Billy Daniels
b. 12 September 1915, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, d. 7 October 1988. He began his career as a singing waiter before working with dance bands and in vaudeville. In the late '30s he became popular in clubs and on radio. In 1943, during a club appearance, he performed That Old Black Magic, giving the song a highly dramatic, visually exciting treatment it had never had before, and from that time onwards the singer and the song were inseparable. At his best in a cabaret setting, Daniels was a natural for television and from 1950, in partnership with pianist Bennie Payne, appeared regularly in the USA and UK. He made a few film appearances and was also in the television production of NIGHT OF THE QUARTER MOON. P.J. Probyused much of Daniels’ vocal technique with his epic ballads during the '60s. In 1975 he worked with Pearl Bailey in HELLO, DOLLY! and two years later starred in London in the UK version of BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR.He also appeared with Sammy Davis Jnr. in the revival of GOLDEN BOY. Offstage, Daniels frequently associated with underworld characters. He was stabbed in one incident and was once charged with a shooting. Late in his life he suffered ill-health and twice underwent heart by-pass surgery. He died in October 1988.