Bill Darnel

About

American singer then record executive and sales promoter. Born June 2, 1912 in Lorain, Ohio. Died April 28, 1976 (age 63) in Acapulco, Mexico. One of the busiest session singers of the late-1930's and early-40's, Bill Darnel appeared on recordings by such top-notch jazz bandleaders as Red Nichols, Bob Chester, Jimmie Lunceford and Edgar Hayes. Launching a solo career in the early-1950's, Darnel scored with remakes of "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" and "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I", featuring the harmonies of female singing group, The Heathertones. Darnel's name switched on and off between "Darnell" and "Darnel" over the years. Darnel first attracted attention, in the mid-1930's, when he worked with alto saxophonist and bandleader, Jimmie Lunceford and his orchestra. He continued to work with Lunceford until the early-1940's. He recorded with pianist Edgar Hayes, in 1937 and 1938, cornet player Red Nichols in 1940 and saxophonist Bob Chester in 1941. Darnel was already working in sales while he was singing, preparing for his next stage. Darnel worked at Diamond Records and before that with Bert Berns at Bang Records and Shout Records. Prior to those he was with Jubilee as a recording artist then for a short stint at Paris Records. He was National Director of Sales and Promotion at All Platinum Records. Prior to that All Platinum, Next, he became General Manager of Sunburst Records, Ltd.

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