about Leon Redbone

Leon Redbone (August 26, 1949) is a singer and guitarist specializing in interpretations of early 20th-century music, including jazz and blues standards and Tin Pan Alley classics.

Recognized for his trademark Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and bow tie, Redbone first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada in the mid-1970s. Virtually nothing is known for certain about his background or true identity. Redbone has been called "the most famous non-famous American musician".

Redbone has released approximately fifteen albums and earned a sizable cult following who will travel significant distances to hear him perform. His concerts blend performance, comedy, and skilled instrumentals. Recurrent gags involve the influence of alcohol and claiming to have written works originating well before his time (as part of the mystery of his true age).

Redbone's origins are shrouded in mystery. His birth name is believed to be Dickran Gobalian. Redbone has cited his date of birth as October 29, 1929; this wildly inaccurate date was the day of the U.S. stock market crash that sparked the Great Depression. Redbone claimed to have been born in Bombay during a monsoon to parents Niccolò Paganini (a composer and violinist who died in 1840) and Jenny Lind (a singer who died in 1887). Other sources say that it was Cypriot and Armenian parents.

Redbone has appeared in a number of areas outside of his music recording/performance career. He has made appearances in the comic strips Mister Boffo and The Far Side. He performed the theme song for the popular 1980s sitcom Mr. Belvedere and appears regularly on the PBS children's show Between the Lions. He did a cover of Frank Loesser's romantic Christmas song Baby, It's Cold Outside with Zooey Deschanel for the closing credits of the 2003 film Elf. He also voiced the character of Leon the Snowman in the same film. On his 1987 album Christmas Island he performed a version of "Frosty the Snowman," with Dr. John.

He has also produced music for and appeared in television commercials, perhaps the most famous being an advertisement for Budweiser beer, where he flies over a beach on a flying carpet, singing This Bud's for You.

Submit your Photos of Leon Redbone!

Submit your photos for the upcoming Anthology Do you own original early photos of Leon Redbone you'd like to share? If so, we're looking for any interesting and older photographs of Leon Redbone to include in an upcoming Anthology which we'll be putting together. We can't guarantee that we'll use them but we'll certainly give you full credit and a free Anthology if we use your photo.

Please submit photos to: August Records PO Box 438 Lahaska Pa 18931. Also include your name and mailing address to which we can send the free Anthology should your photo be selected. Submition of owned photos is granting permission to reprint. Photos can not be returned.

Leon Redbone's Official Website