Died On This Date (February 16, 1996) Brownie McGhee / Blues Legend
themusicsover Walter “Brownie” McGhee
November 30, 1915 – February 16, 1996
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 Blind Boy Fuller, who taught him the ropes. Within a few years, McGhee was making his first recordings for the legendary Okeh Records. Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, McGhee mostly recorded and performed as a due with harmonica great, Sonny Terry. They made several significant recordings together and were featured performers at the storied Newport Folk Festival and other high profile venues. In 1979, they performed in the Steve Martin film The Jerk. Brownie McGhee was 80 when he died of stomach cancer on February 16, 1996.
What You Should Own
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 “
Ethel Merman was a singer and actress who was one of the biggest stars of the Broadway stage and screen during the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. Her break came in the fall of 1930 when she was cast to star in the Gershwin musical, Girl Crazy. Her performances made her an instant star. In 1934, she starred in