You might or might not remember Art Lund, but I’m willing to bet that you’d recognize his 1947 chart-topping “Mam’selle” if you heard it. (And you can, below.) But Lund was in no way a one-hit wonder. He was actually a multi-talented guy with a long performing life that began with success as a big-band crooner, followed by a string of best-selling pop records, Broadway stardom, and eventually a career as a busy character actor.
A native of Salt Lake City, Arthur London first began to make his mark in the music business in the early 1930s when he landed a job as a young singer with one of the many second-tier bands that toured the country at that time. Within a few years he’d managed to work his way up to one of the best around — Benny Goodman’s band — where he spent more than a decade, interrupted only by his World War II service.
London changed his name to Lund during his time with Goodman, and became a very popular performer on some of the band’s biggest sellers, including “Blue Skies.” He also teamed up with Peggy Lee, the band’s songbird at the time, spinning out hits like “Winter Weather.” All of it led to his breakout as a solo recording artist, peaking in 1947 with his #1 hit on “Mam’selle” and other big records like “Peg O My Heart” (a chart-topper that same year for the Harmonicats).
But even though Lund remained on record charts well into the 1950s he also kept an eye open for other opportunities, and he soon began finding good parts in Broadway musicals. His best-remembered role is probably as Joey in The Most Happy Fella, but he made appearances in a number of shows before then turning his attention to acting. He subsequently spent more than two decades as a character actor in dozens of TV shows and movies before finally slowing down, spending his final years in semi-retirement while sometimes singing in personal appearances. He was 75 when he died in 1990.
Art Lund – “Mam’selle”
Geezer Music Club 