Chick Webb

William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb (February 10, 1905 - June 16, 1939) was a jazz and swing music drummer and band leader.

Disputed birthdate

Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Coleman Hawkins are among several early jazz musicians whose birthdates have been disputed. Many sources give Webb's birth year of 1909, however there is research that shows this may be incorrect.

Related Topics:
Louis Armstrong - Nat King Cole - Coleman Hawkins

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The Encyclopedia Britannica Online gives two possible years for his birthdate, 1902 and 1909. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9002864 Still other publications claim other years. The New York Times reported in 1939 that Webb was born in 1907.

Related Topics:
Encyclopedia Britannica - 1902 - The New York Times - 1939 - 1907

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According to an online article written by Eric B. Borgman the son of the jazz writer George A. Borgman, everyone has gotten Webb's birthdate wrong. He claims that he has proven that Webb was actually born in 1905 and that every other reference book, article, newspaper and internet site has gotten it wrong, incorrectly reporting various dates as the year of his birth. The Internet Movie Database has since adopted the 1905 year.

Related Topics:
George A. Borgman - Internet Movie Database

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It appears that his death certificate gives his birth year as 1909 but only after 1907 was written over. During his lifetime a book entitled "Rhythm on Record" by Hilton Schleman believed his birth year was 1907. According to some sources Chick Webb's birthdate has been said to be 1909.

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At this time Webb's actual birthdate is still unresolved.

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