Tommy Duncan
This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (August 2021) |
Tommy Duncan | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Thomas Elmer Duncan |
Born | Whitney, Texas | January 11, 1911
Died | July 25, 1967 | (aged 56)
Genres | Western swing |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Years active | 1930s–1960s |
Labels | Capitol |
Thomas Elmer Duncan (January 11, 1911 – July 25, 1967), on and off into the early 1960s.
Biography
Early life
Duncan was born in
Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys
When bandleader Wills decided to form an independent band, he and Duncan became the creative core of
As a lyricist, he contributed to "
After a decade of musical success, Duncan was the first member of Wills's band to volunteer for the armed services after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His service lasted less than a year when he received a medical discharge and he rejoined Wills in 1944 as the war neared its end.
He appeared with Wills and the other Playboys in several movies, including Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys (1944),
Rumors about Duncan having been a heavy drinker were false; Duncan would only have a drink or two at social events and his brother Glynn stated that otherwise he never saw Duncan drink even while they lived together in Fresno, California. Many band members considered him a troublemaker, but the accusations may have stemmed from professional jealousy. Duncan was admired by contemporaries including Tex Ritter, Tex Williams, Teddy Wilds, Hank Penny and Ole Rasmussen.
Later career
By 1948, Wills's drinking was becoming too out of control for Duncan.[1] Wills often missed shows, and when the headliner failed to appear, the band's pay reverted to union scale. After a string of performances in 1948 without Wills, Wills overheard Duncan complaining one night before a performance. Wills told guitarist Eldon Shamblin to "fire" Duncan, who set out to form his own band.
He organized another Western swing band called 'Tommy Duncan and His Western All Stars'[1] featuring his younger brother Glynn (1921–2013), a Western swing pioneer, on bass (who would later become Wills's lead vocalist in the late 1950s). Another brother, Joe Duncan, was the lead vocalist for Johnnie Lee Wills's band for a period of time. At the height of the band's popularity, Duncan and the band made an appearance in the 1949 Western film, South of Death Valley, starring Charles Starrett and Smiley Burnette. Musical tastes were changing, however, and attendance at the Western All Stars' dances ranged from fair to poor, certainly not enough to sustain a large band, which lasted less than two years.
From 1959 to 1961, Duncan again toured and recorded with Wills, rekindling much of their former success.[1] By this time Duncan's voice had evolved to a mature mellow croon and he used it to the greatest effect. But when Wills began drinking, he again left and made personal appearances with various bands. Wills's band never achieved the same greatness it had with Duncan, and Duncan's solo efforts mostly paled in comparison to his Wills output. Although known for Western swing, Duncan enjoyed singing country hits of the day.
Death
Duncan, who had previous heart problems, died in his motel room in San Diego, California after a performance at Imperial Beach on July 24, 1967.[5] The coroner's report said he was "lying...on the floor...Evidence victim had a heart condition, numerous pills for heart were found among personal effects." He is buried near Merced, California.
Legacy
On his own and with Wills, Duncan's singing and songwriting were an influence on such artists as
As a member of The Texas Playboys, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence in 1999,[6] and was also inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame. Texas singer Billy Mata has released the Volumes I and II of a planned trilogy of tunes a tribute to Duncan entitled This Is Tommy Duncan.
Singles
Year | Single | US Country |
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1949 | "Gamblin' Polka Dot Blues" | 8 |
Discography
- Texas Moon (Bear Family BCD-15907, 1996) includes all 10 tracks recorded for Capitol Records, 2 tracks recorded for Natural Records, and 8 tracks recorded for Intro Records; plus 4 tracks recorded by 'Glynn Duncan & His Bar B Boys'.
- Beneath a Neon Star in a Honky Tonk (Bear Family BCD-15957, 1996) includes an additional 24 tracks recorded for Intro Records.
- Dog House Blues (Jasmine JASMCD-3585, 2008) includes all 12 tracks recorded for Coral Records; also included are 5 tracks by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys and 7 tracks by Billy Jack Wills & His Western Swing Band.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
- ^ Goodspeed, John (December 7, 2016). "Billy Mata a crusader for unsung hero Tommy Duncan". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ "TSHA | Duncan, Thomas Elmer [Tommy]". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-2927-8322-5.
- ^ Hoover, Carl (January 13, 2011). "Local tribute honors voice behind Bob Wills' biggest hits". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-8032-4787-1.