Hampton was born on 20th April 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Chicago as a child, where he began his career as a drummer. He relocated to Los Angeles to play drums in Les Hite's band. They soon became the house band for Frank Sebastian's New Cotton Club, a popular L.A. jazz club.
During a 1930 recording date in the NBC studios in L.A., Louis Armstrong discovered a vibraphone. He asked Hampton if he could play it. Hampton, who knew how to play the xylophone, tried it and they agreed to record a few records with Hamp on vibes. Hampton is credited with popularizing the vibraphone as a jazz instrument.
In the mid-1930s, the Benny Goodman Orchestra came to Los Angeles to play the Palomar Ballroom. John Hammond brought Goodman to see Hampton play. Goodman asked Hampton to move to New York City and join Goodman, Teddy Wilson, and Gene Krupa who'd already formed a Benny Goodman Trio within the large band - to expand into the Benny Goodman Quartet. The Trio and Quartet were among the first racially integrated bands to record and play before wide audiences; they were just as well received at Goodman's famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert as was the full Goodman band.
While Hampton worked for Goodman in New York, he recorded with several different small groups known as the Lionel Hampton Orchestra as well as assorted small groups within the Goodman band. In the early 40s he left the Goodman organization to form his own touring band.
Hampton's band fostered the talents of Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, Ernie Royal, Jack McVea, Charlie Mingus, Monk Montgomery, Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Benny Golson, Fats Navarro, Kenny Dorham, Clifford Brown, Dinah Washington, Betty Carter, Joe Williams, Arnett Cobb, Earl Bostic, and John Colianni among many others.
Hampton's recording of "Flying Home" (1939) with the famous honking tenor sax solo by Jacquet, later refined and expanded by Cobb (1946), is considered by some to be the first rock and roll record. He was known for his tireless energy and his skill on the vibes, drums, and lightning speed two-fingered piano. The bars on the vibraphone are laid out like the piano; Hampton played both instruments the same way.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Hampton and his band started playing at the University of Idaho's jazz concert, which in 1985 was renamed the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. In 1987 the University's music college was renamed the Lionel Hampton School of Music, the first and only university music college to be named after a jazz musician.
Lionel Hampton died of cardiac arrest at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York on 31st August 2002. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.
Everybody's Somebody's Fool
Lionel Hampton Lyrics
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The world is the biggest school
As you live, you learn though a torch will burn
Everybody's somebody's fool
You go through life making fools of others
Pretending you're giving them love
But remember sister or brother
It's beautiful to watch love begin
But oh so sad when it ends
As you got through life remember this rule
Everybody's somebody's fool
It's beautiful to watch love begin
But oh so sad when it ends
As you got through life remember this rule
Everybody's somebody's fool
The lyrics of Lionel Hampton's song Everybody's Somebody's Fool are a reflection on the universal human experience of love and heartbreak. The song suggests that every person, no matter how wise or careful, will at some point be a fool for love. The lyrics describe life as a school where people learn by making mistakes and getting hurt, but also experience the wonder and beauty of falling in love. Despite the emotional ups and downs of relationships, the song reminds us that we are all part of a larger community, connected by our capacity to love and be loved.
The song's title phrase, "Everybody's somebody's fool," serves as its central message. The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea that we should have compassion for those who have been hurt by love, because we have all been there ourselves. The lyrics caution against taking advantage of others' vulnerabilities, reminding us that we must ultimately answer to a higher power. The final verse of the song acknowledges the pain of love's end, but encourages the listener to hold onto the memory of its beauty, and to never forget that everyone is vulnerable to its power.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's somebody's fool
Every person has been made a fool of or has acted foolishly at some point in their life.
The world is the biggest school
Life is a constant learning experience with every person and every situation being a teacher.
As you live, you learn though a torch will burn
Throughout life, one learns through experiences, even when those experiences are painful.
You go through life making fools of others
People often deceive or manipulate others for their own personal gain or amusement.
Pretending you're giving them love
Individuals may act as though they are giving love or kindness, but their true intentions may be selfish or disingenuous.
But remember sister or brother
It's important to keep in mind that everyone is connected and should be treated with respect and empathy.
You all have to answer to the one you above
Everyone will ultimately be judged by a higher power for their actions and treatment of others.
It's beautiful to watch love begin
The experience of falling in love can be a truly wonderful and life-changing event.
But oh so sad when it ends
The ending of a romantic relationship can be a painful and emotional experience.
As you got through life remember this rule
Throughout life, it's important to remember that everyone is vulnerable to being hurt or deceived and that everyone has a responsibility to treat others with kindness and compassion.
Everybody's somebody's fool
Every person has been made a fool of or has acted foolishly at some point in their life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, W & K PUBLISHING CORP., BUNZO MUSIC CO
Written by: Gladys Hampton, Regina Adams, Stanley Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind