Vaughn Wilton Monroe (October 7, 1911 – May 21, 1973)[1] was an American baritone singer, trumpeter and big band leader who was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

[3] Monroe's orchestra had a number of excellent musicians including future jazz guitar great Bucky Pizzarelli.

While their musical focus was largely romantic ballads, in person, the band had a fiercely swinging side only occasionally captured on record.

After leaving the performing end of show business, Monroe remained with RCA for many years as a television spokesperson, executive, and talent scout.

[12][13] Monroe married Marian Baughman on April 2, 1940, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, where they had met as high school students.

They did not date during high school, but became romantically inclined toward each other when their paths crossed again in New York City, years after graduation.

Inside were hundreds of intricate tools to build operating miniature locomotives, passenger and freight cars.

[14] Monroe died on May 21, 1973, at Martin County Memorial Hospital in Florida, shortly after having stomach surgery for a bleeding ulcer.