Emily Carter
William Henry Chick Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1905 or 1909 and died in Baltimore on June 16, 1939, at the age of 34. Webb's birth year is disputed, with some sources indicating 1905 and others claiming otherwise. Webb's death from tuberculosis came as a shock to the jazz and swing community, and his funeral procession was said to have consisted of approximately eighty cars. Webb's legacy in the jazz world is undeniable, with the likes of Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, and Gene Krupa crediting him as an influence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | 16 June 1939 |
| Age | 34 years |
| Place of Death | Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Cause of Death | Tuberculosis of the spine (Pott disease) |
| Last Words | "I'm sorry, I've got to go." |
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What You'll Learn
Chick Webb's cause of death
William Henry "Chick" Webb, an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader, died on June 16, 1939, at the age of 34. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 10, 1905, though the year of his birth is disputed. While most sources indicate 1905, Webb's grave marker and death certificate state that he was born in 1909. Other publications suggest different years, including 1907.
Webb was afflicted with spinal tuberculosis from birth, which left him in poor health throughout his life. He also had a curved spine, which resulted in a short stature. Despite his physical challenges, Webb pursued a career in music and became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the swing era.
In November 1938, Webb's health began to decline, but he continued to perform and tour relentlessly. He was known for disregarding his physical discomfort and exhaustion, often pushing himself to the point of passing out after his sets. Despite his deteriorating health, Webb refused to stop touring, ensuring that his band remained employed during the Great Depression.
Webb's cause of death was Pott disease, a form of spinal tuberculosis. He underwent a major operation at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore shortly before his death but was unable to recover. Webb's funeral procession was reported to have included around eighty cars, and the church was filled with mourners. He was buried in Arbutus Memorial Park, just outside Baltimore, in Maryland.
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His final resting place
William Henry "Chick" Webb, the American jazz drummer who led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era, died on June 16, 1939, at the age of 34. Webb's final resting place is Arbutus Memorial Park in Arbutus, Baltimore County, Maryland, just outside Baltimore.
Webb's funeral procession was said to have been composed of some eighty cars, and the church where he was eulogized was said to be unable to hold all the mourners. The funeral was held at the family church, Waters African Methodist on Aisquith Street in Oldtown, Baltimore. Webb's mother, Marie Webb, was at his side when he died, and she, along with his widow Sally Webb, his sister Mabel Porter, and other family members, were in attendance at the funeral.
Webb's death hit the jazz/swing community hard. He is remembered for his last words, "I'm sorry, I've got to go." After his death, Ella Fitzgerald led the Chick Webb band for two or three years until she left to focus on her solo career, causing the band to break up. Webb's legacy has been recognized by jazz greats such as Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Art Blakey, and Duke Ellington.
While Webb's birth year is disputed, with some sources claiming 1905 and others 1909, his grave marker and death certificate list the year as 1909. Webb's early life was marked by tragedy, as he was afflicted with spinal tuberculosis at birth, which left him with a curved spine and in poor health for his entire life. Despite this, he pursued his musical passion and became a celebrated drummer and band leader, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of jazz.
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His age
William Henry "Chick" Webb was approximately 34 years old when he died on June 16, 1939. Webb's birth year is a subject of debate. While some sources, including his death certificate, grave marker, and a 1937 article in DownBeat magazine, claim he was born in 1909, others, including census records and a 1939 New York Times article, suggest 1905 or 1907.
The discrepancy in Webb's birth year may be due to the fact that his birth date was not known with certainty until 2005 when filmmaker Eric Bruno Borgman discovered the correct year. According to this research, Webb was born on February 10, 1905, in Baltimore, Maryland, which would make him 34 years old at the time of his death. This birth year is supported by sources such as Encyclopædia Britannica, AllMusic, and census information.
However, it is important to note that there are conflicting reports about Webb's birth year. The year 1909 appears on his grave marker and is the year listed in the 1937 DownBeat magazine article, titled "The Rise of a Crippled Genius." This article was published during Webb's lifetime and may have been based on information provided by Webb himself or his close associates. Additionally, The New York Times reported his birth year as 1907 in 1939, around the time of his death.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his exact birth year, it is clear that Chick Webb died at a relatively young age, leaving behind a significant musical legacy. He is remembered as one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the swing era, with his powerful technique and virtuoso performances influencing many other drummers.
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His birth year
William Henry "Chick" Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to William H. and Marie Webb. Chick Webb's birth year is a matter of dispute. While some sources, including his death certificate, grave marker, and a 1937 DownBeat magazine article, state that he was born in 1909, others, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and census records, indicate 1905. This discrepancy may be due to the fact that Webb's birth date was not known until 2005 when filmmaker Eric Bruno Borgman discovered the correct year. According to this research, Webb was born on February 10, 1905, in Baltimore, Maryland. This date is supported by census information, which aligns with a birth year of 1905.
The uncertainty surrounding Webb's birth year is further complicated by his mother's reported statement that he was born in 1907. This year is also suggested by Hilton Schleman in the book "Rhythm on Record." Despite the varying birth years, it is clear that Chick Webb was a talented musician who made significant contributions to the world of jazz and swing music. He was known for his powerful technique and virtuoso performances, which influenced many other drummers.
It is worth noting that Webb's health issues may have contributed to the confusion regarding his birth year. He suffered from spinal tuberculosis since birth, which left him in poor health throughout his life. Webb was also involved in an accident as an infant, falling down a flight of stairs and crushing several vertebrae. This incident required surgery, and he never fully regained his mobility. Despite these challenges, Webb pursued his musical passion and became a renowned drummer and band leader.
In conclusion, while the exact birth year of Chick Webb remains a subject of debate, the weight of evidence suggests that he was born in 1905. This discovery by filmmaker Eric Bruno Borgman provides valuable insight into Webb's life and allows us to better understand the timeline of his achievements. By the time of his death in 1939, at the age of 34, Webb had established himself as a pivotal figure in the swing era, with his band setting the standard of excellence for other big bands to aspire to.
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His last words
William Henry "Chick" Webb, born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1905 or 1909, was an American jazz and swing music drummer and band leader. He was married to Sallye (or Sally) Ferguson. Webb was afflicted with spinal tuberculosis at birth, which left him in poor health throughout his life. He also had a curved spine due to a childhood injury, which left him with a short stature. Despite his physical challenges, Chick Webb became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the swing era. His powerful technique and virtuoso performances heavily influenced other drummers.
Webb's health began to decline in November 1938, but he continued to perform, refusing to stop touring to support his band members during the Great Depression. He died on June 16, 1939, at the age of 34. His last words were reportedly, "I'm sorry, I've got to go."
Webb's funeral procession was said to have consisted of around eighty cars, and the church was filled with mourners. He was buried in Arbutus Memorial Park, just outside Baltimore, in Arbutus, Maryland.
Webb's death deeply impacted the jazz and swing community. After his death, Ella Fitzgerald, with whom he had closely collaborated, led the Chick Webb band for about two years before pursuing her solo career. Webb's legacy continues to be recognized by jazz greats, and he is remembered as an inspiration and a pioneer in the world of jazz and swing music.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick Webb was roughly 34 years old when he died.
Chick Webb died in 1939.
Chick Webb died from spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott disease.
Chick Webb's last words were, "I'm sorry, I've got to go."
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