FATS WALLER
It is said Fats Waller, the composer of such famous songs as I Cant Give You Anything But Love, Baby, and Honey Suckle Rose, played in the 30’s at Kansas City’s Blue Room on 18th and Vine. Sadly, the composer of such notables as Storm Weather died in Kansas City from pneumonia while traveling on the Super Chief train.
Born to a minister and his wife, Fats (his choice of names to distinguish himself from more serious musicians), was supposed to follow his father’s career, but instead he became a legendary jazz pianist and composer.
Among many other great songs he wrote, put Ain’t Misbehavin’, and On the Sunny Side of the Street, in his column.
A most famous story—Gangster Al Capone had Fats kidnapped, and with a gun to his head, Fats was ordered to play at the gangster’s birthday party for three days and nights. When finally released, he was exhausted, drunk, and far richer than when he’d arrived.
One of the characters in JAZZ TOWN could have been Fats Waller.
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