Billy Lustig was the leader and violinist of the poorly known Scranton Sirens that introduced many talented instrumental artists, although originally he intended to become a lawyer. Lustig brought his violin to college and organized a small student band to play weekend dates He was obliged to leave college in 1916 to serve his country. He never returned to become a lawyer, but chose a career in music. His first band was named the Scranton Sirens for its place of origin and was organized in 1918. Jimmy Dorsey who was to join the Scranton Sirens, having split with his brother Tommy and dissolved their own Wild Canaries band. The band finally moved into the spotlight in 1923 when it opened Crystal Gardens. Offers poured in for billings in vaudeville, and the Sirens played in the Keith Circuit theatres that brought them to Times Square. They moved They moved to the vaudeville circuit in Philadelphia and also played on Sundays in Atlantic City, where they appeared at the Beaux Arts Night Club during the summer of 1923. The Sirens were reorganized in 1924. The core of the band was from Philadelphia, and it played at the Beaux Arts and at the Pekin Cafe in Philly that was owned by Mike Duffy. The band played In Philadelphia again in 1924, but the musicians did not want to travel to New Orleans the following year when a contract was signed to follow Ted Black's society orchestra into the Little Club. With a new group of musicians, Lustig changed the dance tempo to swing that featured Ray Bauduc. In April of 1928, the Sirens traveled to Chicago to play at the Rendezvous Restaurant. The big band era of the '20s had come to a close for Billy Lustig and the Scranton Sirens when they closed at the Roseland Ballroom. The band had reached the pinnacle of success by playing the most sought after dance locations. Lustig also worked with Russ Morgan on the Philip Morris radio show that featured the original Johnny in pageboy uniform. He organized a band that broadcast on NBC's WEAF from the bandstand at the Kenmore Hotel in Albany, New York, in 1929. Unfortunately, this band only recorded 2 sides in 1925, including the one presented here.
