Cab Calloway
The high-energy 'Hi-De-Ho' man who brought scat singing and irresistible showmanship to the forefront of the big band jazz era.
1907–1994 (age 87)·American jazz singer, songwriter and bandleader·Birthday: December 25·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Cab Calloway didn't just sing songs; he turned performances into ecstatic, physical spectacles. Arriving in New York during the Harlem Renaissance, he combined his smooth baritone with a dynamic stage presence—zoot suits, animated conducting, and his famous jitterbugging. As the bandleader at the legendary Cotton Club, his radio broadcasts made him a national star. Calloway’s signature was 'Minnie the Moocher,' a hit built around his inventive, call-and-response scatting that had audiences shouting 'Hi-De-Ho!' He was a sharp businessman who kept a top-tier orchestra for decades, a group that served as an incubator for talent like Dizzy Gillespie. More than a novelty act, he was a serious musician whose vocal improvisations directly influenced the bebop revolution. His career spanned from Prohibition-era speakeasies to a scene-stealing role in 'The Blues Brothers,' proving his brand of joyous energy was timeless.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Cab was born in 1907, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cab Was Born
The biggest hits of 1907
Cab's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1907Born
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1912Started school
Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage
President: William Howard Taft
1920Became a teenager
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1923Could drive
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1925Could vote
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1928Turned 21
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1937Turned 30
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1947Turned 40
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 50
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 60
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 70
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 80
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1994Died at 87
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
Key Achievements
- Became the first African American musician to sell one million copies of a single with 'Minnie the Moocher' (1931).
- Served as the master of ceremonies and headline act at Harlem's famed Cotton Club for many years, broadcasting nationwide.
- Published 'The Hepster's Dictionary,' a glossary of jive slang that went through several editions.
- Starred as Sportin' Life in a major revival of 'Porgy and Bess' in 1952.
Did You Know?
He studied law at Crane College before dropping out to pursue a music career.
He was a talented basketball player and once managed a professional team called the Cab Calloway Quinbys.
His famous white zoot suit is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
Calloway's daughter, Chris Calloway, was also a jazz singer and performed with his band.
““I was born to sing and perform. I’ve been doing it all my life and I hope I can go on forever.””
