Billy Murray (singer)

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.

Related Topics:
25 May - 1877 - 17 August - 1954 - Singer - United States - 20th century - Vaudeville - Recording studio - Record label

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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.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Ireland - Theater - 1893 - Minstrel show - Phonograph cylinder - San Francisco, California - 1897 - New York City - New Jersey - 1903 - Tin Pan Alley

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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.

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1906 - Ada Jones - Aileen Stanley - Haydn Quartet - Premier Quartet - American Quartet

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

Related Topics:
Tenor - Bel canto

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While he often performed romantic numbers and ballads which sold well at the time, his comedy and novelty song recordings continue to be popular with later generations of record collectors.

Related Topics:
Comedy - Novelty song

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Murray's popularity faded with changes in public taste and recording technology; the rise of the electric microphone in the mid 1920s coincided with the rise of the crooners. While he continued to work, his singing style was considered "dated" and less in demand. In the late 1920s and early 1930s he also did voices for animated cartoons. He also did radio work.

Related Topics:
Microphone - 1920s - Crooner - Animated cartoon - Radio

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Murray made his last recordings in 1943 and retired to Freeport, Long Island, New York in 1944. He died in nearby Jones Beach.

Related Topics:
1943 - Freeport - Long Island - New York - 1944 - Jones Beach

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