Died On This Date (February 17, 2010) Kathryn Grayson / Star Of ’40s & ’50s Musicals
themusicsover Kathryn Grayson (Born Zelma Hedrick)
February 9, 1922 – February 17, 2010
Kathryn Grayson was an MGM contract performer who starred in several of their musical films during their golden age of the ’40s and ’50s. Due to her beautiful soprano, she was a featured singer in such films as Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate, and Anchors Aweigh. Grayson also performed in several operas such as La Boheme and Madama Butterfly. She also played Queen Guenevere in the 1962 Broadway version of Camelot, replacing Julie Andrews and then going on the successful U.S. tour of the production. Kathryn Grayson was 88 when she died of natural causes on February 17, 2010.
Brownie McGhee was a blues singer and guitarist who came to prominence during the post WWII years. McGhee first learned to play on a “guitar” fashioned together out of an old tin box and a piece of wood by his uncle. While still a child, he sang in a local gospel group. By the late ’30s, McGhee was earning his living as a traveling musician, often working with 
Nat King Cole was an internationally renowned jazz singer, songwriter and pianist who broke many color barriers for African-American musicians. He is rightfully considered one of America’s musical treasures. Cole learned to play the piano as a child in his father’s church, and by the time he was in his mid teens, he was well on his way with a career in music. He made his first recording with his brother, Eddie, in 1936, and within a year, he moved to Los Angeles to be closer to the recording industry. In 1943, he became one of the first acts to sign with Capitol Records and when the label built its iconic round headquarters in Hollywood in 1956, it was dubbed “the house that Nat built.” Over the course of his career recording for Capitol, Cole released such now-standards as “L-O-V-E,” “Mona Lisa,” “Unforgettable,” and “Route 66.” In November of 1956, NBC caused a stir when it debuted The Nat King Cole Show, the first of its kind to be hosted by an African-American. In 1958, Cole released the widely successful Cole en Espanol, likely the first collection of Spanish songs recorded by an African-American. It spawned three similar Cole collections in the coming years. A heavy smoker through most of his life – he believed the smoking enhanced his voice – Nat King Cole died of cancer on February 15, 1965. He was 45.
Mike Bloomfield was an influential electric guitarist who came on like a sonic boom during the ’60s Chicago blues revival. Bloomfield took Chicago by storm, winning early accolades from the likes of Buddy Guy, Bob Dylan and B.B King. In 1964, Bloomfield was signed to Columbia Records by legendary talent scout and producer, 
Little Walter was an influential blues harmonica player whose revolutionary style of play often had later fans calling him the “