That Old Black Magic
American entertainer Billy Daniels had an impact that cut across identity, family and entertainment. ‘That Old Black Magic’ examines his life and contributions. Written by his English son Jack Pearce Daniels with much thought from Bruce Daniels and Billy Daniels Jr. this book is an engaging trip that combines themes of understanding, family and self-discovery.
The narrative commences in Barnoldswick a small town in Northern England where the reader is set up for a journey of self-discovery by the author’s early interest in America and the civil rights struggle. The author’s skilfully unravel the enigma surrounding their father, singer Billy Daniels ‘Mr Black Magic’ a show business legend whose shadow lingered over their early years.
Through a tapestry of recollections and anecdotes, the authors unveil the untold stories and little known details that shaped their family's history. Every chapter, which pieces together a huge narrative from Billy Daniels illustrious career, reads like a mosaic. Readers are treated to a glimpse of the highs and lows of a life spent performing as the narrative moves from intimate to lavish. Through poignant remarks on identity, belonging and the ties that link, the author’s traverse a challenging landscape that includes everything from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the brutal reality of racial prejudice.
Fundamentally ‘That Old Black Magic’ honours the enduring strength of family and the human spirit. As much a celebration of resiliency as a reckoning with the ghosts of the past, the writers confront their history head-on candid and triumphant. Using lyrical and introspective language ‘That Old Black Magic’ transports readers on a journey of self-discovery and atoning. As the brothers battle the intricacy of their upbringing and their father’s legacy, they eventually find solace in the family’s links and the eternal power of love.
‘That Old Black Magic’ promises emotional resonance by drawing on the universal themes of family, identity and resiliency with its rich tapestry of historical tales and personal thoughts. Finally, with its rich fabric of experiences and reflections, this book is a tribute to the ageless power of storytelling and the enduring bonds of kindred.
Billy Daniels
First of the modern-era pop stars, a hip-swivelling finger clicking sensation, described by many as the best night club entertainer of all time. Billy Daniels 50 year career began as a teenager in a Jacksonville gospel quartet ‘The Radio Four’. Moving on to New York in 1935 he firstly became a singing waiter at ‘Dickie Wells’ in Harlem, then vocalist touring with The Erskine Hawkins Band. With the decline of the 1930s swing bands, he was one of the first singers to enjoy a successful solo career. A headliner on the fabled 52nd Street he appeared with Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and the Nat King Cole trio. “I was the only singer the jazzmen would listen to” he remarked. Famously he sang every day of 1938 on New York radio, “It was me or the horse racing” his signature song at the time was ‘Diane’.
That Old Black Magic Book
Jack was 40 when his mother revealed his father was Billy Daniels. "I felt as though I had only been half a person until that moment and I had to find my other half. I had to find everything I could about my father. "My life became an obsessive quest" Adopted at 5 years old Jack discovered that his real father was Billy Daniels a legendary American singer whose signature song That Old Black Magic' sold over 12 million in the early 1950s and propelled him around the world as 'America's Most Exciting Singer' The first black entertainer to crossover into the mainstream and a contemporary and friend of Nat King Cole, Sinatra and Bennett. A career that kick-started on New York's fabled 52nd Street he was the first black performer to host his own TV show in 1951.
He starred in 3 Hollywood musicals and became a regular at The London Palladium and the Empire Theatre variety circuit. "My life changed when I unearthed my heritage and made contact with my new eldest brother Billy Jr. a successful trial lawyer (barrister) and exchanged a decade of letters with another new brother Bruce from his 'Correctional Facility' in Vacaville CA serving a life sentence after years of alcohol and drug abuse. My new brother Billy Jr told me the downside 'Dad was never at home' in only slightly changed circumstances I felt like Bruce's life could have been mine. The three sons of Billy Daniels were only together for one afternoon, one meeting in a Prison yard. That Old Black Magic - Encompasses Jack's search for his identity that followed his mother's revelation.
The contrasting lives of Billy Daniels sons. Meeting his new sisters in Las Vegas and Billy Jr in San Francisco. The inhibitions of 1950s Britain, America's racial segregation and his father's own remarkable story. That Old Black Magic is an unforeseen fulfilment of his father's request made on a dictaphone to his wife of 33 years Perri after triple heart bypass surgery shortly before his death. He said 'Find a writer, someone who can write an interesting book from all the material I've left' It must be destiny that his secret British son Jack is the author of That Old Black Magic.
That Old Black Magic Book
Jack was 40 when his mother revealed his father was Billy Daniels. "I felt as though I had only been half a person until that moment and I had to find my other half. I had to find everything I could about my father. "My life became an obsessive quest" Adopted at 5 years old Jack discovered that his real father was Billy Daniels a legendary American singer whose signature song That Old Black Magic' sold over 12 million in the early 1950s and propelled him around the world as 'America's Most Exciting Singer' The first black entertainer to crossover into the mainstream and a contemporary and friend of Nat King Cole, Sinatra and Bennett. A career that kick-started on New York's fabled 52nd Street he was the first black performer to host his own TV show in 1951.
He starred in 3 Hollywood musicals and became a regular at The London Palladium and the Empire Theatre variety circuit. "My life changed when I unearthed my heritage and made contact with my new eldest brother Billy Jr. a successful trial lawyer (barrister) and exchanged a decade of letters with another new brother Bruce from his 'Correctional Facility' in Vacaville CA serving a life sentence after years of alcohol and drug abuse. My new brother Billy Jr told me the downside 'Dad was never at home' in only slightly changed circumstances I felt like Bruce's life could have been mine. The three sons of Billy Daniels were only together for one afternoon, one meeting in a Prison yard. That Old Black Magic - Encompasses Jack's search for his identity that followed his mother's revelation.
The contrasting lives of Billy Daniels sons. Meeting his new sisters in Las Vegas and Billy Jr in San Francisco. The inhibitions of 1950s Britain, America's racial segregation and his father's own remarkable story. That Old Black Magic is an unforeseen fulfilment of his father's request made on a dictaphone to his wife of 33 years Perri after triple heart bypass surgery shortly before his death. He said 'Find a writer, someone who can write an interesting book from all the material I've left' It must be destiny that his secret British son Jack is the author of That Old Black Magic.
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The Sunday Times Review 08 / 22 / 1999
The Sunday Times Review 08 / 22 / 1999
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