Eugene Frederick Rodemich, born on April 13, 1890, in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American pianist and orchestra leader renowned for his contributions to early film music. The son of Dr. Henry Rodemich and Barbara Mahiger Rodemich, Gene began his musical career as a pianist in his hometown before becoming a conductor of a dance orchestra. He founded the Rodemich Orchestra Exchange, which organized bands for social events in the St. Louis area. In pursuit of broader opportunities, he sold his exchange and moved to Chicago and later New York City.

In 1919, Rodemich secured an exclusive recording contract with Brunswick Record Company, becoming one of the first bandleaders to do so. Before his tenure with Brunswick, he was the primary accompanist for Elsie Janis on several tours, including European engagements. He also served as director and master of ceremonies at the Metropolitan Theatre in Boston for three years.

Rodemich's later career was marked by his role as musical director at Van Beuren Studios from 1929 to 1934, where he composed and directed music for animated series like Aesop's Fables and Tom & Jerry, as well as live-action shorts featuring comedians like Bert Lahr and Shemp Howard. He scored Frank Buck's feature film "Bring 'Em Back Alive" (1932) and conducted for numerous NBC programs while continuing to record for Brunswick Records.

Tragically, Rodemich fell ill with lobar pneumonia while making a recording and passed away on February 27, 1934, in New York at the age of 43. He is buried in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York, and was survived by his wife, Henrietta Pauk Rodemich, a son, and a daughter. His assistant, Winston Sharples, succeeded him at Van Beuren Studios.