AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Fats Waller

Artist:Fats Waller

Song:Ain't Misbehavin'

Album:Stormy Weather: The Classic Series

Thomas "Fats" Waller was the first really important black songwriter. This performance of Ain't Misbehavin' from the 1943 film Stormy Weather came just before his death. He was born May 21, 1904 in New York City. His father was a preacher and his mother taught him to play piano. Stride piano legend James P. Johnson was one of his teachers. Waller started out recording ragtime. But by the late 20s he was writing musicals with lyricist Andy Razaf. Ain't Misbehavin' is from the 1929 show Hot Chocolates. Waller signed with RCA in 1926 and recorded for them his entire career. In addition to all his great songs, Waller was a great performer. So unlike many black artists of this era, there is plenty of video footage of Waller. He had two fatal flaws. He was obese and he liked to drink. Waller appeared in several short films known as Soundies. But he also appeared in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. This is based on the story of legendary tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Robinson stars with Lena Horne. Waller performs along with Cab Calloway, dancer Katherine Dunham and The Nicolas Brothers dance duo. Stormy Weather can be streamed on The Criterion Channel and the soundtrack is available on CD. The band performing with Waller includes Teddy Buckner, Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Jo Jones, Taps Miller, Zurtty Singleton and Slam Stewart. Soon after Stormy Weather's success, Waller was travelling to New York on the train Super Chief when he contracted pneumonia and died on Dec. 15, 1943 at age 39. His legacy endures. Here's Fats Waller performing Ain't Misbehavin' from the 1943 film Stormy Weather.