Victor Arden

Victor Arden was the stage name of American pianist Lewis John Fuiks who was best known as the piano duo partner of and co-orchestra leader with Phil Ohman from 1922 to 1932. He was the pianist in the All-Star Trio, who made several hits for Victor Records between 1919 and 1921.

Early years

Arden was born March 8, 1893, in Wenona, Illinois.

Radio

In 1935, Arden was described in a newspaper article as "well-known to music lovers and radio listeners." At the time, Arden's orchestra was featured on Musical Moments, which was carried on over 300 stations weekly. Arden and his orchestra also provided the music for Mr. Chameleon, a detective fiction radio drama that ran on CBS Radio from the late 1940s to the early 1950s.

Recording

Before 1920, Arden was making piano rolls to be reproduced on player pianos manufactured by the American Piano Company. He also cut numerous rolls for QRS.

Death

Arden died July 31, 1962, in New York City.

Selected compositions

1909

Safety Pin Catch

1918

Just Blue, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth

1919

In My Dreams
Lucille, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth
Marilynn, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth
Honeymoon Waltz, words by Ray Sherwood, music by Victor Arden

1920

Hy n' Dry
Rose of the Orient, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth & George Hamilton Green
Dolly, I Love You, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth & Dick Long
Molly, also by Frank Wheeler Wadsworth & Dick Long
Who Wants a Baby?, also by George Hamilton Green
Dottie Dimples, also by George Hamilton Green
In Blossom Time, also by Louis Weslyn

1921

Round the Town
Hand Painted Doll, also by George Hamilton Green
Lonesome Land, also by George Hamilton Green

1922
After A While , also by George Hamilton Green & Walter Hirsch
My Sweet Gal, also by George Hamilton Green
I'm Happy: Fox Trot, also by George Hamilton Green
1930
Dancing the Devil Away
1941'

Hearts in Harmony
We'd Rather Die Upon Our Feet Than Live Upon Our Knees, words by Henry A. Murphy, melody by Joseph Russel Robinson & Victor Arden
Unity, words by Henry A. Murphy, melody by Joseph Russel Robinson & Victor Arden
Let's Incorporate, also by Lawrence M. Klee
Education

Arden was a graduate of the University of Chicago and studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.

Family

Arden was married twice. He first married Ilse Alma Spindler - a 1916 graduate of the University of Chicago - in Chicago, on May 2, 1917. The couple had two sons: Robert Spindler Fuiks and Lewis John Fuiks Jr.. Arden remarried in the 1950s to Frances Newsom, a classical soprano.