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bmg6910 — 2024-12-13 15:08:38 UTC

Chick Webb was born on February 10th, 1905. While still an infant, he fell down some stairsteps, causing him to crush various vertebrae and leaving him permanently disabled with tuberculosis.

bmg6910 — 2024-12-13 15:15:02 UTC

By 1926, a 17-year-old Chick Webb had saved up enough money to move to Harlem, leading his band. During this adjustment period, Tommy Benford gave Chick Webb drumming lessons.

bmg6910 — 2024-12-13 15:17:00 UTC

Throughout the late 1920s, Webb's band alternated between band tours and playing at local New York Clubs to gain money and publicity.

bmg6910 — 2024-12-13 15:21:54 UTC

By 1931, his band became the house band for the Savory Ballroom, labeling him as a wonderous bandleader and leader of the 'swing' style. Later on in 1935, Webb would also begin featuring a teenager by the name of Ella Fitzgerald, as well as become married to a woman named Martha "Sally" Loretta Ferguson.

bmg6910 — 2024-12-13 15:24:43 UTC

Despite his wonderful life and career, Webb was haunted by his chronic physical illness. While he did still try to continue touring despite his declining health, it would lead him to push himself to physical exhaustion. Eventually, after a major operation, Webb died of Pott disease on June 16, 1939.