I just found this. I am 73 yrs old, and was the biggest Jolson fan as soon as I saw The Jolson Story. All my life, when I do what I call singing, I mimic Jolson. And when I do Jolson songs, it just makes me happy. Jolson's was a unique voice, a great voice, with great music. I'm glad I found out about this because I too feel he needs to be remembered and passed down. Well, let me go, I have to join IAJS. THANKS AGAIN!
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Glad you found us, welcome. Please do subscribe to this channel, and join the IAJS. New Jolson Journal coming out in the fall that promises to be another blockbuster issue, and only full members of the Society can get it.
@keithdawes2685 Жыл бұрын
My Dad went to see 'The Jazz Singer' in 1927 at a cinema in Mansfield, near Nottingham. He became a Jolson fan from then on. Twenty years later my Dad had become an entertainer, and part of his act was impersonating him. I was brought up with all the songs, and what wonderful songs they are
@MarcLeavey10 ай бұрын
Thanks for the memory. Please do enjoy this channel and the website with your memories of your father.
@Brace67 Жыл бұрын
He was a favorite of my dad, who saw him preform at the Schubert Theater in Detroit. He told me he saw Jolson in “The Jazz Singer” several times and the lines to see it and actually hear Al Jolson stretched around the corner.
@MarcLeavey10 ай бұрын
A great memory. Hope you enjoy this channel and the website with him in mind.
@walterwheeler54656 жыл бұрын
In 1946 my siblings and I were standing on the front lawn ready to go to the weekly movies at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena. The movie we were to see that particular day was "The Jolson Story," which we all were looking forward to seeing. My mother looked at me, felt my forehead, determined that I had a fever, and told me I needed to stay home and go to bed. Decades later I was able to see "The Jolson Story" on television. Al Jolson was part of my family's life during the 1940's. He was a gift to humanity.
@spasticpug52093 жыл бұрын
I’m 20 soon to be 21 and am a huge Jolson fan
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Glad to hear it. Please do check out the other videos in this channel, and subscribe, and pop by the website at www.jolson.org for more of his legacy.
@georgechilton19664 жыл бұрын
We were raised on old 78 records of The Greatest Entertainer and my love for Al shall never die x
@Mr.Rocklight2 жыл бұрын
Fantastic & True. I love Al Jolson (Love Asa Youlson) since I first heard his voice as a little boy. Still the greatest to me.
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your comment, we love him as well. Please do subscribe to this channel if you've not already, check out more material at the website, www.jolson.org, and consider joining the International Al Jolson Society for even more material and access to Jolson's legacy.
@kitsnow53073 жыл бұрын
He came up the hard way and sung his way to the top. Beautiful Al.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. Please do subscribe to this channel, and visit the website of the International Al Jolson Society at www.jolson.org for more on the World's Greatest Entertainer.
@kitsnow53073 жыл бұрын
@@MarcLeavey Thank you so much. I will. He's one of a kind entertainer and music and singing were his forever and he was and still is the best. Have a great day.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
@@kitsnow5307 ;-)
@tmnl80373 жыл бұрын
This video is a great tribute to Al Jolson.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, it is very well received. Please do wander around the other videos in this series, and subscribe to the channel if you've not already.
@tmnl80373 жыл бұрын
Thanks, I will look at them later because it is 4.20 am here now and I need to get some sleep, but watching Al Jolson when you cannot fall asleep is very entertaining. They are great videos.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
@@tmnl8037 Sounds like you are on the other side of the pond from me. Please do rest ... but do subscribe!
@georgebreidenthal7253 жыл бұрын
I think the greatness of his voice is best shown in his great recording of Some Enchanted Evening. I became a Jolson fan in the 90s when a friend gave me a cassette of the George Burns Show. Later I became a fan of Frank Sinatra. I do impressions of both of them at karaoke here in Lake Havasu Ciy. Thanks for posting this. Jolson was certainly no racist.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your comments. Shame you had not submitted a Karaoke for the 2021 Virtual Jolson Festival that we had on the website in May, 2021. After being online for several months on www.jolson.org, it has now been archived onto DVD, complete with the dozen warblers who tried their voices at Jolson tunes. That and more to members of the IAJS. Please do subscribe to this site if you've not already, and wander around these Video Podcasts and the website.
@haroldbregman21022 жыл бұрын
The songs he sung will never die
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
No, the songs live on, but Jolson's memory is obscure in many areas. That's why we encourage folks to join the IAJS, to help keep Jolson and his legacy alive. Visit www.jolson.org for more.
@haroldbregman21022 жыл бұрын
@@MarcLeavey True. .The new batch of entertainers will never be like Jolson.
@dannoble5477 Жыл бұрын
I was 10 when Jolson died and cried. I'm 83 now and still a fan.
@clinece3 жыл бұрын
Entertainer through and through. My dad use to sing rock a bye your baby with a Dixie melody to me before bed and I've memorized the lyrics.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your comments. Please do subscribe to this channel, and check out the over 130 other Video Podcasts online. More on Jolson at our website www.jolson.org
@princeharming89634 жыл бұрын
AJ was greatly bothered by the way black entertainers were treated at the time, and referenced it on a number of occasions. The man was the brightest star on Broadway, having not only a voice... but a soul. He was Way ahead of his time.
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Absolutely. Check the website, www.jolson.org, for some stories on the way that Jolson dealt with discrimination. Thanks for your comment, and consider subscribing to my channel.
@Blassieboy5 жыл бұрын
Great excerpt from this show with Milton Berle. I'm 65 now and Al Jolson is the only singer that can make me smile or bring a tear to my eyes. I loved him as a child as my mom used to sing his songs to me, I never outgrew him and never will. Thank you for keeping Jolie alive Marc Leavey.
@MARKETMAN67894 жыл бұрын
My father in-law used to do the club's with his tribute act to him .he was very good and the lads in the vault of our local working men's club used to have a sing along .and would ask him to take us down the swanee river and sing them some songs.my fav was Rosie you are my Posie .but loved them all.Thank for this video he would have loved it
@rnhealer60446 жыл бұрын
My mother played Jolson with me when I was a kid in the early 60s and I loved him. I'll never forget it. So great this podcast was well preserved for future generations.
@MarcLeavey6 жыл бұрын
RN Healer Glad you enjoyed, see more on our website, www.jolson.org
@amberola1b7 жыл бұрын
I grew up listening to Jolson back in the 60s, and always loved his songs. when I watched the videos about his life here on KZfaq, I realized he had such a exciting career. even though his star dimmed for a while in the later part of the 30's, I'm glad he had a resurgence of popularity in the 40s . he obviously loved working and loved the applause of the people. will always appreciate his music .
@MarcLeavey7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comments. Jolson is well remembered by the International Al Jolson Society. Visit our website at www.jolson.org and join us in preserving the legacy of the World's Greatest Entertainer.
@scottrichards32465 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing the Jolson story on TV when I was very young and simply was awestruck with the sounds and music of Jolson.. Now more then fifty-five years later, I absolutely still love that sound and music of Jolson. Now, my grandchildren as well as my children know who he was. A few years ago, we all went to see the movie King Kong. And when the movie started and Jolson's voice came on signing "I'm sitting on top of the world" I felt all those eyes on me and when I turned they all were looking at me, knowing who was singing... they remembered... Jolson was the greatest entertainer, and I don't believe we will ever see another like him. Thanks for showing this. Thoroughly enjoyed it...
@georgebreidenthal7253 жыл бұрын
That was the first song I ever saw Jolson sing, on the George Burns Show. It was the most memorable part of the King Kong movie.
@H.pylori6 жыл бұрын
I am Black, from Washington, DC and my grandmother used to recall how the Jolson family lived around the corner in the SW area of the city and Jolson's brother would sometimes come to the house to borrow money. It was not uncommon to have a multi-ethnic neighborhood at that time. So, Jolson knew Blacks and respected them. Minstrel black face was part of old vaudeville at the time, good or bad. Note that he did not do black face later. Great video. Jolson was blessed with a "voice," like Sinatra.
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Great personal memory! Thanks for sharing.
@MARKETMAN67894 жыл бұрын
T
@MARKETMAN67894 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your story
@LongRidgeFarmer3 жыл бұрын
My father was born in 1930 he loved to listen to al Jolson.
@georgebreidenthal7253 жыл бұрын
An apt comparison!
@michaelkinnard79423 күн бұрын
I am 88 years+ from England, I have love Jolson for years. still play his music on my I pad.
@benjaminglover15703 жыл бұрын
Decent fella and a ground breaker.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the clip. Please do check out the other Video Podcasts in this channel, and subscribe if you've not already. More of Jolson on the website, www.jolson.org
@martharichler66723 жыл бұрын
This is great - thank you @marc leavey
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, and do check out the over 130 others in the series. Check the website of the International Al Jolson Society at www.jolson.org for more on Jolson's life and legacy, and consider joining us if you're not yet a member.
@martharichler66723 жыл бұрын
@@MarcLeavey Thank you!
@elizabethlongworth76352 жыл бұрын
Al Jolson was a great entertainer and sang lovely songs.He will always be remembered.
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. Please consider helping preserve his memory by joining the International Al Jolson Society, Inc., a charitable corporation dedicated to his legacy. Visit www.Jolson.org to find out more.
@daniellack35593 жыл бұрын
Jolson and Berle...easily the 2 biggest egos in show business history...ya had to love em..!!!
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
And they had the talent to go with those egos.... Thanks for your comment. Please check out the other videos in this series and subscribe to this channel if you've not already. See more about Al Jolson on our website, www.jolson.org.
@spazatron-uu4kb4 жыл бұрын
The work u are doing sir is some of the most important thing that the human species can do....ur wife maybe having a affair....u may be broke...ur friends and neighbors maybe laughing...but this podcast is worth the sacrifice!!!
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Uh, no ... but I do enjoy helping to spread the word about a man often forgotten or ignored these days. Please do subscribe to my channel, tell your friends, share the videos, visit the website and maybe even join the Society. Let's be sure that Al Jolson is never forgotten, but is celebrated for his contributions to the world of entertainment. Thanks for your comments.
@nunyabiznez63812 ай бұрын
When I was a kid in the 1960's my grandparents took me to a theater in Boston to see an All Jolson Impersonation contest. I think I was around 7 years old. My grandfather was a fan of minstrel shows. I had no idea what they were about. So One after another the contestants got and sang one or two songs, some played the piano and some strummed a banjo while singing. Most stood there in the classic Al Jolson pose with their hands clasped together at their chest and all sang their heart out. The one who won the contest sang Camp Town Races. When he came up to get his trophy and cash prize it was discovered he was actually Black and that the MC informed him in front of the audience that he was disqualified due to his race. He was very upset and stormed off the stage and then they gave the trophy to the second place winner. While the performances were amazing, I have always considered this the most surreal and bizarre part of my childhood. The contest was followed by a 90 minute minstrel show. I relayed this to a Black friend of mine 20 years later who said they would have saved a lot of money had they hired "real Black folk." It took some time before I fully grasped what he said.
@mononafernandez95182 жыл бұрын
Siempre lo admire. Tengo 88 años, y me gusta escucharlo.
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for you comments, we admire him as well. Please listen to the other videos on this channel, and subscribe if you have not already.
@mononafernandez95182 жыл бұрын
No se escribir en ingles. Gracias
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
@@mononafernandez9518 No hay problema. Uso Google para traducir al español. ¡Estudié español cuando era niño, pero recuerdo muy poco que pueda usar!
@mononafernandez95182 жыл бұрын
@@MarcLeavey Yo estudie ingles, pero recuerdo muy poco, lamentablemente. Eramos cuatro hermanos, y admirabamos a Al Jonson. Escuchabamos su musica siempre.
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
@@mononafernandez9518 Entiendo. Suscríbete a este canal de KZfaq y disfruta de mis otros videos.
@ghostrider-ek8gu6 жыл бұрын
Thank you, very, very much ... The Al Jolson Society! This is awesome. Thank you.
@MarcLeavey6 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed! Take a look at the scores of other video podcasts from the IAJS, and visit the website at www.jolson.org
@joanettemurcia29292 жыл бұрын
The great among the greatest You ain't heard nothing yet: Al Jolson
@MarcLeavey Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. Please do subscribe to this channel if you've not already, check out more material at the website, www.jolson.org, and consider joining the International Al Jolson Society for even more material and access to Jolson's legacy.
@retrobilly19864 жыл бұрын
I have both Jolson movies on DVD. Larry Parks plays Jolson. I do not care if the movies are not totally correct. I the music that makes it great.
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Absolutely, it was the music and that voice that captivated so many of us. Stop over at the website www.jolson.org and enjoy.
@heartbreak717 жыл бұрын
racist my foot!!!HE BROUGHT THE BLACK MUSIC TO THE STAGE....
@MarcLeavey7 жыл бұрын
Exactly . And we need to help everyone know that.
@heartbreak717 жыл бұрын
mother and i watched this movie part 1 and 2 over and over --then the black people OBJECTED to it on TMC and they only show it at 3am--this is totally RIDICULOUS-- this man was fabulous and brought the black music to the stage..shame on any one that says different and this WAS MUSIC!!!
@bmcgar7 жыл бұрын
I'm struck by how much jumping around modern pop singers do on stage, yet they don't convey the energy that Jolson did when performing..
@MarcLeavey7 жыл бұрын
bmcgar Absolutely! Thanks for the observation .
@iandaniels83864 жыл бұрын
he is the great hope to see a new jolson story film my guess the year 2027 to mark 100 years of talking pictures
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
That is, indeed, a great hope. It may only be possible with folks joining the International Al Jolson Society to express their support, and with concerted efforts on the powers that be to recognize the talent that was Al Jolson. Thanks for your comment, see more on www.jolson.org
@johnrogers75907 жыл бұрын
al jolson just the best
@MarcLeavey7 жыл бұрын
Absolutely! Thanks.
@Freespirited1A7 жыл бұрын
Great singer and performer. I can only feel that he was complimenting black entertainers when he sang with his black face on. This is 2017 and I still respect him as one of the greatest of all time.
@MarcLeavey7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment and observation!
@Freespirited1A7 жыл бұрын
Thank you . It was you who put up this great video about this great entertainer. Great to see it.
@normanlefkowitz5197 Жыл бұрын
Ok, I melted.
@MarcLeavey Жыл бұрын
I agree. This is a fantastic broadcast, one that needs to be heard by all.
@TheBenzooh3 жыл бұрын
i think people dont want to stop living in their hatred. ive watched alot of old songs on youtube. and alot of people commenting about how sad they are seeing black people sing and also are living under jim crow and all that. im like wtf just enjoy the song. they cant not see what thye want to see.
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
This is classic entertainment by unique entertainers. See more about the issue on our website, www.jolson.org, and enjoy the over 130 Video Podcasts in this series. If you've not subscribed, please do, as well. Thanks for your comments.
@marvinseiger64416 жыл бұрын
He was the first to bring blacks to New York and Broadway and strongly protested FOR them and made sure they succeeded and look what he accomplished...on a personal he was difficult to get along with...but then no ones perfect....well except maybe my wife...
@rnhealer60446 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing that. He was thought of as a racist for performing in blackface, but he was a Vaudeville entertainer and that was show business.
@rnhealer60446 жыл бұрын
He was known for bringing black performers to Broadway, He was no racist.
@dreammerchant44424 жыл бұрын
He was an artist ..i don't believe he was a racist.. Those times were not ready for his form of art.. Ok one can say much..but artist are in a league of there own.
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. Yes, Jolson was quite an artist, and his actions and history show that he was not racist. Please do subscribe to my channel to see other Jolson videos.
@dreammerchant44424 жыл бұрын
Subscription filled..big fan of that time from Jack Benny George burn Georgia jessal and many more what a time it had to be..im 58 and wish I could have seen them live.. Keep them coming...
@heartbreak717 жыл бұрын
clive baldwin is fabulous too with the same voice who knew :)
@CaptainNavman6 жыл бұрын
what a talent
@jerryearl19865 жыл бұрын
He was the greatest of his time. To day he would not hold up. By all reports he was not a decent human being to other performers.And any one who worked for him. However he was a great showmen.
@MarcLeavey5 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately, the more famous one becomes, the more stories take on an air of authenticity. Jolson was no saint, neither was he as evil as often portrayed. He was a complex superstar and, just as today's top talents, there were stories of all kinds. Not all were true, not all were false.
@georgebreidenthal7253 жыл бұрын
@@MarcLeavey Are the negative stories about Al Jolson similar to those about Ty Cobb, who I understand was unfairly vilified?
@MarcLeavey3 жыл бұрын
@@georgebreidenthal725 I can't speak to stories about Ty Cobb, but Jolson has been slammed from every angle, but clearly, he was a complex person. There are many stories about his generosity, giving time and money to those in need. It's probable he was short with some people, but we don't know the full story, and never will. There are stories about Sinatra, Ellen DeGeneres, and other celebrities, classic and modern. Not all are true, not all are false, as I said. And usually, the full picture is not elaborated in the telling of just how badly the celebrity is said to have acted. One interesting source is the book, "My Fifteen Minutes," by the late Sybil Jason, who was Warner Brother's answer to Shirley Temple. I knew her, she was a decent, honest woman, and I tend to give weight to her story.
@margaretthomas889911 ай бұрын
How do you know he wouldn't hold up today?
@josephguagenti30323 жыл бұрын
WOW
@jamesbyersmusic5 жыл бұрын
Was this the first time Jolson had sung with his 'new' voice?
@MarcLeavey5 жыл бұрын
No, the earliest you might find would be "Swanee" from "Rhapsody in Blue."
@BuckyBrown-lt4ry3 жыл бұрын
Berle never made it in radio only in Tv and only for a short period. Were it not for Tv, he would be just a blip on the show biz screen.
@LazlosPlane4 жыл бұрын
Of course the story about McGurk's is completely apocryphal.
@davidnewland24612 жыл бұрын
Quite a bit of hyperbole in the intro
@MarcLeavey2 жыл бұрын
Depends on one's perspective and sense of the times
@arthurharrison13456 жыл бұрын
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue? Really, Milton?
@MarcLeavey6 жыл бұрын
Arthur Harrison Certainly noticed that as well. Maybe his cousin's house?
@arthurharrison13456 жыл бұрын
LOL. It doesn't matter; I love Jollie, and this is amazing. (In 1945, I believe 1200 Pennsylvania Ave was the Post Office Department.)
@joerusso44174 жыл бұрын
sammy davis jr was better. but then again i wasn't alive then.
@MarcLeavey4 жыл бұрын
Sammy Davis, Jr., thought highly of Jolson, and frequently sang his songs in tribute to Jolie. He was one who could give us the kind of thrill that Jolson must have done in his time.
@donnaweller65143 жыл бұрын
@Phil Silverman In ok to tv
@georgebreidenthal7253 жыл бұрын
@Phil Silverman I would rank Sinatra higher than Sammy Davis and more comparable to Jolson.