Cab Calloway

Soundcheck. Glasgow. 1989. Photo copyright marc marnie.

Cab Calloway

Mr Hi-di-hi. The king of The Cotton Club after the Duke departed, he became a national figure when his band took up residence in Harlem's most famous haunt in 1931. The street-wise drug references of his signtaure tune, "Minnie The Moocher", and "Kicking The Gong Around" did not prevent them being huge hits. Gershwin is said to have modelled Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess partly on him (he played the role in 1952), and Dizzy Gillespie almost killed him with a knife after a fight, but they made up later. Cab was always the showman personified. On stage, he lit up like an electric light, and never lost that defining flamboyance. Born: 1907, in Rochester, New York. Died: 1994
Kenny Mathieson

An important band leader, Calloway was, nevertheless, largely ignored by critics because of his 'novelty' status. He looked pretty old and tired when I took the above photograph as he directed the soundcheck. Later, during the show I stood beside him as he waited in the wings. When his cue came he took half a dozen faultering steps before appearing to the audience, but the moment the spotlight hit his white suit it looked like a jolt of electricity went through him, he seemed to take energy from the lights and the audience, and the old showman had never been away.
marc marnie