Fats Waller

On December 15, 1943, at age 39, Waller died aboard an eastbound train in the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri, following a west coast engagement. In October 2004, their first DVD, Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow, was released, which included a concert filmed at The Fillmore in San Francisco, all of the band's music videos to date, and interviews. This song, a searing treatment of racism, black and white, calls into question the accusations of "shallow entertainment" levelled at both Armstrong and Waller. The video to their most recent single (as of September 2004), Y Control, was directed by acclaimed director Spike Jonze. With Razaf he wrote "What Did I Do (To Be So Black and Blue)?" 1929 which became a hit for Louis Armstrong. They were formed in 2000, and released their debut EP a year later. Their single Maps received significant radio time. He also appeared in several feature films and short subject films, most notably "Stormy Weather" in 1943. Their music is a mix of retro styles with heavy rock/punk guitars, synthetic sounds and screaming, erratic and bluesy vocals.

Waller also made a successful tour of the British Isles in the late 1930's, and appeared in one of the earliest BBC Television broadcasts. Other members are Brian Chase (drums) and Nick Zinner (guitars). His weight and drinking are believed to have contributed to his death. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a New York-based rock & roll band headed by lead singer Karen O. His nickname came about because he weighed nearly 300 pounds (136 kg). Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow (2004). He collaborated with the Tin Pan Alley lyricist Andy Razaf and had a commercially successful career, which according to some music critics eclipsed his great musical talent. Y Control (2004).

Among his songs are "Squeeze Me" 1919, "Ain't Misbehavin'" 1929, "Blue Turning Grey Over You" 1930, "Honeysuckle Rose" 1929, "I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling" 1929, and "Jitterbug Waltz" 1942. Pin (2003). Before his solo career, he played with many performers, from Erskine Tate to Bessie Smith, but his greatest success came with his own five- or six-piece combo, "Fats Waller and his Rhythm". Maps (2003). He was an excellent pianist--now usually considered one of the very best who ever played in the stride style--but his songwriting and his lovable, roguish stage personality ("One never knows, do one?") overshadowed his playing. Date With the Night (2003). Johnson introduced Waller to the world of rent parties (a party with a piano player, designed to help pay the rent by charging the guests), and soon he developed a performing career. Machine (2002).

Johnson. Fever to Tell (2003). Waller studied classical piano and organ before apprenticing himself to legendary Harlem stride pianist James P. Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP (2001). He was born Thomas Wright Waller in New York City. "Machine" (2000). Fats Waller (May 21, 1904 - December 15, 1943) was an African-American jazz pianist, organist, composer and comedic entertainer.

Download sample of "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie" by Fats Waller.