Tom Gerunovich

Popular California based bandleader, violinist, musical director, arranger. Working during the late 1920s and 1930s. Born August 23, 1900 - Died 30 June, 1975. His father was of Serbian descent. Tom Gerunovitch became an orchestra leader at the age of 18. He was one of the first musicians to broadcast, having appeared on KUO, San Francisco's first station, in 1919. His first recordings were released under the name of "Tom Gerunovitch and his Roof Garden Orchestra" in 1928 and 1929. Sometime in 1929 he shortened his last name to "Gerun". His most popular recordings were "There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder" with vocal chorus by Steve Bowers, and an instrumental version of "My Gal Sal"--both Fox Trots. He retired from recording in 1932. In the late 1930s up until about 1959 he was the co-owner and manager of the Bal Tabarin night club at 1025 Columbus Avenue (at Chestnut Street) in San Francisco (now called Bimbo's 365 Club).