CANCER CLAIMS LOREN DEXHEIMER, MUSICIAN, AT 70.Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior columnist LANCASTER - The gravely voice that charmed listeners for decades over the airwaves and from bandstands has been stilled. Disc jockey disc jockey (DJ) Person who plays recorded music on radio or television or at a nightclub or other live venue. Disc jockey programs became the economic base of many radio stations in the U.S. after World War II. and drummer Loren Dexheimer lost his more than two-year battle with throat and tongue cancer early Sunday at home with Jean, his wife of 32 years, and daughter Denise near him. Funeral Mass will be said for him at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Sacred Heart Catholic Church can refer to:
Dexheimer had been a major voice on High Desert Broadcasting's Radio Station KWJL (Kjewel) from 9 a.m. to noon most days when the cancer felled him. His death at age 70 came only a month after he received a lifetime achievement award at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. , which was packed with his fans. Band leader Bob Noval brought together for the tribute members of the Golden Age All Stars, the Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers were a major African-American jazz and pop vocal quartet of the 20th century producing more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and garnered at least three dozen gold records. and his own big band. When told of the award presentation and its acceptance on his behalf by Lancaster Vice Mayor Henry Hearn, Dexheimer was very pleased and appreciative, his wife said. ``He told me to thank everybody for him,'' she said, ``especially Bob Noval and Henry. Bishop Hearns is a long-time family friend and neighbor and it was appropriate for him to represent us.'' Dexheimer was extremely proud of the Golden Age band that he organized for a sold-out Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. extravaganza he hosted at the Lancaster theater in 2001. The musicians were all good friends and renowned musicians who had played for groups led by the likes of Benny Goodman Noun 1. Benny Goodman - United States clarinetist who in 1934 formed a big band (including black as well as white musicians) and introduced a kind of jazz known as swing (1909-1986) Benjamin David Goodman, Goodman, King of Swing , Paul Whiteman Paul Whiteman (March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967) was a popular American orchestral leader. He was born in Denver, Colorado. After a start as a classical violinist and violist, Whiteman then led a jazz-influenced dance band, which became locally popular in San Francisco, , Artie Shaw Noun 1. Artie Shaw - United States clarinetist and leader of a swing band (1910-2004) Arthur Jacob Arshawsky, Shaw , Glenn Miller Noun 1. Glenn Miller - United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944) Alton Glenn Miller, Miller and the Dorsey Brothers. Born in Springfield, Ill., Dexheimer came with his parents and three sisters to Pasadena in 1942. Music was always his first love but there was a time when he really wanted to be a champion wrestler. ``I billed myself as Delicate Dexter and I had great expectations,'' he once said. ``When I took my first body slam, I decided to give that idea up.'' Dexheimer started playing the drums professionally at the age of 18 ``in a dump of a bar, called the 49er Club, in East Pasadena.'' After two years in the U.S. Army, he returned briefly to the Lockheed job he'd left behind when he was drafted. After only a few months he took a layoff and for the next few years ``it was the jazz life only for me,'' he said. No one knew the anecdotes and history behind the music and artists of the big band era like Dexheimer did. No one else had as huge a private collection of the music played before, during and beyond the World War II years - more than 30,000 selections. He was always happiest when he was wearing his headset, broadcasting the music that was so much a part of his life. Performing on his drums was a close second. There was always a grin on his face whenever he introduced another drummer. It was always as ``the second greatest drummer in the Antelope Valley.'' Especially sensitive to the needs of widows, Dexheimer went out of his way to make sure they were never left behind during the early stages of their bereavement Bereavement Definition Bereavement refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a beloved person or animal. The English word bereavement . He and Jean took great pains to include them in their dinner plans and other engagements right up to the time he fell ill himself. Devoutly and openly spiritual, he always ended his radio show with variations on the words ``God Bless.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Musician Loren Dexheimer at his drums in a photo taken in 2002. Bettie Rencoret/Daily News |
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