Louis Prima - King of the Swingers (2006 Documentary)

Bandleader and vocalist Louis Prima is featured in this TV biography, which includes contributions from former band members, managers, and his former wife, Gia Maione.

Louis Leo Prima was born in 1910 of a musical Italian-American family in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was the son of a Sicilian immigrant from Salaparuta, whilst his mother had immigrated from Ustica as a baby. His mother was a music lover and made sure that each of her children played a musical instrument. Louis was assigned the violin. He became interested in jazz when he heard black musicians at local clubs such as Matranga's, Joe Segrettas, Tonti's Social Club, and Lala's Big 25. These were all owned and operated by Italian-Americans, at which African-Americans frequently played. Louis Prima was married five times, including to the singer Keely Smith.

He is perhaps more widely known for his contribution to the Walt Disney movie "Jungle Book". He voiced a character aptly named King Louie, and the song "I Wanna Be Like You" became an international hit.

Louis suffered a heart attack in 1973. Two years later he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He subsequently suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and, following surgery, went into a coma from which he never recovered. He died in 1978 in New Orleans. He lies in a gray marble crypt in Metairie Cemetery and the inscription on the crypt's door quotes the lyrics from one of his hits: "When the end comes, I know, they'll say "Just a Gigolo" as life goes on without me . . ." [Wikipedia]

If you liked this video please help our channel by giving us a Thumbs Up, and consider subscribing for advance notification of new uploads that may interest you.

#louisprima