[VOA]

Just heard about the passing of this giant of the golden age of Jazz.
This was mentioned on The Doug MacIntyre (sp?) show on KABC 790AM radio in Los Angeles.
Doug has a great show from 1-5AM and he has many jazz musicians as guests.

He mentioned one interesting factoid.
What did baseball legend Jackie Robinson and Lionel Hampton have in common?
A: They were both Republicans.

Interesting to see that Hampton was also a strong supporter of Israel.

[rdb3]

Yes, he was a great. Aren't many of that great musical age left now.

[csvset]

[speedy]

I got to see Hampton perform once, in the very Culver City mentioned in the article (Helms Jazz Bakery). A wonderful man. And, as you noted, Jackie Robinson was a Republican, very pro-free enterprise. Even though he has been adopted by liberals as a saint, they will never tell you that Robinson publicly denounced Muhammad Ali for his anti-Vietnam stance and position on the military.

[Ann Archy]

A girlfriend of mine sang with Lionel and I toured with the band once.....he was truly a nice man....and what a great performer!!

A halogen torchier light fell on his bed and started a huge fire in his apt a few years back. That was a warning to me how dangerous halogen can be.

[muir_redwoods]

This world is a bit less for his passing. These deaths always make me think how lucky the modern world is that it can forever capture the music these greats made and keep it available for people yet unborn.

A sad day.

[GeneD]

Only eight comments? Save for Artie Shaw this was the last leading figure from the swing era.

I look around our culture and see emptiness.

[dennisw]

The man had class.
R.I.P. Lionel Hampton

[leilani]

"a Republican Party stalwart"? At least this story bothered to sneak that fact in, however surreptitiously. It's the dirty little secret about the old timer (& some newtimer)Jazz musicians, that they DON'T buy the professional victimhood some self-appointed african-american extortionists, scuze me, "leaders" peddle to the white owned-media.

[Temple Owl]

Damn! Another good one down. I was just listening to a CD with him and Benny Goodman-- Gene Krupa on the drums --a few minutes before I found out he died. Well he certainly left a legacy and some great to remember him by. He will be missed, but his music is here to stay. I'll say a prayer for him. I'm sure there is a spot for him in God's orchestra.

[weegee]

And finally, Lionel Hampton is here, and it's such an honor. (Applause.) Laura and I are honored to welcome him to Washington, just like Harry and Bess Truman did, when he played at their inaugural ball in 1949. The Johnsons, the Nixons and the Reagans all invited Lionel here as well. Presidents come and go, but there's only one "Vibes" President of the United States. (Applause.)

Lionel Hampton is an old friend of our family's, going all the way back to my dad's boyhood. On a couple of occasions, he and my grandfather did a few numbers together. My grandfather was quite a singer, as Lionel would tell you. And, as Laura would tell you, the gene pool didn't spread this far. (Laughter.)

Remarks by the President in Honor of Black Music Month