Damon, Victor Leroy (February 20, 1974)
Dates
- Existence: February 20, 1974
Biography
A native of Bucyrus, Ohio, Vic Damon attended the Missouri Military Academy and worked as a teller for Traders National Bank before embarking on a career in the recording industry. A pioneer in recording science, Damon founded Damon Transcription Laboratory in Kansas City in 1933, operating out of the Midland Building at 1221 Baltimore. Later, as Damon Recording Studios, his studio moved to 117 W. 14th Street where Damon continued providing recording services until his retirement in 1973. Damon was also an engineer for Kansas City radio station WHB.
During his long career, Damon recorded such local notables as Tommy Douglas, Julia Lee, the Scamps, Jay McShann and Marilyn Maye. The Blue Things, a popular folk-rock group based in Lawrence, Kansas, recorded early demos at Damon’s studio under the name The Blue Boys before landing a deal with RCA in the mid-1960s. Capitol and Decca record companies frequently engaged Damon’s services as a recording engineer. Damon’s studio also provided recording services for advertising agencies, church groups and civic organizations.
One of Damon’s greatest commercial successes was My Happiness, recorded at his studio December 10, 1947, by Jon and Sondra Steele. In 1948 My Happiness sold over a million copies of sheet music and won a Cashbox award for “Best Record of the Year.” Composed by Borney Bergantine with lyrics by Betty Peterson (Mrs. Lou Blasco), My Happiness was subsequently recorded by hundreds of artists including Elvis Presley’s first recorded effort rendered for his mother.
Victor L. Damon died February 20, 1974 at age 73.
Sources:
City Directories Collection, Dr. Kenneth J. LaBudde Department of Special Collections, Miller Nichols Library, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Haddix, Chuck. Display captions for library exhibit on Vic Damon. Box 1, folder 4, Vic Damon Collection, Dr. Kenneth J. LaBudde Department of Special Collections, Miller Nichols Library, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Obituary. Kansas City Times. February 21, 1974.
