Verne Byers

Vincent LeRoy Beyer(March 14, 1918, Denver, Colorado – December 19, 2008 inLas Cruces, New Mexico), known professionally asVerne ByersorVern Byers,was an American jazz bandleader, double bass player, promoter, and nightclub owner. He broughtThe Beatlesto Denver when they performed atRed Rocks Amphitheatreon August 26, 1964.

Early years

Born and raised in Denver, Beyer started playing piano at age nine but switched to double bass in middle school because there was more demand for it. He graduated fromSouth High School,then attended theUniversity of Denverfor two years from 1937 to 1939. His transcripts under the name "Vernon LeRoy Beyer" show that he was a liberal arts major who enrolled in several journalism classes.At the age of 19, he joined the Denver Musicians' Union. Before graduating from college, he joined theMerchant Marines(around 1939) and was a member of theNavy Concert BandduringWorld War II.

Career

Bandleader

Verne Byers and His Orchestra played compositions of World War II dance bands, includingGlenn Miller,Artie Shaw,andTommy Dorsey.The band toured the Midwest and Rocky Mountains area in the 1940s and 1950s as one of manyterritory bands,playing in dance halls, ballrooms and hotels mostly in Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, and Minnesota. The band often played atElitch Gardensand once opened forBenny Goodmanthere. The band had twelve players. During the 1950s, bookings for the band were handled by the Omaha office ofNational Orchestra Service.

At Danceland and at the Pagosa Springs Lions Club, the band was billed as "Verne Byers and His CBS Orchestra – The Most Danceable Band in the Land."Byers worked withTed Fio Ritofor a year and then toured with Herb Miller, Glenn's brother. He also played with Tommy Tucker, Teddy Powell, andJan Garber.

Concert promoter

Byers produced a Beatles concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 26, 1964 — a 32-minute affair that was the group's only Denver appearance. As head of Lookout Mountain Attractions, Byers said he had never heard of the Beatles before booking them.He also booked and promoted concerts byPeter, Paul & Mary,Otis Redding,Count Basie,James Brown,andGlen Campbell.

Nightclub owner

His father and a business partner purchasedThe Rainbow Ballroomwhich Byers took over booking in 1947. He continued the policy of booking territory bands and name bands.Byers owned Club Baja from 1960 to 1969.He operated the Thunderbird, a jazz dinner club onLookout Mountain.He and a partner owned and operated the jazz club The Robin's Nestfrom 1957 to 1977.Kenny Burrellplayed there in 1972;Stanley Turrentinein 1973. Other performers includedSarah Vaughan,Stan Getz,Hank Crawford,McCoy Tyner,Herbie Mann,andDaveandDon Grusin.

Byers and his wife, Jeanne, moved to Las Vegas in 1983.In Las Vegas, he hired high quality musicians willing to travel with his territory band. The swing band era was at a low, and major casinos were switching from live bands to taped music, which resulted in a musicians' strike. Interest in swing bands was waning.When traveling for territory bands waned, his band played regularly in Las Vegas until his retirement.

Final years

Byers retired in 2002 and moved toColumbus, New Mexico.He died in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on December 19, 2008, at the age of 90.At the time of his death, he had been married to Jeanne Byers for 58 years.

Bands and personnel

• Verne Byers and His Bermuda Brass (1938)
• Verne Byers and His Bermuda Brass (1972)
• Verne Byers' Glenn Miller Revival (1980s)
• Verne Byers and His Orchestra