Harold Wayne King, born on February 16, 1901, in Savanna, Illinois, was an influential American musician, songwriter, and bandleader, famously known as "the Waltz King." He was renowned for his big band music, particularly waltzes, with "The Waltz You Saved for Me" being a signature piece. King's career spanned from 1927 to 1983, during which he was closely associated with NBC and CBS. He played the alto saxophone and led "Wayne King and His Orchestra," which gained prominence through national radio programs like "The Lady Esther Serenade."

King's early life was marked by the loss of his mother, after which he lived in an orphanage before returning to Illinois to live with relatives. He was a high school football captain and briefly played professional football. He attended Valparaiso University but left to pursue music. His orchestra opened the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago in 1927 and recorded with RCA Victor. The group disbanded during World War II when King served in the army, reaching the rank of major, but reformed in 1946.

In addition to his musical achievements, King was a television personality in the Midwest and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. He married silent film actress Dorothy Jones King, with whom he had two children. Wayne King passed away on July 16, 1985, in Paradise Valley, Arizona. His legacy is remembered in his hometown of Savanna, Illinois, with a commemorative sign.