Arthur Lyman: Biography

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• Les Baxter
• Martin Denny
• Esquivel
• Yma Sumac
• Lenny Dee
• Eden Ahbez
• Henry Mancini

• Yma Sumac
• Milt Jackson
• Red Norvo
• Lionel Hampton
• Percy Faith
• Les Baxter

• The Jody Grind
• Martin Denny

• Martin Denny
• John Kramer
• Clem Low
• Harold Chang
• Archie Grant
• Alan Soares

• Bert Russell
• George Forrest
• John Lennon
• L. Anderson
• Paul McCartney
• Robert C. Wright

Born:

Jan 1, 1932 in Kauai, HI

Died:

Feb 24, 2002 in Honolulu, HI

Genre:

Easy Listening Music

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

High

Popularity

High

Ratings Guide

As the vibraphonist for Martin Denny's group, Lyman was instrumental in crafting the sound of exotica. Lyman didn't stay with Denny for long, however, leaving the ensemble in 1957 to start a solo career that was nearly as successful as Denny's. To no one's surprise, Lyman's albums sounded very much like Denny's, with even more of a somnambulent feel. Much of the public wanted to relax, though, and they sent his debut, Taboo, to 6 in the album charts in 1958. In addition to playing vibes on his group's recordings, Lyman also played some guitar, piano, and drums, as well as paying careful attention to using stereophonic sound.

Lyman also had a few hit singles, with "Taboo" and "Love For Sale" reaching the middle of the charts, and "Yellow Bird" (the only big exotica hit besides Denny's "Quiet Village") making 4 in 1961. Like Denny (though to a lesser extent), Lyman experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s, when the space age pop revival made it acceptable to drag out his old LPs and sit in tiki bars again. He continued performing for tourists in Waikiki until a year before his death from throat cancer on February 24, 2002.

- Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide