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Joe Williams

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (December 12, 1918-March 29, 1999)
    Born in Cordele, Georgia
    Birth name was Joe Goreed
    Vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra (1954-61)
    Signature song was 'Everyday I Have The Blues'
    Recurring role on The Cosby Show as Clair Huxtable's father 'Grandpa Al' Hanks

Why he might be annoying:

    He changed his name to avoid embarrassing his religious relatives when he started singing the blues.
    He got his first nightclub gig at a place where he cleaned the latrines and sang for tips.
    He had a nervous breakdown and underwent electroshock therapy (1947).
    Before joining Basie's band, he was supplementing his singing income by working as a Fuller Brush salesman.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He had a two-and-a-half octave vocal range.
    Duke Ellington praised his 'perfect enunciation.'
    He won 'Down Beat' magazine's New Star Award (1955).
    He performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival 12 times and at the Chicago Playboy Jazz Festival 10 times.
    He sang 'Come Sunday' at Count Basie's funeral.
    He was named an NEA Jazz Master (1993).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 88.89% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 22 Votes: 54.55% Annoying