George Tunnell facts for kids
George "Bon Bon" Tunnell (born June 29, 1912 – died May 20, 1975) was a talented American singer who specialized in Jazz music. He was known for his smooth voice and was one of the first African American singers to perform with a white band.
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Who Was George "Bon Bon" Tunnell?
George Tunnell was a pioneering jazz singer from Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. He made history by being one of the first African American vocalists to join a white band. This was a big step forward in music during a time when such collaborations were rare.
Starting His Music Journey
In the early 1930s, George Tunnell began his music career. He was the lead singer for a vocal group called the Three Keys. This group became quite popular and even had a hit song called "Fit as a Fiddle". This early success showed everyone his amazing singing talent.
Breaking Barriers with Jan Savitt
After his time with the Three Keys, Tunnell joined Jan Savitt and his band, The Top Hatters. This was a very important move because it was rare for an African American singer to perform regularly with a white band back then. With Jan Savitt's band, George Tunnell recorded many popular songs. Some of their best-selling hits included "Hi-Yo Silver" and "Make Believe Island". Other songs they recorded together were "Moonlight Masquerade", "The Gypsy in My Soul", and "A Kiss for Consolation".
Solo Hits and Later Career
George Tunnell left Jan Savitt's band in 1941 to pursue a solo career. He recorded several songs on his own, such as "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire", "Blow, Gabriel Blow", and "Most Emphatically, Yes!". Later, he briefly joined another jazz group called the Spirits of Rhythm. In the 1950s, he also spent some time singing with the Tommy Reynolds Band. After these performances, Tunnell's active music career slowed down. He then returned to live in Pennsylvania.
His Legacy
George Tunnell passed away in May 1975, in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. He was 62 years old. His contributions to jazz music and his role in breaking racial barriers in the music industry remain an important part of music history. He helped pave the way for future generations of diverse musicians.
