DEATH OF "THE LONE RANGER"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 101, 30 May 1941, Page 13

DEATH OF "THE LONE RANGER"

UNIOR listeners to the ZB stations who thrilled to the exploits of the Lone Ranger, with his stirring cry of "Hi-yo Silver!" and his astounding feats of derring-do, will learn with regret that Earle W. Graser, radio voice of The Lone Ranger, met his death in an automobile accident last month. Graser, who was a member of the dramatic staff of Station WXYZ, Detroit, had played the title role in the series for the past eight years. He was a graduate of Wayne University, with the degrees of M.A. and LL.B. Upon sraduation, he held several odd jobs,

including what is known in the U.S. as a "sodajerker," and driver of a grocer’s delivery cart, this being his only experience of horses. He also sang in picture theatre orchestras, and worked as an usher, then got a job doing small character parts for WXYZ. At that time, the part of the Lone Ranger was taken by Brace Bemmer, but when auditions were held in 1933 for a successor to Bemmer, Graser’s deep vibrant voice won him the part. He became the Lone Ranger on April 16, 1933, Bemmer taking over the _ narration. Graser’s voice resembled

Bemmer’s so closely that to avoid confusion, Bemmer used an artificial pitch. Bemmer used an artificial pitch. The voice of the Lone Ranger shunned all publicity, in spite of the popularity of the programme, which eventually played over 150 stations. Throughout the world, The Lone Ranger was estimated to have a following of 15,000,000 listeners. In spite of Graser’s death, the Lone Ranger will keep on riding, the main role being played once again by Brace Bemmer.