From Thereminist to Stockbroker: The Fascinating Journey of Lennington Heppe Shewell
This rare 1950 interview from The Philadelphia Inquirer (Sunday, December 3, 1950, p.23) with RCA Theremin marketeer and celebutante Lennington Shewell mentions connections to Charlie Chaplin, Raymond Novarro and the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) among others, and outlines Len's trajectory from international thereminist to stockbroker. Although the theremin was advertised as an instrument anyone could master with ease, as Len explains "actually it turned out that few, with or without musical training, could play it." The theremin may have been a forgotten instrument for many, but its unique sound has captured the imaginations of musicians and enthusiasts alike. Lennington Heppe Shewell's story of how he became a professional theremin player is a testament to the instrument's charm and difficulty. From playing for his father's friends to touring with famous movie stars, Shewell's theremin career took him around the world and brought him in contact with some of the most influential people of his time. Even after becoming a successful stockbroker and producer, he never gave up the theremin and still played it whenever he could. While the RCA Theremin may no longer be in production, its legacy lives on, inspiring a new generation of musicians and continuing to captivate audiences with its haunting sound.
“A BROKER WITH A THEREMIN
by Kay Mott
“To play a theremin”, says Lennington Heppe Shewell, “you have to be able to pat your head while you rub your stomach." He ought to know because he's probably the only Philadelphian who can play one professionally. Few persons even know what the forgotten theremin is. Or can recognize its electric voice in the background music of such movies as The Lost Week End or Spellbound. Launched with an avalanche of publicity in 1929, the theremin was billed as the instrument anyone—but anyone —could play without musical training. You didn't even touch the thing—you made motions at it and it played by electric impulse. Actually it turned out that few, with or without musical training, could play it,” says Shewell, a partner in Hecker & Co., “although I taught A. Atwater Kent and J. Howard Pew and a few others to play for their own amusement. Judge George C. Corson of the Montgomery County Court, still can play pieces like Kentucky Home and Old Black Joe on it.”
Resembles Child's Desk - The theremin looks like a child's desk with a rod sticking up where the Inkwell should be, and a loop like a handrail out the other side. The rod antenna gives out with notes that go higher as the player's right hand approaches. The loop antenna control volume on a like principle. "So your right hand must pat, while your left glides horizontally," Shewell explains. "The successful player also must have perfect pitch." How a stockbroker happens to be one of the few theremin players in the country is a story dating back to the time Professor Leon Theremin brought his invention here from Russia. RCA acquired the paten. for about $1,000,000. and Shewell's father, the la. G. Dunbar Shewell, an RCA vice president brought one to the Shewell home on Carpenter lane in Germantown. The senior Shewell, a trained musician with several published musical compositions, tried It out. But It was son, Lennie, with never a music lesson, who had a real affinity for the odd instrument. Hitherto, Lennie had shown more business acumen than artistic or esthetic bent. When only 16 and still in Penn Charter, he published his own weekly market letter. Before he tried the theremin he could play the piano by ear. After a week's experimentation he was giving theremin concerts for his father's friends and business acquaintances. A few weeks later the artist who was scheduled to demonstrate the theremin for its big introduction at the Electric Show in Convention Hall failed to show up. Lennie substituted and his professional career was born. He made about $22,000 that first year, he estimates. His first important appearance was at Villa Vallee with Rudy Vallee’s orchestra. "Vallee liked the theremin so well he ordered a left-handed one made for him."
Shewell was on the radio; he toured the country playing for such movie stars as Charlie Chaplin, Raymond Novarro, Ruth Chatterton. He made recordings and a movie on Long Island called The Voice of Hollywood, he even went to Canada to play. “But after more than 3000 concerts I fell ill," he says. "And gave up playing for a while." He emerged as Broadway's youngest producer for one production of five weeks, then became a booking agent with an office here. He booked enough name bands to take a trip to England in 1934. My main luggage was the theremin." he says. "I got it through customs because none of the men knew what it was. I signed up at once with an agency which arranged a press party where I played the theremin." Newspaper accounts of Shewell's theremin playing brought an invitation through Frederick Bate, head of the BBC, to play for the Prince of Wales (now the Duke of Windsor). "The visit was very informal," recalls Shewell. "Mrs. Simpson was there and to my surprise His Royal Highness tried to play the theremin and could pick out a tune almost immediately. I didn't know then that he is really a good musician."
Rack Without a Job - Shewell was all set for a series of theremin appearances with British Gaumont when the Minister of Labor said "No." So Shewell left and arrived back here jobless. He got his first position in the brokerage business at $25 a week in New York, then went with Hecker & Co. in 1937. That brought him back to Philadelphia. Through the Junior Chamber of Commerce here he became interested in civic affairs. When the war started. his stage and booking agency experience carne in handy in organizing the Blackout Ball for British War Relief and the Glamour Ball to raise funds for soldiers at Indiantown Gap. "After that, the Army Recruiting Service asked me to run a drive for aviation cadets and then one for aviation mechanics,” Shewell says. "I never gave up the theremin. But there was no time or place to play it professionally until Wendie Barrie had me on her television show last year. RCA stopped making theremins in 1941," Shewell says. "So occasionally someone tries to buy mine. Of course, I won't sell. But don't get the idea that if anyone finds an old theremin in his attic it's worth a fortune. It might be, if someone just happened to want it. But most people who can play, like me, have one. Like me, they wouldn’t take any price for it, but they wouldn't give a nickel for any other theremin."