He married his first wife June in 1942. Billy Eckstine's Imagination. Eckstine suffered a stroke while performing in Salina, Kansas, in April 1992, and never performed again. In 1944 Eckstine formed his own band, which in its three-year existence gave strong impetus to the new bebop style by featuring the talents of Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Tadd Dameron, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker as well as arrangers Tadd Dameron and Gil Fuller. Billy Eckstine's career was innovative in at least two respects: Originally a key figure in the bop movement, he spent most of his career blurring the lines between jazz and pop. He was the father of five children and two step children, including Ed Eckstine, who was a president of Mercury Records, Guy Eckstine, who was a Columbia and Verve Records A&R executive and record producer, and singer Gina Eckstine. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Selected discography. The Billy Eckstine Orchestra was the first bop big-band group, and its leader reflected bop innovations by stretching his vocal harmonics into his normal ballads. He was barely out of his teens when he began to break into the professional world of music in the 1930s, and by the end of the decade he'd been recruited as a vocalist for one of the era's high-profile orchestras, led by pianist Earl Hines. Check out our jazz billy eckstine selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. shirt collars, and inspired an army of female admirers, known as "Billy-soxers. From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. He was completely at home in both idioms.After working as a night-club singer Eckstine became the vocalist in the big band led by the pianist Earl Hines in 1939. To use this feature, use a newer browser. From 1939 to 1943 Eckstine sang with Hiness band, and at his urging Hines hired such newcomers as Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 March 8, 1993)[1] was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. We, the whole music profession, were so happy to see him achieve what he was doing. Mr. B is often considered a ground breaker for black vocalists. I wanted to dress like him, talk like him, pattern my whole life as a musician and as a complete person in the image of dignity that he projected. Top Sellers' Lists Top 1,000 DVDs; Top 200 Blu-rays; Top 50 4K UltraHDs 'ALTHOUGH Billy Eckstine has always been recognised as one of the most tasteful of popular singers, he also made a most vital contribution to jazz with the big band which he led for three years from 1944. shirt collars, and inspired an army of female admirers, known as "Billy-soxers." Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. Without a Song . Family members linked to this person will appear here. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Original Price $22.92 In 1984 Eckstine recorded his penultimate album, I Am a . Access the complete album info (14 songs) 2002 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. 'He worked with us at the New York Paramount once, and it was a ball hearing him five shows a day. In 1986, Billy recorded his final album Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter. He also led a modernist big band that's become legendary as an incubator for the revolutionary bebop movement of the 1940s. In 1950, Eckstine grossed half a million dollars from record sales, stage appearances and nightclub stints. Among Eckstines recordings of the 1950s was a 1957 duet with Sarah Vaughan, Passing Strangers, a minor hit in 1957, but an initial No.22 success in the UK Singles Chart. The next year, he joined Earl Fatha Hiness band, sharing vocals with Sarah Vaughan and working with alto sax player Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie. During the late 30s, Eckstine who had come to Chicago got hired by Earl Hines to join his Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939. A legendary singer of jazz ballads and a bandleader of the swing era, Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the . His first hits with Hines were novelties like Jelly, Jelly and The Jitney Man, but he also recorded several straight-ahead songs, including the hit Stormy Monday.. $9.06, $12.94 $18.34, $22.92 Eckstine made numerous appearances on television variety shows, including on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Nat King Cole Show, The Tonight Show with Steve Allen, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, The Art Linkletter Show, The Joey Bishop Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and Playboy After Dark. Jones is quoted in The Pleasures of Jazz as also saying of Eckstine: If he'd been white, the sky would have been the limit. A remarkable artist, the sonorous B. His style and technique have seen extensively copied by some of the neocommercial singers, but despite their efforts he remains out front to show how and what should have been done., Quincy Jones was quoted in Billboard: I looked up to Mr. B as an idol. Though his speech improved in the hospital, Eckstine had a heart attack and died a few months later on March 8, 1993, in Pittsburgh, aged 78. Eckstine attended Peabody High School in Pittsburgh. We have new and used copies available, in 1 editions - starting at $13.91. After their divorce in 1952, he married actress and model Carolle Drake in 1953, and they remained married until his death. Billy Eckstine, original name William Clarence Eckstein, (born July 8, 1914, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.died March 8, 1993, Pittsburgh), American singer and bandleader who achieved great personal success while fostering the careers of a number of younger jazz musicians. Play Billy Eckstine and discover followers on SoundCloud | Stream tracks, albums, playlists on desktop and mobile. Billy Eckstine Click to expand the Mr. B collar was a button down collar. Students seize Pitt's computer center to force change. [12] One photograph taken by Holmes and published in Life showed Eckstine with a group of white female admirers, one of whom had her hand on his shoulder and her head on his chest while she was laughing. remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy. Beard, who rose from slavery to become inventor of the railroad coupler that saved lives, Lewis Buckner, the Black architect whose buildings erected 143 years ago in Tennessee are still in good state, It was love at first sight: the story of how MLK met Coretta Scott, Rejected by agencies for being too dark, first Black supermodel Naomi Sims explains how she made it, Gabrielle Union on why she felt entitled to cheat in her first marriage, Meet the Ghanaian-American helping build West Africas skate empire, With a combined net worth of $67.9 billion, here are the top 8 richest African families and how they built their wealth, Kenyan skincare company that recently raised $1M shares why it leverages technology from South Korea. Billy Eckstine (8 July 1914 - 8 March 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA as William Clarence Eckstein. Singer, Actor. Learn more about managing a memorial . [8] He left Howard in 1933 after winning first place in an amateur talent contest, imitating Cab Calloway singing a nursery rhyme and scatting. Culturally Eckstine was a fashion icon. Eckstine died on March 8, 1993, aged 78. Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh and Bill Eckstine in 1971. Billy Eckstine's tracks All Of Me by Billy Eckstine published on 2022-12-27T06:54:14Z. Kodak Film Lab London, An influence looming large in the cultural develo. Year should not be greater than current year. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. About Billy Eckstine William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 - March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular . William Clarence "Billy" Eckstine (July 8, 1914 - March 8, 1993) was an American singer of ballads and bandleader of the swing era. There was an error deleting this problem. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Original Price $12.94 The band featured at various times a large number of rising jazz stars, including:Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform.Billy Eckstine (8 July 1914 8 March 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA as William Clarence Eckstein. Resend Activation Email. He was also quite popular in Britain, hitting the Top Ten there twice during the '50s -- "No One But You" and "Gigi" -- as well as several duet entries with Sarah Vaughan. Eckstine left Howard University after winning an amateur contest in 1933 and began singing in nightclubs and with dance . Failed to remove flower. He attended Armstrong High School, St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, and Howard University. In 1986, he was honored at Heinz Heinz during a local jazz festival. Please reset your password. He drew record-breaking crowds in New York and Los Angeles. Ellington described it.When Eckstine left the Hines Orchestra in 1943, he added his trumpet playing to his act as a night-club vocalist. On the groups frequent European and American tours, Eckstine, popularly known as Mr. B, also played trumpet, valve trombone and guitar. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. His parents were William Eckstein, a chauffeur and Charlotte Eckstein. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Billy Eckstine (8 July 1914 - 8 March 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA as William Clarence Eckstein. Timeless Billy Eckstine represents a nice single-disc overview of the bop stylings that influential vocalist recorded during the late '40s. Learnmore, Indiana Public Media is the home of WFIU Public Radio WTIU Public Television, including your favorite programming from NPR and PBS. We'll hear a track from Imagination, as well as an early Eckstine foray into bossa nova, which his biographer Cary Ginnel says is the first known recording of an American singer with Brazilian musicians-sung in Portugese and made while Eckstine was on tour in Brazil in 1960. Later, he won an amateur competition by singing Stardust at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. For a time, he worked as a singing waiter at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Find Billy Eckstine phone, address, facebook, insatgram, twitter and email on OurBiography, the leading online directory. After recording sparingly during the 1970s for Al Bell's Stax/Enterprise imprint, the international touring Eckstine made his last recording, the Grammy-nominated Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter in 1986. Check out our billy eckstine selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Net Worth in 2022. ). He also introduced new songs on radio - 'Skylark' was one - becoming the first black person to do so, made an exception because of his particularly clear diction.Apart from working with the Ellington band on that occasion in 1966, Eckstine also recorded a successful album with Count Basie in which he recreated his blues hits, and others with Quincy Jones. Absolutely! Billy Eckstine (8 July 1914 - 8 March 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as William Clarence Eckstine. From the 1940s, Billy Eckstines smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers, initially as the leader of the original bop big band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music. He changed the spelling to Eckstine after a club owner said the original spelling was "too Jewish".Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. billy eckstine 5 x 7'' singles -don't worry 'bout me tracks:till there was you.what kind of fool am i?it isn't fair.love is the tender trap.the exodus song.beauty of true love.don't worry 'bout me.stranger in town Mercury - USA - Sr 60736 - 1963 After working his way west to Chicago, Eckstine joined Earl Hines Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939, staying with the band as vocalist and, occasionally, trumpeter, until 1943. Sammy Davis, Jr. made several live appearances and impersonated Eckstine. Good news! Hits included Blue Moon, Caravan, I Apologize, My Foolish Heart and Everything I Have is Yours. By 1949, he was the top male vocalist in Metronome magazine and the most popular singer in Down Beat magazine. 10. Though white bands of the era featured males singing straight-ahead romantic ballads, Black bands were forced to stick to novelty or blues vocal numbers until the advent of Eckstine and Herb Jeffries (from Duke Ellington's Orchestra). . Eckstine's orchestra was one of the first large ensembles to feature a modernist edge, and many young players who went on to greater fame passed through its ranks, including Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, and Art Blakey. Our attack was strong, and we were playing bebop, the modern style. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Tracks WordPress Theme by Compete Themes. Eckstine returned to his jazz roots occasionally as well, recording with Vaughan, Count Basie, and Quincy Jones for separate LPs, and the 1960 live LP No Cover, No Minimum featured him taking a few trumpet solos as well. Uscis Asylum Memo, He changed the spelling to Eckstine after a club owner said the original spelling was 'too Jewish'.Eckstine was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, SonicHits. Updates? Billy Eckstine William Clarence "Billy" Eckstine (July 8, 1914 - March 8, 1993) was an American singer and a bandleader of the swing era. Here is how he could become a billionaire. He cut a swath through America before Nat "King" Cole came to the scene. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Eckstine left the Hines orchestra in 1943 and formed his own big band, one that would become critically renowned as an incubator for the new jazz that was evolving in the mid-1940s called bebop. Born in Pittsburgh but raised in Washington, D.C., Eckstine began singing at the age of seven and entered many amateur talent shows. He had also planned on a football career, though after breaking his collar bone, he made music his focus. For Jimmy, Wes and Oliver is a studio album by American jazz bassist Christian McBride together with his big band. "I hate blues," Eckstine once told Metronome Magazine. Though his speech improved in the hospital, Eckstine had a heart attack, and died a few months later on March 8, 1993, aged 78. Later moving to Washington, D.C., Eckstine began singing at the age of seven and entered many amateur talent shows. A system error has occurred. (Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette). However, it is possible to get some idea of how good the band sounded from 'Opus X' and 'Blowin' the Blues Away'. He was the subject of a three-page profile in the 25 April 1950 issue of LIFE magazine. Start your Independent Premium subscription today.Are you sure you want to submit this vote?More understandable was another kind of violence Eckstine indulged in. SoundCloud Billy Eckstine. Far more successful than his band recordings, these prefigured Eckstines future career. His final word was "Basie". He influences fashion; long "Mr. B" collars are all the rage. Please try again later. The band included the greatest stars in the new jazz movement of the time - Dizzy Gillespie (who was its musical director), Charlie Parker and Sarah Vaughan - and it provided a platform on which the new music, bebop, could be developed. 11. "[3], Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States,[4] the son of William Eckstein, a chauffeur, and Charlotte Eckstein, a seamstress. Last edited on 25 December 2022, at 15:20, Billy Eckstine & Sarah Vaughan Sing Irving Berlin, The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, "Billy Eckstine - Pittsburgh Music History", "Eckstine, Millinder Make Pix to Hypo Tour Grosses", "Martha Holmes, 83, Pioneer in Photography, Dies", "Billy Eckstine - Pennsylvania Historical Markers on", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_Eckstine&oldid=1129473052, This page was last edited on 25 December 2022, at 15:20. 12. Billy Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big band, then as the first romantic Black male in popular music. Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. 16-bit FLAC. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. [19], A State Historical Marker was placed at 5913 Bryant Street in Pittsburgh's Highland Park neighborhood to mark the house where Eckstine grew up.[20][21]. Once, when Eckstine came across a disheveled Davis in the depths of his heroin excess, his remark Looking sharp, Miles served as a wake-up call for Davis, who promptly returned to his fathers farm in the winter of 1953 and finally kicked the habit. Connecticut woman gives birth on flight, heres what was listed as babys place of birth, How the richest black man in the world turned a $3000 loan into a $19 billion empire, How Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan made over $1 million recently with no music check involved, Black woman whose whiskey brand made history crossing $100M in sales now owns a bank, Remembering Miami's historic Black community destroyed to build a Whites-only, D.A. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Billy's phone number is (301) 293-1456 (Verizon Maryland, Inc). . Sorry! Browse shows and movies that feature Billy Eckstine including Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, Let's Do It All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Everything I Have Is Yours (Remastered) Billy Eckstine 2020 From $8.99. He was our singer. . Hip young men copied his style of dress, shirts with rolled collars and jackets draped off the body. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer Woolworths, ---, "Eckstine, Billy," The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the 60s (New York City: Horizon Press, Inc., 1966), p.111. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. A handsome fashion plate (he sported a jacket hung over his shoulders and a rolled shirt collar), Eckstine emerged as one of the first African American male sex symbols. [5] Billy's sister, Maxine, was a high school teacher.[6]. The New York Times described him as an "influential band leader" whose "suave bass-baritone" and "full-throated, sugary approach to popular songs inspired singers like Earl Coleman, Johnny Hartman, Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock, and Lou Rawls. US American Jazz singer & bandleader noted during the swing area for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. read more. There is a problem with your email/password. Fan pandemonium often surrounded his apperances, and his young fans were dubbed "Billy Soxers.". Despite the groups modernist slant, Eckstine hit the charts often during the mid 1940s, with Top Ten entries including A Cottage for Sale and Prisoner of Love. He was one of the greatest singers of that era He was our singer.. While enjoying success in the middle-of-the-road and pop fields, Eckstine occasionally returned to his jazz roots, recording with Vaughan, Count Basie and Quincy Jones for separate LPs, and he regularly topped the Metronome and Down Beat polls in the Top Male Vocalist category: He won Esquire magazines New Star Award in 1946; the Down Beat magazine Readers Polls from 1948 to 1952; and the Metronome magazine award as Top Male Vocalist from 1949 to 1954. The album also produced two singles: "Don Is" and "Medgar . Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Though several of Eckstine's first hits with Hines were novelties like "Jelly, Jelly" and "The Jitney Man," he also recorded several straight-ahead songs, including the hit "Stormy Monday." For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Learn More , Mark Chilla writes and hosts Afterglow and WFIU's weekly music trivia show, Ether Game. Tall, handsome and blessed with a velvety baritone voice that seduced jazz lovers everywhere, Billy Eckstine left his mark on music as a band leader, mentor, entertainer and singer. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Doris Day - Enjoy Blue Moon Billy Eckstine. Eckstine also appeared in films, such as Skirts Ahoy (1952). [16], In 1951, Eckstine performed at the seventh Cavalcade of Jazz concert held on July 8 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr. Also featured were Lionel Hampton and his Revue, Percy Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Liggins and The Honeydrippers and Roy Brown. Nicknamed Mr. B, the dashing singer had a voice that was described as a "suave bass-baritone" and a stage presence that, for a time at least, rivaled Frank Sinatra's. By 1949, Eckstine was a genuine pop sensationthe New York Times reported that Eckstine signed with MGM records and began singing ballads. Shop now. In The Still Of The Night (Live) Billy Eckstine. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music. 'When he was forced to break up the band Eckstine returned to his career as a solo singer and by the end of the Forties had become the most popular vocalist in the United States. His sartorial stylewith a loose tie and wide collarwas copied throughout the country. Mr. "B" is often considered a ground breaker for black vocalists. He also performed briefly . Dont see this option? Bay Of Naples Meaning, When Dizzy Gillespie, a great teacher, joined the band, Eckstine persuaded him to teach him to play trumpet. (15% off), Ad vertisement from shop KingsMusicNBooks. The collars were worn by many a hipster in the late 1940s and early 1950s. "You can't do anything with them." Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. An influence looming large in the cultural development of soul and R&B singers from Sam Cooke to Prince, Eckstine was able to play it straight on his pop hits "Prisoner of Love," "My Foolish Heart" and "I Apologize." $12.75, $15.00 He performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Game 4 of the 1979 World Series at Three Rivers Stadium in his native Pittsburgh. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. His iconic stature inspired a number of nicknames, but the one that stuck was simply "Mr. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX! William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 - March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. Genres: Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, Big Band. He cut a swath through America before Nat King Cole came to the scene. Read Billy Eckstine's bio and find out more about Billy Eckstine's songs, albums, and chart history. Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a State Historical Marker is placed at 5913 Bryant St, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to mark the house where he grew up. Dr Dre is selling his catalog to UGM for $200M. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Oops, something didn't work. Imagination is a 1958 album recorded by Billy Eckstine. B Eckstine I found on Findagrave.com. He designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a B over a Windsor-knotted tie, which became known as a Mr. B. Collar. He had also planned on a football career, though after breaking his collar bone, he made music his focus. Billy Eckstine (8 July 1914 - 8 March 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA as William Clarence Eckstein. We were proud of him because he was the first Black popular singer singing popular songs in our race. $1 Million - $5 Million. Though he was forced to give up the band in 1947 (Gillespie formed his own bop big band that same year), Eckstine made the transition to string-filled balladry with ease. Click Buy it now or Add to cart and proceed to checkout. He was one of the very first African American matinee idols, singing first with Earl Fatha Hines orchestra, then veering off with his own band. [4] The Billy Eckstine Orchestra is considered to be the first bebop big-band,[4] and had Top Ten chart entries that included "A Cottage for Sale" and "Prisoner of Love". This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. He changed the spelling to Eckstine after a club owner said the original spelling was 'too Jewish'.Eckstine was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, Before the black pop male sex symbol was a seemingly permanent fixture of American culture, long before Teddy Pendergrass, Prince, and R. Kelly, there was Billy Eckstine.In the early years of Eckstine ' s career it was still a novelty for black and . Billy Eckstine 1914 - 1993. Billy Eckstine, the handsome, dapper, bandleader and vocalist who turned out popular hits in the 1940s and '50s while playing a pivotal role in the formative years of be-bop, died Monday in . Jazz - Released by Verve on Mar 7, 1991. [4], His 1950 appearance at the Paramount Theatre in New York City, drew a larger audience than Frank Sinatra at his Paramount performance. Find top songs and albums by Billy Eckstine, including Zing! Billy Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music. This is a carousel with slides. Eckstine sings and plays both trumpet and trombone. [18] Eckstine made his final recordings for Motorcity Records, a label for ex-Motown artists founded by Ian Levine.[4]. by Matt Collar. Nat King Cole - Mona Lisa [03:26] 02. The New York Times described him as an . He had worked with both Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in the undocumented final few months of his time with Earl Hines, and he wanted his band to have an adventurous sound. Search above to list available cemeteries. He recorded several albums for Mercury and Roulette during the early 1960s, and he appeared on Motown for a few standards albums during the mid to late 1960s. Read Full Biography. Billy's current address is 2721 Flintridge Driv, Myersville, MD 21773-8648. In 1944 Eckstine formed his own band, which in its three-year existence gave strong impetus to the new bebop style by featuring the talents of Gillespie, Parker, Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Tadd Dameron, Art Blakey, and others. He had to fight the system, so things never quite fell into place. He made numerous television appearances and was the first black singer to grace the cover of Life magazine. Eckstine had what one writer has described as "a deep blue dream of a voice," and he was a cultural pioneer as well, a black male singer who established his popularity singing love songs in the segregated world of mid-20th-century America.