Later on, in 1967, The Happenings (yes, the Happenings) recorded a rock version of “I Got Rhythm” which sold over a million copies and, according to The Happenings Official Web Site, placed number one on the charts.Ĭhart information used by permission from Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954 In 1931 Ethel Waters’ rendition peaked at seventeen, and in 1932 a Louis Armstrong version also rose to seventeen. George Gershwin conducted the music at the premier, but after that Earl Busby took over the baton.Ī short time later, in 1930, Red Nichols and His Five Pennies with vocalist Dick Robertson took “I Got Rhythm” onto the recording charts, rising to number five. This star-studded orchestra thrilled the audiences with jam sessions during the intermissions. The orchestra was the Red Nichols Band, including Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Jack Teagarden, Jimmy Dorsey, and Gene Krupa. Girl Crazy was originally written as a vehicle for Bert Lahr, but when he turned down the part for legal reasons, Willie Howard was brought in to take his place. Ginger Rogers was the co-star of the show, but in her debut as a leading lady she lost the limelight to Ethel Merman.

The show opened on October 14, 1930, at the Alvin Theatre and ran for 272 performances. Not only did Ethel Merman introduce “I Got Rhythm” in the Broadway musical, Girl Cray, but Girl Crazy introduced Ethel Merman to Broadway. “Among jazz instrumentalists, ‘I Got Rhythm’ is hands-down the most common Gershwin song.”

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