Here's also a little tribute to PAUL WHITEMAN. This man has taken quite a beating in recent years by the jazz "historians." Say what they want to, Paul lived a life that his critics could only dream about. He did more for popular music, and gave more to the music world than all of his critics combined. Paul opened doors for many of the great composers and arrangers of the 20th Century. And that includes Bix Beiderbecke! So, here's a few things you may not know about "Pops" Whiteman.
Shake 'Em!
"Pops" was home on the range. And having his trusty gun kept his rehearsals smooth as silk. Even Bix showed up on time!
Of course his riding ability didn't happen overnight. He started at the bottom, but caught on fast!
Paul loved the ladies, and the ladies loved Paul!
Here's Pops charming a pretty girl by playing a soprano sax. True, he was no Sidney Bechet, but at least he didn't shoot other musicians over women.
In the early years of his orchestra, Paul would pick up and drive his boys to the jobs by himself. Imagine going from this to the "Old Gold Special"!
Paul loved and respected Bix, but he found the best way to keep him in line was to stand near him, holding a big stick.
History has forgotten that Pops was a wonderful singer as well as bandleader. It's been said that Bing copied Paul's style of delivery, and even the way he dressed!
After the stock market crash of 1929, Paul had to cut back the number of men in his orchestra. He knew that better times were coming and just waited it out.
During Whiteman's heyday, musicians were known to go to great lengths to get Paul's attention for an audition.
During Paul's early years in Hollywood, he made quite a decent living as Oliver Hardy's stunt double.
Paul and Jimmy Durante were often up for the same film roles. But usually Durante won by a nose.
"Pops" was also well known as a family man who always had time for his kids. He was married several times.
Pops and his blood sucking agent. Actually, Bela did the King Of Jazz voice overs for some of the European versions.
Everyone in the music industry knew that all of those nasty stories about Paul and Ray Baduc were just not true. Ooops. I guess I shouldn't have even mentioned it. I sure do hope this doesn't get used by someone and ends up in print!
Here's yet another young lady who has her sights on becoming the "Queen Of Jazz." And soon another heart will be broken.
