Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DANIELS, Billy

(b '15, Jacksonville, FL) Singer. Sang with Erskine Hawkins '34--5 at Alabama State College; sang every day of '37 on radio for twelve different sponsors; claims as first film obscure Sepia Cinderella same year. Became well- known in clubs '40s, a regular on 52nd Street. Among many films, those with Frankie Laine incl. When You're Smiling '50, Sunny Side Of The Street and Rainbow Round My Shoulder '51; in the first he sang 'That Ol' Black Magic' (song from '42): strong vocal and visual style made him a favourite of mimics in clubs, TV. Double act from '50 of comedy, vocalizing with pianist Benny Payne (b 18 June '07, Philadelphia; with Cab Calloway '31--43, recorded piano duets with Fats Waller); they toured Europe (headlined at London Palladium '52, 3), were one of the first black acts on USA TV. On stage with Sammy Davis Jr. in Golden Boy '64, co-starred with Pearl Bailey in all- black cast of Hello, Dolly! '75, starred in UK staging of Bubbling Brown Sugar '77 (more than 700 performances). Records on Mercury '40s; later LPs Love Me Or Leave Me, Around That Time, Love Songs For A Fool; At Basin Street East on Jubilee; You Go To My Head '57 with Benny Carter; The Magic Of Billy Daniels '78 had a disco version of 'That Old Black Magic'.