Joe McMichael

American tenor singer and songwriter. Long-time member of the Merry Macs. Born: January 16, 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Died: February 12, 1944 (age 28) in Los Angeles, California, USA He was one of the founders of The Merry Macs popular vocal quartet, which had several hits: "Mairzy Doats", "Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition", and "Sentimental Journey". The Merry Macs were founded by Joe and his brothers Ted McMichael and Judd McMichael in the 1920s while attending high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Known as "The McMichaels", they were hired by WCCO in Minneapolis. In 1931–32 the McMichaels toured with the orchestra of arranger-composer Joe Haymes, who renamed them The Personality Boys. By 1933 they added a female lead singer, Cheri McKay, and changed their name to The Merry Macs. He was married to songwriter Inez James. He was drafted into the Army and received a drug that he may have been allergic to and died.