[CityBoyDoug]

Donnell Clyde Cooley(December 17, 1910 – November 23, 1969), better known as Spade Cooley, was an American Western swing musician, big band leader, actor, and television personality. His career ended in 1961 when he was arrested and convicted for the murder of his second wife, Ella Mae Evans. He was a long time resident of the Los Angeles area and was very popular on LA TV station, KTLA and Paramount Productions starting in 1948.

The mix of too much alcohol and jealously drove Spade way over the edge. After he had served eight years, the state of California agreed to parole him on February 22, 1969. In November 1969, he received 72-hour furlough to play a benefit concert for the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County at the Oakland Auditorium, now known as the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, in Oakland. After the performance, on November 23, Cooley suffered a fatal heart attack in the backstage area. He was only 58... a sad end to a very talented musician.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcmEj8LtdJI

another tune by Spade.

http://youtu.be/pgzeLlBjD6Q



Images ~ private CD