From: "Dik de Heer" Date: Fri Feb 22, 2002 1:15 am Subject: Born To Be With You : Spade Cooley SPADE COOLEY (By Shaun Mather) Born Donnell Clyde Cooley, 22 February 1910, Grande, Oklahoma Died 23 November 1969, Vacaville, California The self-proclaimed King of Western Swing was born in the tiny town of Grande, Oklahoma, but he grew up in Oregon. In 1930 he moved to Los Angeles where he found work in western movies, acting as Roy Rogers' stand-in for Republic Studios. After playing fiddle for Rogers he took control of Jimmy Wakeley's house band at the Venice Pier Ballroom in Santa Monica. Now working as Spade Cooley and His Orchestra, which featured the legendary figures Tex Williams and Joaquin Murphy, played in the hugely popular western swing style and soon developed a big following. His first release on the Okeh label, Shame On You, went to number 1 in 1945 where it stayed for nine weeks. For the next two years he enjoyed another five top 10 singles, including the glorious Detour. The 50's were a hard time for country music in general and western swing in particular, and Cooley failed to register any more hit records. He entered television but a worsening drink problem saw him slip from one disaster to another. In 1961, his second wife Ella Mae left him and he responded by stomping her to death in front of their 14 year-old daughter Melody. At the ensuing trial, Cooley suffered a heart attack whilst receiving a life sentence. He performed at a sheriff's benefit in Oakland, CA in November 1969, before suffering a fatal heart attack in the dressing room after the show. Recommended listening/reading; Spadella! The Essential Spade Cooley - Columbia. A Western Swing Dance with Spade & Tex - Jasmine. Shame On You - Bloodshot Revival. www.hotad.com/spade.html - for a great account of Spade's off-day.