Baby Franklin Seals facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Baby Franklin Seals
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | H. Franklin Seals |
| Born | c. 1880 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | December 29, 1915 (aged 35) Anniston, Alabama, U.S. |
| Genres | Vaudeville, blues |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer, comedian, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1909–1915 |
| Associated acts | "Baby" Floyd Fisher |
H. Franklin "Baby" Seals (born around 1880 – December 29, 1915) was an American entertainer. He was a talented pianist, singer, and songwriter. He became famous for his vaudeville performances. Vaudeville was a popular type of stage show with different acts. Seals is especially known for his song "Baby Seals' Blues." This song was published in 1912. It was one of the very first blues songs ever published. It even came out before W. C. Handy's famous "The Memphis Blues."
Contents
About Baby Franklin Seals
Baby Franklin Seals was an African-American musician. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, around the year 1880. He first became known in 1909. At that time, he was a pianist at the Lyric Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Early Career and Music
In 1910, one of his ragtime songs was published. It was called "Shake, Rattle & Roll." This song was published in New Orleans. In the same year, he directed and performed in shows. These shows were in Houston and Galveston, Texas. There, he started working with "Baby" Floyd Fisher. She was a singer and dancer.
Seals and Fisher got married. They performed together as a duo. In 1911, they performed in big cities. They had shows in New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. This showed that many people enjoyed their performances.
"Baby Seals' Blues"
"Baby Seals' Blues" was published in St. Louis, Missouri in August 1912. Baby F. Seals was credited for the words and music. The sheet music said it was performed by Seals and Fisher. They were called "that Klassy Kooney Komedy Pair." The music also said it should be played "very slow."
The words of the song are similar to later blues songs. For example, it says: "I got the blues, can't be satisfied today/ I got them bad, want to lay down and die." The song was arranged by Artie Matthews. It seems to have sold very well.
Impact of the Song
"Baby Seals' Blues" quickly became popular with other performers. Famous musicians like Jelly Roll Morton played it. A yodeler named Charles Anderson recorded it in 1923. He called his version "Sing 'Em Blues."
By late 1912, the song was also arranged for bands. By 1913, Seals was known as a "famous blues writer." His work was often advertised in the Indianapolis Freeman newspaper. Seals also wrote to the newspaper regularly. He became a voice for performers in the Southern United States.
Later Performances and Life
During 1912, Seals and Fisher performed often in Nashville. After that, they had many shows. They performed in Jacksonville, Mobile, Louisville, and Birmingham. They also performed with Sherman H. Dudley's company. They traveled along the East Coast and in Harlem.
By 1915, Seals was performing by himself. He passed away in Anniston, Alabama, in December 1915. The reason for his death is not known.
