The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame is proud to induct Skitch (Lyle) Henderson, a towering figure in 20th-century American music who transcended the roles of pianist, bandleader, and conductor. Born in Halstad, Minnesota, Henderson’s journey was profoundly shaped by his foundational years in Bismarck, North Dakota, where a local mentor gave him his iconic stage name. His career spanned seven decades, leading him from North Dakota roadhouses to the heights of Hollywood, Broadway, the White House, and Carnegie Hall.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Lyle Henderson was born with a natural musical gift, taking piano lessons from his aunt, Hattie Henderson Gift, starting at age five. A determined and self-taught young man, he was performing on the organ for church services by age 11. His life changed direction at age 15 when, in June 1933, he permanently left home and moved to Bismarck, North Dakota. There, he quickly found professional work playing piano at venues like Peacock Alley and the Capitol Theatre. It was during this time, while playing with Frankie McGinnis’s band, “The Hot Shots,” that McGinnis gave him the nickname “Skitch” after a playful phrase, a name he later made legally official. He spent three formative years in Bismarck, where he also worked as a control room operator and pianist for KFYR Radio.
Rise to Stardom
In 1937, a chance opportunity saw Skitch travel to Hollywood with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney after playing piano for a performance of The Wizard of Oz musical in Colorado. Judy Garland introduced him to the Hollywood elite, and his talent was quickly recognized, leading to collaborations with legends like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Artie Shaw, and Bing Crosby, who hired the Skitch Henderson Band for his radio show after the war. Skitch’s versatility—blending jazz, classical, and popular American music—made him a highly sought-after artist.
Career Highlights and Continued Success
Skitch Henderson’s most enduring legacy began in the burgeoning world of television. In the early 1950s, he co-hosted The Faye & Skitch TV Show with his wife. He then became the Music Director for NBC in 1953, a role that led him to lead the orchestra for both The Today Show and The Tonight Show during the eras of Steve Allen and, most famously, Johnny Carson (1961-1967). His commitment to musical excellence earned him a Grammy Award in 1963 for Best Classical Performance for his work on Porgy and Bess.
In 1983, driven by a mission to make symphonic popular music accessible to all, Skitch founded The New York POPS Orchestra. Under his baton, the orchestra became a beloved institution, performing almost 300 times at Carnegie Hall and touring as a guest conductor on five continents.
Legacy and Connection to North Dakota
Skitch Henderson never forgot his roots. In 1970 and again in 1996, he served as Guest Conductor for the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. His 1996 visit was pivotal, as he waived his fee and performed four concerts to raise critical funds that ultimately saved the historic Belle Mehus Auditorium from demolition—a venue where his portrait is now permanently displayed. On January 29, 2005, he received the Smithsonian’s highest honor, The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. Skitch Henderson, a Captain Pilot in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and a tireless champion of the arts, passed away on November 1, 2005. His incredible 72-year career, which began as a 15-year-old piano player in Bismarck, remains an indelible part of North Dakota’s musical heritage.