Role

:

Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

 

Billy Cotton was a British bandleader, singer, and composer who was born on May 6, 1899, in London, England. He was the son of a vaudeville performer and grew up in a family of entertainers. Cotton began his career in music as a drummer in his father's band, and he quickly developed a reputation as a talented musician. In the 1920s, Cotton formed his own band, the London Savannah Band, which became one of the most popular dance bands in England. The band played a mix of jazz, swing, and popular music, and Cotton's energetic performances as a singer and bandleader made him a favorite with audiences. Cotton's band became a fixture on the BBC radio program "The Billy Cotton Band Show," which aired from 1949 to 1968. The show featured Cotton's band playing a mix of music and comedy sketches, and it became one of the most popular radio programs in England. Cotton was also a prolific composer, and he wrote many popular songs, including "Somebody Stole My Gal," "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts," and "The Yellow Rose of Texas." His songs were recorded by many other artists, and they became standards of the British music scene. Cotton's career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Royal Air Force. After the war, he resumed his music career and continued to perform and record until his death in 1969. Throughout his career, Cotton received many awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1966 for his services to entertainment, and he was inducted into the British Music Hall of Fame in 2004. Cotton's legacy as a bandleader, singer, and composer continues to be celebrated today, and his music remains popular with audiences around the world.

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