If you want to check out ALL of the Old School Gossip stories like this one on this channel, enjoy this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLJTOm-WxzySlEyGe8lKcPx_P5e2-k2wkx
The reason why Cab Calloway wanted the afro Aboriginal Indigenous Black BEAUTIFUL MOST ENDOWED Women on the stage, because they're the greatest dancers on Earth, can't learn anything from Caucasian Women because they're Ibots; no offense.
Amazing history, very curious to learn more! You mentioned multiple sources for this information., which one discusses Cab fighting against the colorist code at the Cotton Club? Thank you!!
I remember meeting Duke Ellington back in 71 or 72. My cousin was a chef at this big hotel in NYC and ask me did I want to go to work with him one Sunday before church. My cousin was a deacon at the church me and my great-grandmother attended and lived in my great-grandmother brownstone. He took me to his job and show me around the hotel and then took me to the kitchen and cook me breakfast. After eating breakfast I got tired of sitting in the kitchen and started to wonder around this huge dining area that had one White couple sitting there when a tall figure appeared dressed really well and smoking a cigarette, I had no idea who he was but he gave me this stern look, the type you give a child when their into mischief, although I wasn't, just walking checking out the dining area, my cousin walks out if the kitchen seconds later and ask me why did I leave the kitchen then turns to the tall man and greets him before explaining that I was his little cousin and he had brought me in to show me what he does for a living, the man then smile at me and ask how was I doing and was I enjoying myself. I answered yes and he smiled tapping me on the shoulder. My cousin then asked what would he be having for breakfast and he told him and me and my cousin went back to the kitchen were he had me sit and whipered to me that I had just met Duke Ellington. At that age I didn't know who he was or of his importance but for years wonder why he had initially given me a look so stern, and now learning from this video he had a problem with other Black people complexions I wonder, perhaps even as a child he didn't believe I belong there. Possibly, or perhaps he may have been worried or concerned about other matters. Who know for sure but him, Really doesn't matter now, the days of cotton are over.
My grandmother (born 1905) told me that back in her day when newspaper ads ran for hired help for maids targeting African American women, the ads specified "must be light-skinned," or "only light-skinned apply." Also, my father (born 1920) told me that there was a saying back when he was growing up to "do the race a favor, marry a light-skinned person," which meant to procreate lighter-skinned blacks. As far as this video is concerned, the same can be said of black women who appear in music videos of R&B/rap/hip-hop artists today. Most are light-skinned. Even Prince never had darker-skinned black women featured in his videos unless they were on the record with him, but not as his dancers or his love interest. Times really have not changed, just the dates.
100% facts!! Prince and Michael Jackson both carried this into the video age of MTV and cemented it into our psyches for generations to come. They did a lot of damage to our self images that is still being carried out to this day
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle Yes. Michael had Iman and Naomi Campbell as his love interest in two of his videos because they were famous. Prince had Angie Stone with him in a video because she was on the record with him. Prince also had Nona Gaye with him in a video but that, again, was due to the fact that she was famous, being Marvin Gaye's daughter.
@@rozchristopherson648 true...I forgot about those references with Michael, and even his original video girl featured intertest Ola Ray from Thriller was a sistah-sistah now that I recall.
Props to Cab for not backing down when he could've easily turned a blind eye to colorism. I'm sure it wasn't easy to do during those times but he did what was right.
@@jabbarinnewyork7778 When the preference of a potential employer negatively affects the a particular candidate, purely based on color, then it's no longer just preference; it's both racism and colorism.
He was very handsome and very talented it's wonderful that he helped persons who are darker than him to practice their craft and get their promotion. That's beautiful. There are so many older persons who are icons and changed history and I hope we continue to know and learn more about them all and give them their props
@Shannon Lawson I don’t think he was a colorist. I just think he went with the status quo. Like most black folks in that time. Black folks then thought. The closer to whiteness the better.
Yes, much respect to Cab Calloway. I'm with you Cori Nicole. After researching him, he became my favorite bandleader too. LOL! Thank you for your comment.
Sad to say the woman he married was "washed out" looking. She was not pretty. Being light skinned and close to white doesn't guarantee beauty. Just like being dark skinned doesn't guarantee being ugly. Both come in ugly and pretty. Skin tone is just that. A SKIN TONE! What the Temptations sang, "Beauty is only skin deep. Yeah, yeah yeah. Beauty is only skin deep. Oh yeah!"
High respect to Mr. Calloway. Regardless of who he married, I respect his business practice. Sad separation by color shade remains in the black community. It’s the 21st century. I think it’s worst. Out of all the races, we are a beautiful rainbow. Truly unique. Even within families. Thank you for this interesting video. New fact for me😇
Hi Jacky3fun! I respect what Cab Calloway did as well. Thank you for the compliment on the video. I love sharing these stories with people who are new to the information!
I can’t say we’re the worst cause colorism exist everywhere. Even in Asia with East Asians vs Southeast Asians. Even with Hispanics dark vs light Dominicans. So I won’t just let black folks wear the colorism troupe.
@@theycallmedopeness I’m only speaking from experience from my lifetime from the 60s to present time. I’m not familiar with other ethnic groups during the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s. But, I’m quite experienced from living, working, attending college, etc. I will not and can not speak about other ethnic groups.
Hi Ti! Thank you for this video. Even if Mr.Calloway married a black woman who could have passed for white, I appreciate the fact that he stood up for his darker skinned dancers. I feel that more musicians, and performers should have done the same thing that he did. All shades of blackness equal beauty.
Amen. Brother Cab got into what is known as "Good Trouble." He did what Black people should still be doing. Give the man credit for doing what Jesus would prefer.
If her Father was white, then she was white, Our Father The Most High Words that are in the book, that we call the Bible. He say that the Lineage follows the ( SEED OF THE father) not my words, your words, or anyone elses words, but his words, haven't anyone read about this in the Bible, or do they know the Whole Volume of the book.?
🤣🤣🤣 BM love them old strong face WW even back in the day well despite his preference when it came to his wife he still fought for the dark-skinned women much respect ❤❤❤
I respect Cab Calloway's move. I'm with you. It's great to see dark skinned women getting a chance to be promoted. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Thank you so much for commenting, Jessica Jackson!
@@rackcity5981 Here we go... y'all gotta stop that. She would be considered dark-skinned back then because she can't pass for white.. That was the standard... She would never be mistaken for light-skinned. All of these new gradations (i.e. brown-skinned, caramel, mocha, peanut butter, etc) people are making today is because nobody wanted to be associated with the "dark-skinned" label.
It doesn't matter how white his wife was, Cab Calloway was heroic to stand up for brown skinned sistahs, love him for that. My Dad was also a jazz great who knew both men, According to Dad, Cab Calloway was a much nicer person than Mr. Ellington. Duke's son Mercer wasn't too fond of his Dad either.
I always thought that Cab Calloway was underrated. Ken Burns did a 10 part documentary about Jazz about 20 years ago and I couldn't understand why Cab Calloway wasn't one of the featured artists like so many others were. This video has shed some new light on both artists and I appreciate what Cab Calloway did for those talented and beautiful women.
Hi Jaqueline Lowery! I agree that Cab Calloway is underrated. I saw some of that jazz documentary, but I didn't see all of it. I'd love to watch it now if I could find it. I'm with you though. I don't know how the history of jazz can be discussed without mentioning Cab.
@@TisHotMessHistory one of the best jazz documentaries I've ever seen was on PBS Great Performances called 'Harlem in Montmartre'. It aired back in 2009 and I haven't seen it anywhere since. I'm sure I could probably special order and purchase it but..... Anyway, it's a must see!
Its so sad and disgusting what black people have had to go through and are still going through. Abolishing slavery didn't suddenly end horrible practices, stereotypes and exclusion. The progression of blacks in entertainment has been slow and sometimes humiliating & complicated. Duke had to comply initially to get a black band in the door. Cab took that baton and said you are not going to just enjoy our talented musicians but love all our black beauties because they are talented too. Just like we can't hate Jesse Owens or Hattie McDowell because they were not Muhammed Ali or Viola Davis, progression. Black people were so terrorized in our American culture, there was and is a progression to reclaim our dignity and beauty. I respect Duke's genius but I love Cab Calloway though. Thanks sister
Black is beautiful. And this statement is coming from a white boy. Cab's girls might have been milk chocolate compared to the tan girls previously employed, but I would have gone absolutely ga ga if there had been some real dark chocolate girls. The one performer I adore the most was Laverne Baker. She was dark, lovely, and absolutely beautiful.
The movie lightly spoke on it. It was called passing the paper bag anything darker was prohibited...real sad because black is black to me just different shades✌
Could you imagine though if there was just a few darker skinned black males who "only" higher women that shared their complexion. Then maybe this all wouldn't continue to be an issue. And if you ask lighter skinned people, in private they rarely refer to themselves as "black" unless they can benefit financially or otherwise from it. It's brown & darker skinned "black" people who put this odd demand on them. They're (obvious black people) the group who seem to have no pride or exclusivity to their complexion & "group".
@@rasta487 I think idris alba is a very handsome man. I mean, love who you love just don't become an ass about it. I love all kinds of men, beauty looks good to be.
*It’s great that Cab Calloway spoke up about colorism at The Cotton Club but it’s sad that it not only existed but persists even today. How many non-white women, including celebrities and some men, are continuing to lighten their skin?! And how many black people are openly unapologetic about preferring non black mates?!*
Isn't it sad though? It's crazy how even though we're all suffering in the same boat we still end up dogging our own kind simply because of the shades of black we ended up with. Why are we so messed up in the head when it comes to defending our own race?
Kudos to Cab Callaway. Light skinned and mixed race men have always liked dark skinned women. This is what I noticed from my experience. And I am a woman from West Africa Ghana and live in Canada. Im chocolate milk brown and light skinned men would always compliment my complexion. I love being dark. I look younger than my age. Sadly it's dark skinned men who project insecurities onto Women. Colourism evolved from colonialism and slavery. Black skin tones are so diverse and beautiful. From the lightest beige to the darkest skin velvet jet black skin.
It's True Indeed,Unfortunately. These Dark-Skinned Male Entertainers Such As Kodak Black And Others Promote Light-Skinned,Biracial And Non-Black Women As Standards Of Beauty Over Black Women Of Their Own Complexion Dark-Skinned. SELF-HATE It's TOXIC,PATHETIC AND SAD!!! 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨😠😡🤬😑😑😑😑
Can Calloway was super influential but it’s also important to note that he “borrowed” a LOT of his performance style and stage presence from his older sister Blanche Calloway who was ALSO a bandleader (the first female bandleader for an all male band) but even though she originated their signature style, history has pretty much forgotten her.
A fascinating video. The horrendous racism of that period makes me seethe with anger and I'm a white 60 year old man! That vileness persists in our society to this day- although it's more subtle in the main it's roots are still deep and extend to every part of society and daily life. Fighting for the girls was indeed noble but the name "Chocolate Bunnies" throws up a whole load of other problems and trouble for us in the 21st century. That name is LOADED, TOTALLY TOXIC! Keep producing this education informative and entertaining content. THIS is what the internet is for! Lots of love from Glasgow Scotland.
Hi Moutton Noir! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Unfortunately, racism will always exist. You are right about the Chocolate Bunnies name. It would not be tolerated in today's climate. I will definitely keep these video coming. If THIS is what the internet is for in your opinion, I take that as the best kind of compliment I can get. Sending you love from Texas!
@@jacquelinelowery5589 Racists said Black people had babies like rabbits. So calling a Black woman a Bunny was eluding to the hyper sexualization trope that still persists today about us.
@@LivingEmpoweredToday Do you know that from texts from the time or are you guessing? The Playboy Club called its mostly white girls bunnies too. Maybe its more the association with cuteness that was implied?
You have to respect cab calloway for fighting against that cast system, just because you say your free it doesn't mean you really are. Cab was not only ahead of his time with his stage act but also ahead of his time with his views, check him out in st louis blues.
Not only that he had to have been respected by mgmt and the owners who most of the time were mobsters and could have made it hard for him to play anywhere or st all. Seeing him in a whole new light
When it comes to colourist it matters less about men and their preferences, it matters that he created jobs for these women. It’s the opportunities that matter not getting guys.
This was a well known practice deep in the black community. From social clubs to certain jobs especially the ones where you will be in the public. So sad.
Little is it discussed that it was also a policy with HBCUs. If you didn't pass the paper bag test they wouldn't admit you to go to college which is why, if you've ever wondered, alot of 'first' judges, politicians, nurses, and educators were lighter skinned.
@@C-Note-to6vk That’s not what the person said. Read the history of how and why HBCU’S were found. Many of the institutions were created specifically for the offspring of rich white planters, in other words mixed raced people and not blacks people.
@@TisHotMessHistory I would LOVE to know the experiences of these young females who worked at these types of clubs. A full documentary would be awesome!
Good for Cab Calloway. I feel he's very underrated. He was the first rock star! He was performing from the 1920s to the 1990s. Ike Turner, who wrote the first rock n roll song "Rocket 88," also helped integrate clubs in St. Louis. He had the hottest local band in the 1950s. He refused to perform if the clubs were segregated. Ike played piano on B.B. King's early records. B.B. King said Ike was the best bandleader he ever saw!
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle I hope that people forget that part because it's not all together true. One of the photos in my video is two black male patrons with The Cotton Club Dancers. Jesse Owens & Bill Robinson. They were allowed to be guests at The Cotton Club because they were wealthy.
im not sure which is better: the entertainment/gossip or you providing your BEST black history moment.....I LOVE THEM BOTH. thank you so very much for your effort, energy and doing your homework
WOW! This is an amazing compliment and I thank you SO MUCH, CHANNEL4CHANGE! I'm so thankful to know that you enjoy my content and appreciate the work that it takes for me to create it.
Knowin' damn well that dark skin-ded sistas are the world's best dancers. The late great Don Cornelius taught us that. "I SAID THE BLACKER THE BERRY THE SWEETER THE JUICE.." -2Pac
@@briannaburch6737 His name is on the death certificate, but you can list anyone's name it so that doesn't make it factual. It's very random though. I read his family was open for her decedents to provide proof, but I don't know the update on that.
My father told me years ago that Cab Calloway performed in Columbia, SC ONCE. He said that when Cab started doing his thing, all of those white men's wives started screaming & crying. The men became so upset that their wives were freaking out over a black man, that they banned him from coming back to Columbia FOREVER!!!!
My grandmother, who was born in the early 1900s, said that Cab Calloway's career would have been even bigger had he agreed to "pass" for a Spaniard. Hollywood wanted him to pretend that he was not black, but he did not do that. He never hid the fact that he was black.
jasmine hill:. This was terrible. The whole thing was biased from the start. All this person cares about is coloration. She did not do the history any justice.
Yes, he is a hero for speaking up, and at the same time, he was doing what he should have done. Let me also add that all of our black women from the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's, from 'black' to white' skin tone, were all so beautiful & elegant, you can't beat them. As the saying goes: "They don't make them like that anymore.
I agree with you. As I see it, he did what he should have done, but because no one else was doing it, his actions came across as heroic. Thank you for commenting, DEVAUGHN JOHNSON!
I frankly don't care who Cab Calloway decided to marry. He stood up for his chocolate bunnies he also procreated with a few chocolate bunnies to make his children. All in all, I say it's a win for black people.
That.... still makes me sad that the bar is that low and we praise the bare minimum. The older generations of black women want us to have their low self esteem 😌 no
Kudos to our light-skinned brother who supported our dark-skinned siblings. I'm right there with you Mr. Cab Calloway, and I will be so as long as I live. RIP. You deserve it.❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much, Ms. Bee! I agree with you. Cab was taking a big chance in speaking up, but he knew that they couldn't stand the thought of losing any more money. He knew that he would win.
I feel the same way. Don't ever dis dark skinned people! Without them we wouldn't be here! Period. And, if you r light skinned you HAVE a dark skinned ancestor(s). Recognize.
He was absolutely gorgeous and had leading man good looks more than Clark Gable or Errol Flynn. I bet his mom was dark skinned and that's why he would not allow colorism in his shows. My grandmother was very dark but my grandfather was very light. Their kids ranged in color from dark to passable. I wonder if his mom was dark skinned. DNA is amazing.
Mr. Duke’s personality was not to have a stance for anything, not even his music (from what I read about him). His band members disregarded his words of corrections often. The Duke just did not like confrontational situations, there will always be people like this. That’s why we have the Cab Calloway type of people to balance out and bring harmony were others are not able to do it. To the commentator, Thank You for sharing this piece of history.👏🏾😊💐✨
Cab was a great man. I was so happy to see Viola Davis rise in Hollywood.. It is high time we destroyed this colorism. Marcus Garvey spoke of it back in the twenties.
That would be great. The irony is that Cab wasn't fully black, but he still had the presence of mind to stand up for his dancers. Thank you for commenting, Chene MC.
@@tom11zz884 my channel is growing very quickly. But thank you to the person who cautions me to be respectful while calling me a prick. I will continue to do what I want to do.
@@TisHotMessHistory lmaoooooo struggle channel. I'm 💀💀💀💀. Btw I don't known your channel gor in my notifications. But i watched and subscribed. Going to watch the Duke Ellington video now.
I think that's what the majority of us who have seen the movie thought of . Except a lot of the times it sounded like the narrator was pronouncing it as Codden Club ..
Always my deepest respect for Cab Calloway. Years ago, my late husband and I attended our son's moving up ceremony from 8th grade to High School. When he walked across the stage to recieve his diploma, he danced and glided across the stage. We knew that he admired Cab Calloway ...Listening to his music, watching his peformances from earlier film footage.
I respected him for standing up what was right dark skin lady's making more then light skin while they was in apollo and dark. Was at the cotton club show you. How great it is when you speak up and stand your ground
he was a hero for doing what he did. He stood on what his word and as the Great Ancestor Malcolm X said, " if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." I JUST SUBSCRIBED
Hi joe pizack. I agree that his actions were heroic. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I get these old school videos out every week and I live stream here and there. I try to post everything that's going to happen with this channel on my Community Tab. And now, if you want, you can also get text notifications by letting me know that you want them. Text 786-632-2135 to get a notification a few minutes before I release a video or live stream. I hope that you continue to enjoy it here!
Hi Ti… new subbie here. I just feel Cab was doing the right thing and pointing out an obvious wrong. I still find it commendable given the times and how some might have felt like that if it didn’t apply/affect them personally, it wasn’t their problem. Thanks for the video!
Hi mahogany921! I agree with you that Cab was doing what was right. Thank YOU for watching the video! Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I get these old school videos out every week and I live stream here and there. I try to post everything that's going to happen with this channel on my Community Tab. And now, if you want, you can also get text notifications by letting me know that you want them. Text 786-632-2135 to get a notification a few minutes before I release a video or live stream. I hope that you continue to enjoy it here!
I give him respect for speaking out and allowing us to be dancing and playing at the Cotton Club and I remember even at the Cotton club they wouldn’t allow anyone who was a darker shade to sing I appreciate that 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I just understand that what Cab said was truth. My Mom danced at the Cotton Club with Duke Ellingtons Band. My Mom passed the paper bag test. I loved my Mom but I wasnt proud of that
Be proud of your mom for being part of history, not ashamed of your mom for being a certain acceptable shade. That's just sad. I am proud of both of my sons. One is as light as me, one dark as his father. I do not play favorites. What is this weird American mentality? We are Canadian
Never said was I ashamed of my Mother OR not proud of her. I said I wasnt proud of the fact that my Mom got that job because of the Cotton clubs racist policies. Duke Ellington and the whole crew, band and dancers could go that club to dance, have dinner or order a drink. This was in the 30's
@@traylong if you weren't raised in the US then you have no idea. Just leave it at that and stop scolding people in your comments for the oppression they've been affected by. Besides Canadians are mainly of French ancestry and had different views on race mixing than the puritans that settled here. That's why a lot of Canadian Blacks are oftentimes biracial
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle Canadians are mainly of French descent, hardly. We are a multi cultural society. There are all shades of colors in our country and it's beautiful, not demonized like the backwards USA. Yes there is obviously a history of racism here, our 10 dollar bill commemorates Viola Desmond a black woman who stood up to racist policies in the 1940s.
He was just doing what was right. How many black men in the entertainment world are doing that today. But I’m giving him the side eye on his choice of who he married. It’s like I’ll give you a job but can’t marry you. Hmmm go figure.
BM in the entertainment would do it now just to pander to BW it wouldn't be sincere/they really cared fr they just don't want to lose money and their biggest fan base which is BW
I've always admired and liked Cab Calloway since I was a kid, and now I've found reason to like him even more. A problem we still face today is that too many high profile black people are a part of the "go along to get along" crowd that never questions or challenges anything surrounding them that negatively affects other black people.
Cab Calloway was really something special. Unfortunately, there are always going to be some people who go along to get along. Thank you for commenting, Nelson Smith.
Nelson Smith:. You are perfect example of the "go along to get along" crowd. I bet you believe everything you see on youtube that fits the narrative that you want to believe. Duke Ellington is not the person this youtuber made him out to be. Do some research of Duke and you will see what I am talking about.
@@beaujac311 If you look at my comment again, you'll see that I don't mention Duke Ellington, but rather what Cab Calloway did. The statement holds true even if you take Ellington out of the equation. We need more men to stand up like Calloway did. Period.
@@NelsonStJames But your comment implied that Duke Ellington was the "go along to get along" crowd. Duke was no such cat. Duke Ellington made the Cotton Club famous nationwide with his compositions and his bands. Duke was a nobody when his manager got him the gig at the Cotton Club, so he had no power to change the status quo. You do know that the Cotton Club was owned by one of the most notorious mobsters (Owney Madden) in US history. You think that a 26 year old newcomer like Ellington can tell a mobster how to run his club? When Cab Calloway was offered the Cotton Club job after Duke had departed, he was already an established performer with a big following. In that position he could make demands of the ownership. If they turned him down he would just keep on with his successful act somewhere else. They wanted him badly. They needed a big name to follow behind Duke Ellington and Cab knew this. So Cab was in a much better situation to negotiate when he was offered the Cotton Club than was Ellington.
Yep! Cab is Ja’Net’s father! That’s why he kept her close by taking her on tour as a dancer at the beginning of her career so they would know each other.
I've been into Cab since I was 18 and I found him on my own because I was a huge Betty Boop fan. I'd never heard anyone with his type of cadence and inflection before and still never have. His moves are so creepy and crazy amazing!
It doesn't matter who he married, he kept girlfriends on the side. Even Chan Parker mentioned that by the time she and Bird were dating, Cab had a Spanish girl in Harlem. He got around lol
Wasn't gangsters in control of that club why would I want my daughter to work in a place like that, he didn't do them no favor, he was a sell out also.
Cab Calloway is cold wit those dance moves!! I get a pre- Prince Vibe from Mr Cab. He loved beautifully women & his pretty Hair. Some of the Dancer were 16Yrs Old.. WOW..Where were the Parents in 30-40's?
No problem AT ALL. It is impossible to support every content creator you want to support all of the time. I wanted to talk to you about that after I saw your live stream about more subs and less views. Things are picking up for your channel and you're about to experience some changes because of your growth. And that's a GREAT thing. Congratulations to you again!
This made me smile so much. I got introduced to a lot of unbelievable black artists through Blues Brothers when I was little. Like Miss Aretha Franklin was everything to me growing up singing. I knew he (Cab) was big deal, but I had no idea he was basically the inspiration for James Brown, Prince, and Micheal Jackson. I can see it in his moves. I really love this channel I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. Vintage tea just hits different, and the woman who does it. Is doing such a good job. They are well done, researched and just nails the voice over and pictures and slideshow. Then sites her work! It feels like I’m back in school, and I wish this was a class I could take. Subscribing immediately! 🖤
I think too many people confuse likability with integrity and a good person, especially when they have talent. Ellington had severe faults for a long time. So did others.
I'm surprised that Cab Calloway was much more of a dancer than I thought he was. Now I know that James Brown and Jackie Wilson was not first with the "shuffle feets".
My great aunt was one of those dancers. When I was a kid, I saw the picture in my granny's house on the mantel in over the fireplace, and used to think to myself, those are some pretty ladies. Many years later, after my grannies and auntie had passed, I was talking to my older sister about the picture. I said, I remember all the tall pretty women in the picture, and she started laughing. She said, that was Aunt Lilly, she was a dancer at the Cotton Club. Also, in the picture was Cab Calloway.
Louis Armstrong always made a big deal about how unusual it was that the woman he married, Lucille, was a dark skinned dancer at the Cotton Club. He often let It be known, how beautiful he thought she was and how they should have had more girls who looked like her as dancers.
Thanks for keeping the old school Jazz alive with such history. I am47, brought up on Traditional Jazz. Cab had swag and moves. His charisma was forever flowing. I think he is on one of Janet Jacksons video. You can see what inspired her outfit for that video. Hats off to Cab. I love Duke. I guess sometimes business makes people do crazy things, priorities. Maybe his was cash. A bit disappointed by that fact about Duke. As for the presenter, keep doing your wonderful job. Long live Traditional Jazz.
Hi Moreflow Falls! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Yes, Cab had charisma for days! He was in Janet Jackson's Alright video, along with the Nicholas Brothers and Heavy D. Duke's actions didn't really surprise me. I think that everyone was just doing what they needed to do to make some money. It would have been nice if he had taken a stand, but no one really was at that time. Thank you for your compliment on my work.
I never knew until Lailah Lynn broke the story, Bernie S! If you haven't already seen her video, you should check it out. There's way more to it than his name being listed on her death certificate. Lailah did some great research! Thank you for the the compliment on MY video though. LOL! You know I will keep them coming.
Hi Mrs. Que! Cab Calloway certainly deserves a big shout out for his actions. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I get these old school videos out every week and I live stream here and there. I try to post everything that's going to happen with this channel on my Community Tab. And now, if you want, you can also get text notifications by letting me know that you want them. Text 786-632-2135 to get a notification a few minutes before I release a video or live stream. I hope that you continue to enjoy it here! BTW, we have a premiere for a new video today at 5:00 pm CST. Come join the live chat if you can. If you can't the video will be right here on the channel waiting for you!
I’m very glad somebody else is talking about this because I remember seeing this on Instagram as a post and I wanted to know more about his dark skin back up dancers but I had a hard time finding pictures of them. I wouldn’t mind making a video of my own on it
Having had a relative in show business, I can see the colorism that is in entertainment community. It is from our slavery days and it is not going away anytime soon. When you are black, get back; if you are brown, stick around; if you are light, you are alright; if you are white, you are the best. Calloway took a risk for his brown skinned girls. Most blacks would not have done it. Ellington was from Washington, DC, which also had color hierarchy through govt. work and educational circles. Calloway's private life aside, it is no surprise that he had a child out of wedlock and was probably slow to or did not acknowledge her. It is no different than today, except science makes it difficult to escape paternity.
I don't care what light color (we come in all browns) his wife was, he stood up for Black people, in this matter dark skin Black women. It's crazy that colorism still exist, focusing dislike of dark skin Black women so I appreciate his stand for US.
Great video. I saw old movies where all the dancers where Tall/Tan/and Terrific and did not know they did not allow darker skin dancers on stage. Cab really was an advocate for what is right.
As a young man my introduction to Cab Calloway was from The Blues Brothers. As I got older I fell in love with Cabs music. I never knew much of his personal history but I found this fascinating. I think, yes more men should have been doing this. That they weren't is what makes him a heroic character. A good man cares, a great man acts. (Or persons, it's just a quote dont come at me bro! Lol)
I can't take BM seriously...I don't even care if he stood up, his choice in wife spoke volumes...the conditioning to think that your oppressors are better and will always be better is sad and that shit is still going on today...maybe even worse...bp are in a total mess!!!
He doesn't owe you anything you're clearly salty. He ain't black and he picked black females to perform. You're concern should be why don't DSB do the same?????
@@soul2soul4 ...I would thumbs up if what you said was even remotely mindblowing, a piece to think and discuss...your argument is what?...that I'm salty?...he doesn't owe me anything?...🤣...always a field gnome to stay lost in the sauce!!!...good day sir!!!
Back then it was heroic. In no other place in America was that type of integration with finance going on with most of the country being about 40 years afterwards. The Duke was also a hero as he lead the way for Cab Calloway, general integration in clubs, eateries and hotels whereever his huge band went - sobeit, not with the hardcore intention that Cab did with his Chocolate Bunnies. Duke and Count Basie were considered the best big bands. Cab Calloway did put on more of a visual show. All of the guys mentioned here potentially could have had grand parents that were slaves and grand children who were of some age before regular integration would happen across America. So they were trailblazers and should be respected as such.
Not back then..They had to be light skinned or just WHITE...THAT'S BULL SHIT !!!!...The reason why Cab or was his light color did something with a dark skin woman was because of to prove there blackness...But never marriage !!!!
@@eddiesoul4890 I'm a product of a it. My greatgrandfather passed for white and my great grandmother was a chocolate bunny. He was a very prominent man. You only know what you were exposed to. My experience was different.
@@eddiesoul4890 it was more about classism vs colorism. In my family social status mattered. If you weren't educated they looked down on you. Most lighter skin blacks had access to education back then. That's why they married each other.
If you want to check out ALL of the Old School Gossip stories like this one on this channel, enjoy this playlist:
ruclips.net/p/PLJTOm-WxzySlEyGe8lKcPx_P5e2-k2wkx
I respect him for standing up for his employees. People of today rarely do that for their people.
The reason why Cab Calloway wanted the afro Aboriginal Indigenous Black BEAUTIFUL MOST ENDOWED Women on the stage, because they're the greatest dancers on Earth, can't learn anything from Caucasian Women because they're Ibots; no offense.
No other type of women on earth can sing and dance like a Black women, they are the root core Originators amongst women.
Don't hate appreciate.
Amazing history, very curious to learn more! You mentioned multiple sources for this information., which one discusses Cab fighting against the colorist code at the Cotton Club? Thank you!!
I remember meeting Duke Ellington back in 71 or 72. My cousin was a chef at this big hotel in NYC and ask me did I want to go to work with him one Sunday before church. My cousin was a deacon at the church me and my great-grandmother attended and lived in my great-grandmother brownstone. He took me to his job and show me around the hotel and then took me to the kitchen and cook me breakfast. After eating breakfast I got tired of sitting in the kitchen and started to wonder around this huge dining area that had one White couple sitting there when a tall figure appeared dressed really well and smoking a cigarette, I had no idea who he was but he gave me this stern look, the type you give a child when their into mischief, although I wasn't, just walking checking out the dining area, my cousin walks out if the kitchen seconds later and ask me why did I leave the kitchen then turns to the tall man and greets him before explaining that I was his little cousin and he had brought me in to show me what he does for a living, the man then smile at me and ask how was I doing and was I enjoying myself. I answered yes and he smiled tapping me on the shoulder. My cousin then asked what would he be having for breakfast and he told him and me and my cousin went back to the kitchen were he had me sit and whipered to me that I had just met Duke Ellington. At that age I didn't know who he was or of his importance but for years wonder why he had initially given me a look so stern, and now learning from this video he had a problem with other Black people complexions I wonder, perhaps even as a child he didn't believe I belong there. Possibly, or perhaps he may have been worried or concerned about other matters. Who know for sure but him, Really doesn't matter now, the days of cotton are over.
My grandmother (born 1905) told me that back in her day when newspaper ads ran for hired help for maids targeting African American women, the ads specified "must be light-skinned," or "only light-skinned apply." Also, my father (born 1920) told me that there was a saying back when he was growing up to "do the race a favor, marry a light-skinned person," which meant to procreate lighter-skinned blacks. As far as this video is concerned, the same can be said of black women who appear in music videos of R&B/rap/hip-hop artists today. Most are light-skinned. Even Prince never had darker-skinned black women featured in his videos unless they were on the record with him, but not as his dancers or his love interest. Times really have not changed, just the dates.
100% facts!! Prince and Michael Jackson both carried this into the video age of MTV and cemented it into our psyches for generations to come. They did a lot of damage to our self images that is still being carried out to this day
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle I absolutely agree.
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle Yes. Michael had Iman and Naomi Campbell as his love interest in two of his videos because they were famous. Prince had Angie Stone with him in a video because she was on the record with him. Prince also had Nona Gaye with him in a video but that, again, was due to the fact that she was famous, being Marvin Gaye's daughter.
@@rozchristopherson648 true...I forgot about those references with Michael, and even his original video girl featured intertest Ola Ray from Thriller was a sistah-sistah now that I recall.
I do agree with you that not much has changed. Not as far as promotion for dark skinned women. Thank you for your comment, Roz Christopherson.
Props to Cab for not backing down when he could've easily turned a blind eye to colorism. I'm sure it wasn't easy to do during those times but he did what was right.
I'm totally with you on that, Duhhhnack. And thank you for coming to the 40K pre-party!
@@TisHotMessHistory it was a pleasure much more success to you and your channel!
Let's not canonize the man just yet; remember his open condemnation of the likes of Miles Davis for the recreational activities.
@@jabbarinnewyork7778 When the preference of a potential employer negatively affects the a particular candidate, purely based on color, then it's no longer just preference; it's both racism and colorism.
@@63Baggiesspill it
He was very handsome and very talented it's wonderful that he helped persons who are darker than him to practice their craft and get their promotion. That's beautiful. There are so many older persons who are icons and changed history and I hope we continue to know and learn more about them all and give them their props
I'm with you 100% on all of this, Introvertsan. Cab was handsome and he did the right thing in helping his dancers.
It's so sad that the major skin tone of black women was left out.
The "darker the berry the sweeter the juice", never gets old to me, originality as it's finest!
Disappointed in Duke, but much respect to Cab. He's now my new fave bandleader!!
@Shannon Lawson I don’t think he was a colorist. I just think he went with the status quo. Like most black folks in that time. Black folks then thought. The closer to whiteness the better.
Yes, much respect to Cab Calloway. I'm with you Cori Nicole. After researching him, he became my favorite bandleader too. LOL! Thank you for your comment.
@@theycallmedopeness You just defined colorism. Whether or not it was the norm is not a part of the definition.
Sad to say the woman he married was "washed out" looking. She was not pretty. Being light skinned and close to white doesn't guarantee beauty. Just like being dark skinned doesn't guarantee being ugly. Both come in ugly and pretty. Skin tone is just that. A SKIN TONE!
What the Temptations sang, "Beauty is only skin deep. Yeah, yeah yeah. Beauty is only skin deep. Oh yeah!"
@@theycallmedopeness complicit in the practice of colorist
High respect to Mr. Calloway. Regardless of who he married, I respect his business practice. Sad separation by color shade remains in the black community. It’s the 21st century. I think it’s worst. Out of all the races, we are a beautiful rainbow. Truly unique. Even within families. Thank you for this interesting video. New fact for me😇
Well done. Solid research.
Hi Jacky3fun! I respect what Cab Calloway did as well. Thank you for the compliment on the video. I love sharing these stories with people who are new to the information!
@@cassandra2872 thank you so much!
I can’t say we’re the worst cause colorism exist everywhere. Even in Asia with East Asians vs Southeast Asians. Even with Hispanics dark vs light Dominicans. So I won’t just let black folks wear the colorism troupe.
@@theycallmedopeness I’m only speaking from experience from my lifetime from the 60s to present time. I’m not familiar with other ethnic groups during the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s. But, I’m quite experienced from living, working, attending college, etc. I will not and can not speak about other ethnic groups.
Hi Ti! Thank you for this video. Even if Mr.Calloway married a black woman who could have passed for white, I appreciate the fact that he stood up for his darker skinned dancers. I feel that more musicians, and performers should have done the same thing that he did. All shades of blackness equal beauty.
Amen. Brother Cab got into what is known as "Good Trouble." He did what Black people should still be doing. Give the man credit for doing what Jesus would prefer.
If her Father was white, then she was white, Our Father The Most High Words that are in the book, that we call the Bible. He say that the Lineage follows the ( SEED OF THE father) not my words, your words, or anyone elses words, but his words, haven't anyone read about this in the Bible, or do they know the Whole Volume of the book.?
Maybe darker skin women were his true preference but he married lite brite or white for the sake of his career, Like many others did.
Lena Horne married a white man. I don't see any females upset about that.
@@Lightningslick DOUBLE STANDARDS,I Don't See The Divesters Getting Upset/Angry About That!!! FACTS!!! 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯100000%!!! ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🖤🖤🖤🖤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you Cab for shutting down that colorism!
🤗👍🤗
Absolutely, Kimberly Jackson! He did the right thing.
🤣🤣🤣 BM love them old strong face WW even back in the day well despite his preference when it came to his wife he still fought for the dark-skinned women much respect ❤❤❤
🤣🤣🤣
Strong face 😂
They still love them Karen types✌
Be looking just as pale and basic as I don't know what....😒
#NoLiesTold
Especially actor Terry crews...eww💛
I love How Cab took a chance on us beautiful dark skin woman...i love seeing chocolate woman getting a chase such a great story sis
I respect Cab Calloway's move. I'm with you. It's great to see dark skinned women getting a chance to be promoted. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Thank you so much for commenting, Jessica Jackson!
@@TisHotMessHistory You're so welcome sis
You not really that dark. More on the light side, unless you filtered
@@rackcity5981 Lol definitely no filters lol but yes I'm dark skin
@@rackcity5981 Here we go... y'all gotta stop that. She would be considered dark-skinned back then because she can't pass for white.. That was the standard... She would never be mistaken for light-skinned. All of these new gradations (i.e. brown-skinned, caramel, mocha, peanut butter, etc) people are making today is because nobody wanted to be associated with the "dark-skinned" label.
It doesn't matter how white his wife was, Cab Calloway was heroic to stand up for brown skinned sistahs, love him for that. My Dad was also a jazz great who knew both men, According to Dad, Cab Calloway was a much nicer person than Mr. Ellington. Duke's son Mercer wasn't too fond of his Dad either.
That's beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Austria Giancarlo! I agree that Cab took the correct stance. Interesting info you have on Duke. Thank you for sharing!
No sympathy for Cab. He screwed the black-skinned dancers on the side while having married a Creole.
Damn, if your own son don't fuck with you know youre a horrible person lol
@@deborahflorence2332 Shut up.
I love the idea he spoke up for his chocolate bunnies.
So do I. Thank you for commenting, Torrie Brown.
2021 not very much has changed
Calling his dancers Chocolate bunnies was wrong from the jump.
@@63Baggies Why? So when Hugh Hefner had the playboy club it was OK. How many bunnies did he have? And he made them famous .Smh
@@torriebrown9607
This isn’t the ’50s and Playboy is out of print.
I always thought that Cab Calloway was underrated. Ken Burns did a 10 part documentary about Jazz about 20 years ago and I couldn't understand why Cab Calloway wasn't one of the featured artists like so many others were. This video has shed some new light on both artists and I appreciate what Cab Calloway did for those talented and beautiful women.
I totally agree! There should have been a segment about Cab Calloway!
I remember that documentary it aired on PBS stations it was virtually about Jazz the progenitor of all American music genres.
Hi Jaqueline Lowery! I agree that Cab Calloway is underrated. I saw some of that jazz documentary, but I didn't see all of it. I'd love to watch it now if I could find it. I'm with you though. I don't know how the history of jazz can be discussed without mentioning Cab.
@@Nocturnal11Guy right on!
@@TisHotMessHistory one of the best jazz documentaries I've ever seen was on PBS Great Performances called 'Harlem in Montmartre'. It aired back in 2009 and I haven't seen it anywhere since. I'm sure I could probably special order and purchase it but.....
Anyway, it's a must see!
Its so sad and disgusting what black people have had to go through and are still going through. Abolishing slavery didn't suddenly end horrible practices, stereotypes and exclusion. The progression of blacks in entertainment has been slow and sometimes humiliating & complicated. Duke had to comply initially to get a black band in the door. Cab took that baton and said you are not going to just enjoy our talented musicians but love all our black beauties because they are talented too. Just like we can't hate Jesse Owens or Hattie McDowell because they were not Muhammed Ali or Viola Davis, progression. Black people were so terrorized in our American culture, there was and is a progression to reclaim our dignity and beauty. I respect Duke's genius but I love Cab Calloway though. Thanks sister
Hi Thankful! You are right, there has been a progression for blacks in entertainment and it has been VERY slow. Thank YOU for watching.
That's true and I wished that they could've had a Jack Johnson kind of spirit and fire, because he was the truth in his day...look him up.
There would never been a James Brown/Michael Jackson..maybe 🤔 Prince.
Very well-said!
DONT FORGET WHO SOLD YOU WOMEN INTO THIS!
He did the right thing Cab Callaway was a stand up guy in many shapes an forms rest in paradise brother.
I agree. He did the right thing. Thank you for commenting, RHYME SYNDICATE.
Black is beautiful. And this statement is coming from a white boy. Cab's girls might have been milk chocolate compared to the tan girls previously employed, but I would have gone absolutely ga ga if there had been some real dark chocolate girls. The one performer I adore the most was Laverne Baker. She was dark, lovely, and absolutely beautiful.
Thank you 😊!
You the man white boy, you the man 😅😉😃.
Thank you 🙏🏿
You have impeccable taste! God bless you
The positivity is definitely appreciated ☺️
The movie lightly spoke on it. It was called passing the paper bag anything darker was prohibited...real sad because black is black to me just different shades✌
Could you imagine though if there was just a few darker skinned black males who "only" higher women that shared their complexion. Then maybe this all wouldn't continue to be an issue. And if you ask lighter skinned people, in private they rarely refer to themselves as "black" unless they can benefit financially or otherwise from it. It's brown & darker skinned "black" people who put this odd demand on them. They're (obvious black people)
the group who seem to have no pride or exclusivity to their complexion & "group".
@@rasta487 I think idris alba is a very handsome man. I mean, love who you love just don't become an ass about it. I love all kinds of men, beauty looks good to be.
We are not the same
*It’s great that Cab Calloway spoke up about colorism at The Cotton Club but it’s sad that it not only existed but persists even today. How many non-white women, including celebrities and some men, are continuing to lighten their skin?! And how many black people are openly unapologetic about preferring non black mates?!*
Isn't it sad though? It's crazy how even though we're all suffering in the same boat we still end up dogging our own kind simply because of the shades of black we ended up with. Why are we so messed up in the head when it comes to defending our own race?
He didnt!
@@sissysovereign1294 BM ARE OBSESSED WITH WP!....Even We see it! ......
Kudos to Cab Callaway. Light skinned and mixed race men have always liked dark skinned women. This is what I noticed from my experience. And I am a woman from West Africa Ghana and live in Canada. Im chocolate milk brown and light skinned men would always compliment my complexion. I love being dark. I look younger than my age.
Sadly it's dark skinned men who project insecurities onto Women. Colourism evolved from colonialism and slavery. Black skin tones are so diverse and beautiful. From the lightest beige to the darkest skin velvet jet black skin.
Truth Indeed
It's True Indeed,Unfortunately. These Dark-Skinned Male Entertainers Such As Kodak Black And Others Promote Light-Skinned,Biracial And Non-Black Women As Standards Of Beauty Over Black Women Of Their Own Complexion Dark-Skinned. SELF-HATE It's TOXIC,PATHETIC AND SAD!!! 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨😠😡🤬😑😑😑😑
He didn’t marry one.
Can Calloway was super influential but it’s also important to note that he “borrowed” a LOT of his performance style and stage presence from his older sister Blanche Calloway who was ALSO a bandleader (the first female bandleader for an all male band) but even though she originated their signature style, history has pretty much forgotten her.
Ok and? He's still great and so was she. Bringing that up for what. Trying to diminish his talent and history?
Good to know. Not to diminish but the widen the scope. Everybody is influenced by something or somebody.
@@finderkeeperrrs why are you offended. I'm sure many did not know that historical and important piece of information, myself included.
@@michaeltnewyorknights8413 that was a year ago, don't even care anymore.
A fascinating video. The horrendous racism of that period makes me seethe with anger and I'm a white 60 year old man! That vileness persists in our society to this day- although it's more subtle in the main it's roots are still deep and extend to every part of society and daily life. Fighting for the girls was indeed noble but the name "Chocolate Bunnies" throws up a whole load of other problems and trouble for us in the 21st century. That name is LOADED, TOTALLY TOXIC! Keep producing this education informative and entertaining content. THIS is what the internet is for! Lots of love from Glasgow Scotland.
Hi Moutton Noir! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Unfortunately, racism will always exist. You are right about the Chocolate Bunnies name. It would not be tolerated in today's climate. I will definitely keep these video coming. If THIS is what the internet is for in your opinion, I take that as the best kind of compliment I can get. Sending you love from Texas!
@ Moutton Noir, I kinda like the name chocolate bunnies it sounds exciting. May i ask why it may be toxic?
@@jacquelinelowery5589 I like the name 🍫chocolate bunnies too! Lol
@@jacquelinelowery5589 Racists said Black people had babies like rabbits. So calling a Black woman a Bunny was eluding to the hyper sexualization trope that still persists today about us.
@@LivingEmpoweredToday Do you know that from texts from the time or are you guessing? The Playboy Club called its mostly white girls bunnies too. Maybe its more the association with cuteness that was implied?
You have to respect cab calloway for fighting against that cast system, just because you say your free it doesn't mean you really are. Cab was not only ahead of his time with his stage act but also ahead of his time with his views, check him out in st louis blues.
Not only that he had to have been respected by mgmt and the owners who most of the time were mobsters and could have made it hard for him to play anywhere or st all. Seeing him in a whole new light
Cab definitely did what was right. Thank you for commenting, black knight.
When it comes to colourist it matters less about men and their preferences, it matters that he created jobs for these women. It’s the opportunities that matter not getting guys.
🗣🗣👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽blocking people from a life changing opportunities from looks alone is horrible
Absolutely. Cab did the right thing. Thank you for your comment, Pretty Little Liars FOREVER.
@@sunfire5790 absolutely!
@@sunfire5790 ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼🤴🏿🤴🏾🖤🖤🖤🖤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾Cab Calloway Was Most Definitely NOT A SELLOUT He STOOD UP For The Chocolate Queens!!!
It does matter if you want to get married, create a family and have a legacy. It's more than just getting guys, if you want a family.
This was a well known practice deep in the black community. From social clubs to certain jobs especially the ones where you will be in the public. So sad.
Hi Beauty Luv! Yes, it was (and still is to some degree) a very widespread, shameful practice. Thank you so much for commenting.
Little is it discussed that it was also a policy with HBCUs. If you didn't pass the paper bag test they wouldn't admit you to go to college which is why, if you've ever wondered, alot of 'first' judges, politicians, nurses, and educators were lighter skinned.
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle so you are saying no dark skinned people went to HBCUs? Thats not true.
@@C-Note-to6vk That's not what was said. They simply referenced the origins of the institution
@@C-Note-to6vk That’s not what the person said. Read the history of how and why HBCU’S were found. Many of the institutions were created specifically for the offspring of rich white planters, in other words mixed raced people and not blacks people.
Respect to Cab Calloway for standing up for his Chocolate Bunnies! Love it!!
Absolutely! He did the right thing. Thank you for commenting, Danyelle Terry!
Such a lovely voice and exquisitely-produced, historically-interesting videos.
Thank you for the beautiful compliment, Gregory Ambres!
@@TisHotMessHistory I would LOVE to know the experiences of these young females who worked at these types of clubs. A full documentary would be awesome!
Thanks for letting us dark and beautiful sisters roll Cab!!!
👏👍👏
Yes. A big salute to Cab Calloway! Thank you for commenting, S Troop.
Good for Cab Calloway. I feel he's very underrated. He was the first rock star! He was performing from the 1920s to the 1990s. Ike Turner, who wrote the first rock n roll song "Rocket 88," also helped integrate clubs in St. Louis. He had the hottest local band in the 1950s. He refused to perform if the clubs were segregated. Ike played piano on B.B. King's early records. B.B. King said Ike was the best bandleader he ever saw!
The Cotton Club, was segregated.
@@Imissyoulou true...unfortunately we're forgetting that part
@@Imissyoulou The Cotton Club was segregated by class. Black people could be patrons if they were wealthy.
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle I hope that people forget that part because it's not all together true. One of the photos in my video is two black male patrons with The Cotton Club Dancers. Jesse Owens & Bill Robinson. They were allowed to be guests at The Cotton Club because they were wealthy.
im not sure which is better: the entertainment/gossip or you providing your BEST black history moment.....I LOVE THEM BOTH. thank you so very much for your effort, energy and doing your homework
WOW! This is an amazing compliment and I thank you SO MUCH, CHANNEL4CHANGE! I'm so thankful to know that you enjoy my content and appreciate the work that it takes for me to create it.
Knowin' damn well that dark skin-ded sistas are the world's best dancers. The late great Don Cornelius taught us that. "I SAID THE BLACKER THE BERRY THE SWEETER THE JUICE.." -2Pac
Hero regardless of who he married. I would love to have someone like that stick up for me.
A lot of people would love to have someone take a stand for them the way that Cab Calloway did. Thank you for commenting, Clarity 29.
I always loved his music and now knowing he jumped through hoops so dark skinned black women could be represented. What a legend
Please never change music so smoothing while watching ur videos
Mysterious, sneaky and sexy music all at the same time
I have no plans on changing it. Kesh 33. It seems to fit every mood perfectly.
That's pretty cool he had Willona as his daughter. Plus, chocolate is beautiful. Not to mention chocolate 🍫😋
We don't know if that's really true?
@@TitanicTubi Well his name was on her birth certificate so that’s pretty much as clear As it’s going to get that he was her father
@@briannaburch6737 it's the death certificate not birth certificate his name is on.
@@TitanicTubi Yes my bad His name was on her death certificate you’re right
@@briannaburch6737 His name is on the death certificate, but you can list anyone's name it so that doesn't make it factual. It's very random though. I read his family was open for her decedents to provide proof, but I don't know the update on that.
My father told me years ago that Cab Calloway performed in Columbia, SC ONCE. He said that when Cab started doing his thing, all of those white men's wives started screaming & crying.
The men became so upset that their wives were freaking out over a black man, that they banned him from coming back to Columbia FOREVER!!!!
💀💀💀
LOL😂😂😂
My grandmother, who was born in the early 1900s, said that Cab Calloway's career would have been even bigger had he agreed to "pass" for a Spaniard. Hollywood wanted him to pretend that he was not black, but he did not do that. He never hid the fact that he was black.
This was a good history lesson! Some of these comments make it so clear that brown/darker brown women don't get validation at all!!
Hi jasmine hill! Thank you so much for the compliment! You are so correct about your observation of the comments.
jasmine hill:. This was terrible. The whole thing was biased from the start. All this person cares about is coloration. She did not do the history any justice.
Yes, he is a hero for speaking up, and at the same time, he was doing what he should have done. Let me also add that all of our black women from the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's, from 'black' to white' skin tone, were all so beautiful & elegant, you can't beat them. As the saying goes: "They don't make them like that anymore.
I agree with you. As I see it, he did what he should have done, but because no one else was doing it, his actions came across as heroic. Thank you for commenting, DEVAUGHN JOHNSON!
@@TisHotMessHistory You are very welcome Ti.
I frankly don't care who Cab Calloway decided to marry. He stood up for his chocolate bunnies he also procreated with a few chocolate bunnies to make his children. All in all, I say it's a win for black people.
That.... still makes me sad that the bar is that low and we praise the bare minimum. The older generations of black women want us to have their low self esteem 😌 no
He did the right thing, but doing the right thing is hard for most.
Very true. Thank you for commenting, Leslie G.!
This was an awesome video as usual... I think speaking up at that time was BIG AND HE KNEW THEY WOULD LOSE MONEY.
Kudos to our light-skinned brother who supported our dark-skinned siblings. I'm right there with you Mr. Cab Calloway, and I will be so as long as I live. RIP. You deserve it.❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much, Ms. Bee! I agree with you. Cab was taking a big chance in speaking up, but he knew that they couldn't stand the thought of losing any more money. He knew that he would win.
I feel the same way. Don't ever dis dark skinned people! Without them we wouldn't be here! Period. And, if you r light skinned you HAVE a dark skinned ancestor(s). Recognize.
He was absolutely gorgeous and had leading man good looks more than Clark Gable or Errol Flynn.
I bet his mom was dark skinned and that's why he would not allow colorism in his shows. My grandmother was very dark but my grandfather was very light. Their kids ranged in color from dark to passable. I wonder if his mom was dark skinned. DNA is amazing.
Hi BJ! Cab Calloway's mother looks like a white woman. Yes, Cab was definitely a nice looking man. Thank you for commenting!
Much respect Mr.Calloway ,,,,RIP 🌺🌷🌺🌷🌺
Indeed onlyalisa W.
Cab was just one of the koolest figures of the 20th Century, PERIOD.
He was a really decent Human Being.
Mr. Duke’s personality was not to have a stance for anything, not even his music (from what I read about him). His band members disregarded his words of corrections often. The Duke just did not like confrontational situations, there will always be people like this. That’s why we have the Cab Calloway type of people to balance out and bring harmony were others are not able to do it. To the commentator, Thank You for sharing this piece of history.👏🏾😊💐✨
Thx Cab for taking up for chocolate women.
Yes. He definitely did the right thing. Thank you for commenting, Soulful Inspiration.
Cab was a great man. I was so happy to see Viola Davis rise in Hollywood.. It is high time we destroyed this colorism. Marcus Garvey spoke of it back in the twenties.
I wish more black men were like this 💛
That would be great. The irony is that Cab wasn't fully black, but he still had the presence of mind to stand up for his dancers. Thank you for commenting, Chene MC.
@@TisHotMessHistory 💛💛💛 You're welcome. Great video 💜💜💜
@@americasmaker take yourself to your struggle channel. We don't care about your opinion.
@@tom11zz884 my channel is growing very quickly. But thank you to the person who cautions me to be respectful while calling me a prick. I will continue to do what I want to do.
@@TisHotMessHistory lmaoooooo struggle channel. I'm 💀💀💀💀. Btw I don't known your channel gor in my notifications. But i watched and subscribed. Going to watch the Duke Ellington video now.
Cab stuck his neck out for those girls. Much respect
Hi Sheba Castro! I agree. Thank you for commenting.
And yes, Cab was very heroic for standing up and speaking up. Back then it was not easy to do but worth it.
I agree with you. Speaking up back then was probably not an easy thing to do.
This was my cousin. I am a Calloway by my father
How cool!
Very COOL,He Was A Black Entertainment REVOLUTIONARY ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼🖤🖤🖤🖤🔥🔥🔥🔥
I was just thinking about the 1984 Francis Ford Coppola movie "The Cotton Club". Has anyone ever seen it?
I definitely thought about this movie
I've watched the movie too back in 1984
I think that's what the majority of us who have seen the movie thought of .
Except a lot of the times it sounded like the narrator was pronouncing it as Codden Club ..
Always my deepest respect for Cab Calloway. Years ago, my late husband and I attended our son's moving up ceremony from 8th grade to High School. When he walked across the stage to recieve his diploma, he danced and glided across the stage. We knew that he admired Cab Calloway ...Listening to his music, watching his peformances from earlier film footage.
I respected him for standing up what was right dark skin lady's making more then light skin while they was in apollo and dark. Was at the cotton club show you. How great it is when you speak up and stand your ground
I'm with you. I respect him for standing up too. Thank you for commenting, Falana Jerido!
he was a hero for doing what he did. He stood on what his word and as the Great Ancestor Malcolm X said, " if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." I JUST SUBSCRIBED
Hi joe pizack. I agree that his actions were heroic. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I get these old school videos out every week and I live stream here and there. I try to post everything that's going to happen with this channel on my Community Tab. And now, if you want, you can also get text notifications by letting me know that you want them. Text 786-632-2135 to get a notification a few minutes before I release a video or live stream. I hope that you continue to enjoy it here!
Hi Ti… new subbie here. I just feel Cab was doing the right thing and pointing out an obvious wrong. I still find it commendable given the times and how some might have felt like that if it didn’t apply/affect them personally, it wasn’t their problem. Thanks for the video!
Hi mahogany921! I agree with you that Cab was doing what was right. Thank YOU for watching the video! Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I get these old school videos out every week and I live stream here and there. I try to post everything that's going to happen with this channel on my Community Tab. And now, if you want, you can also get text notifications by letting me know that you want them. Text 786-632-2135 to get a notification a few minutes before I release a video or live stream. I hope that you continue to enjoy it here!
I give him respect for speaking out and allowing us to be dancing and playing at the Cotton Club and I remember even at the Cotton club they wouldn’t allow anyone who was a darker shade to sing I appreciate that 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Hi Ashley Willis. I respect his actions in this instance too. Thank you for commenting.
I just understand that what Cab said was truth. My Mom danced at the Cotton Club with Duke Ellingtons Band. My Mom passed the paper bag test. I loved my Mom but I wasnt proud of that
Be proud of your mom for being part of history, not ashamed of your mom for being a certain acceptable shade. That's just sad. I am proud of both of my sons. One is as light as me, one dark as his father. I do not play favorites. What is this weird American mentality? We are Canadian
Never said was I ashamed of my Mother OR not proud of her. I said I wasnt proud of the fact that my Mom got that job because of the Cotton clubs racist policies. Duke Ellington and the whole crew, band and dancers could go that club to dance, have dinner or order a drink. This was in the 30's
I meant could not go
@@traylong if you weren't raised in the US then you have no idea. Just leave it at that and stop scolding people in your comments for the oppression they've been affected by. Besides Canadians are mainly of French ancestry and had different views on race mixing than the puritans that settled here. That's why a lot of Canadian Blacks are oftentimes biracial
@@youtubestolemyoriginalhandle Canadians are mainly of French descent, hardly. We are a multi cultural society. There are all shades of colors in our country and it's beautiful, not demonized like the backwards USA. Yes there is obviously a history of racism here, our 10 dollar bill commemorates Viola Desmond a black woman who stood up to racist policies in the 1940s.
He was just doing what was right. How many black men in the entertainment world are doing that today. But I’m giving him the side eye on his choice of who he married. It’s like I’ll give you a job but can’t marry you. Hmmm go figure.
BM in the entertainment would do it now just to pander to BW it wouldn't be sincere/they really cared fr they just don't want to lose money and their biggest fan base which is BW
Right!
Oh yeah! Talking Black and sleeping white
The funny thing that Cab was mixed.
@@keepingitrealandtruthful.5081 ✅ CAB WAS MIXED FOLKS. SLEEPING WHITE WAS SLEEPING WITHIN HIS RACE.
I've always admired and liked Cab Calloway since I was a kid, and now I've found reason to like him even more.
A problem we still face today is that too many high profile black people are a part of the "go along to get along" crowd that never questions or challenges anything surrounding them that negatively affects other black people.
So true. And we still give them our support
Cab Calloway was really something special. Unfortunately, there are always going to be some people who go along to get along. Thank you for commenting, Nelson Smith.
Nelson Smith:. You are perfect example of the "go along to get along" crowd. I bet you believe everything you see on youtube that fits the narrative that you want to believe. Duke Ellington is not the person this youtuber made him out to be. Do some research of Duke and you will see what I am talking about.
@@beaujac311 If you look at my comment again, you'll see that I don't mention Duke Ellington, but rather what Cab Calloway did. The statement holds true even if you take Ellington out of the equation. We need more men to stand up like Calloway did. Period.
@@NelsonStJames But your comment implied that Duke Ellington was the "go along to get along" crowd. Duke was no such cat. Duke Ellington made the Cotton Club famous nationwide with his compositions and his bands. Duke was a nobody when his manager got him the gig at the Cotton Club, so he had no power to change the status quo. You do know that the Cotton Club was owned by one of the most notorious mobsters (Owney Madden) in US history. You think that a 26 year old newcomer like Ellington can tell a mobster how to run his club? When Cab Calloway was offered the Cotton Club job after Duke had departed, he was already an established performer with a big following. In that position he could make demands of the ownership. If they turned him down he would just keep on with his successful act somewhere else. They wanted him badly. They needed a big name to follow behind Duke Ellington and Cab knew this. So Cab was in a much better situation to negotiate when he was offered the Cotton Club than was Ellington.
Nicely done as always Ti! Please do a video on the weirdos hiring young girls to dance at these clubs and the parents who allowed it smh
Yep! Cab is Ja’Net’s father! That’s why he kept her close by taking her on tour as a dancer at the beginning of her career so they would know each other.
Colorism ..
More facts about Black History, we are forever discovering about ourselves,Thank You!!!
Hi Sarakiah Mebemeye! Learning never stops. Thank you for your comment.
I've been into Cab since I was 18 and I found him on my own because I was a huge Betty Boop fan. I'd never heard anyone with his type of cadence and inflection before and still never have. His moves are so creepy and crazy amazing!
It doesn't matter who he married, he kept girlfriends on the side. Even Chan Parker mentioned that by the time she and Bird were dating, Cab had a Spanish girl in Harlem. He got around lol
Wasn't gangsters in control of that club why would I want my daughter to work in a place like that, he didn't do them no favor, he was a sell out also.
Oh wow
Why so young? What was wrong with being over 21? And good for Mr. Cab for acknowledging the dark skin women. Nothing wrong with that either!
Hi MsRain123! I have no idea why the girls needed to be so young. That really stood out to me too. Thank you so much for commenting!
Cab Calloway is cold wit those dance moves!! I get a pre- Prince Vibe from Mr Cab. He loved beautifully women & his pretty Hair.
Some of the Dancer were 16Yrs Old.. WOW..Where were the Parents in 30-40's?
Sorry I missed the premier, phone was on do not disturb 🤦🏿♀️ Watching!
No problem AT ALL. It is impossible to support every content creator you want to support all of the time. I wanted to talk to you about that after I saw your live stream about more subs and less views. Things are picking up for your channel and you're about to experience some changes because of your growth. And that's a GREAT thing. Congratulations to you again!
Hi Ti I first learned of Cab Calloway thru Janet Jackson thank you for this
Hi Troy Sweets! Are you referring to the Alright video? I loved that! Thank YOU so much for watching this video.
This made me smile so much. I got introduced to a lot of unbelievable black artists through Blues Brothers when I was little. Like Miss Aretha Franklin was everything to me growing up singing.
I knew he (Cab) was big deal, but I had no idea he was basically the inspiration for James Brown, Prince, and Micheal Jackson. I can see it in his moves.
I really love this channel I’m so glad I stumbled upon it.
Vintage tea just hits different, and the woman who does it. Is doing such a good job. They are well done, researched and just nails the voice over and pictures and slideshow. Then sites her work! It feels like I’m back in school, and I wish this was a class I could take.
Subscribing immediately! 🖤
I think too many people confuse likability with integrity and a good person, especially when they have talent. Ellington had severe faults for a long time. So did others.
I think that you are right. Thank you for commenting, Cadillac Deville!
Such a legend of jazz he left a Great musician of music.
Yes. He was truly a legend, theresa webb!
I'm surprised that Cab Calloway was much more of a dancer than I thought he was. Now I know that James Brown and Jackie Wilson was not first with the "shuffle feets".
Excellent history...my brother was named after Cab Calloway. Thanks so much for posting this.
I love your channel👏❤
Thank you so much, Lana! The video is live so you can watch it now.
My great aunt was one of those dancers. When I was a kid, I saw the picture in my granny's house on the mantel in over the fireplace, and used to think to myself, those are some pretty ladies. Many years later, after my grannies and auntie had passed, I was talking to my older sister about the picture. I said, I remember all the tall pretty women in the picture, and she started laughing. She said, that was Aunt Lilly, she was a dancer at the Cotton Club. Also, in the picture was Cab Calloway.
Louis Armstrong always made a big deal about how unusual it was that the woman he married, Lucille, was a dark skinned dancer at the Cotton Club. He often let It be known, how beautiful he thought she was and how they should have had more girls who looked like her as dancers.
Thanks Sister, for the duke and cab and cotton club 'story!🤔👪🌎💕🎶🎶🔺🇺🇳👍🙏🏿🇺🇾🏠🇻🇨🇻🇳🎶🔺📺🏠🏠👥🌎🇺🇳👍🤔t
Hi Jeffrey Younger. Thank YOU for watching this video.
Thank you so much for revealing this.
Thank YOU for watching, mdeborah827!
Thanks for keeping the old school Jazz alive with such history. I am47, brought up on Traditional Jazz. Cab had swag and moves. His charisma was forever flowing. I think he is on one of Janet Jacksons video. You can see what inspired her outfit for that video. Hats off to Cab. I love Duke. I guess sometimes business makes people do crazy things, priorities. Maybe his was cash. A bit disappointed by that fact about Duke.
As for the presenter, keep doing your wonderful job. Long live Traditional Jazz.
Hi Moreflow Falls! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Yes, Cab had charisma for days! He was in Janet Jackson's Alright video, along with the Nicholas Brothers and Heavy D. Duke's actions didn't really surprise me. I think that everyone was just doing what they needed to do to make some money. It would have been nice if he had taken a stand, but no one really was at that time. Thank you for your compliment on my work.
He was also in The Blues Brothers
@@TisHotMessHistory yeah...The Nicholas Brothers (speaking of colorists who only married light skinned women)
He's definitely a hero 👏 🙌 ❤ 💙 ♥
Wow I had no idea that Cab was Janet's dad! I love your videos Ti keep them coming!
I don't believe he was but someone listed him on her death certificate as her father.
I never knew until Lailah Lynn broke the story, Bernie S! If you haven't already seen her video, you should check it out. There's way more to it than his name being listed on her death certificate. Lailah did some great research! Thank you for the the compliment on MY video though. LOL! You know I will keep them coming.
WOW…shout out to Cab Calloway! Thank you Sir for doing what was right. Also, I subscribed.
Hi Mrs. Que! Cab Calloway certainly deserves a big shout out for his actions. Thank you so much for watching and subscribing! I get these old school videos out every week and I live stream here and there. I try to post everything that's going to happen with this channel on my Community Tab. And now, if you want, you can also get text notifications by letting me know that you want them. Text 786-632-2135 to get a notification a few minutes before I release a video or live stream. I hope that you continue to enjoy it here!
BTW, we have a premiere for a new video today at 5:00 pm CST. Come join the live chat if you can. If you can't the video will be right here on the channel waiting for you!
I’m very glad somebody else is talking about this because I remember seeing this on Instagram as a post and I wanted to know more about his dark skin back up dancers but I had a hard time finding pictures of them. I wouldn’t mind making a video of my own on it
Having had a relative in show business, I can see the colorism that is in entertainment community. It is from our slavery days and it is not going away anytime soon. When you are black, get back; if you are brown, stick around; if you are light, you are alright; if you are white, you are the best. Calloway took a risk for his brown skinned girls. Most blacks would not have done it. Ellington was from Washington, DC, which also had color hierarchy through govt. work and educational circles. Calloway's private life aside, it is no surprise that he had a child out of wedlock and was probably slow to or did not acknowledge her. It is no different than today, except science makes it difficult to escape paternity.
Cab is my dude after finding this out!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾💯💯💯💥💥💥
It was a cool thing to learn about him. Thank you for commenting, Tracey Lennon.
I don't care what light color (we come in all browns) his wife was, he stood up for Black people, in this matter dark skin Black women. It's crazy that colorism still exist, focusing dislike of dark skin Black women so I appreciate his stand for US.
Great video. I saw old movies where all the dancers where Tall/Tan/and Terrific and did not know they did not allow darker skin dancers on stage. Cab really was an advocate for what is right.
BOTH ARE FINE , CAB WAS VERY NOBEL,DUKE NEVER CHALLENGED IT. CAB MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR ALL BLACKS
Damn! Before there was Michael Jackson,there was Cab Calloway.
Hi Derrick Mcmillian! So true. Cab's dancing was AMAZING! Thank you for commenting.
Nearly a 100 years later, and, nothing has changed.
As a young man my introduction to Cab Calloway was from The Blues Brothers. As I got older I fell in love with Cabs music. I never knew much of his personal history but I found this fascinating. I think, yes more men should have been doing this. That they weren't is what makes him a heroic character. A good man cares, a great man acts. (Or persons, it's just a quote dont come at me bro! Lol)
I can't take BM seriously...I don't even care if he stood up, his choice in wife spoke volumes...the conditioning to think that your oppressors are better and will always be better is sad and that shit is still going on today...maybe even worse...bp are in a total mess!!!
Generational dust
He doesn't owe you anything you're clearly salty. He ain't black and he picked black females to perform. You're concern should be why don't DSB do the same?????
@@soul2soul4 ...I would thumbs up if what you said was even remotely mindblowing, a piece to think and discuss...your argument is what?...that I'm salty?...he doesn't owe me anything?...🤣...always a field gnome to stay lost in the sauce!!!...good day sir!!!
@@rickihosein he married someone like him..... Period
@@soul2soul4 ...who's someone like him?
Back then it was heroic. In no other place in America was that type of integration with finance going on with most of the country being about 40 years afterwards. The Duke was also a hero as he lead the way for Cab Calloway, general integration in clubs, eateries and hotels whereever his huge band went - sobeit, not with the hardcore intention that Cab did with his Chocolate Bunnies. Duke and Count Basie were considered the best big bands. Cab Calloway did put on more of a visual show. All of the guys mentioned here potentially could have had grand parents that were slaves and grand children who were of some age before regular integration would happen across America. So they were trailblazers and should be respected as such.
Lighter skin men lean more towards chocolate bunnies.
Not back then..They had to be light skinned or just WHITE...THAT'S BULL SHIT !!!!...The reason why Cab or was his light color did something with a dark skin woman was because of to prove there blackness...But never marriage !!!!
It does seem like that happens often. Thank you for commenting, miyoshi white!
@@eddiesoul4890 I'm a product of a it. My greatgrandfather passed for white and my great grandmother was a chocolate bunny. He was a very prominent man. You only know what you were exposed to. My experience was different.
@@eddiesoul4890 it was more about classism vs colorism. In my family social status mattered. If you weren't educated they looked down on you. Most lighter skin blacks had access to education back then. That's why they married each other.
I've noticed this as well. I'm dark skinned & have better interactions with lighter guys
Thank you for your work. We support you!
I just want to say sister's are beautiful, all shades, the finest on the planet hands down.
Thank you!
@@tezsgino you are welcome, cause it's a fact.