1950s–1970s Louis Armstrong

louis armstrong in 1955

in june 1950, suzy delair performed rehearsals of song c est si bon aimé barelli , orchestra @ monte carlo casino louis armstrong finishing evening. armstrong enjoyed song , recorded american version in new york city on june 26, 1950. in 1960s, toured ghana , nigeria, performing victor olaiya during nigerian civil war.

by 1950s, armstrong beloved american icon , cultural ambassador commanded international fanbase. however, growing generation gap became apparent between him , young jazz musicians emerged in postwar era such charlie parker, miles davis, , sonny rollins. postwar generation regarded music abstract art , considered armstrong s vaudevillian style, half-musician , half-stage entertainer, outmoded , uncle tomism, . . seemed link minstrelsy ashamed of. described bebop chinese music. while touring australia, 1954, asked if play bebop. bebop? husked. play music. guys invent terms walking streets instruments under arms

after finishing contract decca records, became freelance artist , recorded different labels.

armstrong continued intense international touring schedule, in 1959 suffered heart attack in italy , had rest time.

in 1964, after on 2 years without setting foot in studio, recorded biggest-selling record, hello, dolly! , song jerry herman, sung carol channing. armstrong s version remained on hot 100 22 weeks, longer other record produced year, , went no. 1 making him, @ 62 years, 9 months , 5 days, oldest person ever accomplish feat. in process, dislodged beatles no. 1 position had occupied 14 consecutive weeks 3 different songs. armstrong made last recorded trumpet performances on 1968 album disney songs satchmo way.

armstrong kept touring 60s, visiting part of communist bloc in 1965. toured africa, europe, , asia under sponsorship of state department great success, earning nickname ambassador satch , inspiring dave brubeck compose jazz musical real ambassadors. 1968, approaching 70 , health began give out. suffered heart , kidney ailments forced him stop touring. armstrong did not perform publicly @ in 1969 , spent of year recuperating @ home. meanwhile, longtime manager joe glaser died. summer of 1970, armstrong s doctors pronounced him fit enough resume live performances. embarked on world tour, heart attack forced him take break 2 months.