Louis Armstrong Facts

1. Louis Armstrong was born on July 4, 1900 in a back-of-town part of New Orleans.
2. At the age of five Armstrong went to live with his mother and great-grandmother, because of his parent's separation.
3. Armstrong's hero was Bunk Jones who played the cornet. Jones taught Armstrong to play the cornet by ear, without reading music.
4. Armstrong's first instrument was a cigar-box guitar.
5. Armstrong was arrested and sent to Waif's Home for a year's discipline,because he shot off an old “38.”
6. Joe Oliver acted as Armstrong's father and even gave him his first trumpet.
7. Armstrong married Daisy Parker, his childhood sweetheart. He divorced a short time later.
8. When Armstrong was playing in Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, he met the piano player and arranger for the band. Her name was Lilian Hardin, his soon to be wife.
9. His two main hits were “Hello Dolly” and “What a wonderful World.” “Hello Dolly,” was a international hit and knocked the Beatles of the top of the charts.
10. Armstrong's band was renamed to the Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra, and they continued to tour for 10 years.
11. A white radio announcer refused to tell listeners about Armstrong's concert for African Americans. This was one of the times he was judged by his race instead of his talent.
12. His band was so internationally known that they traveled to africa, South America, and Europe.
13. His nickname “Satchmo” came from his original nickname of “Satchelmouth,” because of how his mouth, cheeks, and lips blew up when he played.
14. Even though his health began to get worse, he continued to record songs in between visits to the hospital.
15. Louis Armstrong died at his house,while sleeping,on July 6, 1971.
    

http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/schools/nihs/lwinters/lwcmb04.html