Huey Long (singer)
Encyclopedia
Huey Long was an African American
singer and musician
and was the last living member of the Ink Spots
.
Born in Sealy, Texas
, Long began his musical career in 1925 playing banjo
for Frank Davis' Louisiana
Jazz Band, based in Houston
. He switched from the banjo to the guitar after moving to Chicago
, where he appeared at the 1933 World's Fair with Texas Guinan
's Cuban Orchestra.
In early 1944, Ink Spots leader Bill Kenny offered Long a position with the group. He stayed with them until 1985, and eventually moved to New York City
, where he taught and wrote music.
In later life he retired to Houston where his daughter Anita set up a homey museum commemorating the Ink Spots and dedicated to Long in particular.
Long celebrated his 105th birthday in April 2009 and resided at his Houston home until his death in June 2009.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
singer and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and was the last living member of the Ink Spots
The Ink Spots
The Ink Spots were a popular vocal group in the 1930s and 1940s that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop...
.
Born in Sealy, Texas
Sealy, Texas
Sealy is a city in Austin County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 5,248 at the 2000 census. Sealy is located 50 miles west of the downtown Houston area.-Geography:...
, Long began his musical career in 1925 playing banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
for Frank Davis' Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
Jazz Band, based in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. He switched from the banjo to the guitar after moving to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, where he appeared at the 1933 World's Fair with Texas Guinan
Texas Guinan
Mary Louise Cecilia "Texas" Guinan was an American saloon keeper, actress, and entrepreneur.-Early life:...
's Cuban Orchestra.
In early 1944, Ink Spots leader Bill Kenny offered Long a position with the group. He stayed with them until 1985, and eventually moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he taught and wrote music.
In later life he retired to Houston where his daughter Anita set up a homey museum commemorating the Ink Spots and dedicated to Long in particular.
Long celebrated his 105th birthday in April 2009 and resided at his Houston home until his death in June 2009.