Billy Daniels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Daniels
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Daniels in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Boone Daniels |
| Born | September 12, 1915 Jacksonville, Florida |
| Died | October 7, 1988 Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | Vocal jazz, cabaret |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Mercury, Verve |
| Associated acts | Ray Vasquez Erskine Hawkins, Charlie Parker |
William Boone Daniels (born September 12, 1915 – died October 7, 1988) was a famous American singer and actor. He performed in the United States and Europe for many years, from the 1930s until his death. He is best known for his popular song "That Old Black Magic".
Billy Daniels was also a pioneer in early television. In the 1950s, he became one of the first African-American entertainers to become widely popular. In 1977, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his amazing career.
Contents
Life and Career
Early Life
Billy Daniels was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in the United States. His father worked as a postmaster, and his mother was a schoolteacher and played the organ. Billy had a mixed background, including Portuguese, Choctaw Native American, African American, and even a connection to the frontiersman Daniel Boone.
Starting His Career
In 1935, Daniels moved from Jacksonville to New York City. He planned to study at Columbia University and become a lawyer. However, the Great Depression made things difficult. His grandmother, who was a seamstress, encouraged him to sing.
He started singing at a club called Dickie Wells. He first worked there as a dishwasher, then as a singing waiter. A bandleader named Erskine Hawkins discovered him there. Billy joined Hawkins' band as a singer and toured with them in 1935 and 1936. After that, he returned to Harlem. In 1938, he sang on New York radio every day for many different companies.
Billy Daniels often performed in nightclubs on New York's 52nd Street. He was one of the first singers to leave big bands and start a solo career. Sometimes, he would perform at three different clubs on 52nd Street in one night! In 1945, he even performed with jazz legend Charlie Parker.
He worked with several pianists, including Nat Cole. In 1948, he teamed up with Benny Payne. Benny had been the pianist for Cab Calloway. Benny Payne stayed as Billy's accompanist for the rest of his career.
His Hit Song "That Old Black Magic"
Billy Daniels' first well-known song was "Diane," which he recorded in 1941. But his most famous song became "That Old Black Magic". This song was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Billy first recorded it in 1948. His 1950 recording of the song became a huge hit, selling millions of copies.
His exciting performances in clubs made him very popular. In 1952, he performed at the London Palladium in England and broke audience records. He toured the UK, known as "America's most exciting singer." He was a top performer in New York nightclubs throughout the 1950s. He often appeared with comedian Jimmy Durante. Other performers would often copy his singing style and dance moves. In 1958, Billy Daniels was the first entertainer to sign a long-term contract to perform in Las Vegas. He performed at the Stardust for three years.
On Broadway
Early in his career, Billy Daniels had a small role in a Broadway musical called Memphis Bound (1945). A more important role was in Golden Boy (1964), which ran for over 700 shows. He starred alongside Sammy Davis Jr.
In 1975, Billy toured the US with Pearl Bailey in an all-black version of Hello, Dolly!. In 1978, he was the main star in Bubbling Brown Sugar in London. He was also popular in Australia, where he first toured with the Andrews Sisters in 1954.
Films and TV Shows
Billy Daniels was a pioneer in television. His own TV show, The Billy Daniels Show, started on ABC on October 12, 1952. This 15-minute show was a big moment in TV history. It was the first sponsored network TV series to star a black performer.
He appeared on TV in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He was a guest on popular shows like The Milton Berle Show and The Ed Sullivan Show.
He also appeared in several films. These include When You're Smiling (1950), On the Sunny Side of the Street (1951), and Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1952).
Later Music
Billy Daniels made recordings during a time when music technology was changing. He was known more for his live shows. In 1978, he recorded an album called The Magic of Billy Daniels at Abbey Road Studios. This album included a disco version of "That Old Black Magic." He also recorded "Woe Woe Woe," which is considered one of the first soul records and is now very rare.
Personal Life
Family
Billy Daniels was married four times. His wives were Gladys Gordan, Florence Clotworthy, Martha Braun, and Pierrette.
He had one child, Yvonne, with his first wife, Gladys Gordan. With his second wife, Florence Clotworthy, he had three children: Diane, Billy Jr., and Bruce. Florence passed away in 1947. In 1950, he married Martha Braun, but they later divorced. After that, Billy married Pierrette Cameron, who had been hired to care for his children. Billy and Pierrette had two daughters, Andrea and Dominique. They were married from 1955 until his death in 1988.
After Billy's death, his widow, Pierrette H. Daniels (who passed away in 2011), and their daughter Dominique Daniels started the Billy Daniels Foundation. This non-profit organization helps young people who need support for arts education. Dominique Daniels is the CEO of the foundation.
Health and Passing
Billy Daniels had heart bypass surgery twice. The first time was in 1982, and then again five years later in 1987.
Billy Daniels passed away on October 7, 1988, at the age of 73. He died from stomach cancer in Los Angeles, California. He is buried at the El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, California.
Music Albums
- 1952 You Go to My Head (Mercury)
- 1954 Love Me or Leave Me (Mercury MG-20047)
- 1957 You Go to My Head (Verve)
- 1958 The Masculine Touch (Verve)
- 1960 Touch of Your Lips (Pickwick)
- 1963 Love Songs For A Fool (Wing)
- 1970 New Black Magic (King)
- 1978 The Magic Of Billy Daniels (Music For Pleasure)
- 1993 Billy Daniels at the Crescendo (GNP)
- 2001 Mr. Black Magic (GNP/Crescendo)
- 2003 Around Midnight (Sepia Records)
- 2004 The Legendary Billy Daniels (Sepia Records)
Movies and TV Shows
- 1948 Sepia Cinderella
- 1950 When You're Smiling
- 1951 Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder
- 1952 Sunny Side of the Street
- 1959 Night of the Quarter Moon
- 1959 The Beat Generation
- 1959 The Big Operator
- 2009 That Old Black Magic (Arkadia Jazz DVD)
