Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

January 7, 1899 in Lourenco Marques, Mozambique

Death

:

April 17, 1941 in London, England

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Al Bowlly was a British singer and songwriter who became one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1930s. Born on January 7, 1898, in Mozambique, Bowlly was the son of a Greek father and a Lebanese mother. He spent his early years in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he developed a love for music and began performing in local clubs and theaters. In 1927, Bowlly moved to London, where he quickly established himself as a talented and versatile singer. He began recording with various bands and orchestras, including the Ray Noble Orchestra, with whom he had his first major hit, "Midnight, the Stars and You." Bowlly's smooth, romantic style and distinctive voice made him a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and he soon became one of the most sought-after performers in the country. Throughout the 1930s, Bowlly continued to record and perform with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller. He also appeared in several films, including "The Big Broadcast" and "Radio Parade of 1935," and became a regular on BBC radio programs. One of Bowlly's most famous recordings was "The Very Thought of You," which he recorded in 1934 with the Ray Noble Orchestra. The song became an instant classic and has since been covered by countless artists, including Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. Bowlly's popularity continued to grow throughout the 1930s, and he became known as the "king of the crooners." He was known for his smooth, romantic style and his ability to convey emotion through his music. He was also a prolific songwriter, and many of his compositions, including "Love Is the Sweetest Thing" and "My Melancholy Baby," became hits in their own right. In 1940, Bowlly's career was tragically cut short when he was killed during a German air raid on London. He was performing at the Café de Paris when a bomb hit the building, killing him and several others. Bowlly was only 42 years old at the time of his death, but his legacy as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century lives on. Despite his relatively short career, Bowlly left an indelible mark on the world of music. His smooth, romantic style and his ability to convey emotion through his music continue to inspire and influence artists today. He was posthumously inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996, and his recordings continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by music lovers around the world.

More....