Wilmoth Houdini
Advertisement
Advertisement
Top Related Artists
Biography
Wilmoth Houdini was a Trinidadian calypsonian born Frederick Wilmoth Hendricks on November 25, 1895. He began his musical career in 1916 with the carnival group African Millionaires. In 1927, he relocated to New York City and recorded for Decca Records. He released over one hundred 78s between 1928 and 1940 under names including Edgar Leon Sinclair and King Houdini. His 1934 recording âWar Declarationâ served as a rebuttal to Trinidadian critics. Houdini's 1939 composition âHe Had It Comingâ became a hit for Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald as âStone Cold Dead in the Marketâ. The track reached number 7 on the pop charts. He organized calypso festivals in New York and performed at the Caribbean Club in the 1950s. His recording âUncle Joeâ influenced numerous American musicians. Hendricks died on August 6, 1973.
Read All
Read Less
