Today in Comics History, April 29: Happy birthday, Duke Ellington!

Born on this day in 1899, making him one of the original geniuses on the twentieth century: jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington ("Take the "A" Train," "In a Sentimental Mood," "Prelude to a Kiss," "The Mooche," "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," "Mood Indigo," "In a Sentimental Mood," "Rockin' in Rhythm," and many, many more jazz classics you know in your head and heart)!



from Juke Box Comics #5 (Eastern Color, November 1948), creator unidentified and unknown

Today in Comics History, April 25: Happy birthday, Ella Fitzgerald!

Born on this day in 1917: the Queen of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald! One of my favorite vocalists, her jazz vocalizations and scat rhythm singing provide us with a large library of popular and entertaining recordings across six decades. And yes, she even got her own comic book feature! And without the usual racist, stereotypical portrayals of Black persons in comics (Bravo, Alex Toth!).


from "Ella Fitzgerald: The Cinderella of Song" in Juke Box Comics #3 (Eastern Color, July 1948), pencils by Alex Toth, inks by Alex Toth (?) or Frank Giacoia (?)

Today in Comics History, March 28: Happy birthday, Randy Brooks!

Born on this day in 1917: jazz trumpeter and bandleader Randy Brooks, discovered at the age of 11 by Rudy Vallee and who played on hit records like "Tenderly," "Harlem Nocturne," and "The Man With The Horn." But for some reason, his comic book biography choose to focus instead on his...youth basketball career?!?




from Juke Box Comics #5 (Eastern Color, November 1948), pencils and inks by Henry C. Kiefer
So little respect did comic books give his trumpeting that when he appeared in a DC romance comic, they didn't even mention his musical career. Also, that's not him.


from "Tears for a Dream!" in Young Romance #162 (DC/National, October 1969), pencils (and inks?) by Werner Roth, letters by Ira Schnapp
Let's celebrate his birthday with some proper trumpet. Take us out, Randy!


"The Man with the Horn" by Randy Brooks and His Orchestra (Decca, 1945), written by Bonnie Lake, Eddie DeLange, and Jack Jenney

Today in Comics History, November 22: Happy birthday, Ethel Smith!

Born on this day in 1902: popular organist Ethel Smith, popular musician and actor of the Golden Age primarily known for her energetic performances of Latin music. And, an avid golfer!


from Juke Box Comics #3 (Eastern Color, July 1948); text, pencils, inks, and letters by Phil Berube
Happy birthday and play us off with a hearty unspoken babaloo, Ethel!

"The Breeze and I" by Ethel Smith, from Tropical Swing: Selections from the Universal Feature "Cuban Pete" (Castle Films, 1947), with Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra

Today in Comics History, September 16: Happy birthday, Andy Russell!

Born on this day in 1919: singer and entertainer Andy Russell (née Andrés Rábago), "the Original Latino Crossover Artist." His popularity in the day rivalled Sinatra and Como as a heartthrob vocalist on popular bestsellingf songs like "Bésame Mucho," "Amor," "What a Diff'rence a Day Made" and many more. He even got his own (short) comic book story:



"Andy Russell" from Juke Box Comics #3 (Eastern Color, July 1948), creators unidentified and unknown
There's even an ad on the back cover of the same comic book. Gee, whaddaya think convinced Capitol Records that this was a good place to run their record album advertisements, I wonder, hmmm?


Capitol Records advertisement from Juke Box Comics #3



"Bésame Mucho" by Andy Russell with Al Sack and His orchestra (Capitol, 1944); written by Consuelo Velázquez, English lyrics by Sunny Skylar
Happy birthday, Andy!

Today in Comics History, September 12: Happy birthday, Johnny Long!

Johnny Long! Sounds like a forgotten hero from a third-tier Golden Age comic book, doesn't he? Johnny Long: the Man Who Can Stand Thirteen Feet Tall! But I tell a lie. Johnny Long (born today in 1914) is actually an American violinist, bandleader, and actor, also as "The Man Who's Long on Music"...clever, Johnny, clever! A rare right-handed violinist with an origin that rivals Spider-Man: he learned violin at the age of six, but injured two fingers on his left hand when he was bitten by a pig. He then learned to use his right hand to play the violin.


from Juke Box Comics #5 (Eastern Color, November 1948), by Phil Berube
Johnny also received his own short feature story in comics...


from "Johnny Long" in Juke Box Comics #3 (Eastern Color, July 1948), pencils and inks by Ruth Atkinson
...which riffed on the fact that Johnny got no respect. No respect at all.




A very happy birthday to you, Mister Johnny Long! I'd shake your hand, but I can't reach up that far.


"A Shanty in Old Shanty Town" by Johnny Long and His Orchestra (Decca, 1946), by Ira Schuster and Jack Little with lyrics by Joe Young

Today in Comics History, June 30: Happy birthday, Lena Horne!

Born on this day in 1917: singer (and actress, and dancer, and civil rights activist) Lena Horne, one of the great Black stars of the twentieth century. And comic book star, too!


from Juke Box Comics #5 (Eastern Color, November 1948); text, pencils, inks, and letters by Phil Berube
Lena also received a full story in the pages of Juke Box Comics! Well, it was only three pages, and it was at the back of the book (cough cough), but still...




from Juke Box Comics #2 (Eastern Color, May 1948), pencils and inks by A. C. Hollingsworth
Happy birthday, Miss Horne!


"Stormy Weather" sung by Lena Horne (1943, RCA Victor), written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler; from the movie Stormy Weather (natch!) (1943, Fox), story and screenplay by Jerry Horwin, Seymour B. Robinson, Frederick J. Jackson, and H.S. Kraft;, directed by Andrew L. Stone

Today in Comics History, May 3: Happy birthday, Bing Crosby!

Born on this date in 1903: Bing Crosby, actor, singer, comedian, and comic book star. In fact, Bing's been in comics almost since their invention!


from "Star-Light" in Action Comics (1938 series) #5 (DC, October 1938), pencils and inks by Sheldon Moldoff

Today in Comics History, November 27: Happy birthday, Ted Husing!

Born on this day in 1901: sportscaster and radio/movie announcer Ted Husing!

Say, where'd ya get the green suit, Ted?


from "Ace Sportscaster" in Real Fact Comics #6 (DC, January 1947), pencils and inks by Jack Lehti

Today in Comics History, November 18: Happy birthday, Johnny Mercer!

Born on this day in 1919: songwriter, singer and lyricist Johnny Mercer ("Moon River", "Days of Wine and Roses," "That Old Black Magic" and so many more!



from "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive" in Juke Box Comics #1 (Eastern Color, March 1948), creators uncredited and unknown
"Jeepers, Creepers," Johnny! You're "Too Marvelous for Words" and "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby!" "P.S. I Love You!"


Capital Records ad from Juke Box Comics #5 (Eastern Color, November 1948)
Happy birthday, Johnny!

Today in Comics History, October 7: Happy birthday, Vaughn Monroe!

Born on this day in 1911: actor/singer Vaughn Monroe ("Mule Train," "Cool Water," "Riders in the Sky" and many more). And comic book star? You betcha!


from "Vaughn Monroe: Racing with the Moon" in Juke Box Comics #3 (Eastern Color, July 1948), pencils and inks by Sid Greene

Today in Comics History, August 4: Happy birthday, Louis Armstrong!

Born on this day in 1901: iconic American trumpeter, singer, and actor Louis Armstrong! "Satchmo", or "Pops," to his pals!

(PS: the birth date and year on this panel are wrong.)


from Dime Comics #24 (Bell Features, December 1945), text and art by Gerald Lazare

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy birthday, Perry Como!

Born on this day in 1912, crooner Perry Como!, the most relaxed man in show business!

But what does Mr. Como have to do with comic books, you ask? Hmmmm...




advertisement from DC Comics cover-dated September 1958
Well, for one, here he is, RIGHT ON A FREAKIN' COMIC BOOK COVER. That's what!


cover of Penny #6 (Avon, September 1947), pencils and inks by Harry Haenigsen

Today in Comics History, February 25: ♬ Happy birthday, Enrico Caruso! ♬

Born on this day in 1873: the great Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso! Acclaimed at theatres across the world, he's the guy you probably think of in your head when somebody tells the Pagliacci joke. "But Doctor, I'm Enrico Caruso!"

He made Xavier Cugat (who was also a cartoonist, didja know that?) into a big music star, too! (Stay tuned for much more of this comic when we celebrate Cugat on his birthday of...holy cow, January 1?!? I'm getting artists booked into spots on this blog into the upcoming year!)



from "Xavier Cugat: The Rhumba King" in Juke Box Comics #2 (Eastern Color, May 1948), pencils and inks by Phil Berube
A rare Caruso recording serves as an action-packed MacGuffin for Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood!



from The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #6 (Marvel, June 1983), co-plot and script by David Michelinie, co-plot by Archie Goodwin, layouts by Howard Chaykin, finishes by Terry Austin, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Joe Rosen
Sono un torello impagliato e ti auguro, grande Maestro, il più felice compleanno, signor Enrico Caruso!

Today in Comics History February 10: Happy birthday, Larry Adler!

Born on this day in 1914, the great harmonica player Larry Adler!


from "Larry Adler: Know Your Judges" in Juke Box Comics #3 (Eastern Color, July 1948), pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Gil Kane (?) or Frank Giacoia (?)

Happy birthday, Larry!

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Gene Krupa!

Born on this day in 1909: jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer, the great Gene Krupa!


from Juke Box Comics #6 (Eastern Color, January 1949); text, art, and letters by Phil Berube
Happy birthday, Gene! Hope you have one that cannot be beat.