Black History Fact #12: First black person to perform at a superbowl halftime show

What's going on, everybody. Welcome to another episode of a day with crime. Black history fact edition. Of course I am your man, David. Let's jump in. All right. Being that it is. Almost super bowl time. The next day as of this shooting will be super bowl Sunday. Decided that the fact today's going to be on the first. 

African-American. to ever Perform at a Superbowl halftime show. [00:01:00] 

The Superbowl halftime show, didn't always have the most talked about pop stars as headliners as it does today. Years back halftime shows are usually a showcase for the country's top marching bands and drill teams to perform the national Anthem. In addition to a separate halftime performance, according to w N Y C. 

However it all changed was super bowl six. When jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald became not only the first jazz artists to perform the halftime show. But the first African American female. Celebrity singer in Superbowl history. 

Following the death of Louis Armstrong in 1971. The 1972 Superbowl was set to take place in new Orleans, the legendary performers hometown. The official halftime theme was declared a salute to Louis Armstrong. It was the first Superbowl theme that paid tribute to an important figure, [00:02:00] especially one that happened to be black, 

and Fitzgerald was one of two women who were chosen to perform. Carol Channing, an American actress, singer and comedian known for starring in Broadway and film musicals. Was also selected. The two women became the first, celebrity singers in super bowl history. Even though Channing dazzled the fans when she took the stage to sing. When the saints go marching in. 

Ella Fitzgerald performance was the game changer. She performed Mack, the knife. which got her into history books as the first African American woman, to perform at a Superbowl halftime show. 

Ella was joined by trumpeteer bandleader Al Hirt. For the historic rendition of Sachmo's classic Mack, the knife. Unfortunately. Ella's performance wasn't recorded and the details surrounding the performance are scarce since there weren't any documented interviews. Yet the [00:03:00] honor's enjoyed her performance, making it as one of the best. 

Hailed as the first lady of song. Ella with her unique, flexible, wide ranging, accurate and ageless voice was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. 

She could sing soldiery ballots, sweet jazz, and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats from Duke Ellington, Count Basey and Nat king Cole. To Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, and Benny Goodman. Born on April 25th, 1917. As a troubled teenager, following the death of those closest to her. 

Ella bumped off from school and lived on the streets. It was in the summer of 1938. As she found a real success with a 19th century nursery rhyme. That was brought up to date by Van Alexander, who regularly sold arrangements to chick web. 

a tiskit a [00:04:00] tasket Hit the right note with record buyers and made number one. On the American hit parade. 

A year later, Web passed away from spinal tuberculosis, and for the next few years, Ella kept his orchestra together, billed as Ella Fitzgerald and her famous orchestra, but things didn't turn out so well. Ella would later make her first appearance at jazz at the Philharmonic in 1949. which marked a turnaround in her career. 

Ella continue to rise above all circumstances and uplifted herself in music. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold 40 million albums. She performed at top venues all over the world and pack them to the hilt. Her audience is, was as diverse as her vocal range. 

Ella passed away on June 15th. 1996. 

All right, so that [00:05:00] is. For what I could find the first black person to ever perform at the super bowl. It was none other than Ella Fitzgerald. 

Very very popular jazz singer a tiskit a tasket my mom use to play that all the time. It was one of her number one songs. 

But we can say that she pretty much led the way. For black artists and, celebrities most likely as well, singing in the Superbowl halftime show. 

 Well now let's take a look since Ella, who else of African-American descent. Has performed at the super bowl show. I'll give you what is considered to be, the top seven names. Beyonce. 

Prince. Michael Jackson. Motown's 40th anniversary tribute. 

Bruno [00:06:00] Mars also, along with Beyonce Big boi. Whitney Houston. 

 And if you're keeping up. With this year, Superbowl. Everybody in it. Is an African-American. This year's super bowl halftime show will feature Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Eminem, Mary J Blige. And Kendrick Lamar. 

So we just want to say a big thank you to miss Ella Fitzgerald. For not only being a pioneer and being the first to do it at the super bowl. But also being the jazz legend. That she was. May she rest in peace? 

All right, guys, that does it for us on this one. I want to thank you for tuning in for yet. Ain't another. Black history fact. Remember you can always reach out to us if you need to at adaywithcrime@gmail.com also check out our website, [00:07:00] www.adaywithcrime.com we do give you new. Crime cases, every Monday. 

 With that being said as always be good to yourself. And each other. And I'm a catch you guys on the next one.