Billy Eckstine

Billy Eckstine was born William Clarence Eckstein on July 8, 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pa. His grandparents were a mixed race lawfully married couple. He changed the spelling of his last name at the request of a club owner because it looked Jewish.

Moving to Washington, DC, Billy began singing at the age of seven. He had wanted to be a football player but a broken collar bone changed his career plans to music. He attended Howard University but left after winning an amateur talent contest.

In 1939 Eckstine signed on with the Earl Hines Orchestra as the male vocalist. He recorded such jukebox hits as "Stormy Monday Blues," "Jelly,Jelly," and "You Don't Know What Love Is." He left the Hines Band in 1943.

In 1944 Billy formed his own Orchestra, becoming a vehicle to showcase his rich baritone voice and also as a training ground for young Bebop musicians. His band included such future stars as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Art Blakey. His hits included "Cottage For Sale," "Prisoner of Love," and "I'm in the Mood For Love." It became apparent that it was Billy's voice the people wanted to hear and so in 1947 he disbanded his orchestra and became a solo performer.

Eckstine won Esquire Magazine's "New Star Award" in 1946, the Downbeat readers' poll from 1948 to 1952, and the Metronome award for "Top Male Vocalist" from 1949 to 1954.

Billy signed on with MGM Records and he recorded such hits as "My Foolish Heart," and "I Apologize" both reported to be million sellers. He maintained a successful career into the early 1990's with nightclub and concert performances and he also continued to record. In 1986 he recorded his final album "Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter" which was nominated for a Grammy.

Billy Eckstine was known as "Mr. B." He died March 8, 1993 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Earlier today I listened to "Billy's Best" a 1958 Mercury release. Arrangers are Henry Mancini and Pete Rugolo. Eckstine's baritone and vibrato are in top form.

There are 18 tracks on this recording. The tunes include "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Stella by Starlight," "You Don't Know What Love Is," "A Sunday Kind of Love," "That Ole Devil Called Love," "Prisoner of Love," and "Vertigo."




Here's a video of Billy and his Orchestra doing the hit "Prisoner of Love."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWuGF-Xh-RM&feature=player_detailpage