SUGAR CHILE ROBINSON 3-YEAR-OLD WONDER OF THE MUSICAL WORLD PIANO PRODIGY 42714

This vintage newsreel tells the incredible story of Sugar "Chile" Robinson, who was a child prodigy on the piano and one of the musical sensations of the 1940s. Frank Isaac Robinson was born in December of 1938 in Detroit, and at an early age showed unusual gifts singing the blues and accompanying himself on the piano. According to this newsreel, he was self-taught and as you can see, he managed to use techniques including slapping the keys with elbows and fists. In this newsreel he's age 7 and called a "musical genius" by the narrator. Robinson came to prominence when he won a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit at the age of three, and in 1945 played guest spots at the theatre with Lionel Hampton, who was prevented by child protection legislation from taking Robinson on tour with him. However, Robinson performed on radio with Hampton and Harry "The Hipster" Gibson, and also appeared as himself in the Hollywood film No Leave, No Love, starring Van Johnson and Keenan Wynn. I

Added 24 Mar 2026