Cab Calloway: The Original Frontman

[@HendarsChannel]

A bit sad a movie hasn't been made of his life, I love watching his performances.

[@ajbutler4896]

The thing is I’m not sure nobody could do him justice. From an acting and singing perspective

[@HendarsChannel]

@@ajbutler4896 Yeah most likely not, such a charismatic guy would be hard to pull off.

[@sueking1704]

@@HendarsChannel I mean Austin butler did Elvis Presley justice in the movie about him, do I don't think it'll be impossible for somebody to do a movie about Cab's life and do him justice

[@Tovek]

Why would a movie bring any justification to a vibrant life like his when you have his music and the videos we already have. I don’t think he can be recreated at all. I prefer to watch tho original over some Hollywood mock up.

[@SirPigim]

It`s great to see Cab getting the recognition he deserves. He was absolutely one of the greats of his time.

[@jaylenharris2150]

That's what I'm saying and tbh I'm gonna make a biopic of this man

[@antisfoxes]

ikr?

[@jeans4179]

The Blues Brothers is the best musical of all time, & I will die on this hill

[@BababooeyGooey]

You'll be joined by thousands of others, fam.

[@LordDragon1965]

As a Chicago guy myself, Blues Brothers is the best musical after 1970. I just love Hair, Camelot, Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar and That's Entertainment too much to say "of all time"

[@lawrencerinehart5747]

John Lee Hooker, James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway & members of Booker T and the MG's plus it was fun and entertaining!

[@lilMissmAlice]

I'll help you hold the flag

[@Theomite]

Me: He has the high ground now...this fight is over.

[@rachel_sj]

When I was a kid watching Blues Brothers, I had no idea who Cab was in the film (cause he had some involvement with the story before the ending performance). Since then, it’s been amazing to find out about his life, work and influence (esp in the Betty Boop cartoons too). Great video, Polyphonic!

[@burntmoth19]

"Oogie Boogie's Song" also references Cab's performance in another Betty Boop short "The Old Man of the Mountain." Betty/Santa: "Whatchu goin' do now?/What are you going to do?" Old Man/Oogie Boogie: "I'm gonna do the best I can."

[@cmikelson3193]

OH WOW! This is so well done. I’m grateful to find this video and share it with my senior residents.

[@underworldsuperior472]

my favorite swing/big band artist is getting his recognition. Thank you.

[@Mgjctv]

Man for sum reason i was addicted to the betty boop cab calloway shorts too, i like the clown one

[@gardenboydon]

I love your combination of history and music. The connections you make are incredibly insightful

[@Knappula]

This channel has been consistently some of the best content on KZbin.

[@raspberryjuiceentertainmen719]

0:14 I’m boutta end this mans eardrums

[@antisfoxes]

HDJAJFJJC

[@kipperbill]

How could anyone dislike history videos done right?!

[@HélèneDANIELI-i8z]

Cab is the best communication music man forever, when I have discover his music, it's was the joy in my life. I am born 50 years after him. But his music is very young ❤😂HA

[@kjo2130]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a biopic on Cab Calloway yet, American icon in music.

[@Beksultan9]

me too

[@Timmoddly]

Love seeing love for Cab Calloway!

[@AZCaveMan480]

They're not performers, they're entertainers.

[@Tovek]

I kind of love learning about this considering that Minnie the Moocher has been a much loved staple of my life for well over half my life.

[@SimpsonMusicProductions]

9:42 Truth Bomb 👍

[@jacktowers7533]

I didn’t even see the title, I just clicked the notification and once you said Cab was the Godfather of the frontman my heart was just like “Oh Fuck Yes Here We Go”

[@jerryezel4530]

Great Video, Keep up the great work💯 #Polyphonic

[@mrsocko319]

Great job as always. I'd love to see your take on Al Jarreau.

[@babalon7778]

You sent me on Cab Calloway binge, love it!

[@ShaunEASmith]

My. God. I LOVE this channel!!!

[@elanorgamdschie8694]

Video starts with Queen @ Live Aid - Do you want to make me cry?!

[@jackmarino8162]

Cab was the fattest of the fat cats. His hi-de-ho was unmatched and he not only booged it, he outright jumped and jived. That was his best quality. He was hep through and through.

[@AylalikeKaylawithouttheK]

Thank you for acknowledging his sister!

[@Wyllies11]

Not that I minded your look at some modern artists for your "Shaped the 2010's" series but THIS is the Poly content I crave.

[@alisterfolson]

I just remember his performance in The Blues Brothers

[@americasmaker]

This video is dope af. I didn't even know Cab had an older sister that was in showbiz. Cab Calloway was definitely the original front man and every Rock, Soul, and Hip Hop group owes him. We definitely need the true story of black American music told now that we have all of these black and Latino immigrants coming here, taking up positions of power, and lying saying they brought Hip Hop , Rock, Disco and Jazz culture etc with them from the Caribbean and taught black Americans how to do all of this shit😂. The lunacy. I will not allow my history and culture to be rewritten.

[@phoenixmastrogiovanni157]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, but would like to point out that Louis Armstrong’s name was not pronounced correctly

[@Zeldarw104]

Wow!! I was just watching clips from the Blue's Brothers last night on youtube, and Cab Callaway was part of that : Minnie the moocher : she was a low-down hoochie, coochie, I really enjoyed the music and his electrifying, performance in that movie.🙂💯 Thanks for sharing this upload, I really appreciate music history. (I got the music in me)😎 🎵

[@Seljuqqq]

7:42 was that the lick?

[@rileyhasguns597]

I was just gonna look this up. if you covered him. And it played next lol

[@PeterTea]

Got Saint Louis bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuues.... I love Cab Calloway aka the reefer man.

[@reginawilliams1398]

This narrator is hilarious🤣🤣

[@esirex7371]

I really want him to do a video on Brendon Urie

[@samkibbey6321]

Honestly how are you going to call it a "memorable performance" of Minnie the moocher when it's fairly widely agreed to be the best version. For those interested they wanted to make it more "campy" and upbeat. After several takes the director told him to try it a little darker and cab said "oh, you mean the way it's supposed to be played?" Then gave the previously mentioned performance. It's great

[@edwardmaxwell3951]

Great intro, man 👍

[@TheVeryAngryShrimp]

SOMEBODY COVERING CAB CALLOWAY AAAAAAAH 😭😭😭😭😭

[@idastetis9173]

Hi dude>! Make a video about Syd Barrett - thanks!

[@jamestheredenginefan5268]

Coach Not Train Car

[@HipsterShiningArmor]

Calloway was born in 1907, meaning he was only like 23 when he got famous. I think with a lot of performers from the distant past we sometimes don't appreciate just how young and green they were when they changed the world, so I wanted to bring that up.

[@Ampher03]

Many icons are

[@teethgrinder83]

Like the above commenter said, many are in their 20s when they get famous and have a huge impact-I mean just look at the greats who died in their 20s, that alone says something. Then on top of that you have all the ones who didn't die-I mean the further I get in this comment the more I'm thinking about it and realising that it's more common to be in your 20s and making a huge impact with your music than other ages lol

[@gcarlson]

Mozart was famous before he hit puberty!

[@luiskern8910]

23 was a grown-ass adult back then

[@nialls1048]

The moonwalk originally called the buzz... 34 years later Buzz walks on the moon

[@ricimercury9490]

Oh my god

[@uramisugi]

*hits blunt*

[@muhammadgbadegesin8043]

WOAH. BLEW MY MIND.

[@antisfoxes]

HOLY SHIT

[@WM_Nonsense]

Oh my god

[@shrub4248]

Artist: *has a large effect on the history of music* Polyphonic: I'm about to analyse this man's whole career

[@luizfernandohuf1662]

but i'm not a youtuber

[@connorwilliamson3]

And in just over 12 minutes too!

[@makimakipapura7543]

"whole career"

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Ah I loved this so much. Like a lot of people Blues Brothers was where I learnt about Calloway and thereafter learnt all about that glorious era. But never knew about his animation legacy!

[@MedlifeCrisis]

@Leon Lindner I've been a huge Polyphonic fan for ages, never miss his videos!

[@kirbyculp3449]

Betty Boop!

[@markwhitman9542]

The BETTY BOOP cartoon set to the ST. JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES routinely played before THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW back in the day introducing my generation to the great Cab Calloway...

[@liamaldrich2476]

I fucking love his "St. James Infirmary Blues" and the Betty boop video that goes with it is stellar

[@samatronhi8259]

Have you listened to the white stripes version? its incredibly good.

[@zachkubish598]

That really is such a great video, but the Minnie the Mooched sequence in the cartoon was phenomenal. Such a flexible Walrus

[@noirekuroraigami2270]

@@samatronhi8259ehh I disagree

[@davidwesley2525]

@liamaldrich2476 Cab Calloway also appeared in the Betty Boop Cartoons The Old Man of the Mountain & Minnie the Moocher. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@coolcoconuts4453]

Just the fact that well into his eighties he could still perform with the same energy and charisma that he had in his twenties showcases the different level of frontmanship he was on. There will never be another Freddy, there will never be another Lemmy, and there will most certainly be another Cab

[@davefink2326]

Mick has received that mantle.

[@rhodamarquez6539]

Freddie Mercury: I am one of the best at makin huge crowds say unintelligible sounds wonderfully Cab Calloway: Hold my _hi-dee hi-dee hi-dee hi_

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

I was actually the first to say that comment by the way. Never mind..

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

@Zach Higgins Sorrry

[@simonbedan139]

No... just no dude

[@jackorion7157]

@@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051 wrong. Sort by new, this comment was before yours

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

@@jackorion7157 Are you sure? My one was uploaded 2 minutes after the video was released

[@fab.912]

Cab Calloway was also the inspiration for King Dice in Cuphead (he even says hi-de-ho in his death screen quote) It's so nice to see anything Cab Calloway related in my feed. What a great musician

[@antisfoxes]

NITW IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE GAMES! i love your pfp also I agree! i love king dice!

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

Freddie Mercury: I can command a whole audience Cab Calloway: Heidi Heidi Heidi Ho!

[@Stowneyo]

Yeah they just said that in the video. thanks captain brain cell

[@bigladsubaru3523]

He said that in the video

[@PkmariO64]

Cab Calloway: Heidi-Heidi-Hold my beer

[@youtubeuser2894]

Polyphonic, I absolutely love your content and have exhausted all the videos on your channel; the amalgamation of my two favourites, music and history. If I could make a suggestion, surf music and it's origin in the '50s would be an interesting topic to explore, and how it ties into and was influenced by the war and certain effects such as reverb, etc.

[@DonkeyBoyVids]

That'd be really cool, I second this

[@leilanilamour5173]

Excellent idea 😎👍🏼

[@fioreariadne]

I LOVE THIS! Please listen to his suggestion! 🤞🙏

[@nobye420]

I'm all for this

[@junkiejackflash]

It's a unanimous yes

[@fiquitoyunque]

Four omissions, perhaps because of time limitations: - Cab in Sesame Street - Cab in Janet Jackson’s Alright - Cab’s last huge crowd performance in Washington, DC’s Mall - Cab’s influence over Disney’s “Aladdin” cartoon film

[@scombs6543]

He also inspired King Dice in the game Cuphead

[@davidwesley2525]

Cab Calloway in the Betty Boop cartoon " Minnie the Moocher ".

[@linglingjr]

The recording of Jumpin' Jive he did with the Nicholas Brothers has to be the most iconic live performance of all time.

[@weldin]

Perhaps of jazz music. That’s such a great performance.

[@apexone5502]

That scene is classic.

[@danielflynn8530]

I agree I was floored. This was beyond impressive

[@ArmyOfMe1981Ry]

His cameo in Janet Jacksons "Alright" video should be noted.

[@joachimluis7044]

I used to go to lots of Oakland Athetics’ games in the late 80s, and happened to be there where Cab Calloway made a surprise appearance. Back then they were one of the best teams in baseball and routinely had at least 45,000+ in the stands. To hear an outdoor stadium singing “Hi-de-Ho” as a call and response was super cool experience

[@bat4280]

The first time I saw Cab Calloway was on Sesame Street. :)

[@zedlicious]

Me too. And I seem To remember seeing Steve Wonder and Miles Davis. I was hooked very young.

[@WTFG78]

Singing with the Two-Headed Monster. For scat singing, it was a brilliant choice. Kudos to Sesame Street for introducing Cab to a new generation.

[@Apis4]

Ditto, and he was awesome!

[@antisfoxes]

yeah that was awesome

[@FlowIrec]

Same. I was hooked since.

[@Jodus_MacGotuss]

I'm convinced Cab's shoes had absolutely no friction to them.

[@kittiewormley]

Here we are back in the 20s again.

[@sabineb.5616]

One of the most ideosyncratic Disney villains - Dr. Facilier from "Kiss The Frog" - has been inspired by Cab Calloway and his dancing moves☺ Cab Calloway also appeared in "Sesame Street". He really had a long career which never really faded away.

[@masonsarro-twickler7286]

This is what happens when you dump all of your perk points into charisma

[@fad23]

For many years in the swing dance community, I'd use Calloway's Hi-De-Ho as a way of showing dance students they already understood the notion of call and response. Such a great performer and often downplayed in the jazz world for having a sense of humor. I've taken a lot of inspiration from his recordings. Thanks for the examination!

[@dkraus15]

Jumpin' Jive from Stormy Weather is the greatest musical performance ever captured on film. Between Cab's singing and charisma, his band's precision and style, and the Nicholas Brothers' INCREDIBLE tap routine, its simply the best. If you haven't seen it, go educate yourself and watch it

[@jackorion7157]

2:43 I love how that dance was animated in Betty Boop

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

It was. The animators used a technique called Rotoscoping where they made a cartoon by tracing over live action footage

[@023222323]

Couldn't hold it in till the end huh?

[@jackorion7157]

@@023222323 what

[@023222323]

@@jackorion7157 I actually misread your comment, sorry 🙂

[@juanitadaleslusher9338]

I have a Betty Boop collection going back to the 1930s, so I really loved hearing this.

[@TheEditorMatt]

Artist: makes song Documentary Channels: This man knows god

[@nhmooytis7058]

I’m old enough to have seen him on TV. Legendary entertainer!

[@ConwayT91]

One of the most charismatic performers ever! thanks for picking Cab for a video

[@pssurvivor]

what a handsome man!

[@lukaskucera9043]

I was just writing a paper on this guy

[@neptunestardust]

Cab Calloway is one of my favourite musicians Like he had it all Happy you made a video on him

[@fishypaw]

He was such a talented performer and great dancer.

[@gcarlson]

Yup.

[@thegrayshaws]

Remember Jason Lee's line from Almost Famous about a frontman's job: "I get people off. I look for the guy who isn't getting off, and I make him get off."

[@gcarlson]

ha! yeah, I thought of that too...

[@MomMom4Cubs]

Who's seen his birthplace? It's a beautiful park in Rochester NY, with a plaque where the home he was born in once stood. Those that live on that street kept his park VERY clean.

[@7bombarie]

The Fleischer Brothers were absolute geniuses, like Cab Calloway. Their cooperation delivered some of the finest groundbreaking art ever.

[@fiquitoyunque]

Four omissions, perhaps because of time limitations: - Cab in Sesame Street - Cab in Janet Jackson’s Alright - Cab’s last huge crowd performance in Washington, DC’s Mall - Cab’s influence over Disney’s “Aladdin” cartoon film

[@antisfoxes]

he influenced aladdin?

[@fiquitoyunque]

@@antisfoxes “Mr. Aladdin, sir…” that song has Cab written all over it

[@davidwesley2525]

​@@fiquitoyunqueThe Genie Even Dressed Like Cab Calloway in a White Tuxedo. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@polarjet1833]

Not only was this guy the original frontman but this guy also became the frontman for a bit in the Blues Brothers

[@tristanthompson5269]

I'd love to see a video about the effect that CBGB had on counter culture movements and how rather tame sounding bands like Talking Heads found an audience with some of the most hardcore punks in New York

[@RobertoGinsburg]

@Tristan Thompson The roigh fact is that *Talking Heads art in music kick ass of all screamin Hardcore bands* later, included Bad Brains and early Beastie Boys. Is easy prove that many great bands abbanded childish hardcore for make more elaborated music like The Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

[@tristanthompson5269]

@@RobertoGinsburg I'm in no way saying that the music of Talking Heads doesn't stand on it's own merits. Just that the eclectic mix of talent makes CBGB an interesting subject.

[@kainezillah]

@@RobertoGinsburg I cant clearly understand what your saying, but you dont have to bring others down to bring others up. Different bands have different sounds, and that doesnt make one less valuable or less entertaining than the other. Each did something something different, it's silly to compare. (Especially the Hardcore/Reggae music of the Bad Brains to the art rock of the Talking Heads. It's like comparing Da Vinci to Beethoven)

[@deutsche_zizou]

I just had a conservation with a friend about him! He told me that Mercury was the best musician regarding working with the crowd. Then I showed him the „Minnie the Moocha“ scene from Blues Brothers, the only reason I know Calloway, and told him I found this better. Now we are both laughing about the coincidence that we can watch a video about that exact subject....

[@r006361]

Folks I’m going down to St James infirmary, to see my babe...

[@calebmurray3611]

Is she stretched out on a long white table?

[@zskt4205]

@@calebmurray3611 shes so sweet, so cold, so fair

[@davidwesley2525]

​@@zskt4205 Betty Boop is Quite a Hot 🔥 Fox. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@Einar000]

Louis Armstrong singing Dinah in Copenhagen in 1933 is one of the best things I have ever seen!!

[@JoshuaDb_The_Witness]

I have been a performing musician for over thirty years, and Cab Calloway in the blues brothers was one of my childhood inspirations.

[@cloudbloom]

Hep to the jive👌

[@angelo1052]

I’ve been really getting into Cab Calloway, I’m so glad someone could share that and share knowledge of this legendary performer

[@tracyjones5356]

Although Calloway was a great performer including the great musicians as a black man, blacks did not get respected

[@_LianaHardy]

Cab is a genius and one of the best performers I've seen

[@Obscure128]

Love these videos but why does the narrator sound like a surfer robot. Gahhh change up your flow man.

[@UATU.]

This is brilliant. So many people just know him as a caricature of himself, or only from Blues Brothers. His music still makes me happy.

[@Stowneyo]

Allison and? Some people Don’t know things till they learn them.

[@UATU.]

spruce bingsteen I meant no criticism, I’m glad this video exists so more people will know about him.

[@RayPointerChannel]

I enjoyed your tribute to Cab Calloway and would like to share it on the Fleischer Facebook page, if I may.

[@funnybunnyfuzie]

So glad y'all posted this video because this man's accomplishments still deserve to be recognized even though he's no longer with us,,, love him and his music, truly one of the best musicians I've ever come across in my whole life

[@Veggieman87]

Oh, hell yeah. Cab definitely deserves his props.

[@everetth-top4760]

Minnie the Moocher is one of the most fun songs ever!

[@BrianDawe]

I can’t believe I just found your channel. These all are some of the best short documentaries I’ve ever seen. I’m blown away!

[@neuracast4739]

Cab Calloway is further proof of the massive impact African Americans have had on music. From the blues to frontmen to many many more

[@XKobraXKid]

I think an important element to understanding Cab Calloway's style of scatting is that he was very inspired by Jewish liturgical chant. Many people in the music industry including his manager Irving Mills were Jewish and Cab would occasionally attend synagogue in NYC and came to incorporate some of those sounds in his music. He also blended Yiddish words and Jive talk to create his own vocabulary.

[@michaelcondry1493]

Bout time a legend of the vintage period got recognition

[@seadawg93]

A had a dream a few nights ago of a live-action Cab Calloway in an animated film singing “I got friends in the other side.” (It was great, I was sad when I woke up and realized it wasn’t real).

[@michanowak7060]

Ok guys, Let's hit it! Hi-de hi-de hi-de-ha!

[@hectormontemayor5385]

Hollywood, make a movie about this man...simply call it "Cab"!!! It will be a hit and an oscar warranted film!!!! Just do it!!!!

[@jamesallard7223]

Brilliant, one of my favorite performers gets the Polyphonic treatment and some of the respect he deserves. I do not recall who it was in my youth, but someone knew and regularly sang Minnie The Moocher often enough that when I saw The Blues Brothers, I could sing along. Excellent job!

[@eidolon1809]

I got to see Cab Calloway perform --- twice --- in the mid-80's. He was as magically charismatic as this video describes him!

[@alien5589]

Cab Calloway deserves to be on American currency. So much of modern culture has its roots in something he touched