Songwriters Hall of Fame

The dominant popular bass voice of his era, Frank Stanley was born William Stanley Grinsted.

Originally a banjo player, Stanley accompanied Arthur Collins on some late 1890’s wax cylinders for Edison Records. He became famous as the leader and manager of the Peerless Quartet. He was also successful in duets with singers Henry Burr, Corrine Morgan and others.

Beginning in 1899, Stanley produced nearly 60 top ten recordings including the #1 hits ‘Blue Bell’ (1904), ‘Good Evening, Caroline’ (1909), and ‘Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!’ (1910).

From 1904 through 1926, the Peerless Quartet was responsible for over 100 top ten hit recordings including the #1 hits ‘You’re the Flower of My Heart, Sweet Adeline’ (1904), ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart’ (1911), ‘I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be A Soldier’ (1915), ‘My Bird of Paradise’ (1915), ‘The Lights of My Home Town’ (1916), ‘Over There’ (1917) and ‘I Don’t Know Where I’m Going But I’m On My Way’ (1918).

Frank Stanley died on December 12, 1910 at the age of 41.