Louis Armstrong, also known as 'Satchmo' and 'Pops', was a pioneering figure in jazz music. His career spanned five decades, earning him numerous accolades including Grammy Awards. Armstrong's influence extended beyond jazz, making him a national musical icon. He was a talented singer, improviser, and scat singer, known for hits like 'What a Wonderful World' and 'Hello, Dolly!'. Armstrong's impact on popular music and his ability to reach diverse audiences solidified his legacy in music history.
There has been a long-standing debate over Louis Armstrong's actual birth date, with Armstrong himself claiming July 4, 1900, while historical records suggest August 4, 1901.
Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, in his family's house in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born to Willie and Mary Ann Armstrong.
In 1907, Louis Armstrong worked for the Karnoffskys, a family of Lithuanian Jews, collecting 'rags and bones' and delivering coal. He credited the family with teaching him to sing 'from the heart' and described their kindness towards him despite facing discrimination.
Louis Armstrong drops out of Fisk School for Boys and starts earning a living by singing on the streets. He receives guidance in playing the cornet from Joe 'King' Oliver.
In 1912, Louis Armstrong was sent to the Colored Waif's Home. This event marked a significant turning point in his life and musical career.
On New Year's Eve in 1913, Louis Armstrong and his friends celebrated by firing off a gun, leading to his arrest and subsequent placement in The Colored Waifs Home for Boys.
On June 14, 1914, Armstrong was released into the custody of his father and stepmother after his time at the Colored Waif's Home. He lived with them for several months before returning to his mother due to family issues.
In December 1914, Louis Armstrong received a loan from his Jewish family with whom he was living and used it to buy his first cornet.
In September 1915, Louis Armstrong returned to live with his mother and landed his first gig at a night club, marking the beginning of his professional career.
The 1st Band performed brass music on the riverboats of New Orleans.
Played alongside the Kid Ory Band.
Louis Armstrong married Daisy Parker from Gretna, Louisiana on March 19, 1918.
Louis Armstrong married Daisy Parker at City Hall in Gretna, Louisiana. They later adopted a three-year-old boy named Clarence, who was mentally disabled.
The Tuxedo Brass Band was active during this time period.
Louis Armstrong and his wife adopted a 3-year-old boy named Clarence Armstrong after his mother, Louis's cousin Flora, passed away soon after giving birth.
October 9, 1922, marked the start of Louis Armstrong's life of touring, where he showcased his musical talents worldwide.
On November 9, 1922, the individual joined the Creole Jazz Band in Chicago.
Louis Armstrong made his first studio recordings with King Oliver for Gennett Records on April 5, 1923. The recordings were affected by various challenges like lack of rehearsal and crude recording equipment.
On April 30, 1923, the individual met Hoagy Carmichael.
Louis Armstrong married Lil Hardin Armstrong, King Oliver's pianist. She played a significant role in helping him develop his career.
Louis Armstrong marries Lil Hardin, who was the pianist in his band. Their marriage lasts until October 1942.
The Hot Five was formed in November 1925 and included Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds, Johnny St. Cyr, Lil Armstrong, and usually no drummer. They produced twenty-four records over a twelve-month period.
Louis Armstrong recorded 'Heebie Jeebies' with the Hot Five in 1926, which became very popular and helped establish the group as one of the most famous jazz bands in the United States.
After parting ways with Lil, Louis Armstrong joined the Carroll Dickerson Orchestra at the Sunset Café, under the management of Al Capone's associate Joe Glaser. The orchestra was soon renamed Louis Armstrong and his Stompers, with Earl Hines as the music director.
Louis Armstrong recorded the iconic jazz piece 'West End Blues' in 1928, showcasing his innovative trumpet playing and improvisational skills.
Louis Armstrong and the Stompers band was formed on January 31, 1929.
In 1930, Louis Armstrong spent nine days in jail after being arrested outside a club for drug possession. He was a heavy marijuana smoker for much of his life and famously described marijuana as 'a thousand times better than whiskey'.
On December 19, 1931, Louis Armstrong performed at the New Cotton Club.
From July 1, 1933, to July 1, 1934, Louis Armstrong's musical prowess as a trumpeter reached new heights, captivating audiences globally.
Louis Armstrong made his debut in the movie 'Ex-Flame' on April 17, 1935.
Louis Armstrong collaborated with the Mills Brothers, Louis Jordan, and Tommey Porsey in a recording session on May 31, 1936.
On November 25, 1936, Louis Armstrong became the first African American to receive featured billing in a Hollywood film when he appeared in Bing Crosby's Pennies from Heaven. This groundbreaking moment marked a significant step towards racial equality in the entertainment industry.
On May 23, 1937, Louis Armstrong became the first Black person to host an international sponsored radio broadcast. This was a significant milestone in the history of radio broadcasting and racial equality.
On October 1, 1942, Louis Armstrong officially ends his marriage with Lil Hardin. This event marked the conclusion of their relationship.
Shortly after finalizing his divorce with Lil Hardin, on October 12, 1942, Louis Armstrong marries Lucille Wilson, his lifelong love and companion.
On January 23, 1945, Louis Armstrong formed a six-piece group called the All-Stars. This group played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of jazz music and became highly influential in the music industry.
Louis Armstrong was featured as a guest artist at the second Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles on October 12, 1946. This event marked a return to the small-group musical style of his youth.
Louis Armstrong led a highly successful small-group jazz concert at New York Town Hall on May 17, 1947, featuring Armstrong with trombonist/singer Jack Teagarden. They performed a duet on Hoagy Carmichael's 'Rockin' Chair' during the concert.
Louis Armstrong delivered a memorable local performance on July 24, 1947, showcasing his musical talents to a community audience.
After a successful small-group jazz concert in New York Town Hall, Louis Armstrong's manager dissolved his big band on August 13, 1947, and established a six-piece small group with Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Earl Hines, and other top swing and dixieland musicians.
On February 28, 1948, Louis Armstrong recorded the American version of the French song 'C'est si bon' in New York City with Sy Oliver and his Orchestra. The song became a worldwide success.
Louis Armstrong became the first jazz musician to appear on the cover of Time magazine on February 21, 1949. This was a significant recognition of his impact and influence in the music industry.
In 1950, Bing Crosby, the most successful vocalist of the first half of the 20th century, praised Louis Armstrong, saying, 'He is the beginning and the end of music in America.'
On June 28, 1951, Louis Armstrong made an impact on the LP charts with his music. This achievement further solidified his position as a prominent figure in the music industry and showcased his enduring popularity.
Louis Armstrong and his All Stars were featured at the ninth Cavalcade of Jazz concert at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles on June 7, 1953. The event included other notable musicians like Shorty Rogers, Roy Brown, and Nat 'King' Cole.
During a tour in Australia in 1954, Louis Armstrong was asked if he could play bebop, to which he responded dismissively, indicating that he just played music and criticized those who invented terms like bebop.
Louis Armstrong released the song 'Mack the Knife' in 1955, adding another hit to his repertoire.
Louis Armstrong's album 'Satchmo at Symphony Hall' achieves success by reaching the top 10 of the LP charts.
In 1957, Louis Armstrong publicly criticized the government's handling of the 'Little Rock Nine' high school integration crisis, showcasing his stance on civil rights issues.
Louis Armstrong performs at a concert celebrating Ghana's independence, drawing a massive crowd of over 100,000 fans.
During a tour in Europe, Louis Armstrong suffered a heart attack in Spoleto, Italy, leading to a brief hospitalization. It was a significant scare for the renowned musician.
In the week beginning May 9, 1964, Louis Armstrong's recording of the song 'Hello, Dolly!' reached number one on the charts. An album of the same title was quickly created around the song, also reaching number one and selling very well throughout the year. Armstrong's performance of 'Hello, Dolly!' won the best male pop vocal performance at the 1964 Grammy Awards.
In 1965, Louis Armstrong won the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for his rendition of 'Hello, Dolly!'. This accolade further solidified his status as a legendary musician.
Louis Armstrong, known as 'Satchmo' and 'Ambassador of Jazz', passed away on July 6, 1967, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of music.
Louis Armstrong embarks on a tour throughout Africa, performing over 100 concerts. The tour is sponsored by Pepsi and The US State Department.
In February 1968, Louis Armstrong appeared on the Italian RAI television channel where he performed 'Grassa e Bella', a track he sang in Italian for the Italian market and C.D.I. label.
Louis Armstrong is hospitalized for 2-3 months due to heart and kidney ailments. After a tough battle, he eventually recovers.
Joe Glaser, Louis Armstrong's manager since 1935, passes away from a stroke while in a coma.
Louis Armstrong passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Corona, New York. Three days later, a funeral procession was held for him, and thousands of people gathered to mourn his loss.
In 1972, Louis Armstrong received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his immense contribution to the music industry even after his passing.
In 1977, the house where Louis Armstrong lived for almost 28 years was declared a National Historic Landmark and is now a museum.
Dedicated in April 1980, the park where Congo Square is located was renamed Louis Armstrong Park, including a 12-foot statue of Armstrong.
A book by Max Jones and John Chilton published in 1988, covering the life of Louis Armstrong from 1900 to 1971.
In 1990, Louis Armstrong was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an 'early influence'. This recognition highlighted his significant impact on the music industry.
In 1991, an asteroid was named 9179 Satchmo in honor of Louis Armstrong.
In 1995, the U.S. Post Office issued a Louis Armstrong 32-cent commemorative postage stamp.
A biography of Louis Armstrong by Ilse Storb published in 1999.
In 2001, the city of New Orleans renamed its airport as the Louis Armstrong International Airport in honor of the legendary jazz musician. This gesture symbolized the lasting legacy of Louis Armstrong.
In 2002, the Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings (1925–1928) were preserved in the United States National Recording Registry.
The Louis Armstrong House Museum, at 34–56 107th Street in Queens, opened to the public on October 15, 2003, presenting concerts and educational programs.
Jos Willems' book published in 2006, providing a comprehensive discography of Louis Armstrong.
A biography of Louis Armstrong written by Terry Teachout in 2009.
In 2017, Louis Armstrong was posthumously inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, honoring his lasting impact on the genre of rhythm and blues.
'A Wonderful World', a musical based on Louis Armstrong's life story, had its world premiere run at Miami New Drama from December 4, 2021, to January 16, 2021.
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