Billy Murray

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Billy Murray (25 May 1877 - 17 August 1954) was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century. While he received star billings on Vaudeville, he was best known for his prolific work in the recording studio, making records for almost every record label of the era. He was probably the best selling recording artist of the first quarter of the 20th century.

He was born as William Thomas Murray in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of immigrants from Ireland. He became fascinated with the theater and joined a traveling vaudeville troupe in 1893. He also performed in minstrel shows early in his career. He made his first recordings for a local phonograph cylinder company in San Francisco, California in 1897. He started recording regularly in the New York City and New Jersey area in 1903, when the nation’s major record companies as well as the Tin Pan Alley music industry were concentrated there.

In 1906 he waxed the first of his popular duets with Ada Jones. He also performed with Aileen Stanley, The Haydn Quartet, The Premier Quartet, and The American Quartet (the latter two actually being the same group), in addition to his solo work.

He had a strong voice with excellent enunciation and a more conversational delivery than common with singers of the era. On comic songs he often deliberately sang slightly flat, which he felt helped the comic effect.
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  • Stardust_x

    I do not understand how you could talk ill of someone who passed away.

    last month

  • Stardust_x

    Something about his voice and songs, is just so catchy.

    last month

  • BiIIyShears

    I love music from his era, it's got a special charm to it and the songs always get stuck in my head and after listening to so many of them I've found myself silently signing them in public. Excited to see Bioshock Infinite bringing his music back into light. :D

    last month

  • tideghost

    Billy Murray had dozens and dozens of hit records between 1903 and 1926. A short list of his biggest hits includes "Bedalia" (1903), "Navajo" (1904), "Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis" (1904), "Come Take A Trip In My Air-Ship" (1905), "Yankee Doodle Boy" (1905), "Give My Regards To Broadway" (1905), "In My Merry Oldsmobile" (1905), "The Grand Old Rag" (1906), "Harrigan" (1907), "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon" (with the Haydn Quartet, 1910), "Casey Jones" (with the American Quartet, 1910), "He'd Have To Get Under, Get Out And Get Under, To Fix Up His Automobile" (1914), "Pretty Baby" (1916), "K-K-K-Katy" (1918), and "That Old Gang Of Mine" (with Ed Smalle, 1923).

    March 2012

  • narci91

    @marywich: Are you too cool for older music?

    March 2011

  • gritchotron

    this d00d ate babies before recording every single one of his tracks

    July 2010

  • autumnsgreyfan

    Truly a Time travellers sanctuary. :->

    February 2010

  • Ridikul

    fuck bill murray

    May 2009
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