Louis Armstrong
1901-1971
Life of Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was a distinguished musician from the early 20th century. He was born in 1901, in New Orleans. He began to work at a young age in order to contribute to his families' little earning. One of his jobs included singing on streets for money.
Music
Louis Armstrong got his first opportunity playing in a band called Kid Ory. He took the place of Joe Oliver, a trumpet player. Louis Armstrong met with Oliver once again in 1922, after he was invited to play in Oliver's Creole Jazz Band.
Louis Armstrong's first released album was a live album, entitled "Satchmo at Pasadena". It was released in 1951, when Armstrong was 50, and included 10 songs. The album was recorded with six other people, including Velma Middleton (vocals), Earl Hines (piano), and Cozy Cole (drums).
In the 1960s, Louis Armstrong collaborated with artist Duke Ellington on two albums, and the eventual hit, "Hello Dolly".
Louis Armstrong's most famous work is debatably his song, "What a Wonderful World". The song was released in 1968, three years before Armstrong's death. The song was written by Bob Thiele, and was recorded by numerous artists in years to come, such as Anne Murray, Michael Buble, Johnny Maestro, Celine Dion, and many other artists.
Legacy
Louis Armstrong passed away on July 6, 1971, at age 69 in New York City. At the time of his death he had:
- Released 17 albums (not including Satchmo in Pasadena, which was a live album)
- Been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Earned a spot on Time's 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century
- Won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award