Beat the Band was an early musical quiz show.
Broadcast[]
NBC Radio (Weekly): 1/28/1940 – 2/23/1941, 6/15/1943 – 9/6/1944
Hosts[]
Garry Moore (1940–1941)
"The Incomparable Hildegarde" (Hildegard's Loretta Sell) (1943–June 1944)
Eddie Mayehoff (June–September 1944)
Announcers[]
Marvin Miller
Fort Pearson
Tom Shirley
Gameplay[]
The host would ask the band musical questions sent to the show by listeners. In the original version, listeners received $10 if they were used, and another $10 plus a box of Kix Cereal (the show's sponsor) if the band was stumped. In addition, musicians who missed questions had to toss half-dollar coins into a bass drum (this was called "feeding the kitty"). The musician with the highest score took home all the money in the drum.
In the revival, listeners received $25 and (until June 1944) a carton of Raleigh Cigarettes (the new version's sponsor). Stumping the band meant the prize was $50, and any band members who missed the the questions threw packs of cigarettes into the bass drum and then they were sent to servicemen in the war effort.
Recording Locations[]
Chicago, IL (1940–1941)
Various locations (Certain episodes with Moore)
New York City, NY (1943–1944)