Topic: Bob Burns

Bob Burns (August 2, 1890 – February 2, 1956) was an American radio and film comedian during the 1930s and 1940s. Early in his career he was billed as Robert Burns.

Born Robin Burn in Greenwood, Arkansas, he was three years old when the Burn family moved to Van Buren, Arkansas. Before the age of 12, he was playing trombone and cornet in Van Buren's Queen City Silver Cornet Band. At 13, he formed his own string band. Practicing in the back of Hayman's Plumbing Shop one night, he picked up a length of gas pipe and blew into it, creating an unusual sound. With modifications, this became a musical instrument he named a bazooka (after "bazoo," meaning a windy fellow, from the Dutch bazuin for "trumpet"). A photograph shows him playing his invention in the Silver Cornet Band.

During World War I Burns enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. As a sergeant, he traveled overseas with the 11th Regiment, U.S. Marines, AEF, and became the leader of the Marine Corps jazz band in Europe.