George William Weidler (January 11, 1926 – December 27, 1989) was an American saxophonist and songwriter who was born and died in Los Angeles, California.[1] He was the second husband of singer-actress Doris Day (married 1946–1949) and older brother of former child actress Virginia Weidler.
As sideman, Weidler recorded with Freddie Slack, Les Brown, Charlie Barnet, Ike Carpenter, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Stan Kenton, and the Metronome All-Stars. He is credited as having performed on over 57 jazz recordings between 1943 and 1948.[2]
While with Charlie Barnet, his two brothers, Warner (born Werther; 1922–2010) and Walter (born Wolfgang; 1923–2002), both saxophonists, were with the band. From the early 1940s, the three also performed as the Weidler Brothers Orchestra until 1952, when they signed with Capitol Records as "The Wilder Brothers."[3] Around 1950, the Weidler Brothers switched from jazz to pop.
Side A: "The Jolka Polka"
Side B: "The Schnitzelbank Polka"
With Stan Kenton
George William Weidler was the fifth of six children born to German parents, architect Alfred Weidler (1886–1966) and opera singer Margarete Therese Louise (née Radon). The first four siblings (Waldtraud, Verena, Werther, and Wolfgang) were born in Germany. The eldest sibling, Waldtraud (later known as Sylvia) and the youngest sibling, Virginia, were both child film actresses. One of George's three brothers, Warner (born Werner Alfred Weidler), was a composer.[4]