Louis Armstrong

Nationality:

Biography: Louis Armstrong or 'Satchmo' as he was also known as, remains one of the most famous and influential jazz artists. He was the leading trumpet player of his day and in his later career, with his famous gravelly voice, was even able to kick The Beatles off the number 1 spot in the charts.

Born and bred in New Orleans, he was educated by the city's early and important jazz scene before moving to play in Chicago jazz bands, recording such hits as "Star Dust" and "La Via En Rose".

From the end of the 1920s Armstrong further developed his singing and is one of the inventors of scat singing. In the 1940s he formed the Louis Armstrong and His All Stars band, producing such famous hits as “Mack the Knife” and "Hello Dolly" Armstrong appeared in more than a dozen Hollywood films, often as himself, singing alongside Bing Crosby in "High Society" and with Barbra Streisand in "Hello Dolly".

Born: August 4, 1901
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Leo

Died: July 6, 1971 (aged 69)
Cause of Death: Heart attack

Married Life

1918-03-19 American jazz musician Louis Armstrong (17) weds Daisy Parker (21); divorce in 1923
1923-12-18 Jazz musician Louis Armstrong (22) divorces Daisy Parker after 5 years of marriage
1924-02-04 Jazz musician Louis Armstrong (22) weds jazz pianist Lillian "Lil" Hardin (26) - 2nd try for each; separate in 1931 and divorce in 1938
1938-09-30 Jazz musician Louis Armstrong (37) divorces pianist Lil Armstrong (40) after more than 14 years of marriage
1938-10-11 American jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong (37) weds longtime girlfriend Alpha Smith; divorce in 1942
1942-10-02 Jazz musician Louis Armstrong (41) divorces Alpha Smith after 4 years of marriage
1942-10-12 American jazz musician Louis Armstrong (41) weds fourth and final wife, American Cotton Club dancer Lucille Wilson (28), at singer Velma Middleton's home in St. Louis, Missouri, until his death in 1971

Historical Events

1925-11-11 Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five begin their first recording session at Okeh Records in Chicago
1928-06-28 Louis Armstrong makes 78 recording of "West End Blues"
1944-01-18 The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City hosts a jazz concert for the first time - performers include Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Lionel Hampton, Mildred Bailey, Red Norvo, Roy Eldridge, Jack Teagarden, and Benny Goodman, via remote hook-up.
1947-04-18 "New Orleans", an American musical romance film premieres; Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, in her only feature film, play supporting roles
1990-01-17 5th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Hank Ballard; Bobby Darin; The Four Seasons; The Four Tops; The Kinks; The Platters; Simon and Garfunkel; The Who; Louis Armstrong; Charlie Christian; Ma Rainey; Gerry Goffin and Carole King; and Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland
2019-06-11 "The New York Times" reveals an estimated 500,000 song titles, including masters of Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, lost in 2008 warehouse fire on Universal backlot in Los Angeles
2023-07-06 Louis Armstrong House Museum opens new archive facility, the Louis Armstrong Center, in Queens, NYC