Hadda Brooks (October 29, 1916 – November 21, 2002), was an American pianist, vocalist and composer. Her first single, "Swingin' the Boogie", which she composed, was issued in 1945. She was billed as "Queen of the Boogie." She sang at Hawaii's official statehood ceremony in 1959 and was reportedly asked for a private audience by Pope Pius XII.
October 29, 1916, Los Angeles, California, United States
Died
November 21, 2002, Los Angeles, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Profession
Soundtrack, Actress
Spouse
Earl Morrison (m. 1941–1942)
Parents
John Hapgood, Goldie Wright
Albums
Swingin' The Boogie
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Fact
1
The first black woman in the USA to host her own TV show.
2
In 1941, she married Earl "Shug" Morrison, who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. But Morrison died of pneumonia within a year, and Brooks never remarried.
3
At age 4, she begged her parents - her mother was a doctor, her father a deputy sheriff - for piano lessons. She later studied classical music.
4
Lived in Australia, Europe and Hawaii before returning to Los Angeles.