Fred Waring's America

Waring's much-loved cartoons on display

Fred Waring, band leader, music publisher, entrepreneur, distinguished Penn State alumnus and personification of patriotism, whose legendary show choir and orchestra, The Pennsylvanians, dominated the Big Band era, was also a lifelong reader of newspaper comic strips and an admirer of the artists who created them.  

The Sunday following his death, a strip by cartoonist and close friend, Milt Caniff, ran in the newspapers that opened with the line, “You knew Fred Waring as the famous orchestra and choral leader who thrilled people for years as he and his Pennsylvanians interpreted the world’s music. You probably were not aware that Fred was one of the foremost newspaper cartoon buffs and collectors. On tour, late editions from every city were delivered to him on the bus, so he could follow the comics—all the comics!”

The exhibit includes only a sampling of the collection of more than 500 items, which is housed in 313 Pattee Library, west, and is accessible during regular business hours. For more information, contact Eileen Akin: 814-863-2911, or e-mail esc3@psulias.psu.edu.