Gene Greene

Eugene Delbert Greene (June 9, 1877 – April 5, 1930) was an American vaudeville and ragtime singer.<ref name="Yanow" /> He was one of the first to use scat singing techniques.

Career

Greene was born in Indiana.<ref name="Yanow" /> He worked with his wife, Blanche Werner, as Greene & Werner.<ref name="Yanow" />

Between 1911 and 1917, he made five recordings of "King of the Bungaloos", which was his most popular song.<ref name="Yanow" /> Nicknamed "The Ragtime King", he employed scat singing techniques on this song.<ref name="Yanow">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Jasen2007">Template:Cite book</ref> His other songs included "The Chinese Blues" and "Alexander's Got a Jazz Band Now".<ref name="Yanow" /> While on a tour of Europe in 1912, Blanche Werner died.<ref name="Yanow" /> Greene continued to perform, making about 64 recordings during 1912–13 before returning to the U.S.<ref name="Yanow" /> He retired to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ran a restaurant.<ref name="Yanow" /> He tried to sing again in New York City but died of a heart attack backstage.<ref name="Yanow" />

"King of the Bungaloos" appeared on Pop Music: The Early Years 1890–1950 as part of Sony's Soundtrack for a Century box set.<ref name="Muir">Template:Cite book</ref>

See also

• List of ragtime composers