What role did the radio program Let’s Dance play in Benny Goodman’s success?

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Benny Goodman in a tuxedo with bow tie and boutonniere, smiling and holding a clarinet, circa 1945. — Benny Goodman Jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, c. 1945.

The radio program Let’s Dance was instrumental in building Benny Goodman’s national profile during the mid-1930s. As a three-hour weekly broadcast, it provided a consistent platform for his band to reach a wide audience, helping to generate interest in his music just as his early recordings began to gain notice.1

The program’s influence was most evident during Goodman’s 1935 national tour. Although the tour initially struggled, his performance at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles proved to be a turning point. The capacity crowd—many of whom were already fans of the Let’s Dance radio show—responded with such enthusiasm that the event became a national sensation. This success effectively launched the swing era and cemented Goodman’s status as the "King of Swing". Additionally, the program’s theme song, "Let’s Dance," became a permanent fixture in his repertoire, serving as the opening number for virtually all of his subsequent performances.1