- published: 01 Oct 2008
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William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American singer of 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 first romantic black male in popular music. Eckstine's recording of "I Apologize," MGM Pop Single, (1948) was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999.
Eckstine's grandparents were William F. Eckstein and Nannie Eckstein, a mixed-race, lawfully married couple who lived in Washington D.C.; both were born in the year 1863. William F. was born in Prussia and Nannie in Virginia. His parents were William Eckstein, a chauffeur and Charlotte Eckstein. He 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. Later moving to Washington, D.C., Eckstine began singing at the age of seven and entered many amateur talent shows. He attended Armstrong High School, St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, and Howard University. He left Howard in 1933, after winning first place in an amateur talent contest. He married his first wife, June, in 1942; she too was a vocalist. After their divorce he married actress and model Carolle Drake in 1953, and remained married until his death. 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.
Billy Eckstine - I Apologise
Sarah Vaughan & Billy Eckstine - Body & Soul / Dedicated To You (1985) Video
Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine - Prisoner of Love
Passing Strangers - Billy Eckstine & Sarah Vaughan.
Billy Eckstine - 100 Greatest Hits - The Very Best Of (AudioSonic Music) [Full Album]
Billy Eckstine "I Apologize"
Billy Eckstine - As Time Goes By
BILLY ECKSTINE - NO ONE BUT YOU 1954
Billy Eckstine - Stardust
I left my hat in Haiti
In some forgotten flat in Haiti
I couldn't tell you how I got there
I only know it was so hot there
She took my hat politely
And wound her arms around me tightly
But I remember nothing clearly
Except the flame when she came near me
Her eyes had the glow of surrender
And her touch it was tender
And with someone as fiery as that
You forget about your hat
So if you go to Haiti
There is a girl I know in Haiti
If you can find her you'll adore her
Just look around till you've found someone who has a blue-grey fedora
Her eyes had the glow of surrender
And her touch it was tender
And with someone as fiery as that
You forget about your hat
So if you go to Haiti
There is a girl I know in Haiti
If you can find her you'll adore her
Just look around till you've found someone who has a blue-grey fedora