LOS ANGELES - Big band leader Les Brown, who led the "Band of Renown" in the 1930s and 1940s died Jan. 4 of lung cancer in his Los Angeles home, according to a recent AP report. Brown topped big band charts with the song "Sentimental Journey".

Brown was an arranger as well as clarinetist and was acclaimed in 1996 by the Guinness Book of Records for leading "the longest organized group in the history of popular music."

Brown's musical career began in 1936, and his "Band of Renown" continued about 60 dates a year as recently as five months ago, often conducted by son Les Brown Jr.

In addition to his daughter, Brown is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and Les Jr. No services are scheduled.