Billy Daniels

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 229-230. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999.

Billy Daniels toiled obscurely for years before becoming a star in 1950.

In 1948 he began to work permanently with pianist-backup singer Benny Payne, who also served as his musical director.

A 1948 extended appearance at New York's posh Park Avenue Restaurant began his climb to fame, which climaxed in 1950 with engagements at Hollywood's Mocambo and Bill Miller's Riviera in New Jersey, capped by his sensational appearance in the film When You're Smiling (1950). From then on he was a star.

"Diane" became his trademark song at this stage of his career, when he sang tenor with no appreciable body movement (he can be seen at this stage as the star of Sepia Cinderella (1947)).

About that time he began to make "That Old Black Magic" - which he'd first sung in the summer of 1946 at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City - his new trademark.

He appeared in three Broadway musicals: "Memphis Bound" (1945), "Golden Boy" (1964) and "Hello Dolly".

He became a staple on local radio shows, and in 1941 had a small record hit on Bluebird, "Diane"/"Penthouse Serenade".

He toured with the Erskine Hawkins band circa 1935-36, then returned to Harlem, which he loved, and sang virtually every day, sometimes just for food.

He began singing in his native Jacksonville, Florida, moved to Harlem in 1932 and became a dishwasher and later singing waiter at Dickie Wells' restaurant-club.