Louis Armstrong (1991 – 1971)

He was the greatest of all Jazz musicians. Armstrong defined what it was to play Jazz. Like almost all early Jazz musicians, Louis was from New Orleans. He was from a very poor family, his amazing playing soon made him a sensation among other musicians in Chicago. The New Orleans style of music took the town by storm and soon many other bands from down south made their way north to Chicago. The records made by Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven are considered to be absolute jazz classics. He and his band toured extensively travelling to Africa, Asia, Europe and South America until Louis' failing health caused them to disband. Armstrong became known as America's Ambassador. In 1963 Armstrong scored a huge international hit with his version of "Hello Dolly". This number one single even knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts. In 1968 he recorded another number one hit with the touchingly optimistic "What A Wonderful World". Armstrong's health began to fail him and he was hospitalized several times over the remaining three years of his life, but he continued playing and recording. On July 6th 1971 the world's greatest Jazz musician died in his sleep at his home in Queens, New York.

Elvis Presley.

Birth name - Elvis Aaron Presley

Also known as Elvis, The King

Born - January 8, 1935 Tupelo, Mississippi, USA

Origin - Memphis, Tennessee

Died - August 16, 1977 (age 42)Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Genre(s) - Rock and roll, Rockabilly Country, Gospel, Country rock

Occupation(s) - Singer, Musician, ActorAmerican soldier

Instrument(s) - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, BassDrums, Percussion, Ukulele

Years active - 1954–1977

Label(s) - Sun, RCA Records

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), was an American singer, musician and actor. He is often known simply as Elvis; also "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", or simply "The King".

Presley began his career as a singer of rockabilly, performing country and rhythm and blues songs. He developed a versatile voice and sang a combination of country music and blues with a strong back beat, and an energetic delivery - one of the earliest forms of rock & roll. He also had success with other genres, including gospel, blues and pop. Presley made 33 movies and set many records for concert attendance, television ratings and records sales. He subsequently became one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music.

His premature death, aged 42, shocked his fans worldwide.