chick webb bio

Biography William Henry Webb “chick Webb” was born on February 10, 1909 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was born to William Henry and Mary Webb, he had three sisters Bessie, Mabel, and Ethel. Chick was a legend to a lot of people. He was one of the best drummer of the swing era. At a young age William contracted spinal tuberculosis that left him a hunchback and little use of his legs. Doctors recommend he take up drumming as a remedy to loosen up his stiff joints since then he took up drumming.so he really didn’t have a choice when he went into this career because of his stiff joints that he got from the disease. When he was young he played on pots, pans, and oil drums. Then after selling newspapers he saved up enough money to buy himself a drum set with custom pedals so he could reach them due to his small height. At age 17 by 1926 chick decided to move to New York and play with Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, and Duke Ellington. In 1927 on advice of Ellington, chick started a quintet called the Harlem stompers. He started playing at one of Harlem’s largest night clubs, one like the savoy and won over a lot of crowds with his flamboyant style. In 1931 he formed the chick Webb orchestra. The band became the house band for the savoy.Even thought he could not read music he memorized every piece and led the band from a raised platform, cueing in the sections with his drumming. He was perfectly suited for the swing era. He was a major competitor. The way Chick Webb influenced people was his way of playing due to his height and his tuberculosis disease. Also because he was one of the first black males to ever lead a band, back in the time where blacks were considered slaves and also because he one of the people that led the country through the great depression happily with his and others music. In November 1938 chick’s health began to decline for some time however he continued to play, refusing to give up touring so that his band can remain