Don Bestor (September 23, 1889 - January 13, 1970) was an American bandleader, probably best known for directing the orchestra in the early years of The Jack Benny Program on old-time radio.
[2] Jazz writer George T. Simon wrote that Bestor "led one of the best bands of the twenties, the Benson Orchestra of Chicago.
"[11] In the summer of 1933, the group was broadcast "from the 'Show Boat' on Lake George via remote control" over WGY in Schenectady, New York.
[13] On April 6, 1934, Bestor became the bandleader for Jack Benny's radio program, The General Tire Show.
"[16] Also in 1935, Bestor ran afoul of the musicians' union "because of paying his men under the scale while on the Jack Benny program," but he was reinstated in December.
[20] Bestor's musical compositions, described as "catchy but fleetingly popular,"[1] included Doodle-De-Doo, Just Baby and Me, Contented, Teach Me to Smile, and Down by the Vinegar Works.
[21] In 1942, Bestor sued Benny, General Foods, NBC, and the Young & Rubicam advertising agency alleging that they "converted [his jingle] to their own use without his consent.
[23] Bestor married Frankie Classen (or Klassen[24] or Klossam[25]), a dancer who was a "favorite of Chicago night club audiences.