Louis Leo Prima was born in New Orleans on December 7, 1910, he died on August 24, 1978 at age 67. When we think about some of the great male vocalists from the middle of the 20th Century, Louis Prima may not be at the top of the list. The first big star was Bing Crosby as a solo male vocalist he debuted in 193I and has sold more records than anyone. Right behind him were the truly class acts of Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. Many might think of Frank Sinatra who was the first of the Big Band era singers to make the transition to front man and superstardom. Followed by other Crooners such as Dean Martin and Tony Bennett. The latter three were of Italian descent, if we are to go there with the ‘big’ names then we are adding Perry Como and Al Martino at the very least. Bobby Darin was wedged in the middle before and during the time that Rock and Roll arrived. Then we can add Dion, Frankie Vali and Lou Christie.
Louis Prima was the first member of the club and a first generation Italian-American, so how does he fit in to this story? To begin with, Prima was able to do it all. He is the composer of one of the most well known and recognizable Jazz songs of the Big Band/Swing era. “Sing, Sing, Sing” is a Standard with over 180 versions. I defy you to find a Big Band or Jazz ensemble that does not know that song. He also wrote several other well known numbers such as “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” and co-wrote “A Sunday Kind of Love”, recorded over 120 times. Yet he is remarkably over looked. His name does not come up on the Wikipedia pages for either Big Band or Swing Music.
It was the instrumental version by Goodman’s Orchestra that was the #1 hit song. Granted the arrangement and end product was more that just a step above the original.
Prima was also a fine New Orleans style trumpet player as demonstrated in the clip below.
Louis had a certain comedic and kitschy stage presence, it was always his thing. He had a lot of fun on stage. When Keely Smith added her beautiful voice, dead pan acting, often with the mimicry of Louis, it really was ‘magic’. Make no mistake behind the act is a depth of talent. My favorite Prima music comes from the ten years (1950-1960) they sang together. Keely started as a back-up singer and would be married to Prima from 1953 to 1961. Their version of “Old Black Magic” won them the award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus at the very first Grammy Awards in 1959.
If you knew nothing of Louis Prima you most likely recognize this next clip.
No monkeying around, Louis Prima was one cool dude.
“Just a Gigolo (I Ain’t Got Nobody)” was first performed by Louis Prima and His Orchestra and released in 1945. It is a medley based on the original German song “Schöner Gigolo, armer Gigolo” from 1929 and “I Ain’t Got Nobody” which was first released in 1916.
You may recall the cover by David Lee Roth in 1985.
Check out Music Mondays from Lines by Leon.
Louis Prima was a colorful character, and I though I haven’t listened to very much of his music, I liked his more popular songs with Keely Smith. I also didn’t know he wrote “Sing, Sing, Sing”. Here’s the Benny Goodman version I love most: https://youtu.be/G7fARRnhWSg?si=-_GlOKqrHY8QmhB4
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That really transformed the song and helped fuel the big band and swing movement for several years I think. Due credit to Benny. But as in most cases Goodman gets almost 100% of the credit.
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Great post! While I had heard the name Louis Prima, I couldn’t name any songs he performed. He surely was a multi-talent. “Buona Sera” has an infectious groove. I could totally picture the Muppets play this tune, and this is not to denigrate it. That scene from “The Jungle Book” is just lovely. “Just a Gigolo (I Ain’t Got Nobody)” is another classic. Admittedly, I heard it first by dashing David Lee Roth! 🙂
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Thanks Christian, so glad you enjoyed Louis!
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He and Keely Smith had a rough marriage (too much togetherness is almost as bad as not enough), but they were good together…
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Yeah she was so young and he was totally living the lifestyle but as an act as you say they were good
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That David Lee Roth video/ cover of those two songs is probably the best I have never (but now thanks to you) have seen!
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He actually did do a great job on the vocals.
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He nailed it!
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I LOVE this and Louis Prima!! His stuff was just fantastic. I saw a video somewhere of them recording the Jungle Book stuff – it was insane. They were walking and playing around the studio and stuff. He was a talent!! I played Sing, Sing, Sing in my first high school marching band show. What a great tune!!
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Somehow I thought you might be a fan! Didn’t know you were in a marching band!
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I was a trumpet player. Louis Prima, Herb Alpert, Doc Severinsen, Harry James, and Maynard Ferguson were huge to me!
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Cool! I used to play the b flat coronet in high school. No such thing as marching bands round here. I was god awful so having a role model like those names wouldn’t have helped me 😉
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Marching band was such a cool experience. I was a total band nerd!
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I always thought they were so cool
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Yes, odd how time reveres some and forgets others who were all big stars in their day.
Keely sure did add a lot to the mix too.
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Yes I suppose everyone can’t always be remembered, and you’re right time will do that to even pretty big stars.
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an interesting intro to him. I’d heard the name but didn’t know what he did , but I recognize ‘Just a Gigolo” and the Jungle Book song . Certainly he seemed like a multi-talented performer. Too bad he’s not remembered a bit more like some of his contemporaries are.
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I’m sure we all have examples but seriously he does get over looked I think.
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Entertainment was so different back then. That is what hits me first. I like every video…I remember that song from The Junglebook as well. You could tell he made it fun for everyone when he performed.
It would be pretty cool to go see something like this now…I’m sure somewhere someone does it.
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I’m glad you like the video’s. Yes there is probably a lounge act out there somewhere. Louis Prima Jr. performed a lot of his fathers stuff.
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I love this stuff…and I think live would be the way to hear it rather than on video or film. The sound would be full and it would sound great. Those musicians were great.
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They were great and live in person would have been a lot of fun, no doubt. We can live vicariously through these amazing videos.
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Yes we can…if I ever get a chance to see something like that I will go.
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You know if somebody put together an act like the Buddy Holly Shows I bet it would do well.
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Oh for sure…I went to see “Buddy” the broadway play in the early 90s…they were on tour…it sounded SO good. Much better than the records. They played live and it was only 3 of them… Buddy’s music carries on just 3 instruments really well.
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Some classic jazz there.
Van Halen and Roth were not ones to shy away from doing covers of songs many of their fans never heard of,
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Upon reflection that’s probably how I discovered Prima in the first place.
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