A Swing King Re-emerges

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

By Shana Ting Lipton, Special to The Times

For those looking down on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the name Spade Cooley probably doesn't mean very much. He was a real-life star once, known as "The King of Western Swing" back in the '40s and '50s, when he led a 30-piece band, was a fiddle virtuoso and hosted his own television variety show.

Now perhaps his greatest claim to fame is an ignominious one: He's believed to be the only convicted killer with a star on the Walk of Fame. On Feb. 8, 1960, the foundation for Cooley's star was laid. Just a year later, at age 51, he sat in a cell in Vacaville prison, serving a life sentence for the murder of his 37-year-old wife, Ella Mae.

Today, Cooley has yet to fully emerge from the shadows of musical obscurity. The western swing genre that he helped pioneer has remained a dusty, albeit inventive, hybrid between country western and the swing music of the big band era.

"He's a forgotten man," says writer John Gilmore. "Everyone said, 'Good riddance to that monster.' "

But Gilmore and a handful of other artists are trying to see to it that people not only remember but also hear the complex and multifaceted story of Cooley's rise to success, along with his abysmal fall from grace. In August, Gilmore will release "L.A. Despair" (Amok Books), a collection of dark stories, à la "Hollywood Babylon," that includes a section on the King of Western Swing.

Actor Dennis Quaid has purchased the rights to the three Cooley children's stories. He's written a film he plans to direct and star in, alongside actress Katie Holmes. "My story is really about the battle of light and darkness inside all of us," Quaid says, explaining that it is not his intent to pass judgment but rather portray Cooley as true to life as possible.

Local filmmaker Dave Payne has been fine-tuning his own script for a screen version of Cooley's life. "My story is about a guy who comes to Hollywood and gets treated like a star," he says. "The people around him tried to cover up the murder."

A reverence for Cooley's unsung musical talent — along with fascination about his grim downward spiral — seems to be at the root of the renewed interest in his troubled life. He was born Donnell C. Cooley, in Grand, Okla., in 1910. He learned to play cello and violin before the age of 10, after his family moved to Oregon. Years later — as legend has it — he was christened "Spade" during a lucky poker game in which he beat the odds with several spade flushes.

But legend is often muddied by time. In "L.A. Despair," Gilmore claims that Cooley "would tell tales that varied from being born in a storm cellar to swearing he was half Cherokee Indian and his granddaddy'd scalped a truckload of white men." Writer James Ellroy also managed to capture Cooley's vintage grandiosity in "L.A. Confidential" and "Dick Contino's Blues and Other Stories" — both works that feature a "Spade" character in one form or another.

In 1930, the Cooley family moved to Modesto. Just a few years later, young Donnell would join the legions of would-be cowboys lining up for their big break in Hollywood. It was the '30s, in the middle of the western movie craze. Gilmore says that there was a drugstore around the corner from the Columbia Pictures studios where these cowboy movie hopefuls would hang out waiting for work, giving birth to the term "drugstore cowboy." Cooley managed to stand out above the other cowboys by standing in for western idol Roy Rogers, but eventually his acting career flopped.

His music was a whole other story.

Big band, the big time

By the 1940s, Cooley had assembled a big band with Tex Williams handling most of the vocals. He warmed up to future wife Ella Mae, who was in the band as well. They began playing the Venice Pier Ballroom and later the Riverside Rancho in Los Feliz and the Santa Monica Ballroom. The big sound and the high-energy of the gigs attracted die-hard fans — mostly factory laborers working swing shifts.

"People were top-notch jitterbugging, jumping around, cutting loose and going crazy," says Gilmore, who adds that Cooley "was close to a genius with the fiddle." At one such performance, Cooley faced off with musical rival Bob Wills and beat him out for the title of King of Western Swing. Cooley was in many ways a rock star of his time; he certainly dressed the part, decked out in Western suits emblazoned with his trademark spades.

"Anyone that wanted to be a groovy hillbilly came to Los Angeles," says Paul Greenstein, guitarist and vocalist of the Radio Ranch Straight Shooters, a band that, along with the Lucky Stars, and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, has followed the western swing tradition associated with Cooley. The Radio Ranch Straight Shooters originally recorded one of Cooley's tunes, "Y'Ready," for Payne. It ended up on the soundtrack of David Lynch's 1999 film "The Straight Story."

Recording a Spade Cooley song, or writing a song about him, has become a rite of passage for today's local western swing bands. Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys recorded the tune "When Sleep Won't Come: Blues for Spade" on their "Night Tide" album. The contemporary incarnation of western swing went through a dormant phase when swing music hit the L.A. scene. A revived interest in country western is currently evidenced by radio shows like "Watusi Rodeo" on Indie 103.1 and the upcoming Johnny Cash movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. L.A.'s cinematically immortalized swing roots have also contributed to a mini-resurgence of this country and swing cocktail. "We get a rockabilly contingent," says Lucky Stars drummer Dave Stuckey.

In May, the Lucky Stars held a release party for their CD "Stay Out Late With the Lucky Stars" at Joe's Great American Bar and Grill in Burbank, which, under new ownership, will have a special emphasis on western swing. The Lucky Stars will also play three shows in July: the Music Center on the 15th, the Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd on the 29th and the Derby on the 31st.

A Texan with an equal passion for western swing, Quaid points to a dual quality in Cooley's musical work. "You have this really upbeat, happy music, and there's this darkness in the lyrics; they're all about mistrust and betrayal." Cooley's best-known song, "Shame on You" (also the working title of Quaid's film), has lines like, "Took my car and my money, tell you gal that ain't funny," and "Ran around with other guys, tried to lie when I got wise."

To friends of Cooley's, or those well acquainted with his relationship with second wife Ella Mae, such lyrics have a particularly haunting quality. His marriage was "a terribly destructive, neurotic, co-dependent relationship infused with alcohol," as Gilmore puts it. Parallels might be drawn with Cooley's roller-coaster career.

A television personality

For many of those in the film industry, the era ushered in by television was a death knell. But for Cooley, who never made it in film, it was a blessing. Following his incredible success in local clubs, he was offered a western-style variety show on KTLA in 1948. "The Spade Cooley Show," as it later came to be called, was popular for years, blazing the trail for later song-and-dance programs, such as "The Lawrence Welk Show". But after a time, the format started to get stale, and even Cooley's gimmicky all-girl band couldn't keep the ratings up. The show was canceled in 1956.

This was perhaps the beginning of the end for Cooley, whose far-fetched idea for a resort in the Mojave Desert built around three artificial lakes was also taking a dive. As if in tandem with his financial stress, his marriage to Ella Mae was subject to regular feuding, repeated separations and accusations of infidelity. "Spade accused Ella Mae of going with these two guys to sex clubs," says Payne. Apparently, in researching his script, he later tried to track the two alleged wife-stealing Lotharios down years later only to find "two gay guys living together somewhere in Northridge."

Gilmore's story paints a different picture of a taunting, jeering Ella Mae throwing sordid tales of sex clubs in her husband's face to bait him into leaving her. Greenstein and Payne both agree that, apparently, Ella Mae used her friendship with the successful Roy Rogers to incite Cooley's jealousy. "Spade got to see Roy's career take off, and he just kind of stumbled around the outskirts," says Payne.

Greenstein also points to an unstable man disoriented, not just by jealousy, but also by drugs and alcohol. Quaid believes that Cooley may have been manic-depressive. "Today, he could have been medicated for what he had. He was delusional."

Regardless of the theories of Cooley's last days as a free man, the outcome was nightmarish and unthinkable. On April 5, 1961, the papers reported that Cooley was being held in the Kern County Jail under suspicion of beating Ella Mae to death, in the company of their 14-year-old daughter.

In the wake of the personal disaster that took a life and wreaked havoc on his children, Melody, Donnell Jr. and John, Cooley also killed his musical legacy. The King of Western Swing figuratively abdicated his title to rival Wills when he left to fulfill a life sentence at Vacaville.

"Bob Wills never murdered his wife, and he kept the music very pure," says Payne.

Gilmore has taken the controversial position in "L.A. Despair" that it was not a premeditated murder but "an accidental rage, manslaughter." Apparently the authorities agreed.

After years of impeccable behavior and voiced remorse, Cooley was scheduled for full parole on Feb. 22, 1970. Three months prior to his release, he was given a special 72-hour parole to appear at a benefit for the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs' Assn. at the Oakland Auditorium. The 59-year-old Cooley received a standing ovation from the audience of 2,800. He then walked off the stage and suffered a fatal heart attack.

Payne owns a recording of the odd, impromptu memorial event. Like many of the occurrences in Cooley's turbulent life, art and life entwined in an addicting but irreconcilable marriage. As Payne puts it, "He sang the words, 'Time to live before it's time to die,' and walked backstage and died."

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

If he had done that today, all he would have needed to do in California is hire someone like Johnny Cochran.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Spade Cooley by far was the finest western swing band ever.IMHO. Forrest White VP of Leo Fender was there the day Cooley passed away backstage after playing "Devils Dream"

The man is dead why do people look for the worst in people,regardless he was the best and far above Bob Wills. I loved Will's band
but it was Spade with his driving force and rhythm section along with Joaquin that made the difference. Noel Boggs as well played steel with the Cooley orchestra. Lawrence Welk fashioned his orchestra after the Cooley band when Welk added Buddy Merril and Neil LeVang to his orchestra.There would never been a Welk type sound if it were not for Spade Cooley who pioneered that sound and unique style.

Cooley murdered his wife when he caught her in an act of infidelity. He was guilty as all get out, but imagine his drinking and seeing this with his own eyes? I think as Bill said,If Johnny Cochran was Spade's attorney he would have got off scott free.

OJ Simpson murdered Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in cold blood and that creep gets off NOT GUILTY. Why not remember Cooley for what he did for western swing and not dwell on his past history. Spade was part Cherokee Indian and couldn't handle liquor.
Speedy worked for Cooley and Cooley fired Speedy three times a week until Speedy told Spade to take it and shove it. Lets leave the Greatest icon of Western swing Rest in Peace. It was Spade Cooley who pioneered the Fender steel guitar with Boggs on steel. Seeing the two diamond plates on the front of Noel's guitar became known as the "Diamond
Guitar,,end of story.

Thank You

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 09 July 2005 at 05:34 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Well said Jody.

c c johnson · From: killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.

Thanks for the post Jody. As I stated in a previous post about Spade I saw Spade in a different light than a lot of people have. While I was only a sub in Spades bands I saw Spade do several acts of helping the band members through rough times. Several of the band members have thought alot of Spade and I overheard them talk about his wife "slippin round". Spade should have never went to prison. CC

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

CC writes and I quote,

Spade should have never went to prison. CC

Right On. CC

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 10 July 2005 at 12:26 PM.]

Dayna Wills · From: Sacramento, CA (deceased)

I was just a kid when Spade whent to prison, but I remember my dad and Uncle Luke talking about how sad the whole thing was.
Yes, Spade beat Uncle Bob ina battle of the bands.....on the West Coast.
I have also been told that Spade's band was charted, like the big bands of the 30's & 40's. Uncle bob also used charts, they were known as the "Chart your own course". HA!

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c c johnson · From: killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.

Thats corect Dayna about the charts. Pedro and Duece did most if not all the arranging. Both of them would mark off 4 8 16 bars simply "steel". I guess that with Joaquin to restrict him to what was on paper would have desroyed his sound that we all still love today. Us subs were not expected to duplicate Joaquin but to come as close as we could. The other instruments had to play the chickin tracks but they had played the songs so often they really did not have to refer to them.Spade held one and sometimes two rehearsals almost every day. Spade insisted that each song was played exactly like the chart and to make sure all were paying attention, Deuce{I think} would change up the chart a little before rehearsal an heaven help the guy that played it by ear and not the way it was written. Of course the orig charts were then brought out and all the guys played while looking at the charts. CC

Dave Brophy · From: Miami FL

"Cooley murdered his wife when he caught her in an act of infidelity."

I just read several accounts of the case and trial,and this wasn't alleged by anybody.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/15318p-14533c.html

"I think as Bill said,If Johnny Cochran was Spade's attorney he would have got off scott free."

Spade was worth $15 million in 1960 dollars,so he could have afforded any lawyer he wanted.He probably didn't get off because unlike OJ,he neglected to murder the only eyewittnes.His 14-year-old daughter.

"Spade should have never went to prison."

Why the heck not? He committed a horrible murder.

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 13 July 2005 at 12:39 PM.]

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

I was hoping that this wouldn't turn into a referendum on whether or not he should have gone to prison. I think he should have.

The OJ verdict, in California, wasn't specifically about OJ, it was a much larger issue, that doesn't need to be discussed here.

Dave Brophy · From: Miami FL

"why why why..must we dig?"

Beacause we're curious? Because we're interested? Because we want to know?

"are we at a point where we care more about lifestyles them music?"

Lifestyles?? That's gotta be the euphemism of the year.
People been talkin' about murder since Cain slew Abel.
"Wow,Cain was always such a nice guy.I can't believe he did that."
"He was the best cat gut string player I ever heard."

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Hitler was a vegetarian, loved animals, got the trains running in Germany, and revived their economy with vibrant industry. Why do we constantly have to bring up the negative stuff?

I'm exaggerating; I'm not comparing Spade to Hitler, obviously. I grew up listening to Spade's and Tex's music, love it, have all of it, and my house is decorated with posters, a Spade Cooley fiddle, 8x10's etc.

But, like OJ, that one defining act unfortunately eclipses the majority of the man's work. It will never be "great Western bandleader," without adding "... who bludgeoned his wife to death."

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Godwin's Law may apply here.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

I had to look that one up:
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=158290

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 13 July 2005 at 12:41 PM.]

Bill McCloskey · Posted 12 Jul 2005 1:35 pm

Well, I for one, love reading about the private lives of musicians. I just read the Dylan autobiography and have books on Charlie Patton, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Dave Van Ronk, and many others on my book shelf. If you are above gossip, I salute you, but most people aren't. It is human nature, and I'm definitely human. Getting rid of gossip would wipe out about 1/2 of all TV, movies, print and radio.

And it would decimate the E! channel.

It is the reason Ray was a hit. And the reason someone wants to do a movie on Spade.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Herb is dead-on.
Can a Spade Cooley discussion be confined strictly to his music and his musical contributions? Yes, I think so.
Can a person do what he did and hope that such a little whoopsie can be forgotten? I sure hope I never see the day that a wife killer can get the record expunged (let alone walk free).

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I have never thought of Cooley's and Wills' bands as competitive "western swing" bands because they were of such different styles and instrumentation. To me, Bob Wills' band was a top-notch country band with great musicians; they had a unique sound, some great original songs, and played with a great dance beat. On the other hand, Cooley's band was not unlike most of the other swing bands of the "big band" era, except that Cooley added fiddles, accordian and steel guitar to produce a different flavor. If I had to do a comparison, I would pick Cooley over Wills because of my personal taste. And, of course, Joaquin’s work was a huge contributor to my preference.

I'm surprised that no one in this thread has mentioned Cooley's talent as an artist. I have read that he did some outstanding oils while serving his time and that his paintings brought top dollar.

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Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 12 July 2005 at 02:54 PM.]

Dave Brophy · From: Miami FL

"and it's so very important that you know right?...."

Not vitally,no.But when people start vehemently protesting that a subject shouldn't be talked about,and then proceed to talk about it,it sparks my interest all the more.
Sometimes I prefer to learn the truth about something for myself,and since I'm an adult,I don't really need somebody scolding me for it.But thanks for your input.
I also don't believe that learning about a musician's flaws or misdeeds takes away from their art.The art speaks for itself.I've had more than one hero who made a mess of things,and it doesn't change the music they made,or my feeling for it.I stopped idolizing human beings a few decades ago.
But I think that's a long way from saying that a murder should somehow be excused,or minimized,or hushed-up and never spoken of.

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 12 July 2005 at 06:18 PM.]

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 13 July 2005 at 12:42 PM.]

Bill McCloskey · Posted 12 Jul 2005 8:25 pm

Personally I find this thread fascinating because there are people contributing to it who actually knew and played with Spade, and have strong feelings about his guilt or innocence. To be able to read their view and have it archived is not only interesting, it's historically important.

[This message was edited by Bill McCloskey on 12 July 2005 at 10:14 PM.]

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

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Whitney Single 12 8FL & 5 KN,keyless, dual changers Extended C6th, Webb Amp, Line6 PodXT, Goodrich Curly Chalker Volume Pedal, Match Bro, BJS Bar..I was keyless....when keyless wasn't cool....

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 12 July 2005 at 10:28 PM.]

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 12 July 2005 at 10:45 PM.]

[This message was edited by George Redmon on 13 July 2005 at 12:38 PM.]

Bill McCloskey · Posted 13 Jul 2005 3:03 am

Since George has edited his posts, mine no longer make sense. I'm editing my as well. George and I have traded private emails and all is well. Love ya George!

[This message was edited by Bill McCloskey on 13 July 2005 at 09:20 PM.]

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