Spoiler : Grofe, Ferde (birth name was Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofe) Born in New York City 3/27/1892; died 4/3/1972 following a series of strokes in West Hollywood, California. He was the son of a baritone singer and actor, his mother was a cellist and music teacher. In 1909 he began his career as a viola player with with the Los Angeles Symphony. Pianist and arranger for Paul Whiteman (1919-1931). Recording artist on Capitol and Columbia record labels. Composer of tunes including Grand Canyon Suite that was used as the theme for Philip Morris cigarette commercials and all of their radio programs they sponsored beginning in the middle 1930's.

Spoiler : The Ferde Grofe Orchestra provided music for radio programs including The Lucky Strike Dance Orchestra (1932-1933); The Fred Allen Show for NBC (1933); Burns And Allen on CBS (1934-1935); Saturday Night Party (1936-1937). Panelist on A Song Is Born for NBC-Radio (1944).