Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman is interred in the Long Ridge Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut. Their collaboration in Heart resulted in numerous multi-platinum albums, nine US top ten singles, and worldwide career sales of more than 20 million records. He continued to play the clarinet until his death in New York City at the age of 77. Founded in Seattle in 1974 by sisters, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson, the band had a sound heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin with elements of folk-rock and power ballads. Periodically he would organize a new band and play a Jazz festival or go on an international tour. Heart was one of the most successful female fronted band in the annals of hard rock. Goodman continued to play on records and in small groups. "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" [#2, May 1990].

Reasons include: talented musicians were entering the service, or getting better-paying factory jobs; gasoline and rubber rationing during WWII; two long musician recording strikes; the rise of popular singers like Frank Sinatra; the restriction of agents' commissions to 15%, which made promoting small groups more profitable for them. "Who Will You Run To" [#7, September 1987]. By the mid-1940s, big bands lost a lot of their popularity. "Alone" [#1, June 1987 (3 weeks)]. On January 16, 1938, his band made a famous appearance at Carnegie Hall. "Nothin' at All" [#10, May 1986]. Goodman continued his meteoric rise throughout the late 1930s with his big band, his trio and quartette, and a sextet. "These Dreams" [#1, February 1986 (1 week)].

Musicians also told stories of Goodman's notorious cheapness, continuing to pinch pennies as he had in his poverty stricken youth long after he had attained fame and fortune. "Never" [#4, October 1985]. Many musicians spoke of "The Ray", Goodman's trademark glare that he bestowed on a musician that failed to perform to his demanding standards. "What about Love?" [#10, July 1985]. Depending on who you talk to, Goodman was a demanding taskmaster, or an arrogant martinet. "Tell It Like It Is" [#8, December 1980]. They had two daughters: Benjie and Rachel. "Magic Man" [#9, September 1976].

After dating for about three months they got married on March 14, 1942. Brigade [#3, June 1990]. Benny met Alice Hammond Duckworth, the sister of his friend John Hammond. Bad Animals [#2, July 1987]. The integration of popular music happened 10 years before Jackie Robinson entered Major League Baseball. Heart [#1, August 1985]. Goodman's fame was great enough that his band had no financial need to tour in the southern states, where his lineup would have been subject to arrest. Greatest Hits/Live [#13, December 1980/January 1981].

In 1936, he added Lionel Hampton on vibes to form the Benny Goodman Quartette; in 1940 he added pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian to his band and small ensembles, who played with him until his untimely death from tuberculosis less than two years later. Bebe Le Strange [#5, March 1980]. Benny Goodman broke with tradition by hiring Teddy Wilson to play with him and drummer Gene Krupa in the Benny Goodman Trio. Little Queen [#9, June 1977]. In the early 1930s, black and white jazz musicians could not play together in most clubs or concerts. In the Southern states, racial segregation was enforced by the Jim Crow laws. Dreamboat Annie [#7, August 1976]. Goodman is also responsible for a significant step in racial integration in America. Jupiter's Darling (2004).

It should be noted, however, that Goodman himself was no mere imitator; he was an astonishingly virtuosic and creative clarinetist, and one of the most of innovative jazz musicians of the pre-Bebop era. Alive in Seattle (2003) (live). While Goodman publicly acknowledged his debt to Henderson, many young white swing fans had never heard Henderson's band. The Road Home (1995) (live). It is true that many of Goodman's arrangements had been played for years before by Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. Desire Walks On (1993). Both popularized black music to a young white audience. Rock the House (1991) (live).

Many suggest that Goodman achieved the same success with Jazz and Swing that Elvis Presley did for Rock and Roll. Brigade (1990). Some writers have declared this date to be the start of the Swing Era. Bad Animals (1987). This received national publicity and turned the Goodman Band into an overnight sensation. Heart (1985). His radio broadcasts from New York had been too late to attract a large audience on the East Coast, but had an avid following in California, and a wildly enthusiastic crowd for the first time greeted Goodman. Passionworks (1983).

However, it was not until after his fabled appearance at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles on August 21, 1935 that Goodman became a nationally known star. Private Audition (1982). The combination of the Henderson charts, his solid clarinet playing, and his well rehearsed band made him a rising star in the mid-1930s. Greatest Hits/Live (1981) (compilation & live). Since he needed new charts every week for the show, his friend John Hammond suggested that he purchase some Jazz charts from Fletcher Henderson, who had New York's most popular African-American band in the 1920s and early 1930s. Bebe Le Strange (1980). In 1934 he auditioned for the "Let's Dance" radio program. Dog & Butterfly (1978).

He played with the nationally known bands of Red Nichols, Isham Jones, and Ted Lewis before forming his own band in 1932. Magazine (1978). He made a reputation as a solid player who was prepared and reliable. Little Queen (1977). Goodman left for New York City and became a good session musician during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Dreamboat Annie (1976). He started making records under his own name 2 years later. Denny Fongheiser – Drums.

At the age of 16, Goodman joined one of Chicago's top bands, the Ben Pollack Orchestra, with whom he made his first recordings in 1926. Fernando Saunders – Bass Guitar. His early influences were New Orleans jazz clarinetists in Chicago, notably Johnny Dodds, Leon Roppolo, and Jimmy Noone. Denny Carmassi – Drums. He became a strong player at an early age and began playing professionally in bands while still 'in short pants'. Mark Andes – Bass Guitar. He learned to play clarinet in a charity-run boy's band. Michael Derosier – Drums.

Goodman was born in Chicago, the son of poor Jewish immigrants who lived on Chicago's Maxwell Street neighborhood. Steve Fossen – Bass Guitar. Benny Goodman, born Benjamin David Goodman, (May 30, 1909 - June 13, 1986) was a famous Jazz musician, known as "King of Swing," "Patriarch of the Clarinet," and "Swing's Senior Statesman". Howard Leese – Guitar, keyboards, synthesizer. Download sample of "And the Angels Sing" by Benny Goodman and Martha Tilton, a legendary swing recording that helped keep Goodman's career afloat as band members departed. Roger Fisher – Guitar, mandolin. Nancy Wilson – Guitar, mandolin, keyboards, harmonica, vocals.

Ann Wilson – Lead Vocals, flute, guitar, bass, autoharp, keyboards.