Ben Selvin (March 5, 1898 - July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. A husky lad, he looked older than he was and as such was permitted into such establishments. A mere six years later, as leader of his own dance band, he had recorded what is universally regarded as the first popular recording ever to sell a million copies. That recording, Dardanella Read more on Last.fm