included are fan mail and Gabler's intact rolodex of contact information for business associates/recording artists.
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use. Some materials restricted; but most are available for unrestricted research access on site by appointment.
Several items of personal correspondence contained private medical information about living individuals. The originals were removed and will remain sealed until 2030. Copies with the sensitive information redacted are available for research use in the collection.
Access to audio recordings for which no reference copy exists requires special arrangements with Archives Center staff. Please ask the reference archivist for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Milt Gabler Papers, 1927-2001, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.