Cab Calloway

Date of Birth: December 25, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: November 18, 1994

Biography

Cabell “Cab” Calloway III was an iconic American jazz singer, dancer, and bandleader who gained fame primarily during the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Rochester, New York, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Calloway was known for his exuberant performance style and his signature song “Minnie the Moocher,” which featured his trademark “hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho” scat singing. Calloway’s career began to take off after he moved to Harlem and performed at the Cotton Club, one of the most famous nightclubs of its time. Over his career, he also appeared in numerous films and stage productions, continually influencing the jazz and entertainment world with his energetic persona and innovative musical talents. Calloway’s big band was among the most popular in the United States, and he was one of the first African American artists to achieve widespread mainstream success. He continued to perform well into his later years, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and performers.

5 Interesting Facts about Cab Calloway

1. Cab Calloway was the first African American to sell a million records from a single and to have a nationally syndicated radio show.

2. He was a talented cartoonist and his animated likeness appeared in several Betty Boop cartoons.

3. Calloway was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1993.

4. He was known for his “Zoot Suit” fashion, which became iconic in the jazz and swing music culture.

5. Calloway influenced many later artists, including Michael Jackson, who incorporated Calloway’s dance moves into his own performances.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cab Calloway

1. “A movie and a stage show are two entirely different things. A live audience is just that—live—so you do things differently.”

2. “You can’t copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling.”

3. “Music is the thing that changes the world.”

4. “I was always one who learned more from other people’s mistakes than from their success.”

5. “Jazz was born out of the industrial revolution, a product of machinery, electric lights, telephones, and industrialization.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Cab Calloway was estimated to be around $2 million.

Children

Cab Calloway had three daughters: Camay Calloway Murphy, Chris Calloway, and Cecelia Calloway. His daughters have also pursued careers in music and the arts, carrying on his legacy.