A native of Honolulu, Lani McIntire (1904-1951) played a significant role in introducing Hawaiian music to American audiences. Serving in the U.S. Navy with his brother Dick, Lani played saxophone in a shipboard band. Encouraged by their shipmates, the McIntires began exploring the music of their homeland. Dick took up the steel guitar and his younger brother learned acoustic guitar to accompany him. After his discharge in 1923, Lani moved to California where he met steel guitarist Sol Ho’opi’i. Forming a trio with ukulele player Glenwood Leslie, the ensemble was in demand on radio, records, nightclubs and movie stages.
Leaving Ho’opi’i in 1928, Lani and his younger brother Al joined Dick McIntire’s Harmony Hawaiians, landing popular shows on Los Angeles radio stations. In 1930 he accompanied Jimmie Rodgers during the legendary country singer’s Hollywood sessions for Victor.
Signing with Decca in 1937, McIntire shared vocals with Bing Crosby on the popular singer’s 'Sweet Leilani.' The song became one of that year’s biggest hits, later winning an Academy Award. That summer McIntire moved to New York, supporting steel guitarist Andy Iona in the Hotel Lexington’s newly opened Hawaiian Room.
The Chicago-based Sonora label signed McIntire in 1944, while he was leading his ten-member Aloha Islanders at New York’s Ambassador Hotel. Released to stores in March 1944, Aloha Hawaii became one of the label’s best-selling albums. Long after Sonora’s 1948 bankruptcy, these tracks remained in circulation on budget-priced LP albums.
McIntire returned to the Lexington Hotel in 1947, remaining a popular Hawaiian Room attraction until his death at age 46.
01 Song Of The Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii) Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
02 You Are Like A Beautiful Flower Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
03 One, Two, Three, Four Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
04 Sweet Constancy Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
05 Farewell To Thee (Aloha Oe) Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
06 Beautiful Kahana Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
07 My Isle Of Golden Dreams Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
08 Maori Brown Eyes Lani McIntire And His Aloha Islanders
