Billy Daniels

Billy Daniels

William Boone Daniels (September 12, 1915 – October 7, 1988) was an American singer active in the United States and Europe from the mid-1930s to 1988, notable for his hit recording of "That Old Black Magic" and his pioneering performances on early 1950s television. He was one of the first African-American entertainers to cross over into the mainstream. Daniels was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1977.

Birth and Death Data: Born Jacksonville (city in Duval County, and largest city in State of Florida, United States), Died October 7, 1988

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor vocal

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-065095	10-in.	5/8/1941	Penthouse serenade	Billy Daniels	Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble	vocalist, tenor vocal
Victor	BS-065096	10-in.	5/8/1941	Diane (I'm in heaven when I see you smile)	Billy Daniels	Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble	vocalist, tenor vocal
Victor	D4VB-0441	10-in.	11/24/1944	Together	Billy Daniels ; Phil Moore Four	Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and instrumental quartet	vocalist, tenor vocal
Victor	D5VB-0084	10-in.	2/7/1945	My dreams are getting better all the time	Billy Daniels ; Phil Moore Four	Male vocal duet, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance band	vocalist, tenor vocal
ARC	19579	10-in.	7/20/1936	(It will have to do) Until the real thing comes along	'Bama State Collegians ; Billy Daniels ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, tenor vocal
ARC	19580	10-in.	7/20/1936	I can't escape from you	'Bama State Collegians ; Billy Daniels ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, tenor vocal
ARC	19581	10-in.	7/20/1936	Without a shadow of a doubt	'Bama State Collegians ; Billy Daniels ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, tenor vocal
ARC	19823	10-in.	9/8/1936	Coquette	'Bama State Collegians ; Billy Daniels ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	vocalist, tenor vocal
Decca	73266		1/3/1946	Soothe me	Andy Kirk Orchestra		vocalist, tenor vocal

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Daniels, Billy," accessed December 25, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310846.

Daniels, Billy. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 25, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310846.

"Daniels, Billy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 25 December 2025.