UMaine Celebrating Rudy Vallee Day Wednesday, Oct. 12
In celebration of Rudy Vallee Day, Wednesday, Oct. 12, the All Maine Women, Senior Skulls, Sophomore Eagles and Sophomore Owls honor societies will be on the steps of UMaine’s Fogler Library at 3 p.m., singing The Maine Stein Song, handing out Stein Song cards and chalking down the University Mall.
Hubert Prior Vallee, a Vermont native who was raised and went to high school in Westbrook, where he played drums in his high school band, attended UMaine as a member of the class of 1925, adopted the nickname Rudy given him by classmates who knew of Vallee’s admiration of the music of sax player and recording artist Rudy Wiedfoeft.
Vallee became one of the most popular vocalists — the archetypal image of the early crooners, according to Vallee biographers — of the pre-swing era with his signature megaphone, which he used to enhance his nasal voice. He made The Maine Stein Song a number one musical hit in 1929, and went on to become what some consider the first mass media pop star. In addition to his successful recording career, Rudy Vallee was in dozens of Hollywood films and starred on Broadway.
Rudy Vallee returned to UMaine as the honored guest at the Class of 1925’s 50th reunion on Oct. 11, 1975. That weekend he conducted the marching band in its version of The Stein Song. It was Rudy’s last appearance at UMaine before his death in 1986 and this day was designated as Rudy Valley Day. Vallee is buried in Westbrook.
UMaine’s Fogler Library’s Special Collections Department maintains a collection of Rudy Vallee papers and memorabilia.
Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756