| Jolson - Al Jolson, was a popular and acclaimed American Entertainer born in 1866. Considered one of the most accomplished and influential entertainers of the 20th century, Jolson revolutionised the role of singing star. He was the first popular singer to 'perform' while he sang rather than simply stand motionless and sing which had previously been the norm. Jolson was also the first performer to use a ramp extending out of the stage into the audience.
Following the 'minstrel' tradition of the day, Jolson was also the most popular blackfaced performer, a guise he used in his most famous film, The Jazz Singer, the very first nationally distributed sound movie.
Al Jolson, star of stage and screen, vaudeville and Broadway, died of a heart attack while playing cards in October 1950. He was 64. |
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