Josh White -- Joshua Fit the Battle and One Meat Ball
Josh White in 1944, from "The Crimson Canary" -- discussed in my book, Josh White: Society Blues. This was filmed after he had spent four years as the reigning star of Cafe Society, and gives a good sense of how he appeared onstage: one foot on a chair, a lit cigarette behind his ear. However, it's worth highlighting one historical anomaly: Cafe Society was proudly integrated and Josh personally fought against segregated venues, but Hollywood was still playing the segregation game and the audience for this clip is all white.
About Josh White
Born February 11, 1914 in Greenville, South Carolina, died September 5, 1969 in Manhasset, N.Y. American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor, and civil rights activist. Some of his recordings in the mid-1930s were released as by Pinewood Tom. He was one of the most popular and influential folksingers in America in the mid-20th century. His most famous song, “One Meat Ball,” is about a poor man who has little money to buy dinner and who gets little sympathy from the waiter serving him. The folk...
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