Died On This Date (April 24, 2001) Al Hibler / Sang For Duke Ellington
themusicsover Al Hibler
August 16, 1915 – April 24, 2001
Al Hibler was a blind singer who spent most of the 1940s singing Duke Ellington’s orchestra. In the mid ’50s he signed to Decca Records where he scored to massive hits, “Unchained Melody” and “He,” both selling over a million copies. His unusual vocal delivery made him a favorite across the US. In the late ’50s, Hibler turned his attention toward the Civil Rights Movement and was arrested twice while participating in anti-segregation marches. Because of his overtly political actions, record company executives began to shy away from him. All but one, that is … Frank Sinatra, who signed him to his Reprise Records in 1961. Beyond that, Hibler recorded only sporadically and made but a few special guest appearances throughout the ’80s and ’90s. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 85.
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