Date of Birth: January 27, 1918
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: November 1, 2005
Biography
Lyle Russell Cedric “Skitch” Henderson was an influential American conductor, pianist, and composer, best known for his work as the bandleader of “The Tonight Show” starring Johnny Carson. Born in Birmingham, England, Henderson immigrated to the United States during his childhood. His talent for music was evident from a young age, and he quickly became a prolific figure in the American music scene. Throughout his career, Henderson collaborated with many renowned artists and orchestras, contributing significantly to the development of American popular music in the mid-20th century. Henderson’s career began in earnest during the 1930s when he worked as an accompanist for Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. He later served as a conductor for the NBC Symphony Orchestra and worked closely with Frank Sinatra. In the 1950s, he became the musical director for “The Tonight Show,” a role he continued to hold with distinction until his retirement. In addition to his television work, Henderson was a founding member of the New York Pops, which he established in 1983. His contributions to music were recognized with numerous awards, and he remained active in the music community until his passing in 2005.
5 Interesting Facts about Skitch Henderson
1. Skitch Henderson was once imprisoned for nine months for tax evasion in 1974.
2. He won a Grammy Award in 1986 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance with the New York Pops.
3. Henderson was known as “Skitch” due to his ability to quickly “sketch” out a musical arrangement.
4. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, where he played piano in the service bands.
5. Henderson also had a passion for aviation and held a pilot’s license.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Skitch Henderson
1. “Music should be something that makes you gotta move, inside or outside.”
2. “The joy of conducting is that you can communicate without words.”
3. “Each performance should be an adventure, a journey into the unknown.”
4. “Music, in its essence, is a language that transcends all barriers.”
5. “A great conductor doesn’t just lead the orchestra; he inspires it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Skitch Henderson’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Skitch Henderson had two children with his wife, Ruth Einsiedel: Hans and Heidi Henderson.
Relevant Links
1. [Skitch Henderson – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skitch_Henderson
3. [Grammy Awards](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/skitch-henderson
4. [New York Pops](https://newyorkpops.org/about/founding-history
