DATE |
NEWSPAPER |
ARTICLE/ITEM CONTENT |
Jan-Jun/33 |
Cincinnati Post |
Radio listings show the King, Jack and Jester broadcast
during these months on WLW (Cincinnati) |
15Apr/33 |
Baltimore Afro American |
Picture of new brother team, The Riff Brothers, with
caption indicating weekly Tuesday evening programs on Crosley radio station
WLW, Cincinnati at 8:15 EST. This picture and date does not make sense
as the Riff Brothers disbanded in 1931! |
4Aug/34 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Adv't for one week show at Apollo Theatre, NY headlining
Tiny Bradshaw & Orch. IS are one of supporting acts listed only as
"4 Ink Spots". |
29Sep/34 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Adv't for Harlem Opera House featuring the Cotton Pickers
Band conducted by Billy Bowen, later to be a member of IS. |
6 Oct/34 p.7 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*Four IS Sail for London -- NY -- Jack Hylton, English
bandleader, sailed back to London Saturday, with 2 American acts, the Four
IS and the Three Gay Lords. Suggests both acts almost missed sailing time.
2 IS were on time, 2 others arrived five minutes before the 11 a.m. sailing
time Saturday morning. |
20Oct/34 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Jack Hilton Took the Ink Spots Abroad-from an article
in the "Melody Maker", London-confuses the Ink Spots and the Spirits of
Rhythm but has the names of quartet members correct. |
27Oct/34 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Melody Maker Apologizes for confusing IS and Spirits
of Rhythm. Is are performing with Hilton at Hippodrome in Birmingham and
move to Palladium in London next week. |
23 Feb/35 p.8 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*IS On Air - IS comprising Orville Jones, Ivory Watson,
Jerry Daniels and Charles Fuqua will begin three times a week sustaining
program Feb. 25 on WJZ with coast to coast hook up Mon., Wed. & Fri.
At 11:30PM. |
16 Mar/35 p.9 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*Singers Well Liked -- NY -- The great reception received
by the Four IS from their three times a week WJZ-NBC broadcast which started
only two weeks ago, has caused them to be seriously considered for a full
week schedule as a sustaining feature, according to Gale, Inc., managers
of the IS. |
13 Apr/35 p.8 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*IS Get More Time On Air -- NY -- The fine work of the
"Four IS" on the Sinclair Oil program, WENR (Chicago) last week, earned
three additional broadcasts in same spot. The 30 min. program begins each
Monday at 9 p.m. The IS got this job in addition to their regular three
times a week sustaining program over WJZ each Monday, Wednesday and Friday
at 11:30 p.m. |
20 Apr/35 p.8 |
Baltimore Afro American
NY Amsterdam News |
*IS Kept Busy - IS now with Sinclair Oil program, WENR
(Chicago), turn down $1000 per week in theatre offers per Gale, Inc. Similar
article about turning down $1,000/wk mentions IS are first colored radio
act to reach the "big time" so quickly. |
27 Apr/35 p.9 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*IS Get $1,750 -- NY -- Only 6 months ago they were looking
for a job but today they demand $1,750 per week. |
4 May/35 p.9 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*IS Back in N.Y. -- NY -- The Four IS returned to NY
last week after filling spots on an oil program originating over WENR,
Chicago. IS went back to Radio City on their regular three times a week
sustaining feature and 2 new commercial sponsors seek their services. |
11 May/35 p.8 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*Harlem Sees "IS" in Movie -- NY -- The Four IS were
seen in the movies in Harlem for first time last week in a short, entitled
"What a Business". |
9Nov/35 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Picture of IS and Adv't for one week appearance at Apollo
in NY co-featuring IS and Chick Webb & His Orch. with Ella Fitzgerald,
Bardou Ali and Charlie Linton. Show also has Sandy Burns, Jelli Smith,
Geo. Wiltshire, Apus Brooks, Jackie Mabley, Al Moore, 3 Ragamuffins, Leonard
Harper's Beauty Chorus. |
20 Feb/36 p.7 |
Cleveland Call and Post |
*On New Radio Feature - IS picture and caption re: new
"Genius of Color" weekly program with cast of 50 all-colored artists headed
by Chick Webb & his Orch. each Wed. Evening at 10:30 EST for ½
hour. IS one of the popular features. |
2 May/36 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Adv't for one week IS appearance at Apollo, NY. IS headline
with Sunshine Sammy & Hardy Bros. Band, Lucky Sisters, Ford, Reading
& Royce, McClain & Ross, Norman Astwood, Margaret Simms, Pigmeat.
John Mason, Monty Hawley, Bernham, Harris & Scott, 16 Operettes. Film
- The Crime of Doctor Crispi. |
22Sep/37 |
? |
*Four IS - appear at Bennet hotel, Binghampton, NY starting
Oct. 2. |
17Oct/36 |
NY Amsterdam News |
IS picture and adv't, Apollo, NY co-featuring Chick Webb
& Orch. with Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Linton and Bardou Ali. Also Chink
Collins, Madeline Belt, Jackie Mabley, Sandy Burns, Dusty Fletcher, Geo.
Wiltshire, 6 Cotton Club Boys, 12 Careyettes. |
8Dec/37 |
? |
*Four IS - into Bennett hotel, Binghampton, NY Dec. 10th
for four weeks. |
23 Mar/38 |
? |
*Four IS - open at Levaggi's Grill Room, Boston, April
17 for a stay. |
29Oct/38 |
Billboard |
*Sans Souci Grill, Hotel Bennett, NY - featuring the
Four IS for 3-weeks commencing Oct. 9. IS appeared here a year ago. "Their
music consists of low Southern comedy, Harlem lingo, popular music and
the hottest swing." Their Costumes are flashy and "boys" are neatly groomed
in all respects. Broadcasting every day over WNBF?. |
3 Dec/38 |
NY Amsterdam News |
*Advert. for one week appearance at Apollo, 125th
Street near 8th Ave. Beginning Dec 2nd: Leonard Harper's
New Hit Show with Tiny Bradshaw and His Band; 4 Ink Spots, radio's foremost
quartette; Jean Starr, a new rising star; Pigmeat, Givens & Karol,
16 dancing girls. |
16 Dec/38 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Advert. for 2nd Annual Monster Benefit Midnight
Show at the Apollo with Cab Calloway and His Band; Nicholas Bros.; Berry
Bros.; Fredi Washington; Glady Palmer, from Band Box; Sister Tharpe, Holy
Roller Singer of the Cotton Club; Fats Waller; Don Redman; Four Ink Spots;
Musa Williams; Chilton and Thomas; Hazel Scott; Mable Scott; W. C. Handy;
and many others. Prices: 55 cents, $1 and $1.50. |
24 Dec/38 |
Baltimore Afro American (?) |
*Advert. for Howard, A Lichtman Theatre [Washington?]
on Sunday, Dec 25th for 5 days featuring Erskine Hawkins &
His Orch., IS, Holmes the ventriloquist, Derby Wilson, John Mason and Johnny
Vigal. |
30Sep/39 |
Billboard |
*Appearance review including Glenn Millar Orch. with
vocalist Marion Hutton and IS. IS do Jeepers Creepers, Your Feet's
Too Big, If I Didn't Care and Who. "Millar made a
mistake at the last show opening day, playing on top of an enormous hand
the house gave the quartet. They really whammed and Miller should have
brought them back, regardless of running time." Jeepers reviewed as a weak
opener that should be replaced by something more recent. |
28 Oct/39 p.13 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*A frequently inaccurate article (with pictures of each
Spot) by Lillian Johnson about the start of the group including its fame
following If I Didn't Care release. |
18 Nov/39 |
Billboard
Baltimore Afro American |
*Springfield, Mass.-Henry Armetta, the Four IS and Milt
Britton & HIs Orch. did great business at the Paramount Theatre, where
they closed a week Thursday. The IS were well received and at many shows
had to do encores.
*IS to Sing Newest Song of Young Baltimorean - IS told Gordon Anderson
that they would sing the song that he thinks is the best he has written
to date, "Let Me Sing in My Dreams". [Never recorded and no indication
it was included in an IS performance.] |
11 Jan/40 p.3 |
Cleveland Call and Post |
*Meet the Famous IS - Picture with caption attesting
to fame re: If I Didn't Care as number one men of the black and tan music
world featuring Ivory Watson, Billy Kenny, Orville Jones and Chas. Fuqua.
"Show is a genuine razzle-dazzle, zip-band, shouting, war whooping, frenzied
fiesta that leads you to believe that the whole town has gone "whoopee"
and that there's nothing left to have jollification." At present at the
Famous Door, NY. |
7 Feb/40 |
? |
*Apollo, N.Y. - with Al Cooper Orch., Evelyn White, Baby
Hines, Foster & Batie, Apus Brooks, George Wiltshire, Vivian Harris,
Three Elegants; film - City in Darkness (20th). IS were also
at the Paramount for the first five days traversing the distance from Times
square to 125thstreet in an ambulance four times daily. [Paramount
dates don't support this!] Article indicates the holdover at the Paramount
for a third week after the Apollo deal had already been set, caused this
situation. |
24 Feb/40 p.15 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*Picture of IS |
30 Mar/40 p.13 |
Baltimore Afro American (?) |
*IS to Sue Quartet on Use of Name - another group was
using the IS name in New Orleans and Gale Inc. announced it will sue. |
11 Apr/40 p.7 |
Cleveland Call and Post |
*Advert. re: The 4 Ink Spots with the Sunset Royal Orch.
Featuring Little Genevieve and Froshine Stewart on Wed. Apr. 24, 9:30 at
East Market Gardens, Akron, Ohio, advance 95 cents, door $1.10. |
13 Apr/40 p.10 |
Chicago Defender |
*IS at Savoy Sunday - Picture and Caption re: at Savoy
Sunday Apr. 21. Voted outstanding instrumental and vocal quartet of 1939.
Admission 60 cents if get to ballroom before 8:30. |
15Apr/40 |
Downbeat |
*Too Many Ink Spots - About Gale obtaining restraining
order to stop imposter IS group touring ahead of original IS in South. |
18 Apr/40 p.7 |
Cleveland Call and Post |
*Play East Market Gardens - Picture with caption re:
IS added attraction of dance at East Market Gardens, Akron, Ohio to supplement
Sunset Royal Orch with Little Genevieve and Froshine Stewart. |
20 Apr/40 p.12 |
Chicago Defender |
*Headliners at the Savoy - Picture and caption re: Apr.
21 show at Savoy "which will supply music the like of which has not been
heard in Bronzeville in years".
*IS at Savoy - IS and their 14 piece orch. at Savoy April 21. Internationally
famous group made debut several years ago on Cincinnati radio station &
toured Europe with Jack Hylton & Orch. Today highest paid quartet in
business with interesting numbers of "jumpin' jive" and ballads. Walter
Winchell said that the IS are the greatest act that ever hit Broadway. |
4 May/40 p.22 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*Picture and notice that IS will appear at the Roseland
Estate Ballroom in Boston, May 7. |
12 Oct/40 |
Billboard |
*NY: We Three, IS, Ray Herbeck - Discusses Herbeck doing
this song in the 'classy' spots while the IS will dominate the colored
sections. |
15 Oct/40 |
Downbeat |
*5 to 4 - Chicago - Marie Dickerson tells the story of
the Four IS, currently at the Blackhawk, and how they arrived in Chicago
several weeks ago with 5 valets. The extra valet, according to the IS,
acted as valet for the other four valets. |
19 OCT/40 p.19 |
Chicago Defender |
*Four IS Will Start Long Tour Soon - NY- IS are scheduled
to appear in Youngstown, Ohio, Oct.26; Columbia, S.C., Oct. 28; Charleston,
S.C., Oct. 29; the City Auditorium, Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 30[confirmed]; Birmingham,
Ala., Oct. 31[confirmed] and the Church Park Aud., Memphis, Tenn., Nov.
1. |
9 Nov/40 p.13
p. 12 |
Chicago Defender |
*Famous Quartet Is Here for One Week - IS will make first
Chicago stage appearance in over a year [contradicts Oct. 15thDownbeatarticle]
at the Regal Theatre, South Parkway and Forty-seventh Street beginning
Fri., Nov. 8. Show will include Stump and Stumpy, Whitey and Ed Ford, Rubie
Blakey, and Tony Fambro & his Regal Rhytm Boys.
*On Regal Stage - Picture with caption re: Regal Theatre show says the
IS come to Southside following a conquest of the loop district. |
1 Dec/40 |
Downbeat |
*IS Bus Catches Fire - Cumberland, Maryland: Coming down
a mountain road 4 miles outside Cumberland, while touring area, flames
started to come out from under the hood of the bus carrying the IS and
their 14-piece band. No Harm to people or instruments. |
14 Dec/40 |
Billboard |
*Paramount, NY (reviewed Wed. Eve. Dec. 4th)
with Red Skelton, Rosemary Lane and Ray Herbeck's band. "Nothing of sock
caliber is around until the closing, when the IS show-stop. They sing,
mug, dance, all in unorthodox but entertaining fashion." Reviewer indicates
one "has a high, freak voice". Tunes include Java Jive, We Three
and Maybe. |
21Dec/40 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Picture of IS singing at premiere of Jack Benny film
"Love Thy Neighbor". Caption indicates held at Paramount Theatre and broadcast
over a network. |
Jan/41 |
Swing |
*IS Celebrate 6th Birthday - (article with
three pictures): Discusses 6th anniversary this month, popularity wave
that got under way with the release of their recording of If I Didn't
Care, IS have just finished playing an engagement at the Paramount
Theatre--their third this year. "Despite the fact that for five years they
were heard regularly via an NBC sustaining period, the Spots are the most
conspicuous case of radio failure." Their radio work failed to draw much
attention or recognition[?]. Indicates that Dave Kapp of Decca Records
saw possibilities in the quartet "that every other recording studio turned
down and that had proved only a mediocrity on the air-lanes". Care
was released Feb 16th, 1939 and the IS got only $37.50 for their work.
After Care was released, Walter Winchell said "the IS recording
of If I Didn't Care is our favourite torch. ... Scallions
to the way all the recordings (except the IS spoil If I Didn't Care."
Indicates after selling about 200,000 copies, IS got another $3,750. Suggests
IS were about to quit just before Care and Kenny had car picked up by finance
co. Also, Jones was having 3rd pair of twins [??] and now had 9 mouths
to feed. Suggests radio exec's thought rhythm songs were their strength
and Care was their first ballad [wrong]. Mentions incorrect story of IS
being porters at Paramount theater and that they broadcast on WLW with
little success. Correctly indicates Kenny joined IS in 1936 and discusses
Jones use of Cello as a bass fiddle so he could dance during performances. |
8Jan/41 |
Billboard (?) |
*Advert. For Java Jive with Walter Winchell quote - "Love
and Kisses to your Decca Recording of Java Jive". |
Jan/41 |
? |
*Summary on year - "...while the juke boxes 'made' only
a very few new personalities--The Ink Spots, Dinah Shore, Frankie Masters
and Will Bradley." |
15Jan/41 |
Billboard |
*IS Set for Movie - The IS will spend a month making
their first major movie, The Great American Broadcast, in Hollywood next
month for 20thCentury-Fox. |
25Jan/41 |
? |
*Earle, Philly - Review of show including Erskine Hawkins
& Orch., with Jimmy Mitchell and Ida James, Tip Tap & Toe, Four
IS; film: Trail of the Vigilantes (U). IS close, mixing up its offering
neatly with sweet and jump stuff in equal doses. Songs: Java Jivewith
We
Three, Who, and If I Didn't Care. "The boys had trouble
bowing off. Trio is overmugging and thus spoiling the effect of their fine
voice-blending." |
29Jan/41 |
Variety |
*Inside Stuff-Music - Discusses fact that the IS are
one group of powerful record sellers which recognizes the value of not
making too many records. IS have not released a record since Dec.15 and
will not issue any until Feb.15 at least. Holding up output is a deliberate
move by manager Moe Gale to enable past records to exhaust their possible
sales. In the last six months the group has made only six platters and
5 have been best sellers. These 6 have averaged 175,000 sales apiece since
their release. |
Feb(?)/41 |
Music and Rhythm |
*Band of the Month - The four IS organized in 1926[?],
and except for one member of the group, Slim Green [should be Jerry Daniels
who quit in 1936], who died in 1937, the personnel has remained the same
(Watson, Kenny, Jones and Fuqua are pictured). Indicates IS launched professional
career at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Indianapolis in 1926 where they earned
$5 per week per man but since three of them were only boys going to school
they didn't mind. They remained at the Roof for two years and then got
their first taste of big-time at radio station WLW, Cincinnati, where they
did sustaining and commercial programs from 1928[?] to 1931.
1932 was spent at radio station WHK, Cleveland [correct for part of
year as King, Jack and Jester but moved to WLW later in year] and the following
year the boys hit New York. Jack Hylton took them back to England with
him toward the end of 1933 [1934] and for 14 [4] months they toured England
and the Continent with Hylton. When they arrived back in NY, NBC signed
them for radio and still has them under contract. Salary has jumped as
high as $5,000 a week. States that IS arrangements are worked out during
rehearsals, memorized; written down only when they work with a band. Hobbies:
Watson-clothes; Fuqua-pipes; Kenny-photography and Jones-match folders. |
Feb/41 |
? |
*IS Ink Picture Contract - IS who have recently finished
a 2 week stint at the Paramount Theatre, have signed to perform in 20th
Century-Fox film the Great American Broadcast. Picture goes into production
in Feb., when IS will arrive on coast "after a cross-country jaunt of one-night
dance & theatre dates". After they finish movie, they will return to
NY and another Paramount date. Film will have world premiere at Roxy Theatre
in NY. |
1 Mar/41 p.14 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*$25,000 Week for IS - Not yet at the height of their
career, the IS with weekly earnings of $25,000, "loom as potentially the
highest paid performers the stage has ever produced". Now in Hollywood
for role in The Great American Broadcast. |
15 Mar/41 |
Billboard |
*Advert. for Please Take a Letter Miss Brown
with Walter Winchell quote, "You'll never forget,". |
29 Mar/41 |
Okla. City(?) |
*Advert. re: appearance at Trainon Ballroom, Oklahoma
City, Friday Night, April 18th, advance tickets available at
the Cut Rate Drug Store for 86 cents or at the Ballroom for $1. |
12 Apr/41 p.14 |
Baltimore Afro American |
*Picture announcing new recordings of We'll Meet
Again and You're Looking for Romance. |
Apr/41 |
Met(?) |
*IS Sign Movie Contract - with 20thCentury-Fox,
setting a new salary high for Negro foursomes, IS will receive $25,000
a week for "The Great American Broadcast". It will premiere in April. |
10 May/41 p.11
p.10
p.13 |
Chicago Defender
Baltimore Afro American |
*On Regal Stage - Picture from Great American Broadcast,
the new million dollar musical by 20thCent. Fox of IS who will
appear at Regal starting Friday.
*IS At - starting Fri., May 9 from Hollywood with own 14 piece Sunset
Royal Orch. directed by Wheeler Morgan and featuring vocals of Francine
Stewart. Also with Moke and Poke - singing and dancing comedy sensations,
Ross and McCain - sepia wonders of the dance.
Picture of IS from Great American Broadcast |
10 May/41 p.10
p.15A
p. 8 |
Cleveland Call & Post |
*Advert. - 4 IS and their Orch., Trianon Ballroom, Tues.,
May 20, 9:00PM, 75 cents, put on by Super Attractions.
*IS, Calloway Bands Out on Tour - IS fared very well in South. Appeared
at the Colored Aud., San Antonio, Texas but bad weather held crowd down
to $800, next at Houston with gross $2,200 and then to Galveston (Texas)
Aud., and drew $3,000 at $1 a head.
*IS, Nicholas Brothers in Picture - Great American Broadcast
*IS Come On With Another Disk - Picture with caption re: new recording
of What Good Would It Do and When [Your] Heartaches
Begin. |
17 May/41 p.7A |
Cleveland Call & Post |
*Advert. re: Trianon appearance May 20th. |
31May/41 |
Billboard |
*Big Banquet Show [where?]- The type of entertainment
afforded the guests at the banquet definitely marked the occasion as a
success. Among the features of the show were the IS and the 16-piece band,
Sunset Royal Orch. under the direction of Willie Moran. IS sang 6 numbers,
If
I Didn't Care, Maybe, Do I Worry?, Your Feet's Too Big, Who and
Java Jive. |
5Jul/41 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Adv't, Brooklyn Apollo Theatre, Sun.-Wed. July 6-9 "The
Great American Broadcast". IS and Nicholas Bros. (dance act also in movie)
are featured in larger print than movie title or lead actors. |
6Jul/41 |
? |
*Steel Pier, Atlantic City - Dinah Shore, Four IS, Three
Sailors, The Juvelys, Frank & Jean Hubert, Goodrich & Nelson, Gae
Foster Ballet, Ben Yost Singers, Dick Dana, Pinkie Lee, Bobby Morris, Music
Hall Orch. Film: The Flame of New Orleans (U).
Unusually big, 85 min. show. "When caught on Sunday afternoon (6th),
the close of the biggest weekend for several years, it was necessary to
take off feature film in order to put on more vaude shows to keep waiting
lines of crowd in order."
Outstanding are the IS who took over the house with their harmonies.
In white tuxedos and white ties, boys sing Do I Worry, Brown Girl,
If
I Didn't Care and had to beg off despite audience calls for more
of their favorite selections. |
Aug/41 |
Swing |
*Songs and Sales - Glenn Miller far & away most popular
band during past 12 months but the only "name" that can be considered as
having been "made" during 1940 was--The IS. This colored quartet that has
kicked around NY for many years hit the jackpot with just one number--If
I Didn't Care. |
8Aug/41 |
Billboard |
*Paramount, NY, reviewed Wed. Aug. 13 - Jerry Colonna,
Claude Thornhill's band & IS. Film: Kiss the Boys Goodbye. IS close
and are held over from the previous bill. IS "smacked them over solid".
Did
Keep Cool Fool, You're Breaking My Heart Again, I'm Still Without a Sweetheart
and Alabama Bound. |
23Aug/41 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Apollo Opens With Ink Spots-tickets on sale for premiere
on Aug 29th. |
30 Aug/41 |
NY Amsterdam News |
Adv't, Apollo Theatre, NY, IS headline, also Sunset Royal
Orch., Spider Bruce, Sandy Burns, John Vigal, Froshiem Stewart, Eddie,
Jack & Betty, Ralph Brown, Whitey's Lindy Hop Champions. Film-Pigmeat
in One Big Mistake. |
15Sep/41 |
Billboard |
*Oh, How They Feel It - Picture of IS mugging & caption
re: IS recording I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire. |
27Sep/41 |
Billboard |
*Advert showing Records of American History by Gale Inc.
"Chapt. 1 Once upon a time at midnight a spirited American patriot, Paul
Revere, mounted his horse, and rode through the streets of Lexington shouting,
"Wake up, wake up and listen to the sensational recording of I Don't
Want to Set the World on Fire by the 4 IS".
Four IS - IS have broken box-office records in many theaters thruout
the country and have played the NY Paramount Theater four times in a year
and a half--a record. Other engagements include Loew's State, NY; Earle
Theater, Phil.; Hippodrome & Royal Theater, Balt.; State-Lake Theater,
Chicago; Earle and Howard Theaters, Wash.; Stanley Theater, Pitts. and
the Orpheum Theater, LA. |
1Oct/41 |
Downbeat |
*The IS - "Billy Kenny's sickening, phony and pseudo-dramatic
tenor soloing (voice, not a sax) continues on Until the Real Thing
Comes Along and Keep Cool, Fool, but the Spots are
their usual confident selves when Kenny isn't belching in a falsetto." |
25Oct/41 |
Billboard |
*Hippodrome, Balt., reviewed Thurs. Oct. 16. - Louis
Prima and band sharing with the Four IS, Bob Evans. Film: Father Takes
a Wife. "The boys display their distinctive wares with some solid sending
on both jive and ballad selections." Java Jive, Until the Real Thing
Comes Along, I'm Still Without a Sweetheart, Keep Cool, Fool, I Don't Want
to Set the World on Fire and If I Didn't Care, four
encores with each number bringing more applause than the previous one.
"Boys use a surprise close of The Star Spangled Banner, with
the customers standing and joining in." |
1Nov/41 |
Downbeat |
*Letter to editor disputing Oct 1 reference to "Billy
Kenny's sickening, phony and pseudo-dramatic tenor soloing..." |
7 Nov/41 |
Billboard(?) |
*Stanley, Pitt - Erskine Hawkins Orch, IS, Red &
Curley, Moke & Poke, Ida James. Film: Feminine Touch (M-G).
Too long and much sameness with result audience pretty well done in
by the time the IS closed. IS did 6 numbers and at least the last couple
of them were forced. "Somehow, idea of a quartet that one moment is giving
out with the jivin, and the next going into the national anthem, doesn't
figure." Java Jive, Do I Worry, Without
a Sweetheart, Keep Cool, Fool and I Don't Want to Set the
World on Fire, Star Spangled Banner. |
6Dec/41 |
Billboard(?) |
*Michigan, Detroit - Erskine Hawkins Orch., 4 IS, Moke
& Poke, Red & Curley, Ida James, Billy Mitchell, Avery Parrish.
Film: Look Who's Laughing (RKO). Second colored show initiating vaudeville
here that is "ringing the bell". "It's a tossup whether the Erskine Hawkins'
band, blowing them hot and sometimes sweet, or the IS, doing it jive or
syrupy, moves ahead in favor, but it doesn't matter, for there's a nice
merging of talent in the entire colored show." Java Jive, Do I Worry,
Keep Cool Fool, World on Fire, Didn't Care and Tuxedo
Junction.
Mobile Ala. - Someone's Rocking My Dream Boat. IS. The
latest rage in this territory. Operators here report that there is always
a title-strip reserved for these artists, and Dream Boat is the
current favorite. |
6 Dec/41 p.11B |
Cleveland Call & Post |
*Youngsters Rate A in Deportment During Fitzgerald Show
- Indicates concern re: barring negro youngsters from sepia performer stage
shows lessened because a goodly number attended Fitzgerald/IS show without
creating disturbance. Sat., Sun. & Mon. sellouts. IS sang If
I Didn't Care and Java Jive. Show included Moke &
Poke and Peg leg Bates. |
3Jan/42 |
Billboard |
*Chicago, Chicago reviewed Friday afternoon, Dec. 26
- Erskine Hawkins & Orch, IS, film: Shadow of the Thin Man (Metro).
IS close and "the only way they get off the stage is by staying on it
while the curtains are drawn together". Comments on the contrast within
the act-- "One member boasts of a good, colorful voice; another furnishes
effective relief with a pair of deep pipes, a third is the perennial jitterbug,
and the fourth concentrates on doing a good job on the guitar." Java
Jive, Until the Real Thing Comes Along, I'm Still Without a Sweetheart,
Hey, Doc and I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire. |
1Feb/42 |
Downbeat |
*IS - Is It a Sin? And It's a Sin to Tell a
Lie. "The spots are fast becoming the ace schmaltz-dispensers of their
race. The latest coupling drips with Billy Kenny falsettos and belchetoes." |
21Feb/42 |
Billboard |
*Sock 20G's for the Iss" Uni. Pic. - Universal reported
to offer IS a reported $20,000 to work in the studio's next Abbott &
Costello pic. Money is highest ever quoted to a musical group of this size
and IS will only put in nine days on picture. IS on a theater tour thru
the Midwest, and are booked nearly solid through March. Moe Gale now trying
to reshuffle previous commitments, but has told Universal that he can only
spare the IS for nine days in March. |
3Mar/42 |
? |
*NY, Feb 28. - Moe Gale is planning to send the IS on
a three or four-week USO tour of army camps early in May. Tour will take
place after boys wind up a Boston theater engagement. |
4 Apr/42 p.5 |
Cleveland Call & Post |
*Advert. - 4 IS direct from Hollywood where they recently
completed "Pardon My Sarong" with Abbot & Costello featured with Sunset
Royal Orch, at Coliseum, 9:00PM, Easter Monday Nite, E. 107 and Cedar,
Cleveland, only 95 cents. |
23May/42 |
Billboard |
*Paramount, NY reviewed Wed. eve., May 13 - Woody Herman,
IS, Bobby Lane & Edna Ward. Film: This Gun for Hire.
"Saved for the last, the spectacular Spots came to the rescue in high
and showed that they are as hot as ever." Have a Heart Josephine,We'll
Meet Again, Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree. Encored
with Do I Worry? and The Star-Spangled Banner.
"This was as terrific a job of audience slaying as the gaudy Spots have
done in this house." |
1Jul/42 |
Billboard(?) |
*Music Hall, A.C. (Steel Pier) June 30 - IS, George Choos
Revue, Helene Denison, Four Senoritas, Sterner Sisters, Una Cooper, Catherine
Harris, Gaudsmith Brothers, The Ghezzis, Monroe Brothers, Dick Dana, Charles
Kemper, Harry Savoy, George Hafferty, Ben Yost Singers, Music Hall Orch..
Film: Henry and Dizzy (Par). A show with plenty of quantity and quality
to inaugurate the new policy of Music Hall on Steel Pier. The Hall is now
run as a vaudeville hall, admission 85 cents for weekends and 60 cents
for weekdays. Josephine, Apple Tree and Do
I Worry, Encore, This Is Worth Fighting For, is their
best. |
7Jul/42 |
Billboard |
*Millinder-IS Show - NY, July 4--Lucky Millinder embarks
on a 13-week tour of theaters with the IS and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, beginning
in September. Show will be booked as a package, with Negro vaude acts as
support. |
23Sep/42 |
Billboard(?) |
*Fox, B'kyn - Lucky Millinder's Orch, Sister Rosetta
Tharpe, IS, Peg Leg Bates, Morgan & Rogers. Film: Sweater Girl (Par).
Shout,
Brother, Shout, Ev'ry Night About This Time, This Is Worth
Fighting For, Apple Tree and If I Didn't Care, "winding
up proceedings in a blaze." Numbers almost identical with ones used on
recent Paramount, NY date and reaction just as strong. |
3Oct/42 |
Billboard(?) |
*Earle, Phil. reviewed Fri., Sept. 25th -
Lucky Millinder's Orch., IS, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Freddie Gordon &
Timmie Rogers, Peg Leg Bates. "Top spot goes to the Four IS, heavy favorites
here." Shout, Brother, Shout, Ev'ry Night About This Time, Don't
Sit Under the Apple Tree. Encore This is Worth FightingFor
and If I Didn't Care. |
24Oct/42 |
Billboard |
*Colonial, Dayton, O. reviewed Friday afternoon, Oct.
16th - Lucky Millander Orch., IS, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Peg-Leg
Bates, Gordon & Rogers. "It's a whopper of a show throuout, and when
the IS appear it looks tough for them to top what has gone before, but
they manage to do it and leave the audience begging for more." Shout,
Brother, Shout, Every Night About This Time, This
Is Worth Fighting For, If I Didn't Care. |
6Nov/42 |
Billboard |
*RKO, Boston - Lucky Millinder Orch, IS, Sister Rosetta
Tharpe, Peg Leg Bates, Gordon & Rogers. Film: Wings and the Woman (RKO).
"This colored show is distinguished mainly by its all-out jivery, everybody
in it giving with both barrels in every direction." The IS, here for the
first time since their Hollywood trip, tie the show up into a neat bundle
with five smartly arranged tunes ending with If I Didn't Care. |
14Nov/42 |
? |
*ISs' Reason, Pittsburgh, Oct. 13 - IS playing Stanley,
asked
theatre management to drop the numeral 4 from their billing. One of their
members expects to go into the army shortly and indicates IS would carry
on without a replacement. |
9Dec/42 |
Variety |
*Gale and N.Y. Par. In Compromise On IS's RKO One-Nighters
- Moe Gale, manager of the IS; Bob Weitman and Harry Levine, maaging director
and booker, respectively, of the N. Y. Paramount Theatre, adjusted their
differences Monday (4) over Gale's booking the quartet into a week of one-nighters
in RKO houses around N. Y. Paramount objected to showing the quartet in
the RKO houses because the Par had options on their future services which
the local showings would injure. Gale and the Par execs worked out an adjustment
of the Spots' salary for their next Par appearance. James C. Petrillo,
head of the American Federation of Musicians had ordered Gale to pull the
quartet and the Tiny Bradshaw band. Gale admitted error and the dates were
allowed to proceed when he agreed to adjust the IS's future Par Salary. |
1942? |
? |
*IS is 'Typical Father'-One of the Four IS, Orville Happy
[Hoppy] Jones, was awarded a solid gold diaper pin last week for being
chosen the "typical Harlem father." Jones has seven children. A committee
from the Harlem Chamber of Commerce made the presentation and a ball was
held in Happy's honor at the Savoy ballroom. |